I bought this supposed 10-cup rice maker from Costco. It turned out to be more like a 6-cup maker. Aroma defines the size of the cup, so that amounts to false advertizing!! Unfortunately it is out of the warranty period now.
Worse still, it burned rice unless the rice was mixed up several times late in the cooking process. It burned usually on one or two spots at the base of the inner pot. That might be fixable by adding a flat aluminum plate under the pot, which should distribute the heat a bit better to the base of the pot.
Even worse than that was that the pot boiled over inside the unit and I unplugged it in a hurry. I am now trying to take the unit apart so that I can inspect the electrical element and the connections. The problem is that the exterior seems to be all plastic and it's hard to see where the various bits might be separated. As everyone knows, it doesn't take much effort to break clips where plastic units are connected to one another. Knowing how those clips are connected and where they are inside the unit would be very helpful.
I agree...the directions on the bag ages ago were what I used to cook perfect rice. You could cook one large batch and freeze portions for future use. I use a smaller steamer only because our ancient cook-top and cookware make cooking rice on the stove a pain.
Sounds like the OP has a really unsafe appliance; repairing poor design is a challenge.
Why did you wait until there was no warranty. Actualy Costo I bet is good, take it back with some burn and talk loudly at the return counter if they dont just give you a new unit, this time test it right away.
Hehe I didnt read all the thread but on this specific one, you probably hit the wrong group. Not to worry though, we are a pretty eclectic bunch and i can speak to the Aroma brand.
All rice makers have a set 'optimal' amount. It's usually between 1/3 and
2/3 of it's capacity. I have an Aroma as well and love it. I got it years ago and it's been in daily use for probably 7-8 years now? The cord (removable) is starting to go at last so Don (hubby) noticed it and we took it offline 2 days ago til I can get another cord.
As to the 'measure' all rice makers are like that if of 'asian' design. They use metrics and translated 'a cup' a bit differently is all. I bet if you still have the 'cup' that came with the unit, and measure it, it will hold about 4/5 of a USA 'cup'.
Ignore the 'cup' name and consider that they think of a 'cup' as something cup-shaped to hold dry or wet things. The only shift is the amount of water at the side wont work if you add rice to USA cup size then try to use their water markers.
2 tricks. 1 part dry, 2 parts water. (I like a little less wet so add a tad more rice or make those 'parts' 'heaping' whie the water is a pure straight measure. The other trick is a popular one from filepeno. Add rice then add water until hits second knuckle when just touching the dry below. (I've not tried that but heard it works too if making lots of rice).
You either added too little water, or object to the mildly browned bottom part which by tradition is considered a 'cooks treat' or 'best part'. Rice makers (good ones) are designed to do that just a little. It should be mildly golden a little at the most bottom layer. There are even specific recipes for use with that part of the rice pot.
Unless it's turning black, do not try this. If just golden in spots, it is working as designed.
Overloaded it. The total water and dry rice should not go over 2/3 of the pot depth. This will be the same for any unit you get. Yes, you can press it a bit more, but I advise against it.
Ransley:
Ransley, from what he says, there is *nothing* wrong with the unit other than using it wrong.
I'll make a pot of rice (about 6-7 cups final volume) at 11am or so, eat some with lunch, and keep it on warm til 7pm (feeding 3, we like our rice). I'll generally have a small bottom portion of golden 'rice cake' at the bottom (can be fairly crusty, even to a bit of darker brown) which is then flipped out, and served with breakfast topped with eggs after spreading with butter (a bit like eggs on toast if you will).
The biggest problem *here* is there isnt enough of that crusty part to go around. Charlotte (15YO) normally gets the lions share on school days for breakfast, fried quickly in a little butter with a miso-dashi soup on the side or perhaps a sunny side up egg slid on top. Don grabs the rest and I get to suffer...
"you bet"? There you go thinking again ransley. Thats good advice. Go back to the store and start getting all loud and pissy. Thats always the best way to get something done. Id just bitch slap you and send you down the road. Bubba
Hmm, To buy a real good cooker it'll cost you 200.00 - 300.00. Look at some made in Korea or Japan sold in oriental grocery stores. They are state of the arts as far as cooking rice goes.
I have an Aroma rice cooker and it has worked perfectly for 10 years. I have to make a slight water amount adjustment based on the type of rice. The better rice makers have a sealing lid with locking latch. Perhaps you have a faulty thermostat. A "cup" is the plastic container you get with the rice maker, not an 8-ounce cup.
Not true. Costco.com sells good ones from Zojirushi and Tiger for under $100. It's the very low end ones, like the Aroma, which should be avoided. I have an old Aroma, and while I didn't have the problems of the original poster, it's not something I would buy again.
I'd like a Hitachi but the cost as you say... The Aroma I have, I got out in town in Japan. At a store called 'Justco', where I did much of my shopping. (Kinda like a JC Penny but with a grocery store in the basement)
: I bought this supposed 10-cup rice maker from : Costco. It turned out to be more like a 6-cup : maker. Aroma defines the size of the cup, so that : amounts to false advertizing!! Unfortunately it is : out of the warranty period now.
If you really did buy this cooker from Costco and a member, you can very easily return it without any hassles. All they do is look up your record of purchases and bingo you get your money back. This covers all their merchandise except for tv's, which I think is 6 months.
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