Kitchen

[twinsister]

I'm actually embarassed to ask this, but here goes.  I bought the mini rice cooker a few months ago from HSN and finally wanted to try it (I have never used one before).    The instructions said to wash the rice in a separate container and make sure the rinse water is clear before putting the rice in the cooker.  I have to wash the rice first?  Don't remember this being mentioned while watching the presentations.   Thanks.

[Sunshine Kate]

I have used a rice cooker for years and love it.

You don't HAVE to wash the rice before cooking.  The reason to rinse the rice is to remove a powdery substance on the rice; starch.

I always rinse the rice and that way it doesn't stick together  and gets rid of some of the starch. 

I use a large screen type tea strainer.  I pour a cup of dry rice in the strainer and hold over the sink with tap water running through it.  I can see the white milky liquid running off.  It doesn't take long to rinse the rice clear.  Then cook in the rice cooker.

Perfect rice everytime.  

[RACALAMB2]

I sure hope you try other items to cook in it,like oatmeal,noodles,cheese grits,chicken tenders. I love this little gem.

Rinsing rice has always been recemended before cooking it.

RACA

[twinsister]

@RACALAMB2 and @Sunshine Kate  Thank you both for your responses.  I will rinse the rice before using the  cooker.  Learn something new every day!!

[jaxs mom]

Yes I rinse my rice, everything from short grain to long grain both white and brown. 

[ChynnaBlue]

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@twinsister wrote:

@RACALAMB2 and @Sunshine Kate  Thank you both for your responses.  I will rinse the rice before using the  cooker.  Learn something new every day!!

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I rinsed mine a few times and then stopped because I don't have the time or the water for that. I haven't noticed a difference.

[Ruthie-Roo]

A couple of books on rice cookers that I own, and have found indispensible, are The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook, Revised and Updated by Beth Hensperger, and The Everything Rice Cooker Cookbook by Hui Leng Tay.  Both have tons of information, as well as many recipes and cooking inspiration.  I also own the WP mini rice cooker (two actually, one as a back-up), as well as a simple 10-cup Japanese rice cooker.  If you can get it, the rice cooker cookbook by Marian sold on the other channel is great, as well.  Experiment and have fun with your cooker.  :-)

[beach-mom]

I started cooking rice in Japan. I learned to rinse the rice until the water ran clear. I still have my original cooker, and I still always rinse my rice - I use Calrose rice. Of course if I buy rice in a box with seasonings - like Uncle Ben's - I don't do this. But I rarely use any rice like that. 

[twinsister]

@Ruthie-Roo  - I was thinking of buying that rice cookbook from HSN.

Thanks everyone for your responses - I appreciate it!

[Still Raining]

I don't rinse my rice before using a rice cooker and it seems fine to me.