There is a strange electrical burning type of smell coming from my Tsuki rice cooker. Is this normal?
Why Does My New Tsuki Have a "New Appliance" Smell?
If you have only used your Tsuki a few times and notice a new, plastic-like or slightly unusual smell while it is operating, this is most likely the normal "new appliance" smell associated with a newly manufactured product.
This is generally not an indication that your Tsuki is faulty.
Why Does a New Tsuki Smell?
Tsuki is supplied brand new from the factory, and like many new electrical kitchen appliances, it can have a noticeable manufacturing or "new plastic" smell during its first few uses.
One reason you may notice this more with Yum Asia products is that our own-brand appliances are manufactured and shipped relatively recently. We generally manufacture our products less than six months before they reach customers, rather than allowing stock to sit in factory storage for extended periods.
This means there has been less time for the natural "new product" odour from materials such as plastics, polymers and packaging to dissipate before the appliance reaches you.
As a result, a new Tsuki can sometimes have a more noticeable new-appliance smell than an appliance that has been sitting in storage for a year or more.
The Good News: It Should Fade
The smell should gradually diminish with use.
The more you use Tsuki, the quicker the new-appliance odour will normally dissipate.
You can also help speed up the process by:
Leaving the lid open after cooking and cleaning, allowing the interior to air naturally.
Allowing Tsuki to cool and ventilate fully between uses.
Avoiding storing the cooker inside a cupboard immediately after use, particularly while it is still warm.
Ensuring the cooker is clean and completely dry before storage.
Important: Don't Wash the Outside of the Ceramic Inner Bowl
There is another potential source of an unusual smell that is particularly important with Tsuki's ceramic inner bowl.
The outside of the ceramic bowl should not be washed or soaked.
The ceramic material can absorb moisture. When the bowl is subsequently heated, any moisture retained within the ceramic can be driven out by the heat. This can sometimes produce a smell that may resemble burning or overheated material.
How Should You Clean the Bowl?
The inside of the ceramic bowl can be cleaned normally according to the care instructions.
However, avoid washing or soaking the external underside/surface of the ceramic bowl. Keep the exterior dry and only clean it in accordance with the care instructions supplied with the cooker.
If the outside of the bowl has become wet, allow it to dry completely before placing it back into the rice cooker and using it.
When Should You Be Concerned?
A mild new-appliance smell during the first few uses is generally normal and should become less noticeable over time.
However, if you experience a strong burning smell that persists, see smoke, notice melting or discolouration, or believe the appliance is not operating normally, stop using Tsuki and contact Yum Asia for assistance.
In Summary
New Tsuki + first few uses + mild plastic/manufacturing smell = usually normal.
The smell should naturally fade as the cooker is used and ventilated.
Give your new Tsuki a little time to "breathe" – the new-appliance smell should gradually disappear with use.