Can Rice Cooker Go in Dishwasher?

These modern day kitchen gadgets for most are the best, as modern day rice cookers are best at its ease and we all know how wonderful rice is (when cooked correctly). This results in many of us hooking on the question: Can a rice cooker go in the dishwasher?

If you have a rice cooker that you use regularly, then you have definitely faced the question of how to clean the rice cooker before handing it off to someone else. But to clean a rice cooker, it is not as simple as just throwing it in the bathroom. Well, in this article we answer the utmost question you may have, tips to wash your rice cooker the right way, and the frequent mistakes to not do. Let’s dive in!

The short answer: It Depends. Even if some parts of your rice cooker are dishwasher-safe, most parts (particularly the base) should never go in the dishwasher. Now, we will analyze your rice cooker: which parts are dishwasher safe and which should be cleaned manually.

Now, most of the modern rice cooker includes the inner pot, which is removable from the rice cooker. Most of these inner pots are constructed of non-stick coating, stainless steel, or ceramic which are usually dishwasher safe.

• Non-Stick Inner Pots: Most of the non-stick rice cooker inner pots are dishwasher safe. Although, do take into account that repeated dishwashing may lead to damaging the non-stick layer over time, thereby rendering it ineffective. For that reason alone, hand-wash is usually the best way to preserve the life of your non-stick coating.

• Stainless Steel Inner Pot: A metal inner pot is typically more hard wearing and suited for dishwasher cleaning. Just check the manufacturer guidelines to be sure.

• Ceramic Pots: Ceramic pots are another common material, used in some rice cookers (they are also dishwasher safe) but they can be more prone to chipping. Again, refer to the manufacturer’s directions for care instructions.

The Lid: Removable & Nonremovable

Lid is what else you need to clean from time to time on the rice cooker. There are rice cookers that come with removable lids and those with fixed lids that remain sealed during the cooking process.

• Removable lids: Most removable lids are dishwasher-safe. In fact, these lids often have a rubber or silicone gasket along the edge to seal the cooker sealed so the steam stays inside. You can typically pop the lid in the dishwasher, but make sure to take out the gasket before doing so since it can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

• Fixed Lids: Generally, if the lid does not come off, it may not be safe to place in your dishwasher. Instead, you’ll have to wipe it down with a damp cloth or sponge. This also means wiping it down with a damp cloth to get any food particles or steam off.

The Electrical Base (NEVER Put in the Dishwasher!)

Above all, your rice cooker’s electrical base should never see the inside of a dishwasher. Water penetrates and damages the electrical components (Heating element, control buttons, and sensors), rendering your rice cooker permanently inoperable.

Do not wash the base of your rice cooker, just wipe it with a dry cloth. If it is dirty, you can moisten it a little, but be careful that no water penetrates the conductive parts.

Steam Vent, Gasket, and Other Small Parts

If you have a steam vent on the lid, especially if it is a rice cooker, there can be rice residue or steam stains that build up. This part you can take out, and put it a dishwasher if it’s removable. If it can not be removed, wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

Likewise with the lid, some rice cookers have a kind of rubber or silicone seal or gasket. These are generally removable and dishwasher safe but read the care instructions carefully from the manufacturer. Do not wash rubber or silicone parts in the dishwasher unless labeled dishwasher-safe.

Although you may be inclined to toss everything into the dishwasher, learn what you can safely wash in your dishwasher or else your rice cooker parts can become impaired, malfunctioning, or voided warranty. For the best results and to make sure that your rice cooker lasts for a long time, you must adhere to the manufacturer cleaning instructions.

These minimal design rice cookers do not have too many features, so they are easier and user-friendly to clean and put into dishwashers. On the other hand, high-end models that include features like pressure cooking, or smart rice cookers, may have more fragile parts or parts that cannot be placed in a dishwasher.

Smart technology in newer rice cookers is often available through touchpads, multi-cooking modes, and built-in sensors. Such models may contain more complex parts and cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher. For such advanced devices, always check the user manual to ensure proper cleaning methods.

Micom (microcomputerized) rice cookers come with some extra rice features such as fuzzy logic to adjust cooking durations for different rice types. Because they tend to be rather complex, most of these models—again, the base and the control panel—are not dishwasher-safe. These cookers should be hand washed, but the removable inner pot is often dishwasher-safe along with the lid.

That is great if your rice cooker comes with dishwasher-safe parts! However, if you are uncertain or if the components are not marked dishwasher-safe, here are the straightforward steps to perform a hand wash on your rice cooker.

Always make sure the rice cooker is off and unplugged before getting to cleaning. Wait for it to cool all the way, especially the inner pot which can hold heat for a while after cooking.

Since most of the mess happens inside the inner pot, it is imperative to clean it well.

• Non-Stick Pot: If you have a non-stick pot in your rice cooker, always use a soft sponge or cloth. Steer clear of such harsh scrubbing pads as steel wool, as they scratch and damage the non-stick surface.

• Stubborn Rice: Fill your pot with warm water and let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes. This will help to loosen any dried rice so you can easily clean it.

Wipe the exterior and lid of the rice cooker with a damp cloth or sponge. Avoid any electrical components — do not submerge the base of the rice cooker in water. If the lid is detachable, you can hand wash it or, if it’s dishwasher-safe, toss it in there too.

For the bottom of the rice cooker (the part with the heating element), just use a dry or very slightly wet cloth to clean it. Clean-out all food within the base, but do not submerge.

Clean all parts, then dry completely with a clean towel, or allow them to air dry completely before reassembly. Also ensure that your inner pot is bone dry before inserting into the cooker as this may cause damage.

While rice cookers are relatively easy to clean, there are some problems. Below are a few of the most popular cleaning dilemmas AND the ways to tackle those).

Rice Dirties the Pot — A lot of times the rice will burn and stick to the bottom of the inner pot which is a lot of work to clean. Here’s a solution:

• Soak: Soak the pot in warm water for 15–30 minutes.

• Baking Soda:If there are still burnt stains on the pan that refuse to come out, spread the mixture of water and baking soda on the stains and leave for 1-2 hours and scrub a little bit.

• Vinegar Solution: A solution of white vinegar and water is another great stain remover.

If you regularly cook strongly-scented rice varieties, your rice cooker may hold onto food smells. To eliminate odors:

• Lemon: Use a solution of lemon juice and water to wipe the inner pot. The lemon not only deodorizes the natural but also helps eliminate some unpleasant odor stuck in them.

• Baking soda: Another method is to sprinkle some baking soda in the pot and leave it overnight before washing.

In some occasions rice is a bit too starchy and leaves a bit of sticky film or residue inside the cooker. It can be easily removed by soaking the pot in warm water then it can be washed. For stuck-on stains, a non-abrasive sponge and mild dish soap.

So, to sum it up, at least certain elements of your rice cooker are dishwasher-friendly, but certainly not all. So while the inner pot, lid, and maybe even the steam vent can go in the dishwasher, the base and electrical components should never be placed under running water. However, different rice cookers have different cleaning requirements, so make sure to look at your manufacturer’s instructions.

Follow these simple rice cooker cleaning steps to keep them efficient and enjoy their service for years to come. So now you can be sure on how to clean your rice cooker perfectly next time when you finish making one batch of delicious rice.