Chris Doscher, Author at AHAM Consumer Blog

Bring New Culture to Your Kitchen on July 4: Advice from a Professional Chef

What is on your Independence Day menu this year? Of course, you can go with the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers, cooked on an outdoor grill. Holidays have a way of triggering cravings for those familiar favorites. But maybe this is the year you try something different, a new dish, or a twist on the traditional.

So where should a home cook look for inspiration? Stepping outside of the July 4th barbecue box and exploring new culinary landscapes can be intimidating, and it helps to have a little guidance. We caught up with Chef TJ Delle Donne, assistant dean and associate instructor for the Johnson & Wales College of Food Innovation & Technology, for some advice. Delle Donne has cooked on some big stages, including serving as chef de cuisine at the 90th birthday celebrations of both former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush. He shared his thoughts on how you can prepare and try some new cultural flavors this Independence Day.

Get inspired

New culinary adventures aren’t just for professional chefs. If you are looking to explore new and unfamiliar cuisines, solid research and development is the key, Delle Donne says. That’s available to everyone. “Take out a cookbook you haven’t seen in a while. Blow the dust off, look inside and see if you get inspired,” he says. Is it time to recreate the incredible meal you had on vacation? “A lot of times, it’s putting something you had—maybe Korean street tacos you had on a trip out West. Go down the rabbit hole on a Google search and see what inspires you.”

Sometimes you can find inspiration in your own family. And food may be the best way to connect with a new culture “That’s the beauty of this country—we’re a cultural mosaic,” Delle Donne says. “Sometimes, you can find it in your circle. You have to be inquisitive and open your mind a little. If it is not your family, it might be your colleagues, your friends. Say ‘Tell me about how your family ate in Ghana, or Turks and Caicos. Tell me about your Mexican heritage, your Canadian heritage.’” Or the cultural inspiration may be closer to home. “If they’re from Kentucky, they must have a macaroni-and-cheese recipe in their repertoire. Everyone wants to introduce you to their culture through food. It’s an international language.”

While the flavors may be new, you likely will recognize the cooking techniques – and the appliances – that you’ll use to bring the dishes to life.

“Grilling in Japan is the same as grilling in Kentucky,” Delle Donne says. “Roasting in France is the same as roasting in Virginia. Don’t be intimidated by braising, roasting, sauteing, grilling, broiling. It’s the same technique. It’s just the pantry that changes.”

And you might be surprised by the similarities to your regular menu, even on the Fourth of July. “If you go to England or Ireland, those ingredients look a lot like our ingredients—potatoes, sausage. The hot dog is obviously from the migration of the Polish and German population.”

If you are looking for quick inspiration, Delle Donne had a few suggestions on some that might be a good fit for an Independence Day feast:

Elote salad: Instead of eating traditional corn on the cob, take it off the cob for a twist on grilled Mexican street corn.

Shawarma station: This involves marinating, grilling and slicing. Line up the flatbreads and toppings and have people build their own.

Ramen bar: Put the hot broth in a coffee percolator, then make a station with noodles, hardboiled eggs, mushroom, seaweed and other ingredients.

Hot dog variations: “Every culture does ground meat in a casing,” Delle Donne says. “Maybe do kielbasa, or bratwurst, or knackwurst.”

Build-your-own pizza: This might work best with an indoor pizza oven. “This is always fun for the kids. Neapolitan-style pizzas is a cool way to get some Italian flair into the Fourth of July,” Delle Donne says.

Others that might hit the spot on the Fourth are birria (Mexican beef stew), tandoori chicken or braised beef tacos.

Once you have chosen your menu, it’s time to collect the ingredients. “Highlight or pull out any ingredients that you might not be able to get at your local grocery store and see where you can find them. “Is it a Latin or Korean grocery store? See where you can find them and have fun with the whole process. Cooking is an art form that should alleviate stress.”

