Rice cookers are an amazing invention, making it easy to cook rice quickly and effortlessly. But have you ever wondered why every rice cooker comes with a rice scoop? More intriguingly, this scoop has small dots on its surface.

Contrary to popular belief, these dots aren’t just to prevent rice from sticking when stirring. “If you believe this, you are greatly incorrect; the truth will make you tumble backwards.” The real purpose becomes clear when cleaning the rice cooker, especially when sticky rice clings to the pot’s walls.

When rice cools, it sticks tightly to the pot, and scrubbing with a soft rag isn’t enough. Metal brushes damage the nonstick coating. This is where the dots on the scoop come in handy.

“These circular dots are tougher than a soft cloth but less pointed than an iron pot cleaner,” making them perfect for loosening stuck rice without scratching the pot. After soaking the pot, simply use the dotted side of the scoop to gently scrub away the sticky grains.