1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the IRIS OHYAMA RC-ME30-W 3-Cup Microcomputer Rice Cooker. This appliance is designed to cook rice to perfection, enhancing its natural flavor and texture. Please read this manual thoroughly before use to ensure safe and optimal operation. Keep this manual for future reference.
Key Features:
- Thick Pot & W-Heater: Ensures even heat distribution for fluffy rice.
- 40 Brand Cooking Function: Automatically adjusts cooking settings based on 40 different rice brands.
- 9 Texture Settings: Customize rice texture by combining 3 levels of softness (soft, normal, firm) and 3 levels of chewiness (chewy, normal, crisp).
- 6 Healthy Menus: Includes specialized settings for low-carb, porridge, mixed grain, sticky rice, brown rice, and barley rice.
2. Safety Instructions
Always follow basic safety precautions when using electrical appliances to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury.
- Ensure the power supply voltage matches the rating indicated on the appliance.
- Do not immerse the main unit, power cord, or plug in water or other liquids.
- Keep the appliance out of reach of children. Close supervision is necessary when used near children.
- Unplug the appliance from the outlet when not in use and before cleaning.
- Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner.
- Use only accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
- Do not use outdoors. This appliance is for household indoor use only.
- Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
- Exercise extreme caution when moving an appliance containing hot oil or other hot liquids.
- Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
- Always attach the plug to the appliance first, then plug the cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, turn any control to "off," then remove the plug from the wall outlet.
3. Product Overview and Components
Familiarize yourself with the parts of your rice cooker.
Image: Front view of the IRIS OHYAMA RC-ME30-W Rice Cooker, showing the control panel and handle.
Image: Close-up of the control panel with a clear LCD screen and large, easy-to-press buttons.
Main Components:
- Main Unit
- Inner Pot (Thick Pot)
- Inner Lid
- Measuring Cup
- Rice Scoop
- Power Cord
4. Setup
- Unpacking: Carefully remove all packaging materials and accessories.
- Initial Cleaning: Wash the inner pot, inner lid, measuring cup, and rice scoop with mild detergent and warm water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Wipe the exterior of the main unit with a damp cloth.
- Placement: Place the rice cooker on a stable, level, and heat-resistant surface. Ensure there is adequate ventilation around the unit. Avoid placing it near heat sources or in direct sunlight.
- Power Connection: Insert the power cord into the rice cooker's power inlet, then plug it into a grounded electrical outlet.
5. Operating Instructions
5.1 Basic Rice Cooking (White Rice)
- Measure Rice: Use the provided measuring cup to measure the desired amount of rice. For white rice, the maximum capacity is 3 cups (0.54L).
- Wash Rice: Wash the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear.
- Add Water: Place the washed rice into the inner pot. Add water up to the corresponding water level mark inside the pot for the selected rice type and quantity.
- Place Inner Pot: Ensure the inner pot is properly seated inside the main unit. Close the outer lid securely.
- Select Menu: Press the "Menu" button to select "White Rice" (白米).
- Start Cooking: Press the "Cook" (炊飯) button to begin the cooking process. The cooking indicator will light up.
- Completion: Once cooking is complete, the rice cooker will switch to "Keep Warm" mode. Stir the rice gently with the rice scoop to fluff it before serving.
5.2 Advanced Cooking Functions
This rice cooker offers various specialized cooking functions for different rice types and textures.
Image: Diagram illustrating the 9 texture settings, combining 3 levels of softness (Soft, Normal, Firm) and 3 levels of chewiness (Chewy, Normal, Crisp).
- 40 Brand Cooking Function (銘柄炊き):
This function optimizes cooking for 40 specific rice brands. Select the "Brand Cooking" (銘柄炊き) menu and use the arrow buttons to choose your rice brand. The rice cooker will automatically adjust heat and time for optimal results. - 9 Texture Settings (おこのみ炊き):
After selecting a rice type (e.g., White Rice), you can customize the texture. Use the dedicated buttons to choose your preferred softness (やわらかめ - Soft, ふつう - Normal, かため - Firm) and chewiness (もっちり - Chewy, ふつう - Normal, しゃっきり - Crisp). This allows for 9 unique texture combinations. - 6 Healthy Menus (ヘルシーメニュー):
Select the "Healthy Menu" (ヘルシーメニュー) button to access specialized cooking modes. These include:- Low-Carb (低糖質)
- Porridge (おかゆ)
- Mixed Grain Rice (雑穀米)
- Sticky Rice (おこわ)
- Brown Rice (玄米)
- Barley Rice (麦飯)
Note: Brand-specific cooking and custom texture settings are not available for these healthy menus.
