Aroma Stainless Steel Rice Cooker
with Stainless Steel Interior and Exterior
Model: PRC-550/556
Instruction Manual & Cooking Guide
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the Aroma Electronic Rice Cooker & Food Steamer. It will surely become one of the most practical appliances in your kitchen. Please read all instructions before first use.
Published By: Aroma Housewares Co., 6469 Flanders Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, U.S.A. 1-800-276-6286, www.aromaco.com. © 2004 Aroma Housewares Company All rights reserved.
Important Safeguards
- Important: Read all instructions carefully before first use.
- Make sure the appliance is OFF when not in use, before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning.
- To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plug, or the appliance itself in water or other liquid.
- Keep the appliance away from children to avoid accidents.
- Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow unit to cool before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning the appliance.
- Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner. Return appliance to the nearest authorized service facility for examination, repair, or adjustment.
- Do not use attachments or accessories other than those supplied or recommended by the manufacturer. Incompatible parts create a hazard.
- Do not use outdoors.
- Do not let cord hang over the edge of a table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
- Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
- Do not use the appliance for other than intended use.
- Extreme caution must be used when moving the appliance containing rice or liquids.
- Always unplug from the base of the wall outlet. Never pull on the cord.
- The rice cooker should be operated on a separate electrical circuit from other operating appliances. If the electric circuit is overloaded with other appliances, this appliance may not operate properly.
- Maximum rice capacity is 1.8 Liters (volume capacity is 4.0 Liters).
- Avoid sudden temperature changes when using the rice cooker.
- Use only with a 120V AC power outlet.
- Always make sure the outside of the inner cooking pot is dry prior to use. If the cooking pot is returned to the cooker when wet, it will damage this product causing it to malfunction.
- Use extreme caution when opening the lid during or after cooking. Hot steam will escape and could cause burns.
- During the cooking & slow cooking stage, you may notice steam coming from the vents on the lids. This is normal.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Cord and Plug Instructions
Short Cord Instruction
A short power supply cord is provided to reduce the risk of becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord. An extension cord may be used if care is exercised. The marked electrical rating of the extension cord should be at least as great as the appliance's rating. If the appliance is grounded, use a grounding 3-wire cord. Arrange the cord so it does not drape over the countertop or tabletop where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over unintentionally.
Polarized Plug
This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug is intended to fit into a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to modify the plug.
Grounding Instructions
This appliance must be grounded while in use to protect the operator from electrical shock. It is equipped with a 3-conductor cord and a 3-prong grounding-type plug. The appliance has a plug that looks like sketch A. An adaptor (sketch B) should be used for connecting this plug to two-prong receptacles. The grounding tab, which extends from the adaptor, must be connected to a permanent ground such as a properly grounded outlet box (sketch C) using a metal screw.
Diagram Description: Sketch A shows a standard 3-prong plug. Sketch B shows a plug adapter with a grounding tab. Sketch C illustrates how the adapter's grounding tab is connected to a grounded outlet box using a metal screw.
This appliance is for household use only.
About Rice & Sensor Logic
Rice is a valuable source of low fat, complex carbohydrates and is abundant in thiamin, niacin and iron. It is an essential ingredient for a healthy diet.
Your Aroma Rice Cooker can cook any type of rice perfectly. Following are commonly available varieties and their characteristics:
Long Grain Rice
Typically not starchy with loose, individual grains after cooking. "California" rice is soft; "Carolina" is firmer; and "Jasmine" is the firmest, flavorful, and aromatic.
Short Grain Rice
Characteristically soft, sticky, and chewy. Used for sushi. "California Rice" is soft; "Sweet Rice" (or "pearl" rice) is extra sticky and excellent for rice pudding.
Brown Rice
Considered the most healthy variety. Has bran layers, more B-complex vitamins, iron, calcium, and fiber than polished rice. The most popular is long grain with a chewy texture.
Wild Rice
Comes in many varieties and mixes. Often mixed with long grain rice for firmer texture and rich color. Makes wonderful stuffing for poultry when cooked with broth and mixed with dried fruits.
Parts Identification
Diagram Description: An illustration shows the Aroma rice cooker with its lid, body, and control panel. Numbered callouts point to specific parts.
- 1. Rice cooker base
- 2. Lid
- 3. Handle
- 4. Steam vent
- 5. Condensation collector
- 6. Control panel
- 7. Stainless steel inner pot
- 8. Steam tray
- 9. Measuring cup
- 10. Rice paddle
How to Use
Before First Use
- Read all instructions and important safeguards.
- Remove all packaging materials and ensure items are in good condition. Tear up plastic bags as they can pose a risk to children.
- Wash accessories in warm soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Remove inner pot and clean with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly before returning to cooker. Wipe body clean with a damp cloth.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.
- Do not immerse the rice cooker, cord, or plug in water at any time.
To Cook Rice
- Maximum capacity: 1.8 Liters (10 measuring cups). Do not exceed maximum capacity.
- Remove rice pot, add rice, and wash rice inside the pot with tap water.
- Wipe the outside of the rice pot dry with a cloth.
- Place rice pot back into the rice cooker and close the lid.
- Plug into the wall outlet. The control panel will show "00" and beep.
- Press "Menu" to select cook mode. Cooking indicator light turns on.
- Press "Start/Reset" to start cooking.
- After cooking, the cooking indicator light turns off, and the warming indicator light turns on. The control panel shows cooking time (e.g., 0.1 = 6 minutes, 1.0 = 1 hour). Max warming time is 9 hours.
- Press "Start/Reset" to shut off power.
Warming
- Plug into the wall outlet; control panel shows "00" and beeps.
