VitaClay for brewing chinese herbs? I've been hunting around for a new herb brew pot (and sure enough I found one here for $8!) but because I am actually looking for a slow cooker - i figured I'd see what else is out there and stumbled on the 6-cup model and see there is this 8-cup model as well.I'm wondering if anyone has any experience brewing chinese herbs with VitaClay products?something I'd love to have someone clarify is does "8 cups" refer to:1) 8 cups of water alone will fill up the bowl OR2) the pot can hold 8 cups of cooked rice (so something like 4 cups of raw rice and 4 cups of water when you begin...)ideally I need a cooker that can hold 8.5 cups of water and a small package of chinese herbs that after all is said and done will create about 6 cups of herbal tea.any input is appeciated! VitaClay for brewing chinese herbs? I've been hunting around for a new herb brew pot (and sure enough I found one here for $8!) but because I am actually looking for a slow cooker - i figured... » Read More VitaClay for brewing chinese herbs? I've been hunting around for a new herb brew pot (and sure enough I found one here for $8!) but because I am actually looking for a slow cooker - i figured I'd see what else is out there and stumbled on the 6-cup model and see there is this 8-cup model as well.I'm wondering if anyone has any experience brewing chinese herbs with VitaClay products?something I'd love to have someone clarify is does "8 cups" refer to:1) 8 cups of water alone will fill up the bowl OR2) the pot can hold 8 cups of cooked rice (so something like 4 cups of raw rice and 4 cups of water when you begin...)ideally I need a cooker that can hold 8.5 cups of water and a small package of chinese herbs that after all is said and done will create about 6 cups of herbal tea.any input is appeciated! « Show Less
2055125
I think I may have answered part of my question just by going to the manufacturer's site:http://vitaclaychef.com/rice-cookers-and-slow-cookers/vitaclay-chef-gourmet-rice-n-slow-cooker-pro-8-cup8 cups of raw rice creates *16* cups of rice - it's a 4.2 QT pot.I left a message for the VitaClay folks to see if they have any opinion in regards to brewing chinese herbs - maybe they'll reply here too :)
2055126
I just spoke to Michelle and had a really nice conversation with her. she says brewing chinese herbs won't be an issue :)
597438
Works really good for beans (so fare chick peas, red beans, black beans) also works great to make homemade stock or french onion soup quickly. As a slow cooker I have made 3 roast and they came out really good, we actually got rid of our Crock pot.For rice, have not tried it yet, sorry.However, the pressure release valve broke after only 6 months. Currently trying to get a replacement under warranty.
1203159
No, I never received a response. I chose to buy the rice/pasta cooker (and steamer) by Aroma. I am very happy with it.I don't recall if the VitaClay manufacturer's website had the specs you are looking for, but that's where I'd start.Good luck...
1859604
probably three cups, just by guessing -- we are typical Asian family who eat rice regularly, however, I use rice cooker Zujirushi or Tatung. I bought this for beef or chicken soup -- I put this in another outer pot when the water is still cold, since this is in the form of steaming so the broth has all flavor
2114344
I own 4 of these and once in a while have had this very problem. If you are making rice and it is gummy water coming out the steam hole, then it's because you have more water than the rice can absorb in the pot. If I use 4 cups of rice then I fill the pot with water to the 4 cup line (the rice always goes into the pot first). 6 then I fill with water to the 6 cup line and so on.If you are making soup or something remember you can not fill the pot full or it will boil over through the lid as well.Keep it at least an inch from the top. Make sure you clean the lid out well after each use...I put mine in the dishwasher after each use.Hope this helps. :) I own 4 of these and once in a while have had this very problem. If you are making rice and it is gummy water coming out the steam hole, then it's because you have more water than the rice can absorb in the pot. If I use 4 cups of rice then I fill the pot with water to the 4 cup line (the rice always goes into the pot first). 6 then I fill with water to the 6 cup line and so on.If you are making soup or something remember you can not fill the pot full or it will boil over through the lid as well.Keep it at least an inch from the top. Make sure you clean the lid out... » Read More I own 4 of these and once in a while have had this very problem. If you are making rice and it is gummy water coming out the steam hole, then it's because you have more water than the rice can absorb in the pot. If I use 4 cups of rice then I fill the pot with water to the 4 cup line (the rice always goes into the pot first). 6 then I fill with water to the 6 cup line and so on.If you are making soup or something remember you can not fill the pot full or it will boil over through the lid as well.Keep it at least an inch from the top. Make sure you clean the lid out well after each use...I put mine in the dishwasher after each use.Hope this helps. :) « Show Less
1163512
I would think that is different with each person, but I use a palm full. That might be 1/8-1/4 cup. I sprinkle different herbs as well. Or, I add essential oils. I hope that helped you out.
2203906
I'm very happy with my 6.5 quart Fissler Vitaquick and use it regularly for cooking beans, making pulled pork, and vegetable stock. However, if I were to make chicken stock I'd probably want the 8.5 quart Vitaquick so I could make a larger batch. Note that Cook's Illustrated says that using a pressure cooker to make chicken stock results in a deeper, more intense flavor which is not always desirable. For point of reference, I cook for 3 but always make more for leftovers.
1576891
It depends on your preference. Try it and see what works for you. I mix it up with regular black tea to add a little flavor. Not much, a handful for a teapot that pours 4 standard cups.
1203160
Have you gotten any answers to your question? I am also curious if you can steam vegetables or frozen dumplings in the VitaClay unit. Perhaps you just need to add a stainless steel steamer basket inside on the bottom and go from there? For that reason, I would like to know exactly how big the clay pot is- what is the diameter? If I place a standard steamer basket in there, How much room would be left over? Finally, can I program it to run for the few minutes needed to steam vegetables? Or is it set to specific increments?
