If you happen to eat plenty of rice or you’re simply drained of creating it on the stovetop, a superb rice cooker can make better-quality rice than you’ll be able to on the stove, all while you’re busy cooking other parts of your meal. But with different brands and applied sciences it can be laborious to know which rice cookers are value your exhausting-earned cash. It will possibly turn out perfectly cooked rice and porridges of any kind – all that you must do is measure precisely.
To search out one of the best rice cooker for you and your kitchen, we spent weeks testing 18 totally different rice cookers from standard brands reminiscent of Zojirushi, Tiger, Cuckoo and more. After dozens of take a look at cooks and consuming method too much rice (a phrase we never thought we’d write), two rice cookers stood out amongst the remaining.
Greatest general rice cooker: Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
$230.Ninety nine $219 at Amazon or $230.99 at Zojirushi
The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker was the clear winner in our testing. It was the very best-quality cook we bought out of all the rice cookers we examined, tied with the Tiger JKT-D10U, which cooked similarly delicious rice however costs about $eighty more. Whether or not we cooked sushi rice, brown rice or basmati rice, the rice got here out fluffy and delicious every single time.
The rice from the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy was prime-notch, and the machine has plenty of features that make cooking rice a simple and nice expertise. The Zojirushi’s microprocessor (“Micom” for “microcomputer” in the company’s nomenclature) makes use of software (“fuzzy logic”) to determine how much water and rice is within the cooker so it makes the right pot each time – even in the event you aren’t good in your measurements.
That means if you accidentally add too much or too little water to your rice, the Zojirushi will make up to your mistake and adjust its cooking course of to provide delicious rice. We examined this ourselves by adding an additional cup of water in one cook and a cup fewer in another. This might normally lead to a very ruined batch of rice, but with the Neuro Fuzzy it was still edible and really not that unhealthy.
It’s straightforward to cook rice within the Zojirushi, and thankfully it’s a breeze to scrub as nicely. The Neuro Fuzzy has two parts – the inner pan and the inside lid – that can be removed and washed in mere minutes (like most pots in rice cookers, it can’t be thrown within the dishwasher). Most cookers we tested had between two and three detachable elements that can easily be hand-washed.
The Zojirushi is all about ease of use, whether that’s within the type of its forgiving software program, easy-to-clean parts or the Neuro Fuzzy’s useful “Keep Warm” and “Extended Keep Warm” options. The conventional Keep Warm will final for 12 hours, after which the Prolonged Keep Warm will activate for a further eight hours. These automatically activate after cooking and will store your rice at the perfect temperature (about 140 degrees Fahrenheit, heat enough to inhibit bacterial progress that can cause meals poisoning) so you can scoop up leftover rice to eat hours after its finished cooking.
The Zojirushi also has a “Quick Cook” perform, which introduced its normal cook time for sushi rice from forty two minutes down to 31 minutes. The quality of the rice isn’t as good as the full 42-minute cycle, but it’s nonetheless a lot better than any stovetop rice we’ve eaten.
Options like Keep Warm and Quick Cook are featured in lots of the other rice cookers we examined (together with our other winner), so whereas they’re good to have, they aren’t what pushed the Zojirushi over the top. Our selections really got here all the way down to the quality of rice, and in that space, the Zojirushi simply couldn’t be beat. So in the event you desire a rice cooker that’s simple to make use of however most importantly makes an amazing pot of rice each single time, the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy is the one for you. If you want to be taught extra about our favourite rice cooker, take a look at our full, in-depth evaluate here.
Price range decide: Cuckoo CR-0655F Rice Cooker
$112.99 $89.95 at Amazon or $79.99 at Cuckoo
The Cuckoo CR-0655F Rice Cooker made rice that was delicious and of an identical high quality as other rice cookers we examined that had been double its price, though not at the same level as the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy or Tiger JKT-D10U. In case you don’t need the better of the most effective, this Cuckoo rice cooker supplies the proper steadiness of price, ease of use and high quality rice.
In our rice checks, the Cuckoo CR-0655F made far better rice than the budget options and different mid-tier cookers we tested. Alternatively, the Hamilton Seaside is barely $60, but it surely couldn’t fairly compete with the standard of the Cuckoo; however, if you would like to save lots of even extra money, it’s a very good buy. The Tiger and the CR-0655F had similar performances, particularly within the rice tests, but the Tiger JAX-T10U-Okay prices more than twice as much. Its closest opponents were the Tiger JAX-T10U-Ok and the Hamilton Seashore Digital Programmable Rice Cooker.
The Cuckoo’s rice was a bit stickier and gummier than what we made using the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy, nevertheless it was still fluffy and had a pleasant consistency. Its Fast Cook perform didn’t reduce much time off the method, nevertheless, and still took 32 minutes. The Cuckoo also had a shorter cook time than a lot of the opposite rice cookers at simply 34 minutes.