- Press "Menu" to select warm mode. Warming indicator light turns on. Time display shows from 0.0 to 9.0 (e.g., 0.1 = 6 minutes). Max warming time is 9 hours.
- Press "Start/Reset" to start warming mode. Press again to shut off power.
To Slow Cook
- Wash foods and combine all ingredients in the pot.
- Plug into the wall outlet; control panel shows "00" and beeps.
- Press "Menu" to select Slow Cook mode. Slow Cooking indicator light turns on.
- Press "Start/Reset" to start slow cooking.
- Press "Start/Reset" to shut off power.
Timer
Program the rice cooker to finish cooking at a later time. Each press of "Delay Time" advances the timer by 1 hour. Reset delay time by pressing "Start/Reset" twice. The timer cannot be set beyond 9 hours.
Example: To cook rice at 6:00 p.m. if it is 2:00 p.m.:
- Combine ingredients in the pot.
- Place pot inside the rice cooker.
- Close the lid.
- Press "Menu" to select desired mode.
- Press "Delay Time" until display reads "4:00" (4 hours from now).
- Press "Start/Reset". The timer counts down. The cooker will start at the correct time.
Caution
- Do not open lid when in use, as it will delay cooking and release hot steam, which may cause burns.
- If the cooking pot is returned to the cooker when wet, it may damage the product and cause malfunction.
How to Clean
Always unplug the unit and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.
General Cleaning
- Remove the inner cooking pot. Wash in warm, soapy water using a sponge or dishcloth.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Repeat for the steam tray and other accessories.
- Wipe the body of the rice cooker clean with a damp cloth.
To Clean Condensation Collector
The condensation collector should be cleaned after every use.
- Remove collector by gently pulling straight out.
- Wash with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Return collector to its original position by clicking it back into the grooves of the rice cooker.
Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners or products not safe for nonstick coatings.
Do not immerse the rice cooker base in water or any other liquid. This appliance and its inner pot are NOT dishwasher safe.
Cooking Guides
Rice/Water Measurement Chart
Uncooked Rice | Water with Measuring Cup | Inner Pot Water Line | Approx Cooked Rice Yield |
---|---|---|---|
2 Cups | 2-1/2 Cups | Line 2 | 4 Cups |
3 Cups | 3-1/2 Cups | Line 3 | 6 Cups |
4 Cups | 4-1/2 Cups | Line 4 | 8 Cups |
5 Cups | 5-1/2 Cups | Line 5 | 10 Cups |
6 Cups | 6-1/2 Cups | Line 6 | 12 Cups |
7 Cups | 7-1/2 Cups | Line 7 | 14 Cups |
8 Cups | 8-1/2 Cups | Line 8 | 16 Cups |
9 Cups | 9-1/2 Cups | Line 9 | 18 Cups |
10 Cups | 10-1/2 Cups | Line 10 | 20 Cups |
Note:
- When cooking brown or wild rice, add an additional 3/4 cup water.
- The measuring cup included is not an exact cup. The chart refers to cups of rice/water based on the provided measuring cup.
- This is a general measuring guide. Rice/water measurement may vary slightly depending on the type of rice.
Porridge Chart
Uncooked Rice | Water with Measuring Cup |
---|---|
1/2 Cup | 3 Cups |
1 Cup | 6 Cups |
2 Cups | 12 Cups |
Helpful Hints (Rice)
- Rinse rice to remove excess bran and starch. This helps reduce browning and sticking, but may also reduce nutrients.
- If rice sticks, try adding a light coating of vegetable oil to the bottom of the inner pot before adding rice.
- For softer rice, soak rice for 10-20 minutes prior to cooking.
Steaming Chart
Vegetable | Amount of Water | Steaming Time |
---|---|---|
Asparagus | 1/2 Cup | 10 Minutes |
Broccoli | 1/4 Cup | 5 Minutes |
Cabbage | 1 Cup | 15 Minutes |
Carrots | 1 Cup | 15 Minutes |
Cauliflower | 1 Cup | 15 Minutes |
Corn | 1 Cup | 15 Minutes |
Eggplant | 1-1/4 Cup | 20 Minutes |
Green Beans | 1 Cup | 15 Minutes |
Peas | 1/2 Cup | 10 Minutes |
Spinach | 1/2 Cup | 10 Minutes |
Squash | 1/2 Cup | 10 Minutes |
Zucchini | 1/2 Cup | 10 Minutes |
Helpful Hints (Steaming)
- No need to increase water for larger servings as vegetables absorb little water.
- Always keep the lid on during steaming. Opening the lid causes heat and steam loss, slowing cooking and potentially causing burns. Use caution if opening the lid; add a little water to help restore cooking time.
- Altitude, humidity, and outside temperature affect cooking times.
- Steaming chart is for reference only; actual cooking time may vary.
Limited Warranty
Aroma Housewares Company warrants this product free from defects in material and workmanship for one year from the provable date of purchase in the continental United States.
Within this warranty period, Aroma Housewares Company will repair or replace defective parts at no charge, provided the product is returned, freight prepaid, with proof of purchase and U.S. $6.00 for shipping and handling charges payable to Aroma Housewares Company. Call the toll-free number for a return authorization number. Allow 2-4 weeks for return shipping.
This warranty does not cover improper installation, misuse, abuse, or neglect. Warranty is also invalid if the product is taken apart or serviced by an unauthorized service station.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights that may vary from state to state and does not cover areas outside the United States.
Contact Information:
AROMA HOUSEWARES COMPANY
6469 Flanders Drive
San Diego, California 92121
1-800-276-6286
M-F, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Pacific Time
Website: www.aromaco.com