Over time, electric rice cookers tend to develop a peeling non-stick coating, but the appliance itself still functions well. In such cases, many people wonder whether they should continue using it and, if so, if it could be harmful. The answer from experts is yes, it can be harmful.
Harmful Effects of Peeling Non-Stick Coating on Rice Cookers
Currently, all electric rice cooker products use Teflon as the non-stick coating. Typically, this substance breaks down at temperatures between 300 – 400 degrees Celsius, while the temperature of the cooker never exceeds 250 degrees Celsius when cooking rice.
According to scientific research, Teflon is considered a poorly absorbent substance. If ingested, it will be expelled by the body. So, you can rest assured that even if you accidentally consume a small amount of the non-stick coating, it will be eliminated from your body through the digestive process without accumulating.
What are the harmful effects of a peeling non-stick coating on a rice cooker?
However, this does not mean that a peeling non-stick coating is entirely harmless. The harmful part is the adhesive layer that attaches the Teflon to the aluminum inner pot. This adhesive is more susceptible to breakdown when exposed to high temperatures and, over time, can create substances that are harmful to the human body when heated. If you regularly use a rice cooker with a peeling non-stick coating, the adhesive will enter your body along with the food, potentially affecting your health.
Should You Replace a Rice Cooker with a Peeling Non-Stick Coating?
If your rice cooker is a reputable kitchen appliance brand known for its quality non-stick coating, and the inner pot has minimal scratches, there is no need to worry. What you should do is re-coat the non-stick surface and continue using it.
To avoid the harmful effects of a peeling non-stick coating, if the inner pot of your rice cooker is excessively scratched, causing the rice to stick, burn, or make cleaning difficult, consider purchasing a new, genuine, high-quality rice cooker to replace it.
How to Maintain the Non-Stick Coating of a Rice Cooker
The non-stick coating of a rice cooker is crucial as it comes into direct contact with the rice. Therefore, proper maintenance is necessary to prolong the cooker’s lifespan and ensure delicious and safe meals.
If you have a reputable brand rice cooker, the non-stick coating is highly resistant to scratches during cooking and cleaning. However, using sharp metal utensils to scrape or a metal ladle to fluff the rice will inevitably lead to peeling. To optimally maintain your rice cooker, choose a plastic or wooden ladle for fluffing the rice to avoid damaging the non-stick coating. Cleaning is also more convenient with a non-stick coating, as you only need a soft cloth dipped in dish soap to thoroughly clean the inner pot.
When buying a rice cooker, it is essential to inspect the non-stick coating thoroughly. Even a tiny scratch can lead to rapid peeling of the coating. Additionally, avoid purchasing products of unknown origin, as they may use substandard materials that can negatively affect your health.
According to VTC News
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