Buzz
What is the thermal plate of an electric rice cooker? What role does it play? These are common questions for most consumers before purchasing an electric rice cooker. Many people ponder when faced with electric rice cookers with 1, 2, or 3 thermal plates, unsure about which one to buy for both economical and ensuring delicious and fluffy rice. In today's article, Mytour Supermarket will explain to you in detail about the thermal plates on electric rice cookers and their importance, helping you choose the right type of electric rice cooker!
What is the thermal plate of an electric rice cooker?
The thermal plate is the heating system of an electric rice cooker, the main part responsible for heating the rice cooker. The thermal plate has a structure similar to an electric stove, consisting of a heating wire placed in a heat-resistant insulated tube, installed in the plate under the rice cooker. In the middle of the plate, there is a temperature sensor that automatically shuts off when reaching a certain temperature, that is, when the rice is cooked, the cooker automatically switches to the keep warm mode.
Thermal Plate of Electric Rice Cookers
What material is the thermal plate of an electric rice cooker made of?
The thermal plate is made of aluminum alloy that is either pressed or cast with an enclosed heating coil. The purpose is to evenly distribute heat on the stove and cooking pot surface while reducing localized heat for the heating coil, maintaining heat when the coil is disconnected, and the quality of the plate depends on the manufacturer.
Structure of the thermal plate in electric rice cookers
The typical construction of a thermal plate includes a resistive heating wire placed inside an insulating tube. The thermal sensor relay is designed as a small circular device installed in the middle of the thermal plate, with the bottom face of the relay attached to a spring. When a specific temperature is reached, indicating that the rice is cooked, this sensor will automatically cut off and switch to the warming mode. The thermal plate is designed in a slightly curved shape, forming a circular arc to expand the contact surface with the cooking pot and ensure that any foreign objects falling on it will be directed outward. The surface of the plate has small slot-like ridges running in concentric circles, resembling lathe lines; the purpose is to allow small sand particles falling onto the plate to enter these gaps, preventing any channeling between the plate and the cooking pot. The contact between the pot and the heating surface (plate) is crucial because it is related to the calculation of the relay.
Principle of Operation of the Thermal Plate on Electric Rice Cookers
Types of thermal plates
If categorized by the number of thermal plates, all electric rice cookers are divided into three types: electric rice cooker with 1 thermal plate, electric rice cooker with 2 thermal plates, and electric rice cooker with 3 thermal plates.
Now, let's explore these 3 types of thermal plates with Mytour Supermarket.
- Single thermal plate: Common rice cookers usually come with a single thermal plate at the bottom. The operating mechanism involves heating from the bottom with high power, cooking rice quickly in 20-30 minutes. The disadvantage of this type is uneven rice quality, often resulting in burning at the bottom and stickiness at the top. Rice cookers with a single thermal plate are commonly found in affordable electric rice cookers.
- Double thermal plates: Two thermal plates are typically equipped in mid-range electric rice cookers. This addresses the shortcomings of a single thermal plate by heating from both the bottom and around the body of the pot. This ensures even and thorough heat absorption by the rice grains from the bottom to the top, resulting in evenly cooked and fluffier rice. In 2-plate thermal cookers, 2D cooking technology is employed, with an additional heating wire around the pot, distributing heat evenly for better-cooked rice.
- Triple thermal plates: Three thermal plates are usually found in high-end or electronic rice cookers. The heat is transmitted from the bottom, around the body of the pot, and even from the lid. The rice grains are gradually and uniformly heated, ensuring the rice is tender, fluffy, and free from stickiness or burning. To guarantee the best rice quality, the cooking time is longer compared to single or double thermal plate cookers, around 45 minutes. However, despite the longer cooking time and higher cost, the rice is aromatic and delicious.
Through this article, Mytour Supermarket hopes that you have gained an understanding of the thermal plate and various types of thermal plates in electric rice cookers. Depending on your usage needs and budget, choose a suitable electric rice cooker.