Appliances for the “cook-in”

While the Fourth of July is synonymous with outdoor cooking, the kitchen offers plenty of advantages. Home cooks sometimes don’t use tools like a broiler, Delle Donne says. “They use it to store pots and pans and don’t realize it can give you flame-broiled food. It’s a fantastic resource for cooking indoors.” If you are trying new dishes, it is important to use the right tools. “If you’re making tandoori chicken and it calls for a clay pot, get a clay pot. That’s how you get the most authentic flavor profiles,” Delle Donne says. Don’t be afraid of deep frying, either. “Deep fryers are safe and they’re fun. A lot of people who want a frite, or a French fry, or a tot, they try to bake them, and it doesn’t come out the way they expect. Deep frying is a technique, and it’s the best for crispy food.”

Make ventilation a priority

You don’t have to worry about ventilation when cooking outside. If you are cooking inside and you have a ventilation hood, turn it on. Ventilation is an important and sometimes overlooked aspect of the cooking process. It is the solution to manage cooking byproducts like smoke, steam and grease.

“Ventilation is probably one of the most important parts of cooking,” Delle Donne says. “If I were building a kitchen in my home, in a school, in a restaurant, it’s one of the first things I would think about. Any food is full of water or fat, and that creates steam or smoke. It’s going to happen.”

Ventilation is also the best way to manage cooking-related odors and improve indoor air quality. “You don’t want to breathe in any smoke or grease particles. Getting it out of your house is paramount. Turn the hood on.” Don’t worry, you still have many good options for improving ventilation while cooking, even if you don’t have a ventilation hood.

Advice for Safe Installation of a Room Air Conditioner

In times of extreme heat, air conditioning can quickly transform from a matter of comfort to a matter of health and safety. Millions rely on room air conditioners (aka “window units”) and portable air conditioners either as their primary means of staying cool or to supplement central air conditioning.

Both room and portable air conditioners are effective options for staying cool in hot weather, and each has its advantages. One obvious difference between the two is that room air conditioners may require a more extensive installation. If you are using a room air conditioner, here are some tips on how to install it safely:

Select an appropriate window for installation: Room air conditioners should be installed in windows in partially or fully shaded areas. They must be near a three-pronged outlet so the unit can be easily plugged in for proper grounding. Never use an extension cord or power strip with a room AC unit. It creates the risk of overload, which can cause fire.

Install the air conditioner in an area free of obstructions: Air conditioners rely on the free flow of air. Trees, bushes and anything else that blocks the intake, on the indoor or outdoor sides, can interfere with its function and cooling ability. Clear obstructions away if you do not already have a window that is free of them.

Have the proper resources available: Installing a room air conditioner can be a two-person job. Make sure you have the proper tools available for installation, as recommended by the manufacturer. Clear the area below the window of anything that could be damaged if the unit falls during installation.

Check your window: Windows, and any material used to support the room air conditioner, should be in good condition, free of any damage or rotting. Do not install a unit in a damaged window.

Purchase any necessary support brackets: Depending on the model, the room AC unit may or may not require support brackets. Consult the manufacturer and check local regulations to see if brackets are required or recommended.

Make sure the AC unit drains properly: Most air conditioners require a way for condensation to drain, which is why room AC units often drip. Follow all manufacturer instructions for setting up drainage. Doing it incorrectly can lead to damaged wood, mold and odors as well as icing of the air conditioner’s coils.

10 Appliance Safety Tips You Can Use Today

June is National Safety Month, and it is the perfect time to do a quick review of easy ways to stay safe when you use appliances. From your kitchen to the laundry room, here are 10 appliance safety tips you can use in your home today!

Keep an eye on what’s cooking: Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires in the U.S. and Canada. Of course, this means watching what you cook is the best way to avoid cooking fires. Ask someone to take your place if you must step away.

Turn pot and pan handles in: This will make pots and pans more difficult for children to reach and prevent hot spills that can cause burns.

