RM – Auto Shut Off Troubleshooting

Apr. 4th, 2024 | David Soohoo
Applicable Models
  • RM-55N-R
  • RM-55P-R
  • RM-50N-R
  • RM-50P-R

Technical documents such as manuals and exploded diagrams can be found here.

Reported Issues / Complaints
  1. Main burner does not turn off automatically.
  2. Main burner shuts off too early leading to uncooked, crunchy, or mushy rice.
  3. The #2 button does not stay down when the pot is mounted inside the rice cooker, but does stay down if the pot is removed.

 

Operational Synopsis

There is a bimetallic sensor (item # 56854) embedded underneath the pot.  It looks like a bottle cap and when water boils off, the temperature increases above the boiling point causing the sensor to “pop.”  When this happens, it hits the shut off stem assembly (item # 56857) in the middle of the base of the unit.  If you are having one or more of the problems noted above, the distance in between these two parts needs to be adjusted or otherwise corrected.

Bimetallic sensor

Item # 56854

Embedded underneath the rice pot

Shut off stem assembly

Item # 56857

Mounted in the middle of the base of the unit

 

If the cooker shuts off too soon, do not immediately press the cook button a second time.  The sensor has activated and must cool down to be reset.  If the cook button is immediately pressed again, the rice will burn.

 

diagnosis & Solution

Verify that the jacket, pot, bimetallic sensor, and shut off stem assembly are all properly mounted and clean.  There should be no debris on or around the components and especially on the mating surfaces.  Clean, remount and adjust as necessary. 

  1. Jacket/Shroud
    1. The shroud has a twist lock mechanism.  Make sure it’s locked in at all three locations.
    2. Check that it’s sitting flat on top of the base and not tilted in any way.
  2. Pot
    1. Check that it’s sitting flat on top of the jacket and not tilted in any way.
  3. Sensor
    1. This can be caked with dirt and debris, not allowing it to adequately pop, or improperly mounted.  Clean, remount or adjust as necessary. 
  4. Shut off stem assembly
    1. This can be worn down, bent, or improperly mounted. Clean, remount, or adjust as necessary. 

If no issues are found, or issues were corrected and the problem persists, we now need to determine if the bimetallic sensor is operating properly.

  1. With the pilot lit and an empty rice pot in the cooker, press the #2 button to light the main burner.
  2. Expect to hear a click at around 3 minutes and 15 seconds. The click is the sound of the sensor reaching shut off temperature.
  3. Pour a gallon of water into the rice pot and listen for the click of the bimetallic sensor returning to its cooking position.

If you do not hear both clicks, you will need to replace the bimetallic sensor (item # 56854).  If you hear both clicks, the sensor is working properly.  We can now try to adjust the distance between the parts.

  1. Locate the 3 leveling bolts on the underside of the pot.
  2. Use a wrench to loosen each bolt by one full rotation.
  3. Repeat steps 1-3 above to see if the issue is resolved.
  4. Try this up to 3 times.
  5. If the problem is not resolved, return the leveling bolts to the original positions.
Leveling bolts underneath the rice pot

 

If you do not hear both clicks, you will need to obtain replacement parts.  We recommend obtaining both the bimetallic sensor, and the shut off assembly, and replacing them as necessary.  They are relatively inexpensive and can be replaced with basic tools.  It’s discussed and shown in our RM series instructional video: RM-55 Overview

 

Steps to verify proper operation
  1. Fill the pot with a gallon of water.
  2. Light the pilot, start the main burner and cover the rice pot.
  3. If the cooker shuts off within 20 minutes, remove the cover and allow the water to evaporate.
  4. If the cooker shuts off after the water has evaporated, the unit is working normally.

 

RM-55 & RM-50 Product Overview Video

 

If the unit is still covered under the 6 month warranty, please contact us for warranty assistance.

 

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