Bar DFB-B12W1-BLUE Rice Cooker: Full Review

Rice cookers have become an indispensable appliance for many households around the world. They provide a convenient way to cook perfect rice every time without constant monitoring. This review will cover the DFB-B12W1-BLUE rice cooker by Bar.

Bar is a Chinese brand that offers a variety of small kitchen appliances. The DFB-B12W1-BLUE is a compact 1.8 liter capacity rice cooker with a number of useful features, especially considering its affordable price point. It has a simple operation and can cook more than just rice, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen.

This review will provide an overview of the design, features, ease of use, cooking performance, included accessories, cleanup process, durability and warranty details of the DFB-B12W1-BLUE rice cooker. The pros and cons of this model will also be discussed to help consumers determine if it is the right rice cooker for their needs.

Design

The DFB-B12W1-BLUE electric rice cooker has a sleek and modern design perfect for any kitchen. It has the following dimensions:

• 12.5 x 11.75 x 9 inches
• Weighs 5.5 pounds

The rice cooker comes in two color options - blue or white. Both feature a stylish stainless steel exterior that will complement contemporary kitchen decors. The lids are transparent so you can monitor the cooking process without having to lift it.

There is also a stay-cool handle and knob, allowing you to lift the lid safely even when cooking. The inner cooking pot has a premium triple-layer titanium ceramic nonstick coating for easy cooking and cleaning.

Features

The DFB-B12W1-BLUE rice cooker has some great features that make it convenient to use. It has a 12 cup cooked (6 cup uncooked) capacity, allowing you to make rice for larger gatherings or meal prep several portions at once.

The keep warm function kicks in automatically after cooking is finished. This keeps the rice fresh and warm for up to 12 hours without overcooking or burning. You don't have to worry about rushing to eat the rice right when it's done.

There is also a programmable timer that you can use to delay the cooking start time up to 15 hours. This is really handy if you want to wake up to freshly cooked rice or have it ready when you get home from work. Just add rice and water and set the timer before going to bed or leaving in the morning.

The rice cooker has several menu options as well, including white rice, brown rice, quick rice, porridge, stew, and soup. This makes it easy to cook more than just rice. The cooking logic technology adjusts temperature and time automatically based on the menu selected.

Ease of Use

The DFB-B12W1-BLUE rice cooker has an intuitive control panel with simple buttons and display for easy operation. The main button is the power switch that turns the cooker on and off. There are two cooking buttons - regular and quick cooking, allowing you to choose between standard or speed settings.

The LED display clearly shows which cooking function is selected and the cooking status, transitioning from cooking to keep warm when finished. The timer function enables delaying the start of cooking up to 15 hours in advance. Setting the timer is straightforward with the timer button and +/- buttons.

The buttons have symbols that are easy to understand. The cook indicator lights up when cooking is in progress. An audible beep sounds when cooking is complete. The keep warm indicator stays on as long as the cooker is in keep warm mode. The controls are conveniently located on the front of the cooker for easy access.

Overall, the intuitive interface with clear buttons and display makes the rice cooker extremely simple to operate even for beginners. The useful timer and dual cooking functions add convenience and flexibility.

Cooking Performance

The DFB-B12W1-BLUE rice cooker does an excellent job cooking different types of rice like white, brown, basmati, and jasmine. The cooker has specialized settings for standard white rice as well as brown rice and porridge which allow it to tailor the cooking time and temperature for perfect rice every time.

The microcomputer controls ensure consistent, evenly cooked rice with individual grains that are tender but not mushy. Rice comes out with just the right texture, neither undercooked nor overcooked. The cooking speed is also impressive - white rice takes only 20-30 minutes while brown rice is ready in about 45 minutes.

In terms of taste, this rice cooker produces delicious, flavorful rice without any burnt or underdone patches. The non-stick cooking pot distributes heat evenly and prevents rice from sticking. Many users mention how the rice has a wonderful aroma and taste when cooked in this appliance. Overall, the cooking performance is exceptional for a reasonably priced rice cooker.