The CR-0655F has the usual options you’ll find in most quality rice cookers like a Keep Warm mode and Fast Cook, along with different presets for different types of cooks like brown rice and porridge. It does take 25 minutes, so it’s a slower course of than simply washing it in the sink, but it requires less labor, which may be interesting to some. For those who don’t need to scrub the nonstick pot after you make rice (which isn’t all that tough, to be honest), you’ll be able to put some water within the pot and activate Auto Clean, which uses steam to loosen up any debris. However, this Cuckoo has one characteristic that we didn’t see on some other rice cooker: Auto Clear.
The one characteristic the Cuckoo rice cooker doesn’t have that we’d love is a handle. It’s simple to use, it cooks scrumptious rice and its pink coloring appears cute on the counter. But moreover that small element, there really isn’t a lot to not like about the CR-0655F. Most other rice cookers we examined had one, which makes them lots easier to soak up and out of storage. If you’re searching for a good however not nice rice cooker for lower than $100, the Cuckoo CR-0655F is definitely the one to buy.
Every thing you could learn about rice cookers
Rice cookers can differ a lot in price; you can find one at your native Goal or Walmart for $25 or spend upward of $700 on Zojirushi’s latest mannequin. To help you figure out what you need out of your rice cooker, we’re breaking down the basics.
With the dearer cookers, you’re paying for more superior cooking technology, bigger capacity, further strain cooking options and extra elaborate digital controls.
At probably the most fundamental degree, a rice cooker will just be somewhat pot with a lid that’s positioned on a heating component to cook rice – the same course of as what you’d do on the stovetop, simply in its personal appliance and on a timer. These cookers don’t normally make rice any better than you’d over a burner, however they do tend to be small so you can save space.
We recommend stepping up to at least the subsequent stage, the slightly more expensive rice cookers which have a lid that locks in place and seals, so less steam is launched throughout the cooking course of, meaning a higher-quality cook. Usually this level of rice cooker introduces more modes for particular forms of rice like brown rice and features like Quick Cook and Keep Warm. The Hamilton Seashore Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Meals Steamer is a superb example of a machine like this, and there are other well-liked choices from brands like Aroma, Tiger and Zojirushi which might be constructed similarly.
The next level introduces digital controls and laptop chips to help good the cooking course of. Like the “Micom” (Zojirushi’s abbreviation for “microcomputer”) in the Neuro Fuzzy, these laptop chips assist choose the ratio of water and rice to adjust the cook and produce the absolute best rice no matter kind or recipe. These rice cookers can range rather a lot in value relying on other options.
We expect this degree of rice cooker is enough to fulfill virtually everyone’s rice cooking wants, thanks to their capacity to cook deliciously fluffy rice. However when you do want to speculate more in a rice cooker, induction heating produces increased temperatures, which can theoretically result in fluffier rice. All through our testing, we tried some fancier machines that use induction heating, but discovered that the standard of rice didn’t enhance much. We examined three rice cookers with induction heating, but we thought the Neuro Fuzzy cooked pretty much as good if not better rice than all of them.
The actual top-of-the-line rice cookers are induction models as nicely however are also fully sealed so they can perform like strain cookers, supposedly creating the perfect setting for rice. We didn’t test any rice cookers with each one of these options in this spherical as a result of they tend to be extraordinarily expensive – like the $seven-hundred top-of-the-line Zojirushi.
We did test a few strain cookers like the instant Pot to pit them against conventional rice cookers, however each batch of rice we made in them got here out extraordinarily gummy and wet; the standard simply wasn’t on par with most of the opposite rice cookers we tried.
We tested 18 rice cookers by cooking 2 cups of the Nishiki medium grain rice on the plain/white rice setting. We in contrast the cook of those batches in opposition to each other and weighed different elements equivalent to extra options, ease of cleaning, dimension, design and extra. We compared the style and consistency of each rice against comparable fashions and narrowed the pool down to a smaller group of finalists. We then cooked another batch of white rice, a batch of Lundberg lengthy grain basmati rice and a batch of Lundberg quick grain brown rice.
Efficiency
Sushi/medium grain rice: We cooked 2 cups of Nishiki medium grain rice on the cooker’s plain/white rice setting. We seemed out for burnt bottoms, wetness, fluffiness and overall style. We eliminated rice cookers that made the worst rice. We then tasted and directly compared the taste and consistency of the rice with different rice cookers. We then tasted and instantly compared the flavor and consistency of the rice with other rice cookers. Brown rice: After narrowing down the pool, we cooked 2 cups of Lundberg brief grain brown rice on the cooker’s brown rice setting. We then tasted and instantly compared the taste and consistency of the rice with different rice cookers. Completely different modes: We counted how many alternative modes each rice cooker had, corresponding to settings for brown rice, porridge and extra. Different settings: We counted what number of further options and settings each rice cooker had, equivalent to Keep Warm, a timer and Auto Clear. Basmati rice: After narrowing down the pool, we cooked 2 cups of Lundberg lengthy grain basmati rice on the cooker’s brown rice setting. Ease of cleansing: We eliminated all washable parts from each rice cooker and cleaned them, judging how hard or straightforward it was and the way lengthy it took.
