Rice polisher facts for kids
A rice polisher is a machine that makes rice look shiny and taste better. It buffs or "polishes" rice grains. This process can change how rice looks and feels. It also helps turn brown rice into white rice.
Rice polishers are used after rice has been "whitened." Whitening removes the outer layers of the rice grain. Then, the polisher uses a very fine powder, like talc, to rub the outside of the rice. This makes the rice grains smooth and shiny. In some places, like Japanese farming areas, people often share one big rice polishing machine. The first automatic rice polisher was invented by Sampson Moore in 1861. Later, in the 1900s, smaller kitchen appliances were made. These allowed people to polish rice right in their own homes.
How a Rice Polisher Works
A rice polisher has special parts inside. It uses cones covered with soft leather strips. These cones rub the rice grains against screens with small holes. This rubbing action happens many times. It helps remove any tiny bits left on the rice. This makes the rice grains look much shinier.
The machine also has a fan that sucks air. This fan helps keep the rice cool while it's being polished. Keeping the rice cool stops it from breaking into small pieces. The fan also collects any loose dust or powder used in the polishing process.
Different Types of Rice Polishers
There are a couple of main types of rice polishers:
- Vertical cone polisher: This machine uses a cone that stands upright. The cone is covered and spins inside a screen with holes. This creates a rough surface that polishes the rice.
- Horizontal polisher: This machine uses a cylinder that lies flat. This cylinder is covered in a rough material called emery. It spins inside another cylinder to polish the rice grains.
