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Many people either lift the lid immediately, fluff the rice and serve it, or leave the cooker on “Warm” for an extended period. Both habits can reduce rice quality, and several other common practices may also make cooking less efficient or even create safety risks.

Opening and fluffing rice immediately

A June 2026 study published in the Journal of Food Process Engineering by researchers at Sonoda University in Japan measured moisture levels across six distinct locations inside an induction-heating rice cooker.

The results showed that freshly cooked rice retains uneven moisture: some spots have higher moisture content while others are drier. The degree of starch gelatinization, which is the process by which rice grains become cooked rice, also varies throughout the pot.

Instead of opening the lid right away and letting steam escape, keep the pot sealed for a few extra minutes. Afterward, gently fluff the rice from the bottom up to redistribute moisture evenly.

Using warm water in an attempt to save electricity

The popular tip that cooking rice with 60°C water saves a third of your electricity is unfounded. While warm water technically reduces the energy needed by the rice cooker to reach a boil, preheating the water beforehand still uses electricity, meaning total power consumption remains unchanged.

Furthermore, 60°C is not the optimal temperature for every rice variety or cooker model. The most effective approach is to follow the water-to-rice ratio and cooking instructions recommended by the manufacturer.

Leaving the cooker on “Warm” for too long

After the rice is cooked, the rice cooker automatically switches to the “Warm” setting. Though using less power than cooking, it still draws electricity continuously.

A 2012 study by Japanese scientists Toshie Tsuda and Kunimitsu Sato revealed that a rice cooker consumes an average of 63 kWh annually, with keep-warm mode accounting for a major portion of that total. Leaving this setting on for hours not only wastes energy but also alters the texture of the rice, making it less appetizing.

Covering the rice cooker with a towel

Covering the rice cooker lid with a towel to retain heat and save power is a common household trick. However, this tip lacks scientific backing and violates manufacturers’ safety guidelines.

Major rice cooker brands like Panasonic and Toshiba have repeatedly warned against placing towels or any items over the lid, especially the steam vent, during cooking or warming. Blocking the vent prevents steam from escaping, which can deform or discolor the outer casing and increase the risk of short-circuiting the control panel. Additionally, hot steam building up at the vent can cause severe burns if accidentally touched.