Intended Use: Steaming sticky rice.
Bright Idea: Steam hot towels instead.

You stopped trying to make your own spicy tuna rolls long ago, but you still want sushi night to have a bit of Japanese-restaurant authenticity. Solution: Use your rice cooker to heat moist towels to offer guests before dinner. (Or, for a quick moisturizing treatment, slather your hands with lotion, then wrap them in the steamed towels until cool.)

Steamed Towels

Wet and wring out several small washcloths. Fold in thirds horizontally, then roll and place inside the steamer. Steam for 5 minutes (or until hot). Remove with tongs, and place on a tray or a plate.

Other Uses

Use the cooker to make hot cereal that's smoother and creamier than the stovetop version. It takes twice as long, but the no-stirring method frees you to attend to other things in the morning — like simultaneously packing lunches, reading the newspaper, and feeding the dog.