How to Use a Tiger Rice Cooker (Including the Tacook Plate)
To use a Tiger rice cooker, measure rice with the included rice cup, rinse it, put it in the inner pot and add water to the line that matches the rice type and number of cups. Choose a menu such as White Rice, Brown or Porridge (or Synchro-Cooking if you are using the tacook plate) and press Start. On basic one-switch Tiger models, simply push the switch down to Cook; it pops up to Warm when the rice is done.
Tiger is a Japanese brand that has made rice cookers for decades. Its range includes simple one-switch cooker and steamer models, microcomputer cookers with several menus, induction heating models, and cookers with the “tacook” plate that lets you cook a main dish on top of the rice at the same time. The steps below cover all of them, but buttons vary by model, so keep your manual close.
Know Your Model Type
| Type | Controls | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic rice cooker / rice steamer | One switch: Cook and Warm | Simple white rice and steaming |
| Microcomputer (micom) | Menu, Start, Timer buttons | Different rice types and timed cooking |
| Microcomputer with tacook plate | Menu with Synchro-Cooking | Rice and a main dish together |
| Induction heating (IH) | Menu, more settings | Even heating and finer texture control |
How to Cook White Rice (Menu Models)
- Measure the rice with the included cup and level it off. The rice cup holds about 180 mL, which is smaller than a US measuring cup.
- Rinse the rice in cold water 2 or 3 times, swirling gently and pouring off the cloudy water.
- Add water to the line marked for White Rice that matches the number of cups. For 3 cups, fill to “3” on the White scale.
- Place the inner pot in the cooker, wipe the outside dry, and close the lid firmly.
- Select the menu by pressing Menu (or the menu buttons) until White Rice is shown.
- Press Start.
- Fluff and serve when the cooker beeps and switches to Keep Warm.
How to Use a Basic One-Switch Tiger Rice Steamer
- Measure and rinse the rice as above.
- Add water to the matching line inside the pot.
- Close the lid and plug in the cooker.
- Push the switch down to Cook. The cook light comes on.
- When the rice is done, the switch clicks up to Warm automatically.
- Let it rest 10 minutes, then fluff.
Many of these models come with a steam basket. Put water in the pot, set the basket on top with vegetables, dumplings or fish, cover, and switch to Cook. Watch the time, since the cooker will keep boiling until the water runs low. For more on rice steamers, see rice cooker with steamer basket.
Using the Tacook Plate (Synchro-Cooking)
Some Tiger models come with a tacook cooking plate, a shallow dish that sits on top of the rice inside the cooker. The rice cooks in the pot below while a main dish steams and cooks on the plate above, and both finish together.
- Measure, rinse and add rice and water to the inner pot as usual. Some manuals specify a maximum number of rice cups when using the plate, so check yours.
- Place the tacook plate on top of the inner pot.
- Add the main dish ingredients to the plate, such as fish fillets with vegetables, thinly sliced chicken with sauce, or tofu and greens. Follow the manual’s recipe book for amounts and cut sizes.
- Close the lid, select the Synchro-Cooking menu and press Start.
- When it finishes, carefully lift the hot plate out with oven mitts, then fluff the rice.
Always make sure meat, poultry and fish are cooked through. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) and fish 145°F (63°C), measured with a food thermometer. Cutting ingredients thin and evenly helps them cook in time.
Common Tiger Menu Settings
| Menu | Use it for |
|---|---|
| White Rice / Plain | Everyday white rice, jasmine, basmati |
| Quick Cooking | White rice in less time (slightly firmer) |
| Brown | Brown rice, with a longer soak and cook |
| Mixed / Takikomi | Seasoned rice with vegetables or meat |
| Sushi | Slightly firmer rice for sushi |
| Porridge | Congee and rice porridge |
| Synchro-Cooking | Rice plus a dish on the tacook plate |
| Slow Cook | Soups and stews on some models |
| Steam | Steaming with water and the basket or plate |
Available menus vary by model. For congee, see how to make congee in a rice cooker.
Timer and Keep Warm
- Timer (preset): On most Tiger menu models, you set the time you want the rice to be ready, not when cooking starts. Use it only with plain rice and water, not with meat or other perishables on the tacook plate.
- Keep Warm: The cooker switches to Keep Warm automatically. It is best for a few hours. Many manuals suggest no more than about 12 hours. Refrigerate leftover rice instead of keeping it warm all day. See can you leave rice in the rice cooker overnight.
How to Clean a Tiger Rice Cooker
- Unplug and let it cool.
- Wash the inner pot, inner lid (if removable), steam cap and tacook plate in warm soapy water with a soft sponge.
- Empty the dew collector if your model has one.
- Wipe the heating plate and outside with a damp cloth. Never submerge the main unit.
- Dry everything before reassembling.
