Anyone else’s rice cooker do this? My zojirushi coating is peeling. Is it dangerous if I keep using it? Want to avoid buying another if I can.

26 comments

1. Did you use metal utensils in it?

2. I wouldn’t keep using it; who knows what those peeling bits are made of – Teflon?

3. That is PTFE, scrap it. It’s just gonna keep on peeling.

4. You can buy a replacement pot on Amazon but it will be pricey.

5. That is seriously dangerous for your health.
   Scrap it immediately.

6. Zojirushi sells spare parts

   https://www.zojirushi.com/app/spare_parts/category/list

   They should sell just the rice pan.

7. Mine did the same thing. I now avoid cooking with salt, and if I do, wash it immediately. Also, do not put it through a dishwasher. Also, definitely replace the pan. That coating is not good for you and Zojirushi sells replacement pans.

8. I switched to a Buffalo rice cooker because it’s the only one on the market that has a stainless steel pot inside. It makes great rice, and though the pot is a bit harder to clean than a non-stick, it’ll outlast the cooker itself.

9. I’ve had a few that’s done this, no dishwasher/ salt/ only used the white paddle that is given and handwash with sponge only. Figured it’s just wear and tear over time from daily use. I can never seem to find spare bowls for mine where I am and switched to an instantpot for my rice cos the bowl is stainless steel (its the only thing with a stainless steel inner that i can easily access, there are a few brands for dedicated rice cookers out there that may be available where you are) as I was sick of the waste. But yes, definitely stop using yours!

10. Are you scraping it with metal ? Have had mine for nearly 4 years now and have no issues

11. It’s common, but it’s not good. Definitely try to replace the rice cooker bowl.

    I got an Aroma rice cooker that came with an uncoated stainless steel bowl. I’ve seen no difference in the amount of rice that sticks to the bottom, and when rice does stick I can scrape it without concern for damaging the coating. (Although usually a brief soak eliminates the need to scrap anyway.)

    IMO, PFTE on rice cookers (and even moreso on kettles!!! WTF, Zojirushi, there’s no fucking reason to put nonstick coatings on those!!!) is a scam.

12. The main risk was PFOAs in Teflon which was phased out in USA in 2013

    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nonstick-cookware-safety#teflon-and-pfoaso as long as rice cooker is newer no risk…

13. Do you wash your rice inside the cooking pan? I suspect that was what happened to mine, nowadays I wash the rice in different container.

14. I switched from a fancy Zojirushi rice cooker with a pressure feature to a Tatung pressure cooker with a Rice button (like an Instant Pot). It has a stainless steel bowl. The only other material that comes in contact with the food is silicone.

    Cleanup is easier than a rice cooker because the top doesn’t get gummed up for some reason. I just rinse the top. I soak the bottom and then it’s easy to clean the next day.

    It’s faster than a rice cooker, even one with a pressure feature. The rice is as good, if not better. It also makes brown rice where the speed difference is more important.

    I sometimes make 50/50 brown and white rice. I soak the brown rice for a few hours, then add the white rice, rinse, and cook using the regular (white) rice button.

    I usually wait a few minutes for the pressure to release naturally for the best rice texture.

15. Wash your rice in a separate bowl

16. Idk if you have goodwill in Canada but I see rice cookers in my part of the US there often! Maybe try other types of thrift stores!

17. I think something else will get ya before that Teflon gets ya. If it gets too sticky, toss it. If really worried, rinse the rice after cooking, might be sticking to the rice.

18. Get a proper rice paddle

19. It’s common practice, but you shouldn’t wash rice in the pot because of this. It’s expensive, but I’d replace it and wash rice with a different bowl.

20. get a ceramic or stainless one

21. I think mine explicitly says that can happen in its book, and that yes you can still use it

22. Mine has two colors – black and silver. We are rice eaters so as long as it doesn’t explode (it’s old) – should be fine

23. Do you wash your rice in the pot? We use a seperate bowl to wash the rice. Helped with longevity.

24. This supposedly could happen by washing rice in it/the abrasiveness of the raw rice. I’m not sure though, I haven’t seen it happen myself.

25. How are you cleaning it ?

26. Dude you should’ve stopped using it a long time ago, teflon can cause serious digestive problems specially if it gets stuck in your intestine.

    You can contact Zojirushi to see if they have spares for your model.