Brown gunk in rice cooker? Experts reveal a cheap, natural solution to clean it effortlessly and save energy

Rice cookers are an essential kitchen appliance in many households, but over time, a layer of brown scale and grime often builds up at the bottom. If left uncleaned, this residue not only promotes bacterial growth but also significantly reduces heating efficiency, leading to higher electricity consumption. To address this, Taipower and cleaning experts recommend using common natural ingredients to easily remove stubborn buildup, save energy, and extend the life of the appliance.

A netizen shared on Threads that their Tatung rice cooker had accumulated thick grime. They tried using baking soda, but the results were minimal. Moreover, improper use of baking soda can damage certain metal surfaces. Instead, they found that using a 'rice cooker cleaner' available at PX Mart removed the grime effortlessly without vigorous scrubbing.

The post sparked numerous responses, with many users suggesting lemon or vinegar for stainless steel rice cookers: 'Fill the inner pot 80% with water, add a cup of white vinegar, turn it on to boil, then unplug and leave overnight. The next morning, a simple wipe with a sponge removes all grime instantly.' Others said, 'Add lemon juice and water, turn it on, then unplug and let it soak. After rinsing, it's clean again—my 11-year-old rice cooker stays like new this way.' Another noted, 'Limescale is easily dissolved by citric acid—works for kettles and rapid boilers too.'

Taipower has warned that keeping a rice cooker on 'keep-warm' mode consumes significant electricity. If used for 8 hours daily, the warm-keeping function alone can use up to 117 kWh per year. When thick scale or burnt residue accumulates on the outer pot, heat conduction efficiency drops sharply, prolonging heating time and increasing electricity bills. Therefore, regular cleaning of the outer pot is crucial for energy efficiency.

Taipower recommends the following three-step cleaning process:

1. Pour white vinegar or add lemon slices into the outer pot. 2. Add water to cover the dirty areas, heat until boiling, then turn off the power and let it soak for 2 hours. 3. Pour out the hot water and gently wipe with a sponge to restore shine.

Important: Never rinse the entire rice cooker under running water, as water may enter internal components and cause short circuits or malfunctions.

For aluminum rice cookers, home care expert 'Gongdian Banlang Amay' shared a non-toxic, safe cleaning method in four steps. Crucially, do not use baking soda—its alkaline nature reacts with aluminum, causing discoloration and blackening.

1. Place lemon and white vinegar inside the rice cooker (increase amounts for stubborn stains). 2. Add water to 80% full, cover, and turn on to boil. 3. Immediately unplug after boiling and let the acidic solution soak for about 2 hours. 4. Drain the dirty water, gently scrub with a soft sponge, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

This method effortlessly removes burnt residue and yellow scale, keeping your rice cooker clean and efficient.

Source: Taipower Facebook, Gongdian Banlang Amay @Instagram