Electrical Safety Advice for Steamers and Rice Cookers

Steamers and rice cookers usage and safety

Rice cookers or steamers are great for cooking dishes such as rice, couscous or quinoa. But these items use electricity to heat water to a high temperature so must be used safely.

A steamer typically consists of a base unit with a water reservoir and a steaming basket or tray. When the water in the reservoir is heated, it creates steam that envelops the food and cooks it gently and evenly.

Steamers are commonly used for cooking vegetables but also seafood, dumplings, and even meat.

Although rice can be cooked in a steamer, a rice cooker (also known as a rice maker or rice steamer) is specifically designed to automate rice cooking.

It usually has an electric heating element, a removable inner pot, and a control panel with settings and options. The inner pot is made from non-stick material to allow for easy serving and cleaning.

Key points

Steamers and rice cookers must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug and fuse.

Look for appliances with safety features to minimise the risk of accidents.

Do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn and scorch marks.

Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and always follow them.

Buying a steamer or rice cooker

Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the appliance may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. Make sure it is fitted with a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse.
Look for safety features on the appliance such as lockable lids to prevent accidental spills or burns, smart timers which automatically shut off the steam to prevent overcooking, dry-boil protection which stops the steam from boiling over, and a low-water alert which prevents overfilling and potential overflow.
Register your appliance so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered.

Using a steamer or rice cooker safely

Avoid using a steamer near or below curtains, shelves, and cupboards, or anything else likely to be damaged by escaping steam.
Be careful when adding or removing food or pouring water in or out of the appliance to keep the power cable and socket dry.
Don’t overfill the bowl or basket.
Many modern electric rice cookers and steamers are designed with a stay-warm feature, which means it can stay on for hours to keep food at the optimal temperature. But avoid leaving it unattended for long periods of time.
Make sure the appliance is switched off and unplugged before it is dismantled and cleaned. And ensure the appliance is properly dry before being used again.
Don’t immerse it in water for cleaning and, although some parts of the appliance may be dishwasher safe, the base is electric and should only be wiped with a damp cloth.
Keep power cables away from hot surfaces and always unplug the appliance when not in use.

ALWAYS

Do plenty of research first before buying.
Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer.
Register your appliance with the manufacturer.
Clean the appliance according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

AVOID

Buying from third-party sellers online.
Leaving a steamer or rice cooker unattended when it’s being used.
Using the appliance if you notice any buzzing or crackling sounds or any unusual smells.
Overfilling with either food or water.

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician.

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

When does a periodic inspection need to be carried out?

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

3 years for a caravan
1 year for a swimming pool

Who should carry out a periodic inspection?

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

My electrician told me that they were registered; however I now believe that they are not, as they have not given me a certificate. What should I do?

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

Additional info

Steaming is seen as a healthy cooking option but also it is often faster than other methods and uses less energy.

Newer models of steamer and rice cooker are often designed with better insulation which minimises heat loss and so needs less power to cook effectively.

Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

Check your appliances

Steamers and rice cookers