Keep a fire extinguisher or baking soda nearby when cooking: Both can extinguish a cooking fire. Keep the oven door shut to smother an oven or broiler fire. Smother grease or oil fires on the cooktop with another pan or lid. Never use water to extinguish cooking fires. Read AHAM’s Recipe for Safer Cooking.

Buy from reputable sources: Does your refrigerator water filter need to be replaced? How about a rechargeable battery for your cordless vacuum? Buy your replacements from reputable sources. It may be your best defense against counterfeit products that could put your health and safety at risk, and to ensure that the product continues to perform to the original manufacturer specification.

Keep your oven and range clean: This is another important way you can reduce the risk of cooking fires. Cleaning removes grease and food residue that could catch fire.

Use the correct microwave cooking times: While microwave food related fires are rare, overheating food can cause them. Use the correct cooking times when you are cooking or reheating food in your microwave and be sure to never place metal containing dishes or materials in your microwave.

Secure your portable appliance cords: Whether you are using them or storing them, don’t allow your portable appliance cords to dangle. Dangling cords create tripping and other injury risks.

Do not use portable appliances near the sink: Using your small appliances, such as hair dryers or blenders, near the sink can put you at risk for electric shock.

Clean your dryer lint trap: This can be a crucial step in preventing dryer fires. Clean the lint filter after every load of laundry. Have your exterior venting system cleaned according to manufacturers’ instructions, and clean lint from the rear of the dryer and around the drum as necessary.

Use portable heaters safely: This is probably the last thing on your mind in June, but if you use a portable electric heater to stay warm during the colder months, make sure it is certified by a national accredited testing laboratory. Never leave it unattended and keep anything combustible or flammable away from the heater. Get more portable electric heater safety tips here.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality While Cooking, Even Without a Range Hood

Are you thinking more about the indoor air you breathe? If you are, you aren’t alone. Awareness of indoor air quality has surged over the past few years, though for very different reasons. Last summer, millions in the Northeast U.S. looked for indoor air solutions as smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the region and led to a decline in outdoor and indoor air quality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, air cleaners were held up as a main line of defense against illnesses spread by bacteria and viruses.
Cooking’s effect on indoor air quality, and how cooking-related pollutantscan be reduced, has also been getting more attention. All cooking, whether done on gas, electric or induction cooking appliances, emits pollutants. An externally vented range hood may be the most effective way to minimize cooking-related pollution like grease, steam, smoke and odors.

Making sure you have proper ventilation should be part of your cooking process. But what if a range hood isn’t an option? While they are great tools for improving indoor air quality, installation and venting of a range hood can also involve significant costs and sometimes structural work. The good news is that there are still plenty of options available. While the solutions listed here aren’t all equal, they all will help improve your indoor air quality while you cook:

Downdraft ranges and cooktops: These appliances come with built-in ventilation that can capture grease, smoke and steam. Some, but not all, are externally vented. Others utilize a filter that removes pollutants before the air is recirculated back into your kitchen.

Over-the-range microwaves with built-in fans: If it’s time to replace your microwave, consider a model with a built-in fan. When installed above your range or cooktop, microwave fans filter and recirculate air. Many also can be converted to vent externally.

Ceiling fans: When combined with open windows, ceiling fans can help reduce pollutants while cooking by improving airflow.

Air cleaners: Many air cleaners are designed to remove cooking pollutants. Look for models with PM 2.5 CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate). CADR is the value of clean air the air cleaner has been tested to deliver when looking at specific pollutants. PM 2.5 refers to particles 2.5 microns or less, the most common size of pollutants produced by cooking.

Beyond taking advantage of these appliances, home cooks can take a number of steps to improve their indoor air quality while cooking.

Make sure your entire cooking area, from the range to surrounding counters, is free of grease and food residue.
If you do have a ventilation hood or downdraft, turn it on before you start cooking and leave it on for at least 10 minutes after you finish cooking.
Whenever possible, open windows while cooking.
Take advantage of all the tools at your disposal to improve indoor air quality. For example, if you have a ceiling fan and microwave fan, use both, along with opening your window.
Match the ventilation settings to the type of cooking you will be doing. For example, if you are using multiple burners or cooking with high heat, set your ventilation hood or other ventilation appliance to the highest level.
Match the burner size to the size of the cookware, and don’t allow the flame to extend beyond the pan’s bottom surface.
When possible, cook on back burners, where ventilation from ventilation hoods or over-the-range microwaves will be more effective.

Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home

While inflation is beginning to ease a bit, Americans are still feeling the pinch of higher grocery prices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), food prices rose 4.9 percent between July 2022 and July 2023, with groceries landing at 3.6 percent higher year-over-year. In the year prior, grocery prices were a whopping 7.4 percent higher year-over-year, with the sharpest increases in meat and seafood. Prices for kitchen staples like milk and eggs headed upward as well.

An NBC News analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data showed that U.S. consumers are paying nearly 40% more for a basket of common grocery items — including eggs, chicken, milk and coffee — than they did the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, food inflation is still running hotter than the overall inflation rate. The BLS food index was up 5.7% in July 2023 from the same time last year — steeper than the national inflation rate of 3%.

These stunning statistics leave many people looking for ways to get the most out of every dollar they spend on food. We’re here to tell you that one of the best ways to save money on food is to reduce the amount of food that’s wasted.

The Low-down on Food Waste

The amount of food you waste might surprise you. A 2020 study by researchers at Penn State University (and published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics), estimated that the average American household wasted just over 30 percent of its food. That’s a lot of food being bought and not eaten. Food waste is also an environmental issue, as food waste sent to a landfill releases methane, a greenhouse gas, as it breaks down. Food waste accounts for 24% of trash sent to landfills, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Reducing food waste can be a challenge. Life happens. Leftovers get hidden behind something else in the refrigerator (effective refrigerator organization can take care of that), or you forget about fruit or vegetables in the crisper (out of sight, out of mind).

It’s time to put your appliances to work to help you cut food waste out of your life. Here are some options:

Blend the stems, ends, and stalks into a smoothie: The ends of carrots, celery and other vegetables that didn’t make it into the main dish can be used to add a little more nutrition to your next smoothie. Healthline recommends using parts of produce that aren’t traditionally consumed, like the tops of beets and carrots, and fruit and vegetable peels.

Make juice: A juicer makes it easy to make juice from fruits and vegetables that are about to go to waste. You can use your blender to make juice if you don’t have a juicer. Some blenders even have a “juice” setting. You may have to strain the mixture afterward if you want a thinner juice.

Cook up a pot of soup: You can make soup from any vegetable. Soup is an excellent way to use many leftover ingredients at once. And you can freeze leftover soup so it doesn’t go to waste.

Overnight oats: Get a jump on tomorrow’s breakfast. Any type of fruit can be used to make overnight oats in your refrigerator.

Potato peel chips: You thought those potato peels were destined for the trash or food waste disposer, but 20 minutes in the oven can turn them into a satisfying snack. Use a potato peeler instead of a knife so the peels aren’t too thick. This is a perfect way to get more out of what you have if you’ve recently made mashed potatoes or another recipe that didn’t use the peels.

Make bone broth: Use bones, skin and any leftover meat, fat, gristle or vegetable pieces to make a pot of bone broth. You’ll need your slow cooker or multi-cooker, and possibly your oven. Try this recipe from Old Time Farm. Bone broth is rich in nutrients and may have other health benefits.

Stay organized to reduce food waste: Keeping an organized refrigerator and freezer is another important step in reducing household food waste:

Store food in clear containers with labels showing the date it was put into the refrigerator or freezer.
Put older foods and opened foods up front.
Organize your refrigerator and make a meal plan before you shop.
Create “zones” in your freezer for different types of foods.
Freeze food in serving-sized portions.
Keep what you will be eating next easily accessible.

A few scraps are unavoidable. Put them in the food waste disposer instead of the trash.

