Cautions:

• Do not place rice cooker/steamer under cabinets or near wooden panels. These units produce copious amounts of steam which could lead to damage to cabinets, warp doors and ruin contents stored there.
• Allow most steamers have a timer, and do shut off automatically.  It is recommended that the unit be unplugged when not in use.  Also rice steamer must be unplugged when cleaning it.
• When checking on food, lift cover away from your face and hands.  Steam is very, very hot and serious burns can happen very quickly.
• Ifburned with steam, immediately place burned area under cold water and leave there until pain ceases.  Placing an ice cube on area will also work.
• Use long handled utensils or pot holders/mits when removing cover or steaming trays.
• Always unplug when not in use, when cleaning.
• Always let steamer cool down before cleaning base unit.

General Tips

How to clean white film in water resevoir 

• Always unplug unit first.
  
• This thin white film is due to mineral deposits in the water.  Wash unit after each use with distilled white vinegar.
• To reduce or almost eliminate the filming, use distilled water in the water resevoir instead of tap water.

To cover or not cover the rice bowl 

•  Cover with tinfoil when cooking foods that need to be covered to prevent excess moisture from getting into the foods.Custards and puddings are good examples.  Usually covering the bowl will be recommended by manufacturer's steaming guide.

Variables in cooking times

         Steaming times are dependant on 

• Personal preferrences, your desired doneness
• Food quality, size and how food is distributed in steam
• Altitude, humidity, and outside temperatures also affect cooking times

Leave the Lid On !      

• Always keep lid on the rice/food steamer while steaming.  If lid is removed, it causes a loss of heat, and will increase cooking time.

• If you need to remove lid to add or stir, etc., then have every thing ready at hand to reduce the amount of time lid is off the unit.