Rice cookers are a fantastic invention, making it simple to cook rice with minimal effort. But have you ever wondered why every rice cooker comes with a rice scoop? Even more curiously, the scoop often has small dots on its surface.
While many assume these dots are just to prevent rice from sticking during stirring, that’s not their true purpose. “If you think this, you’re mistaken; the real reason might surprise you.” The actual function becomes clear when it’s time to clean the rice cooker, especially when sticky rice clings stubbornly to the pot.
When rice cools, it tends to stick firmly to the walls of the cooker, and a soft cloth alone won’t do the job. Metal scrubbers, meanwhile, can damage the nonstick surface. This is where the dotted scoop comes into play.
The dots are designed to be “tougher than a soft cloth but gentler than a metal scrubber,” making them ideal for loosening stuck rice without scratching the pot. After soaking the cooker, use the dotted side of the scoop to gently scrub off any remaining sticky grains.
