Re: [CH] Rice Cooker
Brent Thompson (brent@hplbct.hpl.hp.com)
Tue, 23 Nov 1999 10:37:07 -0800
I was initially opposed to a rice cooker for the same reasons already
presented by several on this list, but once we got one, it took only one or
at most two days of use to understand the benefits of using a rice cooker.
My $.02:
> It's another electrical appliance
But probably more efficient for this task than the electric ranges many of
us would otherwise use, hence +1 for the rice cooker vs. boiling a pot of
rice/water on stove.
> It won't make rice any better than a decent saucepan.
But, for all practical purposes, the rice cooker makes perfect rice _every_
time. I believe most persons preparing rice via stovetop method cannot
make this claim.
+0.25 for the rice cooker.
> It's harder to clean.
Easier, IMHO. The rice cooker insert and lid (removable pieces which are
the only parts you clean on the type of rice cooker I have) have same
shapes and sizes as of stovetop pan, only lighter in weight and with no
clumsy handle to work around.
+0.25 for the rice cooker.
> You have to store it or,
> it takes up room on the counter.
We eat rice most days, so it is most convenient for us to leave our rice
cooker out on counter and we consider it advantageous to have it always
available. If we stored it, though, it would be more inconvenient due to
inability to nest it with our other saucepans.
So, either +0.25 or -0.25 for the rice cooker, depending on personal preference.
> The single advantage it has, as far as I can see, is that it is easier to
> keep the rice warm and in an edible state for a longer time.
The biggest advantage of the rice cooker is that once you wash the rice and
add it with water to the rice cooker, that part of the meal is done -- no
further human intervention required until you begin eating it. And, it
remains hot and ready to eat as long as you desire -- for hours -- until
you decide to turn off its power.
This allows devoting all your attention to the other aspects of your meal
(and your other distractions of the moment). I.e., the rice cooker
simplifies meal preparation a bit, while providing rice that is rarely
other than perfectly cooked.
In addition, it doesn't occupy space on or in vicinity of the stove,
thereby greatly simplyfing preparation of many meals involving concurrent
stovetop preparation of multiple dishes.
+1 for the rice cooker.
So, the rice cooker wins by 2.5+/-0.25 points.
--- Brent