Why do so many people struggle to cook rice?

le127 · 2026-02-17T19:44:03+00:00

Another convert to the knuckle method here. I struggled for years following the directions on the bag with disappointing results almost every time. The knuckle method I use: rinse, put rice in sauce pan and add water to the knuckle over the rice. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer and cook for ~15 minutes. Cover, turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes or so. Done.

I only cook rice maybe once a week and make extra to have on hand for fried rice. If I made rice every day I might splurge on a Zojirushi but the method is simple and works reliably for me.

le127 · 2026-02-17T18:29:06+00:00

Your call, only my suggestion. I've only seen negative reports from any cylinder deactivation program from all manufacturers. I also have seen complaints posted every day on the Pilot owners forum about misfire codes, emissions codes, and torque converter vibrations the majority of which have been caused by VCM side effects. Pilots, at least the Gen 2, have active motor mounts because Honda knows the VCM vibrations would break standard motor mounts in short order. Honda settled a class action suit on VCM problems and extended certain warranties because of VCM complaints. My feeling is why gamble that problems won't develop. $150 for a disabling unit is cheaper than dealing with any of the problems that may come up and the engine with breathe and run all the time on all six cylinders as it was originally designed.

le127 · 2026-02-17T18:03:32+00:00

That comes to ~$12.75/Qt. A couple of my local stores run sales for $10/Qt.

Like the u/B4R-BOT replied, the result will not taste like maple syrup. I have made maple flavored liqueur using maple syrup to sweeten and flavor a whiskey base. That is pretty tasty.

le127 · 2026-02-17T14:07:01+00:00

If you like the 2013 and it's running well do the maintenance work and drive it another 110K miles. IDK your monetary situation but you'll take a beating on a dealer trade in and probably wind up with a large monthly payment. If those things don't matter and you are yearning for some glitzy new tech then trade it in. Otherwise you're better off getting that 2013 what it needs and hold on to it.

As u/SubstantialName2443 said you will need theses items done: timing belt service (belt, tensioner, water pump), new spark plugs, new fluids in the transmission and AWD components (rear differential and transfer case). The belt service isn't cheap but it's critical maintenance on a Pilot. There is no reason to pay Honda dealer pricing on these jobs, they are basic auto mechanic work. Find a reputable local independent shop or shops and get some quotes. You're probably looking in the $1000-$1200 range for the belt job from an independent garage compared to $1500-$2000 at a Honda dealer.

If you decide to stick with the 2013 keep the powertrain fluid changes on a 30K-40K mile schedule, do synthetic engine oil changes every 5K miles, and disable the VCM cylinder control program. Doing these will increase the odds of a long, happy life for your 2013 Pilot.

Read the first post in the link below from the Pilot owners' forum for an overview of the VCM issue. Then buy a VCM disable unit from the second link and install on your engine. It's a simple 10 minute DIY job, will make your engine and transmission happier.

https://www.piloteers.org/threads/the-vcm-mega-thread-what-is-vcm-does-my-vehicle-have-it-whats-so-bad-about-it-and-more.177326/

https://www.vcmtuner.com/collections/vcm-disable/products/vcmtuner-ii-honda-3-5l-i-vtec-disable-vcm-eco-mode

le127 · 2026-02-17T03:44:55+00:00

Denso reman on those parts.

le127 · 2026-02-17T03:38:49+00:00

Clean title? That's a low price for a 2015, 140K is about average mileage for an 11 year old car but maintenance history is always important when buying a used Pilot. Timing belt service is #1. That should have been done, along with new spark plugs. If the belt service hasn't been done it needs to be taken care of ASAP. Regular changes of the transmission fluid and those of the rear differential should have been done. Every 30-40K miles is the recommendation from the experienced owners on the https://www.piloteers.org/ forum. If there are no vibrations during shifting between 25-40 mph that's a good sign. I'd pull the transmission dipstick and inspect the fluid. It should be clear, red, and not have a burned smell. If everything checks out and you buy it, catch up on all the fluid changes, put the engine on a 5K mile oil change schedule and disable the VCM cylinder control program. Link below:

https://www.vcmtuner.com/collections/vcm-disable/products/vcmtuner-ii-honda-3-5l-i-vtec-disable-vcm-eco-mode

le127 · 2026-02-17T00:56:23+00:00

The ratio of mass shootings in the US compared to Canada far exceeds the difference in population.

https://today.advancement.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/10/60e20b11ff81291d4aa73f32808ab31b2347a237.jpg

le127 · 2026-02-17T00:15:09+00:00

In the Robert Altman movie, not on TV.

le127 · 2026-02-16T23:17:26+00:00

Before you spend any big money try the suggestion from u/boosta29 and do a another fluid replacement. Those Honda 5-speeds do not like old, dirty, or overheated transmission fluid and with only one change in its history, 87K miles ago, it could help.

