Question about rice quality when using a Zojirushi rice cooker

Submitted by POPCORN_EATER t3_11gk5ol in BuyItForLife

Hello,

I want to get a premium rice cooker after seeing so many raving reviews for the good ones. My only question is if it's worth it if I just buy Golden Star jasmine long grain rice. I don't really know what a "good" brand of rice is and if the rice cooker (this is the one in question) can turn my presumably ordinary rice into something better :)

Sorry if this isn't the best sub to ask this question. Since I'm buying a very good quality rice cooker that'll last me for life, I thought it'd be a semi-appropriate place to ask at the least.

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bluehairjungle t1_jaos7kl wrote

Unless it's really bad, I haven't noticed too much of a difference between jasmine rice brands. And I'm Filipino. I've had a lot of rice in my life. I usually buy Asian Best with the elephant on the package since that's what my parents always got.

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NathanClayton t1_jap149g wrote

Same here within the brands, although some will be dirtier than others, after washing it clean it tastes about the same.

I usually end up getting the big 50# bags from Costco, either jasmine for medium grain or calrose for short grain.

One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of rice cookers aren't made, or at least don't have instructions for super long grain rices like basmati.

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POPCORN_EATER OP t1_jaouhj7 wrote

Ok, then I think I'll pull the trigger on one of these premium for-life rice cookers :) thanks

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MostProcess4483 t1_jb19lhc wrote

You didn’t mention arsenic or lead or heavy metals, but I thought I’d jump in anyway since quality of rice probably includes toxins/fewer toxins. A few weeks ago I went down the rice quality rabbit hole and was surprised (kinda) to find out rice can have unacceptable amounts of arsenic and lead in it - especially if you eat it frequently. The exact details have dimmed in my memory but the safest rice that’s readily available is the stuff grown in California. Texas rice was on the worse end of things. I kind of remember India wasn’t as bad as Texas. I’d look it up yourself to see if the rice you’re buying is safer than maybe another source for the same type. Brown was worse than white. I’ve been using a Zojirushi for a few years now, and it makes every kind of rice the best that it can be. The Jasmine and Basmati white or brown are fantastic. I prefer some kinds (Tamaki Gold is soooooo good) but they’ve all been really, really good at a minimum. It does not bring the same magic to pearled barley or wheat berries, or I need to tweak the recipe. We went from rarely rice to rice all the time with the rice cooker, I only wish I’d bought the 5 1/2 cup model vs the 3 cup model.

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ricardo9505 t1_jaoxuli wrote

I had a nice rice cooker and wound up giving it away to my sister after just going back to the steel pot. Too easy and jasmine rice just comes out better. My nephews and kid only like the rice from the pot not the rice cooker. Weird. I liked it cause it also steamed but I live in an apt.

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Metron_Seijin t1_jap69rc wrote

There's a ton of different types of rice. Depends on what you like the most.

Theres also the issue of many of them being grown in soil with high arsenic content. Thats important to some people and limits what brands and types they buy.

No matter what brand you buy, a nice rice cooker will make it so much easier to cook and consistent every time.

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POPCORN_EATER OP t1_jap9c4x wrote

For sure. Now I just gotta look into a long term sponge/method of cleaning for the nonstick pan lol

thanks!

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IndianaFartJockey t1_jaryrnb wrote

I just soap my hand and clean it like that. No sponge. I certainly hope my hand will be BIFL

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Lost_Band_1252 t1_jaq8z3g wrote

I cannot stress enough how much better and more consistent my Zojirushi cooks the rice as compared to the many Aroma $30 rice cookers I’ve had in the past. But here’s the real trick. Do yourself a favor and, if you don’t already have one, get yourself a quality rice washing bowl…like 10 bucks….and wash the crap out of your rice before you cook it. Like clear water when your done washing your rice kind of wash the crap out of your rice…..who knows maybe that is all you really have to do to make a bad cooker cook good.

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POPCORN_EATER OP t1_jaqdfs4 wrote

I honestly just rinse it twice and call it a day. Can you sell me on the benefits of washing the rice till it's clear? I just do it twice to get out any bugs/rocks etc.

Since you have one, may I ask how you clean the nonstick pan? Just sponges or do you use microfiber clothes? Idk why I'm so worried about the cleaning, probably bc of the price tag lol

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Lost_Band_1252 t1_jarpci9 wrote

Sure. To clean it I just hand wash it using the soft side of regular sponge(as opposed to the Brillo side) and a little soap. Honestly, it doesn’t take too much pressure at all as everything just slides out. I haven’t used micro fiber towels for that specific purpose, but I assume they would work just fine. And then, from what I understand, during shipping the rice jostles around and flakes into a fine powder, or a rice flour. If you cook the rice in water that contains a lot of this “rice flour” it behaves just like any flour would and thickens the liquid it’s in and ultimately creates a more mushy, congealed lump of cooked rice as opposed to each individual grain being distinct. So the “texture” of the rice is much more enjoyable if it is thoroughly washed. This process along with using a high quality rice cooker that cooks it evenly has made a big difference in the quality I have experienced. Also without the addition of the rice flour clean up is much easier. I hope that helps.

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POPCORN_EATER OP t1_jata97y wrote

Thank you so much! Ok so I'll go ahead and try the microfiber towels, pretty sure they won't scratch it or anything. Idk how long you've had your cooker for, but have you had to buy a replacement bowl? Sorry for all the questions, I just really want to make an informed purchase.

And alright you truly have sold me on thoroughly washing my rice! I will getting a $10 rice washer as you suggested :D I thought people were just being overly anal xd

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Lost_Band_1252 t1_jaw8d90 wrote

Believe me I thought it was ridiculous to even wash rice and never did it. I would just scoop it out of the bag with my measuring cup, chucked it in my Aroma, added water to the desired line, and pressed cook! And to be honest what came out was “rice”. But it was by no means excellent rice. The difference—because after all, we are talking about rice….just simple, old, dependable rice, goes like this: For about 15 years I drove a 1990 Honda accord DX. This car was like my unwashed Aroma Rice. 240,000 miles, Dependable, took me across the country twice, did what it’s was asked to do, not too fast, not too slow, nothing special, radio stopped working, a/c went out, rear door handle came off, and it was definitely unwashed and filthy. But yet, it was still a car, and it still got me around. And I drove it in that condition for years. Then after that decade or so I was able to buy a brand spankin new 2014 Honda Civic SI with zero miles. Everything worked perfect! The A/C pumped out cold air, the doors all opened and shut, the sound system was great, and the car performed like a dream! It was beautiful, to me. I would go out for drives…just to drive! And it was jet black, so I washed it…a lot.

I learned to appreciate.

But in the end, it fundamentally did what my Accord had done for years. I took me from point A to B. But the difference was the enjoyment while underway.

That is the difference in properly washed rice.

I’ve had the cooker for about a year. No scratches. I only hand wash it, and only use the paddle that comes with it.

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POPCORN_EATER OP t1_jax8gnp wrote

Haha that's funny bc your old car situation is my current one XD it's like you're me from the future lol

I don't even have a dish washer so it'll only be getting handwashes from me! I'll try to take care of it like you have.

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Lost_Band_1252 t1_jb3rscd wrote

Yep, I hand washed my dishes for about 20 years. Lol. Had drying racks and everything. Now, it’s funny…even though I have a dishwasher, the good stuff never goes in it.

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