Is it safe to use a nonstick rice cooker?
Based on 2 peer-reviewed studieskitchen
Verdict: Avoid
Not really. The nonstick bowl sheds PTFE, and rice cookers run for hours with steaming water against the coating.
What's actually in it
Most rice cookers have a nonstick PTFE-coated bowl. The appliance runs for 30 to 60 minutes per pot, with hot steamed water constantly hitting the coating. That's prime condition for PTFE particle release.
What the research says
A 2025 study in J Hazard Mater showed PTFE micro and nanoplastics cause oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and DNA breaks in human gut cells. A 2025 study linked PTFE exposure to lower sperm quality.
Switch to a stainless steel rice cooker, an Instant Pot with a stainless steel insert, or cook rice on the stove in a plain pot.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| PTFE microplastics induce oxidative stress in human intestinal cells. | J Hazard Mater | 2025 |
| Therapeutic Repair of Sperm Quality Decline Caused by PTFE. | Adv Sci (Weinh) | 2025 |
What to use instead
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