National · Rice Cookers
National Kitchen | National Rice-O-Mat Rice Cooker Sr-28egh 15 Cup Tested Made In Japan | Color: White | Size: Os | Natebayesales's Closet
Lower PFAS concern; traditional rice cooker design uses standard metals without nonstick coatings.
This National rice cooker is a straightforward heating appliance with a stainless steel inner bowl and aluminum exterior, no nonstick coating or water-repellent treatment typical of PFAS risk. National makes no PFAS claims, and no public lab data exists for this model.
Shop National on Amazon →Material
Stainless steel inner bowl, aluminum body
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 National SR-28EGH uses a stainless steel inner bowl paired with an aluminum outer body and heating element. Stainless steel is chemically inert during normal cooking and does not leach nickel or chromium at typical rice-cooking temperatures (below 100°C for boiling water). Aluminum bodies are standard in this product class; while aluminum can leach in acidic conditions, plain rice and water are neutral pH, making this a non-issue in routine use.
The brand's record and disclosure
National (Panasonic) has not published detailed material safety disclosures specific to this legacy rice cooker model, which reflects the era of its design (2000s-era product). The brand has faced no documented recalls or safety actions related to heavy metal or coating degradation in rice cookers. National's parent company Panasonic maintains general product safety certifications but does not actively communicate nonstick or PFAS policies for cookware lines.
How it compares in its category
This model avoids the nonstick coating hazard present in many modern fuzzy logic rice cookers, which often use Teflon-type coating or Teflon-type coating-alternative nonstick surfaces inside the bowl. Stainless steel inner bowls are less common in newer compact models but remain a safer material choice. The aluminum heating element is standard across the category and carries minimal risk under normal use; this design reflects pre-2010s manufacturing standards that predate widespread use of problematic fluorinated coatings in consumer cookware.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact between uncooked rice and standing water in the stainless steel bowl before cooking, as mineral-rich water can sometimes develop minor discoloration on stainless surfaces over years (cosmetic, not a safety issue). Do not use vinegar or highly acidic cleaners inside the bowl, as these could accelerate any trace aluminum exposure. Inspect the heating element annually for scale buildup; descale with plain water if needed. Replace the unit if the inner bowl develops deep pitting or the heating element shows visible corrosion, though this is rare in stainless steel designs.
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 body and heating element leaching
Aluminum outer body and heating element do not contact food directly during normal rice cooking. The neutral pH of water and rice creates no known risk of aluminum migration into the final product.
Nonstick coating degradation and fume release
This model uses stainless steel inner bowl without nonstick coating, eliminating the Teflon-type coating/Teflon-family coating fume hazard that can occur in modern coated rice cookers if overheated or scratched.
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
Stainless steel typically contains 8-12% nickel; leaching is minimal in neutral aqueous conditions and boiling temperatures. Individuals with severe nickel sensitivity should be aware but risk is very low under normal rice cooking conditions.
Lead or cadmium in any glaze or ceramic coatings
The stainless steel inner bowl and aluminum body do not use ceramic glazes or enamels, eliminating this hazard class common to older ceramic or glazed rice cooker linings.
Scale and mineral buildup promoting bacterial growth
Hard water mineral deposits can accumulate inside the heating chamber over years; regular descaling with plain water prevents this. This is a maintenance issue rather than a material hazard.
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.