Did you know that your rice cooker, a familiar appliance in every household, has a small but mighty button that can save you a significant amount of money on your electricity bill? This button is often overlooked, but it’s not just for keeping your rice warm—it’s a cost-effective feature.
A Little Button with a Big Impact
Modern rice cookers come with various settings to cater to different needs, including cooking, reheating, and keeping food warm. Typically, when you cook rice, the cooker uses a high amount of heat to ensure the grains are cooked thoroughly. However, once the rice is ready, the internal temperature can remain high, and that’s where the “keep warm” function comes in. This feature maintains a steady temperature, ensuring your rice stays soft and warm without using extra energy.

The “keep warm” button – a hidden gem in your rice cooker.
Effective Electricity Savings
Leaving your rice cooker on the cooking setting for too long after the rice is cooked will result in unnecessary energy consumption. This is especially true for high-power rice cookers, typically ranging from 600W to 1000W. By not switching to the “keep warm” setting, you’re using more electricity than needed.
When you activate the “keep warm” function after the rice is cooked, the cooker will maintain a moderate temperature, usually between 50°C and 70°C, which is significantly lower than the cooking temperature of around 100°C. This simple adjustment can reduce your electricity consumption by half compared to keeping the cooker on the cooking setting.
Let’s consider a household with a 900W rice cooker. By switching to the “keep warm” setting after the rice is cooked, you can reduce your electricity consumption by approximately 50%. This can lead to savings of between 30% and 40% on your monthly electricity bill, depending on how often you use the rice cooker.
Using the “keep warm” function not only saves you money but also prolongs the lifespan of your rice cooker. Continuous cooking at high power can lead to premature wear and tear on the appliance. By switching to the “keep warm” setting, the cooker operates at a lower, more sustainable power level.
That small button in your rice cooker not only ensures your rice stays warm but also helps reduce your household’s electricity costs. By utilizing the “keep warm” function instead of continuous cooking, you’ll notice a significant difference in your monthly electricity bills. So, don’t overlook this feature—use it wisely, and you’ll reap the rewards.