1. How does the peeling non-stick coating affect your health?
Presently, all electric rice cookers use Teflon non-stick coating – a safe chemical compound that aids in cooking fried and sautéed dishes effortlessly. Typically, this substance breaks down at temperatures between 300-400 degrees, while the cooking temperature of rice cookers rarely exceeds 250 degrees Celsius.

According to scientific research, Teflon is considered a challenging substance to absorb. If, by chance, a small amount of the non-stick coating is ingested, the body naturally expels it through the digestive system. So, rest assured that even if you accidentally consume a bit of the coating, it will be eliminated from your body without accumulation.
However, the harmful part is the adhesive layer of Teflon with the aluminum pot, which can degrade when exposed to high temperatures. Over time, it creates hazardous substances for the human body when heated at high temperatures. Prolonged use of both the non-stick layer and adhesive can lead to peeling, affecting the health of the user with continuous ingestion through food.
2. Should You Continue or Upgrade Your Electric Rice Cooker with Peeling Non-Stick Coating?
If your electric rice cooker is a reliable kitchen appliance with a reputable brand and falls under the category of high-quality non-stick rice cookers, then if the inner pot has minor scratches after some time, you don't need to worry much. In such cases, all you need to do is recoat the non-stick layer and continue usage. Be gentle when stirring rice and cleaning the pot to avoid further scratches.
Additionally, if the inner pot of your electric rice cooker has extensive peeling, causing rice to stick and burn, resulting in less flavorful or challenging cleaning experiences, it's worth considering investing in a new, genuine, and high-quality rice cooker as a replacement.

Especially if your rice cooker has been in use for 5-10 years, it's advisable to purchase a new one, as newer models often feature improved non-stick capabilities. Currently, reputable brands offer a wide range of rice cookers with diverse prices, providing you with more choices. For just over 1 million dong, you can purchase Sharp electric rice cookers, ideal for family kitchens.
3. How to Preserve the Non-Stick Layer of Your Electric Rice Cooker
The non-stick coating of the electric rice cooker is a crucial component as it directly contacts the rice. Therefore, it's essential to pay attention to the best preservation methods to prolong the lifespan of the cooker and ensure delicious, warm meals.
If it's an authentic branded electric rice cooker, the non-stick layer is highly resistant to scratches during cooking and cleaning. However, using sharp metal utensils or metal-based salt for cleaning and stirring rice can naturally lead to the peeling of the non-stick layer.

To optimize the preservation of your electric rice cooker, choose plastic or wooden utensils for stirring rice to avoid affecting the non-stick layer. Additionally, since electric rice cookers are coated with a non-stick layer inside, cleaning is convenient – just use a soft cloth soaked in soapy water for thorough cleaning.
When selecting an electric rice cooker, it's essential to inspect the non-stick layer carefully by opening the pot. If you find any scratches, it's advisable to choose a different product, as even a small scratch can lead to rapid peeling of the non-stick layer.
Furthermore, avoid purchasing products from unreliable sources with unclear origins, as these products often use non-standard materials in production, posing potential health risks.