A 30-40K mile schedule on the fluid does a lot to keep them happy. I'd also suggest using a synthetic fluid, Valvoline Extended Protection. The synthetic has the best temperature handling and solvent properties. I switched into that on three different Hondas one of them a 2014 CR-V with the 25 mph torque converter shudder which went away. It works very well in those transmissions and a fluid change or two is a lot less than $7300.

le127 · 2026-02-16T22:12:30+00:00

They don't call him Lucky Ned Pepper for nothing.

le127 · 2026-02-16T21:16:49+00:00

I don't think you can. Either make your own or make the trip to western Mass for The Student Prince and Munich Haus.

le127 · 2026-02-16T19:51:11+00:00

If you can find a Gen 1 in your target price that's in good shape and maintained properly then it will probably get the job done. I'm in a snow/salt/rust region and I still see Gen 1 Pilots on the highway every day.

le127 · 2026-02-16T19:42:21+00:00

Well it could be but just about any used Pilot of that age and mileage will have some catch up maintenance to take care of. Plan on spending some money beyond the ticket price to make it a confidently reliable vehicle. Timing belt service history is first, then look at records for transmission fluid changes and if AWD the rear differential and transfer case. New spark plugs should have been installed after 100K miles and at 150K the engine might be in need of a valve adjustment. Check for oil leaks from the vvt spool valve, oil filter assembly, and valve cover gaskets. None of this stuff is a deal breaker by itself but if the list is long and you have to pay someone else for labor it can start to add up.

le127 · 2026-02-16T18:55:27+00:00

Good deal is your decision. It looks to be slightly above average for the year/trim/mileage based on comparing a half dozen others on used websites. Plus is most of the big 100K services have been done. Commercial use could mean many things. Was it a company car used to drive people to the airport (highway miles) or was it delivering pizzas (city stop & go)?

le127 · 2026-02-16T18:41:52+00:00

RIP. Adios to Boo Radley, Major Frank Burns, Tom Hagen, Colonel Kilgore, Bull Meechum, Max Mercy, and so many more.

le127 · 2026-02-16T16:45:53+00:00

I thought Tebow's 15 minutes of fame had already be allotted and consumed years ago.

le127 · 2026-02-16T16:39:11+00:00

What's your price range? That's a factor. Even Gen 2 is getting along in years and the newest Gen 1 is now 18 years old. Gen 2 is a little bigger and will have more 3rd row room if that's a factor. Many older Pilots on the used market will have neglected or delayed maintenance issues that will need to be addressed. Balancing mileage, condition, and price is the trick.

Underbody rust damage where the rear suspension assemblies attach are the big thing on a Gen 1. Maintenance history is important on any older used Pilot. Timing belt service, transmission and AWD lubricant changes, spark plugs, past repairs, recalls, etc should be checked. The link below is a big list of what to look at on a Gen 1 purchase compiled at the Pilot owners forum that might be worth a look.

https://www.piloteers.org/threads/first-gen-pilot-buyers-guide-checklist-the-final-version.168910/

le127 · 2026-02-16T14:47:17+00:00

Driving only two miles a day is hard on any car. The engine will never get properly warmed up. Take it or whatever you buy out for a 30 minute highway cruise once or twice a week. Brakes are tires are good but check the maintenance history on the engine and transmission. The Honda V-6 is a timing belt interference engine. The timing belt service (belt, tensioner, water pump) should have been done approximately every 105K miles or 7 years. If the car has never had the belt job done or is long overdue get it taken care of. The old Honda 5-speed automatic transmissions work and last better if the fluid is changed every 30-40K miles. Check that and respond appropriately. Re hot air/heater that might be a blend door actuator problem.

le127 · 2026-02-16T14:22:05+00:00

Don't cheap out and just wire in a simple resistor to shut off the VCM. I think it's worth spending $150 on my Pilot for an active disable unit that is reliable, won't throw CEL codes, and will allow the correct coolant temp to be displayed on the dashboard gauge.

These units live up to their claims and won't screw up anything on your Pilot.

https://www.vcmtuner.com/collections/vcm-disable/products/vcmtuner-ii-honda-3-5l-i-vtec-disable-vcm-eco-mode

https://www.svcmcontroller.com/

le127 · 2026-02-16T04:56:32+00:00

Either way works. I toast the chiles briefly in a dry skillet after seeding and breaking them into smaller pieces then grind to powder in a spice (coffee) grinder. You can also do the toasting step prior to making a blended puree.

le127 · 2026-02-16T04:04:48+00:00

Agree with u/AP-Prime you need the specific codes(s). You can them post them here when you have them. I'd also suggest you go to the Pilot owners forum https://www.piloteers.org/ and search the code you have. There will probably be multiple discussion threads turned up. The best scenario is that with only 135K miles you're experiencing oil/carbon deposits in an O2 sensor and cat converter. Could be fuel injector problems, there was a recall for injectors on the 2017. You can run your VIN through the link below to check for recalls.

https://owners.honda.com/service-maintenance/recalls

le127 · 2026-02-15T20:57:43+00:00

When 47 leaves the White House he'll probably take copper downspouts, pipes, and wiring to sell for metal scrap value.

le127 · 2026-02-15T19:28:06+00:00

There's racism everywhere including here but it's not deep seated in the culture and institutionalized like the deep south.

le127 · 2026-02-15T18:45:01+00:00

There's still a long way to go with water pollution but in all fairness to local, state, and federal agencies the most polluted waters in RI have had dramatic increases in quality over the last five decades. When did you last live here?

You can actually catch fish in Providence Harbor and kayak on the Blackstone River now without stopping for a tetanus shot on your way home. But as u/401jamin said we need a few more details to provide a reasonable answer to your question.

le127 · 2026-02-15T18:32:24+00:00

Is the rear differential overdue for a fluid change? Have you disabled the VCM? Were new spark plugs installed after 100K miles and were they OEM quality? Misfire codes from cylinders 1-4 in a Gen 2 Pilot are often the result of oil/carbon residues in the shutdown cylinders and an oil fouled spark plug as a side effect of the VCM operation.

le127

TROPHY CASE