37518MN Digital Rice Cooker
Skip until Hamilton Beach discloses nonstick coating type.
Hamilton Beach does not specify the nonstick coating on this rice cooker's interior, which typically raises PFAS concern. Without transparency or third-party verification, caution is warranted.
The better-graded swap
Zojirushi
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
stainless steel exterior, nonstick interior coating unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What 37518MN Digital Rice Cooker is made of, ingredients and materials
The 37518MN has a stainless steel exterior housing and an unspecified nonstick interior cooking surface. Stainless steel itself does not leach hazardous elements under normal use. However, the nonstick coating's composition is unknown; it may be Teflon-type coating-based (Teflon), silicone, ceramic, or ceramic-polymer hybrid. Without the manufacturer's disclosure, you cannot assess whether the coating contains PFAS or is prone to degradation and fume release if scratched or overheated.
What’s concerning
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed as non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Teflon-type coating fume risk (if coating is Teflon-type coating-based)
The nonstick coating type is unconfirmed. If it is Teflon-type coating (Teflon), overheating above ~500°F or coating degradation from scratching can release toxic fumes. Rice cookers typically operate below this threshold, but pot-on-burner accidents or extended heating cycles pose a risk if coating fails.
Nonstick coating degradation over time
All nonstick coatings degrade with use and mechanical stress. Visible peeling, flaking, or discoloration of the interior is a trigger for replacement. Hamilton Beach does not specify expected coating lifespan or warranty coverage for coating failure on this model.
Bacterial growth in seal and steam vents
Rice cookers with rubber gaskets and narrow steam channels can harbor mold or bacterial biofilm if not cleaned promptly after use. This is a maintenance issue, not a material hazard, but common in this category; inspect lid seals weekly.
What’s reassuring
Aluminum leaching (if inner bowl is aluminum under nonstick layer)
The interior material beneath the nonstick coating is not disclosed. If aluminum is present and the coating breaks through, acidic foods (vinegar-based rice preparations) could theoretically increase aluminum migration, though this is rare in rice cooker use. No testing data has been reported for this specific model.
Heavy metals
Food-grade stainless steel in the exterior and contact surfaces is standard and low-concern for migration into rice under normal cooking conditions. No recalls or testing data suggest a problem with this model's stainless steel.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Hamilton Beach has not publicly disclosed the nonstick coating type for this model or published a PFAS policy. The brand received a Poor rating (35/100) on PFAS safety in available assessments, reflecting minimal transparency. No voluntary certifications (such as GREENGUARD or similar third-party testing) have been reported for this cooker. This silence is a documented gap, not an assurance of safety.
How it compares in its category
Most rice cookers in this price and brand tier use either Teflon-type coating or ceramic-hybrid nonstick coatings. Many competitors also do not disclose coating chemistry upfront, making the 37518MN typical rather than exceptional. Models with stainless steel cooking bowls (non-nonstick) or those from brands with explicit PFAS/nonstick transparency (e.g., some Japanese brands) represent lower-concern alternatives, though they are often more expensive.
If you buy it
Avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers on the interior coating to prevent flaking or chipping, which would trigger replacement. Do not let the cooker exceed its designed operating temperature or lid seal integrity; overheating an unknown nonstick coating increases fume risk. Hand-wash the bowl gently; verify the lid gasket annually for cracks or deterioration. Request a product safety sheet or coating disclosure from Hamilton Beach before purchase if coating type matters to your household's exposure tolerance.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Hamilton Beach has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to 37518MN Digital Rice Cooker?
- Stainless steel pot with no nonstick coating
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Stainless steel corrosion and metal leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Stainless steel inner pot and non-coated heating elements
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Mineral and microbial buildup in heating element
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon- Stainless steel inner pot, aluminum outer housing
- Stainless steel nickel content
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More rice cookers grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.