Even small steps to reduce food waste can really add up. Following are 5 tips from the Mayo Clinic Health System for ways to reduce food waste in the kitchen:

Down the drain: Reduce trash with a food waste disposer

A food waste disposer, often called a ‘garbage disposal,’ can make cleaning up after a big meal or get-together a whole lot easier. These under-the-sink workhorses provide an environmentally friendly option for effortlessly disposing of food waste – waste that might otherwise go to the landfill.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food waste is estimated to be between 30 and 40 percent of the food supply in the United States and is the biggest single contributor to municipal landfills. The top three groups of wasted foods are meat, poultry, and fish (41%); vegetables (17%); and dairy products (14%). Plus, when food ends up in landfills, it contributes to the third-largest source (17%) of human-induced methane emissions in the U.S.

What does this have to do with food waste disposers? Simple! The benefits food waste disposers can have on reducing the volume of garbage heading to the landfill are significant.

Getting the Most Out of Your Food Waste Disposer

While food waste disposers can handle a wide array of food scraps, they are not made for everything. Putting the wrong things down the disposer can damage the appliance and cause problems in your plumbing and/or sewer system. Food waste disposers can handle most types of food waste that are produced in a typical home, but they have different capabilities. Your disposer’s use-and-care manual is the best resource to learn what your model can and cannot grind.

Here are some tips from AHAM member InSinkErator for effectively using and maintaining a food waste disposer:

Avoid putting large amounts of food waste down the disposer at once. This can clog the drain.
Run cold water when using your disposer and continue to run it for a few minutes after grinding. This will ensure that the scraps flow properly through your plumbing.
Do not use hot water when grinding waste. You may run hot water through the disposer when it is not being used.
Never put shellfish shells down a food waste disposer.
Never put oil, grease fat down the food waste disposer. This can lead to clogged pipes.
Clean your food waste disposer every two weeks or as necessary by removing the sink baffle and cleaning the underside with a scouring pad. After you have put it back in the drain, put a mixture of ice cubes and lemon or lime wedges into the disposer and run the disposer while cold water is running.
Do not attempt to clear clogs with your fingers. Clogs are best handled with a plunger or plumber’s helper. Do not use chemicals to clear clogs. Call a plumber if necessary.

Respiratory Illnesses, Fall Allergies Put Indoor Air Quality in Focus

If indoor air quality had a season, fall might be it. With millions of children across the U.S. and Canada now back in school, multiple indoor air quality concerns are on the minds of parents, educators and others. Those include new COVID variants, fall allergies, and the spread of illnesses like colds and the flu.

While there’s no way to completely avoid illness-causing viruses and bacteria, there are ways to reduce the risk of indoor transmission. Portable room air cleaners represent the quickest, most accessible option for consumers who want to improve the indoor air quality in their home or classroom. Testing has shown that room air cleaners with HEPA filters have the ability to reduce the level of viruses, bacteria and mold in indoor air. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said that, when used properly, air cleaners can help reduce airborne pollutants, including viruses.

Indoor air quality gained prominence as a public health issue during the the COVID-19 pandemic, and many have made room air cleaners an important part of their plan to reduce the chance of transmission. Almost half (46%) who responded to an AHAM survey conducted in late 2020 said they had taken steps to improve their home’s indoor air quality during the pandemic. Another 16% reported having purchased an air cleaner during the pandemic. Among those who owned a portable air cleaner, 42% reported using it more than they had prior to the pandemic.

In addition to viruses and illness, many consumers also reported being concerned about pollutants like dust, mold and pollen.

There will soon be an easy way to compare the ability of different air cleaner models to remove viruses, bacteria and mold. AHAM has developed a room air cleaner standard that measures removal of microbiological pollutants like viruses, bacteria and mold. The standard, AHAM-AC-5-2022, is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and will ultimately be added to AHAM’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which assigns numerical ratings based on an air cleaner’s tested performance in a given room size.

AHAM AC-5 was developed over 18 months by a team of public health professionals, engineers and academic researchers.

