Cooking rice with an electric rice cooker is very convenient, but sometimes when the rice cooker fails to cook rice properly, it can certainly cause users to feel anxious and worried. So what are the reasons why the electric rice cooker doesn't cook rice properly and how can it be fixed? Let's find out together with Mytour!
Solutions for Electric Rice Cooker Not Cooking Rice Properly
1. Reasons and Solutions for Electric Rice Cooker Not Cooking Rice Properly
1.1. Forgetting to Turn On the Cook Button
There's a common issue that many people may encounter when cooking rice, which is forgetting to turn on the button. It may seem trivial, but this can prevent the rice from cooking. So, when you open the rice cooker lid and find the rice and water still in their original state, remember to turn on the cooking button after placing the inner pot into the cooker and connecting the power supply.

Forgetting to Turn On the Cook Button When Cooking Rice
1.2. Loose or Disconnected Power Cord During Cooking
Loose electrical sockets can lead to the risk of electric wires slipping out anytime. Even if you plug in the rice cooker tightly, in a while, the wire may slip out of the socket, resulting in the rice cooker not cooking rice properly.

Electric wire slipping out of the socket
1.3. Sudden Power Outage
If there's a power outage while cooking rice, the rice cooker will immediately stop cooking. So, keep an eye on the control panel of the rice cooker. If the Cook button is lit, the electricity is still on; otherwise, if the Cook button is off, the power is out. At this point, take the rice out of the cooker and cook it using an alternative method.
1.4. Damaged Power Cord
If the power cord of the electric rice cooker suddenly becomes damaged while cooking, it could be due to twisting, fraying, or stretching of the cord over time without notice. Therefore, when using the electric rice cooker, be careful not to pull the cord too tightly or twist it. In case of a damaged power cord, contact the warranty center for inspection and replacement.
1.5. Adding Too Little Water to the Cooking Pot
When adding water to the cooking pot, if you add too little water compared to the amount of rice, it will lead to the electric rice cooker not cooking rice evenly, with grains becoming dry and hard. This is because there isn't enough water in the pot for the rice grains to expand into rice, so the rice doesn't cook properly. Therefore, make sure to add enough water to the rice cooker to ensure evenly cooked and delicious rice.

Undercooked rice due to insufficient water
1.6. Malfunctioning Heating Plate
The heating plate is the component responsible for heating the electric rice cooker. If the heating plate malfunctions, the rice cooker will not cook rice properly. Several factors can cause the heating plate to malfunction, such as overheating, failure of the cooker to switch off when rice is cooked, or deformation of the heating plate due to external impact. Since the heating plate is a component of the rice cooker, users should not attempt to disassemble it for repairs. Instead, take the cooker to the warranty center for inspection.

Undercooked rice due to a malfunctioning heating plate
1.7. Switch and Thermal Relay Issues
The thermal relay is a crucial component of an electric rice cooker, helping to protect the cooker from overheating. The switch is the control component of the rice cooker; when the Cook button is pressed, the cooker starts cooking rice, and when the rice is cooked, it automatically switches to the Warm button for user convenience. The cause of issues may be due to aged equipment or improper handling, resulting in switch or thermal relay malfunction. To fix this, it's advisable to contact the warranty center for inspection and repair.
2. Tips for Prolonging Rice Cooker Lifespan
- Use a measuring cup to gauge the appropriate amount of rice and water for the cooker.
- Avoid using the rice cooker's inner pot to scoop rice as it may cause scratches on the pot's surface.
- Do not plug the rice cooker into the same electrical outlet as other appliances.
- Before connecting to power, check the power cord and outlet to ensure everything is in stable condition.
- Absolutely do not open the lid of the cooker during the rice cooking process to prevent heat loss.
- When the rice is cooked and switched to the Warm mode, absolutely do not unplug the power cord; instead, leave it there for the rice to finish cooking.
- Avoid using stainless steel spoons to scoop rice into bowls; instead, use plastic or soft silicone spoons.
- Use a stand to place the rice cooker pot on to effectively avoid heat.
- If the rice is burnt and stuck to the bottom of the pot, soak it in water to gradually dissolve the rice, avoiding the use of scraping spoons.
Here are the possible reasons why an electric rice cooker may fail to cook rice thoroughly. Users can refer to these for better experiences in using electric rice cookers, ensuring evenly cooked and delicious rice.