For a full guide, see how to clean a rice cooker.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Rice too soft | Too much water | Fill exactly to the line; reduce slightly next time |
| Rice too hard | Too little water or used a US cup | Measure with the included rice cup |
| Food on tacook plate undercooked | Pieces too thick or too much food | Cut thinner, use less, follow the manual’s amounts |
| Water spills from vent | Too much starch or overfilled | Rinse well and stay below the max line |
| One-switch model will not stay on Cook | Pot not seated or debris on the plate | Clean the heating plate and reseat the pot |
Rice-to-Water Guide for Tiger Rice Cookers
Tiger rice cookers are designed around their own measuring cup and the water lines printed inside the inner pot. The cup that comes in the box holds about 180 ml, which is smaller than a standard US cup (240 ml). Using a kitchen cup with the pot lines will give you the wrong amount of water.
| Rice type | How to measure water | Texture tip |
|---|---|---|
| White rice (short or medium grain) | Fill to the White line that matches the number of cups | Go slightly under the line for firmer rice |
| Long-grain white or jasmine | White line, or a little below it | Long-grain rice can turn soft with too much water |
| Brown rice | Brown or GABA line if your pot has one | Use the Brown menu; it soaks and cooks longer |
| Sushi rice | Sushi line, or just under the White line | Slightly firm grains absorb seasoning better |
| Porridge | Porridge line on the pot | Use the Porridge menu to avoid boil-over |
On basic one-switch models without menu lines, a common starting point for white rice is about 1 part rice to 1.1 to 1.2 parts water by volume. Adjust in small steps until the texture suits you.
Cooking Brown Rice, Mixed Grains and Porridge
Brown rice keeps its bran layer, so it needs more water and more time than white rice. Tiger menu models handle this on the Brown setting, which often includes a longer soak built into the cycle. If you only have a single switch, soak brown rice in the pot for 30 to 60 minutes before you press the switch, and add a little more water than you would for white rice.
For mixed grains, such as white rice with a spoonful of barley, millet or quinoa, cook on the Mixed or Brown setting if available. Add the extra grains on top of the measured rice and add a small splash of extra water for each spoonful.
Porridge, congee and rice pudding need a lot of liquid and tend to foam. Only make them in models that have a Porridge menu and line, and never fill above that line.
Tips for Better Rice in Any Tiger
- Rinse until the water is mostly clear. This removes loose starch that makes rice sticky and can foam out of the vent.
- Level the rice. Shake the pot gently so the rice sits flat before you check the water line.
- Wipe the outside of the inner pot. Water or rice grains on the bottom can affect heating and may cause clicking noises.
- Let it rest. When the cooker switches to Keep Warm, leave the lid closed for 10 to 15 minutes, then fluff the rice with the paddle.
- Do not use Keep Warm for too long. Rice is best within a few hours. Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers.
Caring for the Inner Pot
Most Tiger inner pots have a nonstick coating. To help it last:
- Use the plastic rice paddle and avoid metal spoons, whisks or scrubbers.
- Do not wash rice with a metal colander inside the pot. Rinse in a separate bowl if you scrub the grains hard.
- Wash the pot by hand with a soft sponge and mild dish soap, unless your manual says it is dishwasher safe.
- Do not cook acidic or very salty foods and leave them sitting in the pot for long periods.
- If the coating starts to peel, contact Tiger or the retailer about a replacement pot for your model.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water do I use in a Tiger rice cooker?
Fill to the line inside the inner pot that matches the menu and the number of rice cups. Measure the rice with the included cup.
How long does a Tiger rice cooker take?
White rice typically takes around 30 to 60 minutes depending on the model and menu; Quick Cooking is faster and Brown is slower. See how long a rice cooker takes.
What is tacook in a Tiger rice cooker?
It is a cooking plate that sits above the rice so you can cook a main dish and rice at the same time using the Synchro-Cooking menu.
Can I cook brown rice in a Tiger?
Yes. Use the Brown menu and the Brown water line on menu models. On one-switch models, add extra water and let it rest longer.
Can I use a regular measuring cup with a Tiger rice cooker?
You can, but then do not use the pot lines. Measure both rice and water with the same cup and use a ratio instead. It is simpler to use the Tiger cup that came with the cooker.
Why does my Tiger switch to Keep Warm before I think the rice is done?
The cooker switches when the water has been absorbed. The rice keeps steaming in the closed pot. Leave the lid on for 10 to 15 minutes before opening.
Can you cook quinoa in a Tiger rice cooker?
Yes. Rinse it well and use about 1 part quinoa to 1.5 parts water on the White or Quick setting. Fluff it after a short rest.
The Bottom Line
Using a Tiger rice cooker is simple: measure with the rice cup, fill to the right water line, choose a menu (or push the switch on basic models) and let it work. The tacook plate is a bonus for one-pot meals, as long as you cut ingredients evenly and check that meat and fish are cooked through.