Room air cleaner use tips

Air cleaners should be positioned as close as possible to the center of the room to maximize airflow.
Change the air cleaner filter regularly, according to the model’s use and care manual.
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter regularly to remove pollutants that could potentially be put back into the air.

4 Ways to Save Water With Your Appliances

Water is a necessity, and whether or not you live in an area where the water supply is under stress, every drop counts. Making simple changes at home can quickly add up to big water savings, both in the short and long-term. That can benefit the planet and your water bill. Saving water at home starts with your appliances.

While you may be tempted to not run your appliances at all while trying to save energy and water, using your modern appliances is the more efficient option and will actually use less water than hand-washing dishes or clothes.

Follow these four easy tips to save water when you’re using your dishwasher, clothes washer and refrigerator:

1. Do full loads of laundry and dishes: If you have to do a wash or dishes and the clothes washer or dishwasher aren’t full, change the appliance’s settings to the appropriate-sized cycle to reduce the amount of water used. Load your dishwasher properly to maximize space.

2. Avoid pre-rinsing dishes: Pre-rinsing dishes can use up to 20 gallons of water before your dishwasher is even used, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Compare that to a new ENERGY STAR® dishwasher, which only uses about five gallons of water per cycle. Scrape any food scraps left on plates into the garbage or food waste disposer, and put the dish straight into the dishwasher without rinsing. The dishwasher will do the rest of the work. Modern dishwashers use sensors and powerful jets to direct water where it needs to go.

3. Use your refrigerator to defrost frozen foods overnight: This eliminates the need to use water to defrost frozen food. On average, running the water in your kitchen sink uses 2.2 gallons a minute, according to the EPA.

4. Look for water-saving appliances: Is it time to replace your clothes washer or dishwasher? New ENERGY STAR models of clothes washers and dishwashers use significantly less water than older models. ENERGY STAR clothes washers use approximately 33% less water than non-ENERGY STAR models, and an ENERGY STAR dishwasher can save an average of more than 3,800 gallons of water over its lifespan.

Your Appliance Spring Cleaning Checklist

It’s tough to imagine tackling the various spring cleaning projects around your home without essential cleaning appliances like vacuums, washers and dryers. In fact, some appliances are such a part of the cleaning routine that it’s easy to forget that they need to be cleaned, too. Regular cleaning is also essential to keep your appliances performing their best.

It’s important to check the use and care manual or contact your appliance manufacturer for specific cleaning advice, particularly if you are using a disinfectant. Some disinfectants can damage the interior or exterior of your appliances. (Before you dive into your cleaning routine, it’s useful to understand the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing.)

Here’s a quick checklist of spring cleaning tasks that will keep your home sparkling and your appliances in top shape:

Refrigerator coils: The dust, dirt and debris that builds up on your refrigerator coils can make the appliance use more energy to keep what’s inside cool. A coil brush and vacuum will help you with the coil cleaning and removing other dirt that has accumulated behind or under your refrigerator.
Clothes dryer: Your interior venting system, or the material that leads from your dryer to your dryer vent, should be cleaned once a year by a qualified service technician. Blockages can lead to longer drying times. Also, check behind your dryer and remove any trapped lint and debris, and remove lint from in and around the drum.
Oven and range: It’s much better to do a little bit of cleaning after every use than to wait until you can’t avoid cleaning your oven and range. Spills and built-up residue can hinder your oven’s performance and affect the flavor of the foods you cook. Refer to your oven or range’s use and care manual for specific cleaning instructions, but warm soap and water or vinegar and water are unlikely to damage any finish.
Vacuum: Make sure your vacuum is doing its best to keep your floors clean. Change the bag or empty the canister according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, clean the brush roll and replace the belt as needed.
Water filter: Replace your refrigerator water filter every six months, or on the schedule recommended by your refrigerator’s use and care manual. It’s extremely important to purchase replacements only from reputable sources to reduce the chances you’ll end up with a counterfeit model.
Indoor air: April showers may bring May flowers, but with those flowers, buds and blossoms come less welcome allergies. The EPA estimates that indoor air may contain double to five times as many pollutants as the air outside. Room air cleaners, vacuums and washing bedding in hot water can help you fight the main indoor allergens: pollen, mold and mildew, animal dander and tobacco smoke. In addition to those pollutants, many people now look to room air cleaners as an important tool for reducing microbiological pollutants like viruses, bacteria and mold. Anyone looking to create a healthier home environment should consider adding a room air cleaner.

