Operational Hydrodynamics: Taming the Mokero RC100B20

The Mokero RC100B20 is a device marred by a disconnect between its hardware capability and its user documentation. As noted by users like Chris and Jane T, the manual is often unintelligible, and the machine has a tendency to act as a “water spout,” ejecting starchy liquid onto the countertop. These issues are not necessarily hardware defects; they are failures of Hydrodynamic Management.

This guide establishes the operational protocols required to stabilize the machine’s performance, focusing on controlling the violent expansion of starch foam and decoding the cryptic feedback of its digital interface.

Protocol Alpha: Controlling Starch Foam Expansion

The Physics of the “Spout”

User Jane T reported water spraying out during cooking. This is caused by Starch Foam. When rice boils, released starch acts as a surfactant, stabilizing bubbles. This foam expands rapidly, filling the headspace and forcing its way out of the steam vent.
The Mitigation Strategy:
1. The Rinse Rule: You must remove surface starch before cooking.
* Procedure: Wash the rice in a mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes the free starch dust that contributes most heavily to foaming.
2. Water Ratio Geometry: The “Low Sugar” mode uses a displacement method.
* Observation: User RayB found that water should “just slightly cover the rice.”
* The Engineer’s Ratio: For the stainless steel colander, maintain a 1:1.5 to 1:2 Rice-to-Water ratio by volume, but strictly ensure the water level does not exceed the perforated section’s max line. Overfilling defeats the separation logic and guarantees overflow.
3. Fat Shielding: Add 1 teaspoon of oil (olive or coconut) to the water. Oil disrupts the surface tension of the bubbles, physically preventing the foam structure from building up high enough to reach the vent.

Protocol Beta: Interface Decryption

Reading the “Running Horse”

The display logic of the RC100B20 confuses users used to linear countdowns.
1. The Pre-Heat/Boil Phase: The “Running Horse Lamp” (rotating LED segments) indicates the unit is applying full power (500W) to reach boiling temperature. The MCU is monitoring the thermal rise rate ($dT/dt$). It cannot display a time because the duration depends on the water volume and temperature.
2. The Countdown Phase: The timer only appears for the last 10 minutes. This is the “Steam/Absorb” phase. Once the bulk water has boiled off or drained, the temperature stabilizes, and the MCU switches to a precise countdown for the final steam finish.
* User Action: Do not panic if the screen just spins for 20 minutes. This is normal adaptive behavior.

Protocol Gamma: The Low-Carb Workflow

To replicate the “Desugar” function without clear instructions:
1. Assembly: Place the non-stick pot in the base. Place the stainless steel colander inside the non-stick pot.
2. Loading: Put rinsed rice in the colander.
3. Hydration: Pour water over the rice until it covers the grains and fills the outer pot to the corresponding “Desugar” line (usually lower than standard rice lines).
4. Execution: Select the “Low Sugar” or “Desugar” mode.
5. The Result: At the end of the cycle, the rice in the colander will be cooked. The outer pot will contain a thick, white, starchy liquid. Discard this liquid immediately. This is the “sugar” you just cut. Do not let the rice sit over this hot liquid for hours, as the humidity can make the bottom layer soggy.

Maintenance: The Starch Glue Problem

Starch water, when dried, creates a bond stronger than some wood glues. * The Steam Valve: The steam vent cap on the lid is a critical choke point. If starch foam enters it and dries, it blocks the pressure release.
* Action: Disassemble the steam cap after every use. Rinse with hot water. A blocked vent can lead to dangerous pressure buildup or lid deformation. * The Colander Mesh: The holes in the stainless steel basket can clog with gelatinized rice paste.
* Action: Soak the colander immediately. Do not let it dry dirty. Use a stiff brush to clear the perforations. A dishwasher cycle is effective, but manual inspection is required to ensure 100% flow rate for the next “draining” cycle.

Troubleshooting Error Codes

While the manual is sparse, generic MCU logic applies: * E1/E2: Sensor Open/Short. Usually moisture in the bottom sensor array. Unplug and let dry for 48 hours. * E3/E4: Overheat. Running the unit dry or with a deformed inner pot that doesn’t contact the heating plate properly.

By rigorously managing the starch load through rinsing and oil, and understanding the non-linear feedback of the display, the Mokero RC100B20 transforms from a chaotic fountain into a precise dietary tool.