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(More customer reviews)After an exhaustive search for a rice cooker without a non-stick coating I was pretty much left with the ME81 from Miracle. On this basis alone, I would have given it 5 stars. It's very basic; when you plug it in, it goes to a warming mode (the directions state brown rice should be warmed for 15 minutes prior to cooking). When ready to cook, you simply depress the cook button. It then heats the contents to boiling and when ready, automatically switches back to the warming mode. The rice can continue warming for a couple of hours. Whenever ready to stop, simply unplug the unit and fluff the rice.
I must admit I have no experience with rice-cookers so my experience with the Miracle could be affected by my own ineptitude. To date, as far as grains are concerned, I've only made brown rice. My first attempt was 2 cups (the little plastic cup size which comes with the machine is smaller than one cup) and it worked fairly well with only a little rim of sludge around the edge of the glass top that occurred when it was pushed up during the boiling phase. The rice also stuck slightly to the bottom of the pan and was more moist in some areas than others, but I might have put in too much water. The directions call for extra water when cooking brown rice so with experimentation, I hope to improve on this. Next, I tried making 3 cups of brown rice and had quite a bit of boil over, with sludge running down the face of the cooker. I wonder what kind of mess results if you try to make all 8 cups? Obviously, I need more experience.
That aside, I have to say my efforts resulted in the best rice I've ever tasted! I feel like I can now get into all those healthy grains like millet, quinoa - and of course, brown rice - and switch from wheat-based products. I also steamed some vegetables in the steaming basket. They cooked in less time than I anticipated and even though I overcooked them (they never changed their bright colors so I thought they weren't done), they tasted fantastic. I've always felt uneasy about cooking vegetables in the microwave and now I'm finally liberated! The taste improvement alone is worth the investment in this cooker!
When initially searching for a rice cooker, I was disappointed all the fancy, multi-function rice cookers didn't come with stainless steel pots. Fuzzy-logic sounds so cool. But, according to a NY Times article (Sept 30 '08, "The Steamy Way to Dinner") one button varieties actually may have more flexibility. "It's easy to override the machine's small brain. Press the "cook" button, melt butter in the bowl, and sweat a finely diced shallot in it until soft - then add rice, broth and saffron strands, and start the machine again to make a daffodil-yellow pilaf". (Although, I think the directions enclosed with the ME81 stated you shouldn't repress the cook button, probably for risk of burning the contents of the pot.) According to the NY Times, "The most intriguing recipes are those that have been developed, out of necessity or curiosity, entirely for the rice cooker, like the ones here" and then introduces food blogger Hui Leng Tay teczcape.blogspot There are also some recipe links. Just looking at the pictures makes me want to start experimenting.
Anyway, despite the slight messiness, I love this rice cooker, love the tastes it is producing, and look forward to many more healthful meals in the future.
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Stainless Steel Rice Cooker Model ME81 (Formerly ME8) - by Miracle ExclusivesAutomatic Rice Cooker - All Stainless Steel! Features & SpecificationsStainless Steel Rice Cooker / Steamer - by Miracle ExclusivesOne of the modern marvels - no more watching and waiting for the rice to become perfectly cooked!The ME81 replaces the former model ME8 with new improvements like the all stainless steel bowl and vegetable steamer.All automatic, the unit includes a warm mode which automatically kicks in to keep the rice warm.This model will cook 8 cups of rice and yields 12 cups of cooked rice.With the addition of all stainless steel, none of your food ever comes in contact with any chemical or substance (like teflon on some others).Comes featured with indicator lights, different cooking modes and includes a stainless steel vegetable steamer tray.Features:All stainless steel contact with foodEasy to useYields 12 cups cooked riceAutomatic Warm FeatureNo Teflon or other chemicals used in coatingEasy-view Glass LidIncludes Rice paddle, removable stainless steel vegetable steamer tray46 inch power cordSpecifications: ModelME81 - Stainless Steel Rice CookerWeight3.97 PoundsDimensionsDepth9.5"Width:8.67"Height:7"ListedUL ApprovedVoltage110 V / AC / 60HzPower500 WMade inChinaWarranty1 Year Warranty
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