3 Quick Tips for Using a Rice Cooker

Rice is an easy to make, easy-to-store dish that compliments just about any main course or forms the base of any number of creative dishes. And while the word “rice” usually is associated with plain white rice first, there are numerous varieties available—brown, black, wild rice (which is not truly rice), basmati, yellow and others. Rice is filling and, when stored properly, can be kept almost indefinitely. Those traits made it a popular item while people stocked their pantries during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rice is popular all over the world. In the U.S., people eat an average of 27 pounds of rice every year. Annual consumption is only slightly lower in Canada, at 23 pounds.

Rice can be cooked on a range, but if you are a frequent consumer of the world’s most popular grain, a rice cooker may be the way to go. Rice cookers are made to take the guesswork out of cooking rice and allow you to prepare it in minutes with minimal effort and cleanup. Using a rice cooker can also free up a burner on the range for other dishes. While it is designed to make cooking rice easy, the rice cooker’s name understates this appliance’s capabilities. Many models are can also cook other foods like vegetables, oatmeal or other grains, and some can work as a steam cooker or slow cooker.

What makes a perfect order or rice? Tastes vary, but AHAM member Zojirushi, which manufactures rice cookers, suggested that it should meet these characteristics, which the manufacturer uses to define the best-tasting rice:

Appearance: Each grain looks plump, not smashed. An overall sheen makes the rice glisten.

Texture: There is a stickiness, but does not clump together. There is elasticity without breaking apart.

Taste: There is a distinctive sweetness unique to rice when chewed. Good rice is not bland.

Even though rice cookers are incredibly easy to use, there are a few easy steps you can take to ensure your rice cooker turns out a perfect order of rice, every time. Zojirushi offers the following tips:

When measuring water, avoid the “knuckle” method: A common way of measuring water when cooking rice involves putting one finger on top of the rice in the pot and adding enough water to reach the first knuckle. Instead, follow the recommendations in your rice cooker’s use and care manual for measuring water. Some include a cup for proper measuring.

Make adjustments for different kinds of rice: The brand and model of rice cooker you use may have different settings for different types of rice, such as brown rice, long grain, jasmine, or for other dishes like porridge or quinoa. If your rice cooker doesn’t have those settings, check with the manufacturer to see what they recommend for cooking different types of rice or other foods.

Wash the rice before you cook it: This is especially important with more starchy varieties, like short and medium-grain rice. This removes debris and starch from the surface of the rice, which can cause the rice to clump together or become gummy during the cooking process.

Fun Facts about Rice

Uncooked white rice will last for years: Don’t worry about that uncooked white rice going bad. It can last between 10 and 30 years, depending on how it is stored. Brown rice, on the other hand, will only last three to six months.

Rice is grown on every continent: While 90 percent of the world’s rice is grown in Asia, rice is grown on every continent except Antarctica.

Four U.S. Regions Produce Most Domestic U.S. Rice: Nearly all of rice produced in the U.S. is grown in four regions – Arkansas Grand Prairie, the Mississippi Delta, the Gulf Coast (Texas and Southwest Louisiana), and the Sacramento Valley in California.

You can make your own rice flour: Rice flour has become a common substitute for wheat flour to make foods gluten-free. You can make your own rice flour at home with a blender or food processor. Try this method from The Frozen Biscuit.

Rice has a lot of variety: That’s an understatement. There are more than 40,000 varieties of rice! Fortunately, for cooking purposes, you can probably break it down to the length of the grain: short, medium or long.

In Every Home