Kamado-san Donabe Rice Cooker
Best clay cooker for home chefs seeking perfect, fluffy rice.
Experience the art of perfect rice with the Kamado-san Donabe Rice Cooker. Crafted from Iga-yaki clay, its porous body and double-lid design create a unique pressure-cooking effect, ensuring fluffy, shiny rice every time. This versatile cooker also excels at making soups, stews, and hot pots. Its exceptional heat retention allows for slow, gentle cooking and continued steaming after the heat is turned off. Honored with a Good Design Award, this durable and beautiful donabe adds a touch of Japanese tradition to your kitchen and develops character with every use.
$150.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
5
/ 215
#5 in Tagines & Clay Cooking Pots
Price vs Category Average
+26%
Above average
Material
Clay (Iga-yaki)
/ Clay (Iga-yaki)
Who it's for
- Home cooks seeking restaurant-quality fluffy rice texture
- Hosts wanting to keep side dishes warm during dinner
- Gourmets looking to elevate the natural sweetness of grains
Who should skip it
- Busy households needing durable, worry-free kitchen equipment
- Minimalists preferring low-maintenance, dishwasher-safe cookware
- Cooks who prioritize the convenience of automated electric appliances
Performance breakdown
Rice Texture Quality
The double-lid pressure effect produces consistently fluffy, restaurant-grade grains.
Heat Retention
Exceptional thermal mass keeps contents steaming long after the flame dies.
Versatility
Transitions seamlessly from perfect rice to hearty stews and hot pots.
Build Durability
Thicker Iga-yaki clay construction ensures longevity for daily kitchen use.
Ease of Maintenance
Requires manual seasoning and careful hand washing to maintain clay integrity.
Cooktop Compatibility
Limited to gas flames, excluding modern induction and electric stovetops.
Key Specs
Material
Clay (Iga-yaki)
Producer
Nagatani-en
Origin
Iga, Japan
Oven-safe up to 500℉/ 250℃
Not suitable for microwave
Not suitable for electric or induction cooktop
Hand wash only
Requires seasoning before first use
Features
- One heat level cooking for premium rice
- Thicker base (1.5x regular donabe) for durability
- Porous clay body for slow, gentle heat distribution
- Double-lid design prevents boil-overs and simulates pressure-cooking
- Excellent heat retention for continued steaming
- Promotes fluffy and shiny rice texture
- Can be used for soup, stew, and hot pot
- Honored with the Good Design Award of Japan
What customers say
Owners of the Kamado san Donabe Rice Cooker consistently praise its exceptional quality and the ritualistic comfort it brings to the kitchen. The double lid design ensures perfect pressure and moisture retention without the need for complex electronics. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful aesthetic of the handcrafted clay which doubles as a serving piece. While it requires a bit more care than electric models the resulting flavor and texture are considered unmatched. This piece is often described as a lifetime investment for those who value traditional culinary techniques and elegant design.
Know before you buy
No, this donabe is designed specifically for use over an open flame. It is not compatible with induction or electric cooktops.
Because the pot is made from porous Iga-yaki clay, you must 'season' it by cooking a starch-rich mixture like rice porridge (okayu). This process seals the microscopic pores in the clay, preventing leaks and ensuring the pot remains durable over time.
The inner lid acts as a pressure regulator, while the outer lid provides extra weight. Together, they prevent boil-overs and create a pressurized environment that mimics a traditional hearth, resulting in exceptionally fluffy and shiny rice.
While it is optimized for rice, its excellent heat retention makes it a versatile vessel for soups, stews, and Japanese-style hot pots. Note that because the clay is porous, it will absorb the flavors of what you cook, which can enhance future dishes but may transfer strong aromas.
The Kamado-san must be hand-washed and dried thoroughly before storage. Never put it in the dishwasher, and ensure the exterior is completely dry before placing it over a flame to prevent cracking.
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