Image: Display of the 6 healthy menu options, showing various types of rice balls.
5.3 Timer/Reservation Function (予約)
To set a delayed cooking start time:
- Prepare rice and water in the inner pot as usual.
- Press the "Reservation" (予約) button.
- Use the "Hour" (時) and "Minute" (分) buttons to set the desired completion time.
- Press the "Cook" (炊飯) button to confirm. The timer indicator will light up.
5.4 Keep Warm Function (保温)
After cooking, the rice cooker automatically switches to "Keep Warm" mode. To manually activate or deactivate this function, press the "Keep Warm/Cancel" (保温/取消) button.
6. Maintenance
Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and extends the life of your rice cooker.
- Inner Pot: Wash the inner pot with a soft sponge and mild dish soap. Do not use abrasive cleaners or metal scrubbers, as this can damage the non-stick coating. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
- Inner Lid: The inner lid is detachable for easy cleaning. Remove it and wash with mild dish soap. Rinse and dry. Ensure it is properly reattached before next use.
- Main Unit Exterior: Wipe the exterior of the rice cooker with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals or immerse the unit in water.
- Steam Vent: Periodically check and clean the steam vent to prevent blockages.
- Storage: Store the rice cooker in a dry, clean place when not in use.
7. Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues, refer to the following common problems and solutions. If the problem persists, contact customer support.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Rice is undercooked or overcooked. | Incorrect rice-to-water ratio; incorrect cooking mode selected. | Ensure correct water levels for the rice type. Select the appropriate cooking menu. |
| Rice cooker does not turn on. | Power cord not properly connected; power outage. | Check power cord connection to both the unit and the wall outlet. Verify power supply. |
| Buttons are unresponsive. | Temporary electronic glitch. | Unplug the unit for a few minutes, then plug it back in. |
| Timer setting changes unexpectedly. | Time adjustment buttons pressed too briefly. | When setting the time, ensure you press and hold the hour/minute buttons for at least 1 second to enter adjustment mode. A brief touch may inadvertently change the time. |
| Steam leaks from lid. | Lid not closed properly; inner lid not installed correctly; steam vent blocked. | Ensure the lid is securely closed. Check if the inner lid is correctly attached. Clean the steam vent. |
8. Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | IRIS OHYAMA |
| Model Number | RC-ME30-W |
| Cooking Method | Microcomputer Rice Cooker |
| Power Source | AC100V (50/60Hz common) |
| Rated Power Consumption (Cooking) | 475W |
| Maximum Cooking Capacity | White Rice, Wash-free Rice, New Rice, Quick Cook, Eco-mode: 0.54L (3 cups) Brown Rice, Barley Rice, Mixed Grain Rice, Sticky Rice, Seasoned Rice: 0.36L (2 cups) Low-carb: 0.27L (1.5 cups) Porridge: Full porridge 0.18L (1 cup), 5-part porridge 0.09L (0.5 cup) |
| Power Cord Length | Approx. 1.0m |
| Material | Aluminum (Inner Pot) |
| Color | White |
| Product Dimensions (W x D x H) | 27.4 x 23.2 x 20.1 cm |
| Product Weight | 2.8 kg |
| Package Dimensions | 37.4 x 26.4 x 24.4 cm |
| Package Weight | 3.4 kg |
| Battery Use | No |
9. Warranty and Support
This IRIS OHYAMA RC-ME30-W Rice Cooker comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty from the date of purchase. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims.
The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. It does not cover damage caused by misuse, accident, unauthorized modification, or failure to follow the instructions in this manual.
For warranty service, technical support, or any questions not addressed in this manual, please contact IRIS OHYAMA customer service. Contact information can typically be found on the official IRIS OHYAMA website or on the product packaging.
