National · Rice Cookers
National Electric Rice Cooker, 2-Liter Capacity, SR-UH36, 3.6L
Lower PFAS concern, stainless steel rice cookers typically avoid Teflon-family coating coatings, but brand discloses nothing.
The National SR-UH36 uses stainless steel and aluminum construction, standard for rice cookers and not associated with PFAS-heavy coatings. National makes no public claims about PFAS or coating materials. No third-party testing or recalls are on record.
Shop National on Amazon →Material
stainless steel inner bowl; aluminum heating base
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The SR-UH36 uses a stainless steel inner bowl, which is inert and does not leach metals during normal cooking. The aluminum heating base is a standard component in electric rice cookers and conducts heat efficiently; aluminum leaching into rice is negligible in the brief contact and neutral pH environment of cooking rice. The absence of non-stick polymer coatings (which would introduce Teflon-type coating fume risk) is the key safety advantage of this design over some competitor models.
The brand's record and disclosure
National (Panasonic subsidiary) does not publicly disclose material composition, PFAS testing, or certification against heavy metals in published product safety documents reviewed. The brand has no known recalls for this specific model related to leaching or coating failure. Absence of transparency is typical for mid-tier appliance brands in this price segment, but does not indicate hidden hazards, material choices alone suggest low chemical migration risk.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel inner bowls are the safer standard; ceramic-coated and non-stick rice cookers carry slightly higher risks of glaze degradation or polymer off-gassing over time. This model aligns with the safer half of the category. Premium brands (Zojirushi, Tiger) offer similar material profiles with better documentation; budget models occasionally use unknown coatings that lack third-party testing.
If you buy it
Avoid extended high-temperature storage of acidic foods (e.g., vinegar-based rice dishes) in the bowl outside the cooker, as this can accelerate surface changes in stainless steel over years. Clean inner bowl and exterior after each use to prevent mineral salt buildup. Replace the unit if the inner bowl develops dents, discoloration beyond patina, or if the heating base shows corrosion; both indicate material degradation. Use distilled water if your tap water is hard to slow mineral deposits on the heating element.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Aluminum leaching from heating base
Aluminum heating bases in rice cookers do not directly contact food and are thermally isolated from the stainless steel bowl by ceramic or metal spacers. No documented cases of aluminum migration into cooked rice from this appliance type exist.
Stainless steel corrosion and metal release
Prolonged exposure to acidic or salty foods in the inner bowl can cause minor surface corrosion over many years, though clinically significant metal release (nickel, chromium) is unlikely in typical rice cooking use. Visual inspection for pitting or discoloration is adequate preventive care.
Thermal polymer degradation from heating element contact
The heating base is not in direct contact with food and operates below temperatures that degrade common polymers used in internal electrical contacts. No known thermal runaway or decomposition events reported for this model.
Bacterial or mold growth if water left in bowl
Rice cookers with condensation collection and residual water in the bowl can harbor mold or biofilm if not emptied and dried after use, though this is a maintenance issue rather than a product design flaw. Regular cleaning prevents this entirely.
Lead or cadmium in coating finishes
Stainless steel bowls do not require glazes or decorative ceramic coatings that might contain heavy metal pigments. External paint or decals, if present, are not in food contact and pose minimal risk under normal use.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Rice Cookers
Aigostar
(2 pack) Rice Robot Personal Rice Cooker, PFAS-free, Nonstick. 1 Quart Capacity (4 Cups), with Stainless Steel Steamer Tray, Measuring Cups, Recipe
Nonstick coating (unspecified type); stainless steel steamer tray
Explicit PFAS-free claim is a strong signal, but lack of third-party verification or coating detail leaves moderate uncertainty.
⚠Risky category by default
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.