Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be a bit in love with my new rice cooker?

34 replies

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 21:32

Probably very boring, I know. Dh is certainly bored by me going on about it Grin. I made delicious chicken adobo with rice and steamed green beans in it tonight, all in the machine at the same time. Chuck stuff in, press button. Magic. I was worried it might be a gadget that would get used twice and then gather dust in the cupboard, but definitely not!

MNHQ Update
Searching for a rice cooker that'll help you make deliciously fluffy rice at home with ease? Our guide to the best rice cookers is up to date with a wide range of tried and tested options. We hope it’s helpful! Flowers

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Katemax82 · 08/11/2024 13:34

I've got a really old bashed up rice cooker my mum gave me and I also love it!

Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 08/11/2024 13:11

Definitely going to make tahdig this weekend! Any other recipes gratefully welcomed. Oh I forgot to mention- I made slow-cooked veg chilli in it too. I don't think that was quite as good as when I make it in the oven though tbh.

OP posts:
Choosenandenough · 07/11/2024 23:01

Singleandproud · 07/11/2024 22:14

I have the cheap cook works one too, cook the rice in it and chuck veg on top to steam whilst that's cooking.

I actually use my rice cooker, slow cooker and soup maker more than I use my oven.

You’re my rice cooker/kitchen gadget soulmate! 😂

SinicalMe · 07/11/2024 22:49

Op I gave the same one and will try your recipe.

@TiramisuThief re:porridge don't put milk in it until the end as it boils overs over. I made that mistake.

Have any of you made anything from Greedy Panda recipe blog

Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:42

I also love making sushi, so am looking forward to doing that soon!

OP posts:
housemaus · 07/11/2024 22:41

We've got the Yum Asia Panda Mini and it's my favourite appliance!

ScrambledSmegs · 07/11/2024 22:36

We have the same rice cooker OP. It's fab isn't it? I haven't been super adventurous but I've enjoyed trying out some recipes (the kids have been less keen on my more inspired efforts).

My favourite was a bibimbap but obviously the rice didn't have the crispy bits at the bottom in an authentic bibimbap. Wondering if the 'crust' setting would achieve that or would it be too much?

PortiaWithNoBreaks · 07/11/2024 22:32

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:26

Wash rice (Very Important). Put rice and water in rice cooker. Chuck chicken (I used sliced up chicken thigh fillets) on top, plus some diced onion and some garlic. For the chicken adobo I then bunged a load of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar a few bay leaves and some sugar on top and mixed it around with the chicken a bit. Close lid, press go (on 'short rice' setting, which is 40 mins). Delicious! Oh and I added the steamer tray with green beans 15 mins before the end.

Show quote history

That sounds amazing! Thanks for replying. We eat a lot of variations of chicken, rice and veg but I cook them all separately. Plus I have to take lunch to work so I meal prep and try to make a few days lunches at a time.

I’m excited at the thought of doing it all in one pan; would be so much easier and efficient.

Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:27

The chicken adobo was from the easypeasyJordan Insta page.

OP posts:
Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:26

PortiaWithNoBreaks · 07/11/2024 22:18

Oh interesting. I’ve been thinking about one for ages but worried about it going the same way as the air fryer which I retired after 3 months.

How do you do the chicken and rice all together OP?

Wash rice (Very Important). Put rice and water in rice cooker. Chuck chicken (I used sliced up chicken thigh fillets) on top, plus some diced onion and some garlic. For the chicken adobo I then bunged a load of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar a few bay leaves and some sugar on top and mixed it around with the chicken a bit. Close lid, press go (on 'short rice' setting, which is 40 mins). Delicious! Oh and I added the steamer tray with green beans 15 mins before the end.

OP posts:
TiramisuThief · 07/11/2024 22:24

I have the same rice cooker as you OP. I wanted a Zojirushi but everywhere was out of stock and I didn't want to wait.

I haven't ventured much into things other than rice though. I have tried porridge a couple of times & it ended up boiling over 😫not sure what i did wrong!

But making one pot rice dishes is great. And even plain rice is bloody lovely.

TheDeepLemonHelper · 07/11/2024 22:22

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Oh I'm a bit jealous. Mine doesn't play a tune, it just beeps Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:19

The other thing I really want to make in it is Persian Tahdig, which is rice with a kind of golden crust at the bottom, which you turn out onto a plate. My rice cooker has a special 'crust' setting, specially for making that!

I'm so glad I started this thread- I was driving dh mad with my rice cooker enthusiasm and now I can enthuse to some fellow enthusiasts Grin

OP posts:
TheDeepLemonHelper · 07/11/2024 22:19

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

PortiaWithNoBreaks · 07/11/2024 22:18

Oh interesting. I’ve been thinking about one for ages but worried about it going the same way as the air fryer which I retired after 3 months.

How do you do the chicken and rice all together OP?

TheDeepLemonHelper · 07/11/2024 22:16

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:15

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Ah yes, Zojirushi is the one I see recommended a lot. More expensive than mine, and mine wasn't cheap!

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 07/11/2024 22:14

I have the cheap cook works one too, cook the rice in it and chuck veg on top to steam whilst that's cooking.

I actually use my rice cooker, slow cooker and soup maker more than I use my oven.

Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:14

fruitpastille · 07/11/2024 21:46

I love my rice cooker but I only cook plain rice in it. What am I missing out on?!

So much! You can even make cakes in mine. And it is essentially a slow cooker as well. I haven't tried using it on timer mode yet though.

OP posts:
TheDeepLemonHelper · 07/11/2024 22:13

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:12

DreamingDaisies · 07/11/2024 21:54

Ooh yes I recently bought the Russell Hobbs one and I use it at least twice a week! Perfect rice every time and no stuck on bits or burnt pans.

I am however not quite sure how to navigate getting the metal bowl out to serve, have been using oven gloves but it feels pretty clumsy.

I use rubber gloves! Mine has non-metal handles though.

OP posts:
Original poster
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 07/11/2024 22:11

I decided to go for an Asian brand. Mine is the YumAsia Sakura. A bit pricey but not as much as some! It's one that uses 'fuzzy logic', which is apparently a fancy way of saying it has smarter programmes. It also has a steamer tray which sits in the top so you can steam veg on its own or above whatever else you're cooking.

Anyway... so far I've made several chicken and rice dishes, sometimes with veg incorporated, some with steamed. Mostly with Japanese rice and a couple with basmati. Cooking the chicken in with the rice gives the rice a great flavour and texture. I also made orange and nutmeg rice pudding in it, which was good.

I was inspired to get one by watching an Instagram account called easypeasyjordan. He's a cute little Japanese (possibly half Korean) kid who makes lots of Japanese and Korean recipes with his dad. Quite a lot of them in a rice cooker. Super easy!

OP posts:
Caswallonthefox · 07/11/2024 22:10

I have recently bought a rice cooker. So far I've only done rice in it, but I'm sure I'll summon up the enthusiasm eventually to do more stuff in it. No more boiling over on the hob and 14 minutes of ignoring. I love it.

RobertaFirmino · 07/11/2024 22:09

Mine was £9 from Asda ten years ago. Very basic but still going strong. Wouldn't be without it.