Accessories

The DFB-B12W1 comes with several handy accessories to make your cooking experience easy and efficient:

• Rice paddle - This plastic paddle makes it easy to stir and serve rice without scratching the nonstick cooking pot. Its soft edges won't damage the surface.
• Rice measuring cup - Designed to hold the exact cup of uncooked rice that the rice cooker yields cooked rice for. No more guessing at measurements.
• Steamer tray - The steamer tray nests on top of the cooking pot, letting you steam vegetables, fish, and more while rice cooks below.
• Soup ladle - A BPA-free plastic ladle for easily serving soups and stews made in the versatile rice cooker.
• Recipe booklet - Includes basic rice recipes plus ideas for porridge, soup, stew, steamed eggs, and more. Helps you get the most out of your appliance.

Cleanup

The DFB-B12W1-BLUE rice cooker has a nonstick inner pot that makes cleanup very simple. After cooking, the inner pot can be easily removed and washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher.

The steam vent, lid, and other removable parts can also be washed separately either by hand or dishwasher. The nonstick surface means rice and other foods won't stick, reducing the effort needed to clean the pot.

Just a quick wipe down of the heating element and outer housing is all that's needed to keep the rice cooker looking new. The inner pot and other parts can be washed and dried quickly since they are dishwasher safe.

Overall, cleanup is fast and painless with this model thanks to the nonstick inner pot and removable, dishwasher safe components. Just remove the inner pot, wipe down the exterior, and wash the inner pot and parts as needed for easy rice cooker maintenance.

Durability

The DFB-B12W1-BLUE rice cooker features a sturdy construction that should hold up well under repeated use. The outer housing is made from stainless steel, providing durability against dents, chips, and rust. The inner cooking pot is crafted from surgical-grade 304 18/8 food-grade stainless steel with a PFOA-free non-stick coating. This provides an easy-to-clean and scratch-resistant cooking surface.

According to several customer reviews, the materials stand up nicely even after months of frequent rice cooking. Some mention dropping the inner pot on their kitchen floor without any dents or damage. The locking lids and steam vent knob also seem study and able to handle accidental bumps during cooking and cleanup. One user said the materials are on par with more expensive name-brand rice cookers they've owned.

Overall, the choice of stainless steel for the housing and surgical-grade steel for the pot should provide excellent durability for daily home use. This doesn't seem like a unit that will degrade or fall apart after minimal use. Aside from some mentions of normal surface scratches over time, most reviewers have been impressed with the durability.

Warranty

The DFB-B12W1-BLUE rice cooker comes with a 1 year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year from the date of purchase.

What's good is that the warranty provides peace of mind in case any issues arise with the rice cooker during the first year. However, 1 year is a relatively short warranty period compared to some other brands that offer 2 or even 3 year warranties.

So while the 1 year warranty is better than no warranty at all, some customers may prefer a longer warranty given this is a small appliance that gets frequent use. Just something to be aware of when considering this model.

Pros and Cons

This rice cooker has a lot of nice features and overall good performance for the price, but there are some downsides to consider.

Pros:

• Large 12 cup cooked capacity
• Retains heat and keeps rice warm for hours
• Simple controls with just 2 buttons
• Nonstick inner pot is easy to clean
• Includes steam tray and rice paddle
• Compact size good for small kitchens
• Affordable price under $50

Cons:

• Lid doesn't seal tightly, some steam escapes
• No delay timer or keep warm functions
• Exterior gets hot to the touch while cooking
• Short 1 year warranty period
• Not the best for brown or sticky rice
• Nonstick coating may scratch over time

The large capacity, heat retention, and inclusion of accessories make this a solid budget rice cooker. But the lack of some convenience features and questionable durability mean it's not perfect. Considering the low price point though, it's a decent option for simple rice cooking.