Rice Steamer

This is used to steam rice or rice cakes, and has several small and large holes at the bottom to allow steam to pass through. Its structure allows hot steam to rise through the holes in the base to cook the food in the pot. When steaming food in the pot, a mat is laid on the base, while a straw-woven cover is placed over the food. Some pots have handles on the outside for easy portability. The steaming process includes pouring water into a caldron, on top of which is placed a pot whose base matches the mouth of the caldron, then the water in the caldron is boiled to create steam. Sirutbeon, or flour paste, is added to the gap between the pot and the caldron to prevent the steam from escaping. The paste should be applied sufficiently so that the steam will not escape, which originated the proverb, “A person who neatly applies sirutbeon will have a pretty daughter.” There are many types of rice cake pots by size, material, and usage. Most pots are earthenware, although brass pots are also used to make large quantities of rice cake due to the durability of brass.