Why You Shouldn't Wash Rice in the Inner Pot of a Rice Cooker? Many People Do This Incorrectly Without Knowing

Washing rice is a common practice, done daily by many Vietnamese families. A rice cooker is an essential appliance in the kitchen, making rice cooking easier and quicker. According to habit, many people pour rice into the inner pot of the rice cooker and rinse it a few times before cooking. While this is convenient, some believe it can scratch the pot, reduce its durability, and be harmful to health.

In this regard, the Japanese program Hodori Shinichi Morning Show interviewed seven rice cooker manufacturers. According to the interview, six out of seven brands stated that if you use a high-quality, genuine rice cooker, it's fine to wash the rice in the pot. However, if you're using a lower-quality rice cooker, washing rice in the pot can cause the non-stick coating to peel off. This not only affects the aesthetics but can also cause the rice to have a metallic smell, which could impact health.

The remaining brand in the interview also mentioned that washing rice in the pot is generally not a problem, but to maintain the cooker’s longevity, users should wash the rice in a separate sieve before placing it into the pot.

Therefore, you should avoid washing rice directly in the pot of low-quality rice cookers. However, if you're using a high-quality, genuine rice cooker, it is fine to wash rice in the pot. Still, to ensure the cooker’s durability and prevent the non-stick coating from peeling, it's recommended to wash the rice in a separate sieve outside the pot. Washing rice in a sieve also allows you to easily detect and remove any dirt or small stones in the rice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Rice Cooker

• Not Drying the Inner Pot
  After washing the rice, many people immediately put the inner pot back into the rice cooker and start cooking. However, this can harm the durability of the cooker. Water left on the outside of the pot can wet the heating plate, increasing the risk of short circuits or electrical leaks.

You should wipe the outside and bottom of the inner pot dry before placing it back into the rice cooker.

• Using Metal Utensils to Stir the Rice
  Most modern rice cookers are coated with a non-stick layer to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. During use, you should only use heat-resistant plastic, silicone, or wooden utensils to stir and scoop the rice. Using metal or sharp utensils to stir and scoop the rice will scratch the non-stick coating, damaging the rice cooker’s durability.