As you already know, an electric rice cooker is one of the most reliable kitchen appliances today.
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These machines can prepare perfectly cooked rice in just minutes, giving users more time to prepare homemade meals and perform other tasks. But like any other electrical appliance, an electric rice cooker also requires proper care and attention.
In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of taking care of the machine – before, during, and after cleaning.
1 – BEFORE CLEANING THE ELECTRIC RICE COOKER
Before you even begin cleaning your electric rice cooker, be sure to pay attention to the following safety precautions to avoid damage and injuries:
Unplug the machine from the socket to prevent exposing any energized electrical parts to water. The base of the rice cooker connected to the wall should always be kept dry. Also, you need to take care of the hot plate of the electric rice cooker; it should also always be kept dry and clean throughout the cleaning process.
Make sure the stove’s heating plate is cool and in a completely cool state. Once you’ve determined that the plate is neither hot nor on, begin the cleaning process.
If you plan to clean the electric rice cooker after using it, wait at least 30 minutes for the machine to cool. It’s important to note that not all rice cookers will cool down at the same time; the process will primarily depend on which brand and model you are using. For extra caution, read the safety instructions and the user manual to determine the exact wait time for your machine to cool.
2 – CLEANING THE INDIVIDUAL PARTS OF THE ELECTRIC RICE COOKER
To get the most out of your cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide when cleaning the individual parts of the cooker:
Take soap and hot water and create a solution in a bowl or large container. Remove the inner pot from the electric rice cooker and soak it in the solution. If there are rice residues or other pieces of food in the pot, gently scrape them off with a plastic spoon or spatula.
Wash the utensils of the rice cooker with a clean sponge and soap while the entire pot is soaking.
To remove hard rice and food bits inside the pot, use a spoon to scrape the surface. Do this carefully and cautiously to avoid scratching the pot’s surface. Then, give the pot another quick scrub while water is flowing to wash away the food remnants.
Rinse and clean the lid with water and soap. Rinse it thoroughly and let it dry on a clean surface.
If you have a dishwasher, you can speed up the cleaning process by placing all the removable parts inside it. This is a deeper cleaning of the individual parts that can save a lot of time with minimal or no effort.
After washing the removable parts – either in the dishwasher or with water and soap – let them dry on a clean surface. Then, assemble them again and use the machine again to cook rice.
3 – CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF THE RICE COOKER
Before cleaning the interior of the electric rice cooker, here is a useful guide to make the process smoother and faster:
Use a scraper to remove stains and tough-to-remove residues from the heating plate and its surface. For tougher stains, use a metal utensil carefully to avoid scratching the surface. For best results, rinse all remaining food residues thoroughly with water and soap.
4 – CLEANING THE EXTERIOR OF THE ELECTRIC RICE COOKER
After finishing cleaning the interior of the electric rice cooker, turn your attention to the machine’s exterior and follow these steps:
Use a damp cloth or rag to remove food residues or stains from the surface. For removing stubborn stains, use a cleaning spray and spray the affected area and wipe until it is removed. Then, give the machine’s handle some cleaning action as well – this time using a clean cloth to remove any stains.
