Therefore, rice that has been cooked and left in the cooker with minimal lid opening is generally safe to eat. However, in cases three and four, it’s better not to consume the rice.

So, what should you do to store leftover rice and avoid waste?

Experts recommend cooking only the amount of rice you intend to consume. However, it’s often difficult to avoid making excess rice. If you have leftovers, here are two methods to store them:

1. Soak the rice cooker in cold water

Fill a clean basin with water and place the leftover rice, still in the inner pot of the rice cooker, into the basin. The water should cover about two-thirds of the pot. Close the lid to keep insects out. Soaking the pot in cold water helps maintain a lower temperature, preventing the rice from spoiling.

2. Refrigerate the rice

This is a simple and efficient method. After eating, allow the rice to cool down, then cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. During hot weather, you can also place the cooled rice in a food storage bag and freeze it. For leftover rice, it’s best to consume it within 6 hours and ensure it is reheated before eating.