Tiger 10 Cup Rice Cooker JNPS18UKY
High risk; skip unless Tiger discloses coating chemistry.
This Tiger model has a nonstick-coated inner bowl with unspecified coating material and an aluminum or steel body. Tiger provides no public disclosure of coating type or PFAS status.
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
Inner cooking bowl with nonstick coating (type unspecified); aluminum/steel body
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
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.
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed as non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Teflon-type coating fume inhalation (nonstick coating)
If the coating is Teflon-type coating and the cooker overheats (e.g., malfunction, no water, metal contact), fumes can be released. Tiger's silence on coating type means this risk cannot be ruled out. Proper use (always add rice and water, no dry running) substantially reduces this risk.
Coating degradation and microparticle release
All nonstick coatings degrade with time and use. Visible flaking or peeling can occur after years of use, particularly if the bowl is scratched or exposed to high heat. Ingested coating particles have limited toxicity data in humans but represent an unnecessary exposure.
Aluminum leaching from bowl interior
The nonstick coating is meant to isolate the aluminum underneath. If the coating is compromised or thin, acidic foods (tomato-based dishes, vinegar) cooked in this cooker could promote aluminum migration into food. This is a general aluminum-cookware concern, mitigated by the coating when intact.
PFAS
Without disclosure, PFAS-based alternatives or processing aids in the coating cannot be ruled out. Tiger's non-disclosure stance and the product's 15/100 PFAS safety score reflect this uncertainty. Request specific coating chemistry from Tiger before purchase if PFAS-free use is a priority.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Steam and lid seal degradation
No specific seal or gasket material data is available for this model. Standard rubber or silicone gaskets used in rice cookers typically do not pose acute safety hazards but can develop mold or odor if not cleaned and dried regularly.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The JNPS18UKY has an inner cooking bowl with a nonstick coating of unspecified chemistry. Tiger does not publicly disclose whether this is Teflon-type coating (Teflon-type), a PFAS-free alternative, or a hybrid formulation. The outer body is aluminum and stainless steel. The undisclosed coating is the primary safety concern because overheating nonstick coatings can release fumes, and degradation from scratching or acidic foods can accelerate leaching.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tiger has not published transparency statements on nonstick coating chemistry, PFAS use, or safety certifications for this model. The company has no known public commitments to reducing PFAS use in manufacturing. Tiger produces widely used kitchen appliances and has not faced major recalled safety incidents for this specific model, but the silence on coating materials is a red flag in the current regulatory climate.
How it compares in its category
Most rice cookers in this price and capacity range (10-cup) use nonstick-coated aluminum bowls without full material transparency. Some competitors like Zojirushi and Cuckoo have begun disclosing coating details or offering stainless-steel-only options. The JNPS18UKY is typical of mid-range models in obscuring this information, making it neither unusually risky nor unusually transparent.
If you buy it
Never exceed the rice cooker's maximum fill line or use it for prolonged dry heating or high-temperature cooking. Avoid metal utensils that scratch the bowl; use wood or silicone. Replace the inner bowl if the nonstick coating visibly peels, flakes, or degrades. Hand-wash the bowl with mild soap and avoid harsh scouring. Store with the lid off to prevent condensation buildup that can degrade the coating over time.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tiger has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Rice Cookers
Zojirushi
Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer
Stainless steel inner pot, aluminum outer housing
Stainless steel nickel content
Limited concern
Rubber gasket off-gassing or degradation
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; standard rice cooker with non-coated stainless interior, but brand offers no explicit PFAS transparency.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Zojirushi
NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer
Stainless steel inner pot and exterior; no nonstick coating disclosed
Stainless steel corrosion and rust formation
Limited concern
Rubber gasket and seal degradation
Moderate concern
Bacterial or mold growth in lid chamber
Limited concern
Hexavalent chromium release from stainless steel under extreme conditions
Limited concern
Medium-high risk; stainless steel construction but Zojirushi offers no PFAS disclosure.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Instant Pot
12 Cup Rice and Grain Cooker
Stainless steel pot with no nonstick coating
Stainless steel corrosion and metal leaching
Limited concern
Silicone gasket degradation and off-gassing
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in water reservoir or seal cavities
Limited concern
Medium-high risk; stainless steel pot with no nonstick layer reported.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.