2198010
I also am not familiar with the term grind tea. It is a loose leaf tea and one package can make several pots of ice tea, so it goes a long way.It would be nice if they included directions for home brewing on the package but they don't. At this time I'm brewing about 1/3 cup of tea to 60 ounces of water and this seams to work well. If anyone else has a recommendation that works well I would love to hear it. Also my refrigerated tea terns cloudy the next day and my 96 year old mother told me to had a cup of boiling water to the cold tea and it clears it up perfect.
712645
The amount of water to use is indicated by a line inside the bowl (and yes, you can get a measuring cup and add the appropriate amount of water... but what is appropriate?) I just need the one ramen cooker and the amount of water indicated works for me. Even though it looks as if it will "boil over" it doesn't and the handles are cool when I take It out of the microwave. My daughter said her husband used to use plastic bowls, but they were "funky" when he was finished. My family has had a lot of discussion on the correct way to make ramen noodles... this just made it a lot easier to microwave. The amount of water to use is indicated by a line inside the bowl (and yes, you can get a measuring cup and add the appropriate amount of water... but what is appropriate?) I just need the one ramen cooker and the amount of water indicated works for me. Even though it looks as if it will "boil over" it doesn't and the handles are cool when I take It out of the microwave. My daughter said her husband used to use plastic bowls, but they were "funky" when he was finished. My family has had a lot of discussion on the correct way to make ramen noodles... this just made it a... » Read More The amount of water to use is indicated by a line inside the bowl (and yes, you can get a measuring cup and add the appropriate amount of water... but what is appropriate?) I just need the one ramen cooker and the amount of water indicated works for me. Even though it looks as if it will "boil over" it doesn't and the handles are cool when I take It out of the microwave. My daughter said her husband used to use plastic bowls, but they were "funky" when he was finished. My family has had a lot of discussion on the correct way to make ramen noodles... this just made it a lot easier to microwave. « Show Less
157006
I have not tried to brew only 1-2 cups with this pot but since I often want coffee and my husband does not, I bought the small 5 cup 22oz Yama pot also and you can make two cups with that. They also make a very small drip pot that you can make only one cup, which I also bought. Needless to say I love all of them but find I most often use the 5 cup pot. They are pretty reasonably priced so...
86321
I have only cooked 1 cup (8 oz. by my measuring cup) of rice at a time and it works fine. They provide a measuring cup (but I use my own), on one side marked by quarters and the other side reading numerical values up to 160. I filled their cup and poured the contents into mine, and it came to 6 oz. according to my cup. I hope this helps!
909205
Sheila, I have found it similar to regular stove top rice. Two parts water to one part rice. The sticky rice says 1 cup of rice to 1.75 cups of water. I find two cups is better. You can try and see which you like better. I am in Thailand right now for a month. The sticky rice is soaked for 8 hours or overnight. I have never done that in America and it is still great rice. When you put the rice and water in your cooker, make sure to stir it and spread it evenly in the water. Any uneven high spot will dry out. I use my cooker three times a week for over a year now. Mostly sticky rice that I buy from Thailand on Amazon. Glutonous Rice. You should be ready to go. Ask on. Brandin Sheila, I have found it similar to regular stove top rice. Two parts water to one part rice. The sticky rice says 1 cup of rice to 1.75 cups of water. I find two cups is better. You can try and see which you like better. I am in Thailand right now for a month. The sticky rice is soaked for 8 hours or overnight. I have never done that in America and it is still great rice. When you put the rice and water in your cooker, make sure to stir it and spread it evenly in the water. Any uneven high spot will dry out. I use my cooker three times a week for over a year now. Mostly sticky rice that I... » Read More Sheila, I have found it similar to regular stove top rice. Two parts water to one part rice. The sticky rice says 1 cup of rice to 1.75 cups of water. I find two cups is better. You can try and see which you like better. I am in Thailand right now for a month. The sticky rice is soaked for 8 hours or overnight. I have never done that in America and it is still great rice. When you put the rice and water in your cooker, make sure to stir it and spread it evenly in the water. Any uneven high spot will dry out. I use my cooker three times a week for over a year now. Mostly sticky rice that I buy from Thailand on Amazon. Glutonous Rice. You should be ready to go. Ask on. Brandin « Show Less
617857
I think it means if you make Batch A and save 4-6 ounces of it to use as starter to make Batch B, don't use Batch B to start Batch C. I actually think it's worth trying. Keep in mind, they have an interest in your buying more starter culture from them. I've never tried it though.
941010
I have a family of 5 and found the 6 quart to be a great size. Slow cookers are supposed to be at least half full to work properly so any bigger is overkill for most and any smaller....you run the risk of not having the space you need for a batch large enough to have leftovers! This is a great slow cooker!
879163
OMG you NEVER put porcelain on the burner!! Proper method is to boil good water and then pour around a half cup of hot water into the pot to warm it and clear any debris. Then measure around 1 tsp of bulk tea for each 6 oz tea cup - in this case for a 6 cup pot - around two table spoons or one oz. Then pot fill with boiling water, stir briefly once to get it started, and steep for at least ten minutes. Use a "tea cozy" to keep the pot warm at the table, and a tea sieve to strain out bits of tea leaf when pouring into cups. This pot is a "fancy" and not intended for everyday use. But at a mini "high tea" though, the grand kids love it. It also works with a group of friends over to play cards! TIP: with good teas you can get at least one, maybe two, extra good pots using same tea leaves! just refill w/boiling water.