Many of you know that my husband is half Japanese. Suffice to say, he likes rice. When we first got married we invested in a very nice (and very expensive) rice cooker that made perfect rice, both white and brown, and then kept it warm for hours. It was a lovely thing to have. However, once I researched more about the aluminum pan with the nonstick coating on it inside the rice cooker, I sadly put it away, only to be dusted off when using for large crowds.
I considered getting a stainless steel rice cooker, however my mother-in- law had one that kept burning out because it took so much more energy to heat the stainless steel bowl. Hopefully they’ve improved that function, but I was still unsure of whether or not I wanted to invest in one.
So, I was quite happy to hear that the company Vitaclay has developed a rice cooker and slow cooker dual that uses a natural clay pot inside. The clay pot is made from unglazed Chinese Zisha Clay. It’s so wild! The outside it so high tech looking, and then you open it up, and there is a traditional clay pot inside. It’s the old meeting the new.
Not only is the clay a better choice toxicity-wise, it actually helps keep food moist and flavorful. When Good Housekeeping conducted a side-by-side comparison of beef stews made in slow cookers, the stew made in the Vitaclay cooker won.
“This one-of-a-kind product is called a slow cooker but actually cooks under moderate pressure so that it heats and cooks very quickly. It automatically shifts to a keep warm setting where it maintains food at an ideal temperature for up to 20 hours. Of all the beef stews we tasted, the VitaClay’s was tops.”
Advantages of the Vitaclay rice cooker/slow cooker:
- Natural, nontoxic clay pot
- No aluminum or nonstick
- Clay is naturally nonstick
- The Vitaclay Chef, 8 cup rice cooker and slow cooker that I tried out has different settings for slowing cooking, rice (brown, white, sweet, reheating rice), so that you get exactly what you need each time.
- Heats up significantly faster than a slow cooker
- Cooks twice as fast as a slow cooker and then keeps everything on “warm” until you eat.
- Uses less energy as a slow cooker
- Makes wonderful rice
The only disadvantages I’ve found so far in my testing is that clay is a little more sensitive than metal pans. You do have to make sure that you don’t temperature shock it. I was relieved to find out that you can buy a replacement pot for a good price if something were to happen to it. My only other complaint is that I’d love for it to be larger. It works great for feeding my family of 4, but I’d love to be able to put large pots of stew in a clay cooker.
All-in-all, I’ve found the Vitaclay cooker a very deluxe rice cooker and slow cooker. This is what I’ve tested so far in it.
Beef stew (twice): Both times the meat came out tender and flavorful. I was surprised at how much better the meat texture and flavor was when compared to my beef stew made on the stovetop. That’s why I did it again. It was just so good. I was lazy and didn’t even brown the meat before dumping it all in and it still came out great.
White Rice (twice): I did one batch of sticky white rice (or sweet) and another of Jasmine white rice. I rinsed according to their directions and it came out amazing! Just perfect, with the right amount of tenderness and firmness. It wasn’t too dry or too wet. One batch of the rice got a little stuck on the bottom of the pot, and a little bit browned. I was able to scrap it off easily when cleaning. The next had just slight sticking problems. I could be doing something wrong, or perhaps I should just expect a little bit of sticking. Regardless the rice was yummy.
I plan on trying a batch of soaked brown rice and quinoa as well. We will see how it goes!
But here’s the good news! Vitaclay is giving away another VitaClay Chef Gourmet Rice N’ Slow Cooker Pro – 8 Cup (makes 16 cups of rice, and has a 4.2 quart size capacity). This sweepstake is live until Friday, 11/25/11. Winner will be announced on Saturday, 11/26. Here’s how to enter.
To enter you must live in the US.
*To enter simply leave a note below sharing why you would like to win.
*To get an extra entry, sign up for my RSS feed or my email updates, and then leave a separate comment telling me you’ve done so. (If you already do so, leave a comment letting me know).
I will use random.org to pick a winner! The winner will have 48 hours to contact me after it is announced. If they do not, I will pick a new winner. If for whatever reason the winner is disqualified, than I will also pick a new winner.
Thanks Vitaclay for a great giveaway!
Disclaimer: I received a review item for this giveaway.
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Rachelle
Wow, I would love to win one of these! My rice cooker is a non-stick one and the coating is all coming off. I really should throw it out. This would be great!
Rachelle
I subscribe to you via email.
JennyM
We make rice regularly in an aluminium rice cooker…would love to use this instead. I already subscribe via email 🙂
joan
I adore my slow cooker(s) and would love to have a rice cooker also! I do subscribe to you on email-
Julie Zilkie
I would love to win this as I have a large family and we eat rice all the time!
Brandis Roush
This item sounds like an absolute dream! I love cooking in clay, and I’ve always wanted a rice cooker but hated the idea of adding another appliance to my kitchen. But with this I could ditch a slow cooker and it would be a wash!
Ms. T
Mmm! I love rice. My old rice cooker is getting too old and not making the rice as well as it used to.
sarah
i would love to win so that u can have a rice cooker again! i gave away my old one because it was made of teflon :/
sarah
i subscribe via google reader!
Cassidy
Remarkable! I’m trying to phase out non-stick surfaces in our household anyway. Fingers crossed – thank you!
Heidi Fluegel
I would love to win this as I love making rice but my current rice maker boils over every time.
