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 I feel cheated May 14, 2010
Because I have most often followed Dr. Weil's advice about wellness, I am afraid that I didn't look closely enough at this rice cooker before I bought AND USED
it. I assumed that it was stainless steel because most health conscious people would not cook with aluminum or non-stick cookware. I can't return it because my daughter cooked in it not realizing that it was aluminum. It was my mistake because I made the assumption, but I still feel cheated that Dr. Weil gave his name to something that I consider less than healthy. I don't consider it a "healthy kitchen rice cooker"
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Yes, it's lined with Teflon! Mar 28, 2010
I had no intention of buying this rice cooker, although, after the cheap aluminum bowl sprung a leak on my last #20 machine, I have been in the market for something better. First, it was way too expensive for me, secondly, rice has been cooked successfully for centuries without the help of fuzzy logic, and thirdly, I saw that it got seriously bad reviews on this site.
Then I found an unused model at Tuesday Mornings for well under half the price, secondly, it occurred to me that the "fuzzy logic (c.f.) would let me cook a number of dishes , like jambalaya, that I couldn't cook in a regular rice cooker.and lastly I read, in some amazement, why the cooker had received such bad reviews here.
The machine cooks 5 cups of rice in any country but the U.S. Elsewhere, a "cup" is 6ozs, the capacity of an English teacup, but here, it is 8ozs. The measuring cup is 180ccs, not the 8ozs stated in my instructions, so be aware of this when adding water. It consistently cooks perfect rice for me, and if your idea of perfect rice is different from mine, it will cook perfect rice for you, too, with a little adjustment.
This machine shines when you want to have fun cooking either non-standard rice dishes, like Calas, where the rice needs extra cooking, beans and lentils, or even something like jambalaya (but cook the shrimp, if you use it, separately to avoid overcooking). Sometimes, though, some exotic seasonings, particularly curry, will stay in the pot and contaminate your next bowl of rice. Cure this problem by adding two tablespoons of baking soda and a half cup of liquid household bleach to 11/2 cups of water. Fill the pan half full and let the fizzing (release of carbon dioxide) subside before heating it to simmer (max heat) for about five mins. You should check this method on the internet for further tips and precautions.
Finally, a word on the ignorant but vociferous reviewers, with no claim to any scientific training, who downgraded this machine because the bowl is lined with Teflon (good idea!) instead of stainless steel as they would have preferred. The FDA and EPA have pronounced on the safe use of Teflon, but these housewives will not have it. They belong to a rich American tradition of ignorant folks who have opposed vaccination, fluoridation and, in the case of Vegans, carcinogenic animal protein. The borderline between freedom of speech and libel is seldom tested in American courts, but the reports here are an extreme example of how the lunatic fringe can damage sales of an excellent product. Dr Weil is one of the most highly respected practitioners of alternative medicine in the U.S., as his affiliation with the U.of A. shows, yet some housewife, instead of of acknowledging that he might have checked on the safety of this cooker, that he endorses -- and makes no personal profit from its sale -- expresses her "disappointment" that he does not subscribe to her unsupported prejudice. If the price is right for you, by all means buy one of these excellent, sturdily built and flexible cookers.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 NOT a stainless interior-what a let down coming from Dr. Weil! Feb 27, 2010
The interior cooking pot is not an environmentally or health-friendly one-it is either anodized aluminum or non-stick coated. Coming from Dr. Weil (who proclaims that he "believes healthy cooking begins with cookware that incorporates the advantages of aluminum WITHOUT IT COMING INTO CONTACT WITH YOUR FOOD" actual quote) that is quite a disappointment.
If you are going for appearances and like the way this pot looks, go for it. There are many other Stainless exterior pots available that are more aesthetically appealing at lower price points. If you want a healthy rice cooker that doesn't introduce harmful chemicals into your home and food-look elsewhere.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Good Environmentally Sound product Dec 14, 2008
I went through 3 malls looking for rice/veggie cookers. This is the only one I found that had a stainless steel basket for the veggies. Why would you want to steam veggies in a plastic basket?
Teflon (PTFE)was never found to be a carcinogin. One ingredient (PFOA) used to make Teflon was found to be a likely carcinogen. It was released in trace amounts when they tested frying pans, and microwave popcorn. They never tested rice makers, which always contain water. See details on Wikipedia
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
NOT nonstick rice cookers Aug 02, 2008
I too have been looking for ages for a rice cooker that's not nonstick. Just found this link:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/327261
Amazon carries the Vitaclay cooker and possibly some others....
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