Rice cooker question

[MonkeyFunk]

I just got a rice cooker for the first time, and I love it.

How long can I keep the rice in it on "warm"?

[eyesroll]

1. Depends on the model -- mine can theoretically hold the rice for several hours.

(I have a relatively inexpensive one from Costco.)

In many countries, people make rice in the morning and return to the cooker all day.

I've never really let it go for more than a couple of hours -- but it's nice for entertaining, if I'm doing Indian or Thai -- I can make the rice in advance and not worry about it, and it leaves a burner free.

[MonkeyFunk]

3. yeah

it's a cheap one. Thanks!

[philosophie_en_rose]

2. It depends on the amount of rice in the cooker, but usually a day or two.

The rice will slowly get crunchy on the bottom. If you leave it in for more than a day or so, the bottom part may be too crunchy to eat.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. wow, really?

that long?

that's cool.

[philosophie_en_rose]

6. It depends on the rice cooker.

There are many kinds of cooker, but the main difference is whether the top is 1) just a glass lid that is placed on top or 2) a lid that has a hinge. It's hard to describe.

The rice in the ones with plain glass lids will eventually get dry and crusty on the top, because the top is not air tight. I wouldn't leave rice in there for more than a few hours. The good rice cookers can keep rice moist and yummy for a very long time.

On a side note, rice freezes well. Scoop luke-warm rice into ziploc bags at about 1.5 cups per bag. Freeze. Microwave on high for 3.5 minutes. Voila! It will be as good as you originally made it.

[Canuckistanian]

5. We LOVE our rice cooker

But I've never tried 'keeping' the rice longer than a few hours.

[momophile]

7. it also depends on the rice

brown rice doesn't seem to last as long as white rice.

[philosophie_en_rose]

8. True. Wild rice, brown rice, and long-grained white are not going to last as long.

And let's not discuss Uncle Ben.