Heidi Fluegel
I subscribe by e-mail
Grace
I have not bought a slow cooker yet due to toxicity concerns. This would be perfect for our family!
Grace
I also subscribe to your RSS feed. Thanks for all your helpful information.
alanna
Already a rss and email subscriber with many posts starred for later use. I love all the useful info.
alanna
I’m a huge fan of making soups and stews and having a one pot slow cooking to do that would be great. Plus, stocks and broths and grains, oh my! I have a knack for dirtying every dish, pot, and pan in my kitchen. Here’s hoping this rice cooker could help me remedy that.
tara
Never heard of this, but sounds wonderful!
tara
I subscribe to your feed.
Vina Sanchez
I’m always down for a gadget that will simplify my life! This is wonderful!!
Donna
I have never heard of a rice cooker, slow cooker combination. I’m not too crazy about the rice cooker I have now. But, I do use my slow cooker often especially to make Ghee, and refried beans.
Terri Herrera
I have been researching a new slow cooker that is lead free and I keep coming across this one. The big price tag is keeping me from buy it. Winning one would be awesome!
Carol
I have just found out I have food allergies and have started cooking gluten, dairy free recipes. I would love the rice/slow cooker to make all the new recipes I have found recently.
Sade
I miss the perfect texture of Japanese rice cooker rice, but I can’t afford to buy a rice cooker, let alone one as awesome as the Vitaclay. I love rice and I am trying to stay away from non-stick cooking.
Sade
Also, I’m signed up for your rss feed!
Ashley
I would love to win this because I don’t have a rice cooker! Also, it just looks really cool.
Theresa
I receive emails from you, like you on fb, and i’d love to have a tool to cook yummy rice. 🙂
Jenny Lell
Recently I have been shopping for the perfect slow cooker to replace a 15 year old one. Winning this one would be wonderful, and having a rice cooker, slow cooker combination would be owning the best.
Jody Klingebiel
i have just signed up for your email updates. and looking forward to them!
Jenna shirley
Wow! This is an item I had dreamed existed but hadnt yet taken the time to find!! (also assuming it would be out of my price range 😉 For your same reasons I have never bought a rice cooker (aluminum/no stick toxicity) but this thing sounds genious! Hope I win 😉
Jenna shirley
…. Already subscribe 😉
Melanie
I subscribe.
Melanie
I really want a rice cooker because we are planning to have an Asian student live with us in January from the local ESL school and I’m sure they will want to have a lot of rice.
Chara Shopp
I subscribe already. 🙂
Chara Shopp
We don’t have a rice cooker and I’d love something more helpful than the stovetop… 🙂
Terri Herrera
I subscribed to email updates.
jen
I am scared to death now to use my crockpot. Had no idea about toxicity!
Carolyn Davis
In 1994 I became a member of the elete “C” club, opening that door to my sisters, nieces, daughters and grandaughters (if what they say is true). I am the eternal optimists and not morbid about it at all. So far things have gone well. I have looked for a rice cooker since 1996 but would not buy one because I had learned that the non stick ones were not healthy. I have just found the Vitaclay, it would be awesome to add it to our grass fed beef, raw goat milk, fresh eggs, juicer, bread from fresh ground wheat and all the of the things I have researched and shared with my family. Doing something for someone else and sharing knowledge seems to give meaning to this situation and hope as well. We are a very close family but this is not something I cared to share with them. Even if I don’t win, keep up the good work and God Bless you for your kindness. I know He will reward you. Carolyn
How do I sign up for RSS feed?
Carolyn Davis
Will you email the winner?
Joy Y.
Looks like this would make cooking a bit easier….love that!
Lisa
Thanks Kim, we’re gluten free and make all different kinds of rice on the stove. Would love to try a healthy rice cooker.
Janine
I would LOVE to win the Vitaclay cooker. I’ve been eyeing one for a few months. My family has been stricken with various health problems this last year and I’m trying to avoid non-stick surfaces as you mentioned in your post. This cooker seems to be the best bet out there for safe cooking.
Janine
I just subscribed to your RSS feed.
Hazel Tibbitts
I would love one of these! A friend of mine, who also turned me on to your website, just told me about how some slow cookers have lead in them! Yikes! Plus, having a rice cooker would be an additional great tool!
Hazel Tibbitts
I would really love one of these! A friend of mine, who also told me about your site, just recently told me how some slow cookers have lead in them! Yikes! It would also be a great addition to have a rice cooker as my youngest absolutely loves rice!
Hazel
I would love one of these! Especially after finding out, from a friend of mine who introduced me to your site, that some slow cookers have lead in them! Having a rice cooker would be an absolutely great bonus as my youngest loves rice… anyway she can have it!
Hazel
I also just subscribed to your email!
Jeanette
I use my rice cooker all the time, but I would love to try the clay insert. I have a Chinese claypot that I use separately, so I love the idea of the all-in-one pot. I would use it to make steamed rice, and add some marinated chicken breast on top (soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, ginger, cornstarch, pepper), halfway through the cooking process. With a stir-fry vegetable on the side, a complete and easy dinner could be enjoyed.
Jeanette
I subscribed to your RSS feeds and look forward to reading your posts.
Pamela
I subscribe to you via RSS on my home page. A rice cooker would be a lovely way to add more rice into our diet..
liz
I would love to win and use as both a slow cooker and rice cooker. I don’t have a rice cooker. I do have a crock pot but have wanted to get a second one. Thanks for the great give away!