Follow this help article if you are having trouble with your gas rice cooker’s auto shut off feature.
Technical documents such as manuals and exploded diagrams can be found here.
There is a bimetallic sensor (item # 56854) embedded underneath the pot. It resembles a bottle cap. When the water boils off, the temperature rises above the boiling point, causing the sensor to *pop* or *click*. When this happens, it hits the shut off stem assembly (item # 56857), located in the middle of the unit’s base. This action turns the main burner off, completing the cook cycle. The pilot burner will stay on to help keep the cooked rice warm.
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 main burner shuts off too soon, do not immediately press the #2 cook button a second time.
If the cook button is immediately pressed again, the rice will burn.
The bimetallic sensor has activated and must cool down to be reset.
You’ll hear a*click* coming from the sensor when it resets.
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.
If no issues are found, or issues were corrected and the problem persists, you can elect to follow the troubleshooting steps below, or simply replace both the sensor and shut off stem assembly.
To further troubleshoot, we can determine if the bimetallic sensor is operating properly.
If you only hear one click or no clicks at all, 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.
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
Town’s commercial gas rice cookers carry a 6 month mail in warranty. If your unit is under warranty, submit a repair request inquiry and we’ll be glad to assist.
We’ll process an RMA, and send you details for warranty repair. Per the warranty terms, the customer will be responsible for shipping the unit back to a designated repair facility. The original packaging must be used if available. Town is not liable for shipping damage due to insufficient packaging. If the issue is covered under warranty, Town will take care of all diagnostic, repair, and return shipping costs. We will ship the repaired unit to the shipping address provided. You may find more about our mail in warranty here.
We do not have a loaner program and recommend having a backup rice cooker for restaurants in which rice is a staple.