Rice Cookers

I decided to buy a rice cooker. I used to think why would anyone buy a rice cooker? There are numerous other ways to cook rice, in a pot on the stove, in the microwave, even in the oven with recipes such as chicken and rice. Why would you want a rice cooker to take up valuable counter top space? Well after my husband and I decided to start eating healthy and started eating whole grain brown rice, I realized the answer, to make consistently perfect rice hopefully in a quick and easy fashion. Famous last words.

My husband and I bought a Oster Rice Cooker/Steamer 4722. Against our usual practices of looking up reviews on the internet and doing comparisons, we just picked on off the shelf. It wasn't the cheapest or the most expensive. I think the band name Oster and the small size sold us.

I am actually using the rice cooker for the first time at this moment and just had to create this blog while my impressions were fresh.

I followed the instructions. Washed all the washable parts, measured the rice and water. I did waver from the rice cookers instructions when I went by the instructions on my bag of organic whole grain brown rice for the rice/water ratio since it mentioned rice cookers and the amounts were very similar to the cookers ratios.

The first and foremost thing I did not like is after putting the inner pot (which contains the rice and water) inside and placed the lid and went to turn the rice cooker on, the on\off spring loaded lever (reminiscent of a toaster) would not stay in the on position! I had to try at least 10 times by holding the top and inner pot down and shifting it before the red on light came on! Finally the red light came on once the lever stayed down. The manual states "Set the inner pot into the rice cooker. Make sure that the inner pot sits directly in contact with the heating plate by turning it slightly from right to left until it is seated properly" This procedure does not work. There is a spring with a metal top in the center of the heating plate inside, the pot just wobbled on top of it It could be that not only is this a bad design, but this cooker is damaged.

The second thing I did not like is there is no mention of how long it takes to cook the rice! The only mention of time is "After 15 minutes mix the rice". There is no sounding ding once it is finished, the only indicator is the red light goes off and the yellow light is on to indicate it is now in warming mode. I did not time it, but I think the rice was done about 20 minutes later.

The third thing I did not like is when I went to check on the rice, I discovered that everything nearby: the manual, counter and my glasses were covered in starchy rice steam! I was glad I had not put the rice cooker under the kitchen cabinet or the underside of my cabinets would of been coated. This was due to the small hole in the glass lid, so the steam could escape. I understand this but I think they could have warned about this in the manual. (Has anyone else noticed that appliance and electronics manuals have gotten worse and worse over the years?)

Forth bad: Went to the Oster website and there is no reference to the Oster Rice Cooker/Steamer 1422. I was expecting to find an FAQ, known issues, help, something, but got nothing.

Things I liked: The rice did turn out good. It did stick to the bottom of the pan, but came out fairly easy because it is a non stick pan. Also it has a steamer (did not try it). The rice cooker is a good size and looks nice.

Bottom line: I do not recommend this rice cooker. I am going to return it. To be fair I should exchange it to compare, but even if this one is damaged, I did not like the design, I just do not want to waste my time on another one. So I am going to try a different brand/model. Stay tuned for the review of the new rice cooker to come.

All I want is perfect rice that is easy to make, is this too much to ask?