Found out my rice cooker doubles as a slow cooker for cheap bean soups

I was sick of eating rice bowls every single day to save money. Last Tuesday I threw a cup of dried lentils, some onions, and a chicken bouillon cube in my $25 rice cooker with water. Hit the slow cook setting and let it go for 2 hours while I worked on a wiring job. Came back to a thick soup that fed me for 3 days and cost maybe $2 total. Has anyone else tried using their rice cooker for more than just rice?

2 comments

2 Comments

olivere3018d agoTop Commenter

Rice cookers are like the mutts of kitchen gadgets, way more capable than people assume.

hugo_ellis17d ago

Look at it the other way. A rice cooker is just a pot with a timer and a heating element. Throwing lentils and bouillon in there isn't some hidden feature, it's basic cooking. People act like it's magic when it's just following the same rules as a stovetop. I've had rice cookers burn lentils before because they don't stir or adjust heat like a real slow cooker does. You got lucky with a thick soup, but most cheap models will scorch the bottom or leave it watery. I'd rather just use a $10 thrift store slow cooker that actually controls temperature right.