Design/build high quality assessments
Capability/sizes: We counted what number of measurement options are available for each rice cooker. Footprint: We researched each rice cooker’s dimensions. Weight: We weighed every rice cooker on a kitchen scale. Cord size: We measured each rice cooker’s cord with a measuring tape. Basic design/look: We judged how each rice cooker looked and any additional design selections.
The whole lot else we examined
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
$59.Ninety nine at Amazon
The Hamilton Seashore rice cooker was nearly considered one of our picks, but it just couldn’t beat out the Cuckoo CR-0655F. If the Cuckoo is still a bit too costly for you, we’d definitely recommend going for the $60 Hamilton Seaside Digital Programmable Rice Cooker. The rice high quality is certainly a step down from the CR-0655F, but it’s still stable and will do the job for people who eat rice only each on occasion. It’s got the same features as more expensive machines like Fast Cook and Keep Heat, and it cooked rice higher than some other rice cooker in its worth vary – aside from the Cuckoo CR-0655F.
Tiger Company Tiger JKT-D10U 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) IH Rice Cooker
From $289.99 at Tiger or $292.33 at Amazon
The Tiger JKT-D10U made rice simply as scrumptious because the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy. It was a top performer in all of our rice checks, however since it’s dearer than the Neuro Fuzzy at round $300, we predict the Zojirushi is the higher purchase. Nevertheless, if you’re a loyal Tiger fan and you’re looking for prime-notch rice, you can’t go fallacious with the JKT-D10U.
Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Hotter NP-GBC05
$294.Ninety nine at Zojirushi
This Zojirushi rice cooker also cooked delicious rice, but it surely wasn’t quite at the identical level because the Neuro Fuzzy or the Tiger JKT-D10U. It does have induction heating, so in case you desire a rice cooker with that know-how this is a good option. Nevertheless, this cooker is only available in a 3-cup measurement, so if you’re making rice for more than two to three individuals at once it is likely to be too small to your needs.
Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer NS-TSC10A
This Zojirushi cooker has a computer chip in it simply like the Neuro Fuzzy, but it didn’t make the same high quality of rice. For $30 more, we predict our greatest general choose is the option to go. It’s a solid rice cooker, however we expect the Neuro Fuzzy outshines it in nearly each manner.
Tiger JAX-T10U-K 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker
$149.Ninety five at Amazon
This rice cooker had a really solid performance. It’s dearer than our pick, however you undoubtedly won’t be upset if you happen to select this Tiger machine. It cooked tasty rice and had plenty of useful features. It was in contention for our runner-up spot, but the Cuckoo CR-0655F had related qualities for simply $80.
Tiger JBV-A10U 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker
$ninety nine $79.56 at Amazon
The Tiger JBV-A10U just didn’t cook rice as well as most of the opposite rice cookers. We predict your money is better spent on the Cuckoo CR-0655F, which is round the same price as this one.
Panasonic 5-Cup (Uncooked) Japanese Rice Cooker With Induction Heating System
$539.Ninety five at Amazon
The Panasonic rice cooker options induction heating, but we didn’t think it made a better pot of rice than the Neuro Fuzzy. Actually, we thought the Panasonic’s rice was on par with among the mid-tier cookers we examined, which is why we don’t think it’s worth the $500 value tag.
Aroma Housewares ARC-954SBD Rice Cooker, 4-Cup Uncooked 2.5-Quart, Skilled Version
$39.99 $37.19 at Amazon
This Aroma rice cooker was almost our funds choose, because it made a stable pot of rice and has great options like fast cook and keep warm. However, we had issues with the steam vent once we cooked rice. The steam that got here out would pool on the top of the lid and spill over onto the counter, making a wet, sticky mess.
Zojirushi NHS-06 3-Cup Rice Cooker
$47.Ninety nine at Amazon
This rice cooker has a simple lid that doesn’t lure in a lot heat, resulting in a mushier rice. We did prefer it higher than the other easy options, so if you happen to desire a tiny rice cooker and don’t mind mediocre rice it might be a good purchase; however, we expect you’re better off spending the extra $10 for the Hamilton Seashore. Most rice cookers we examined with this characteristic didn’t make very good rice, and the Zojirushi was no exception.
Cuckoo CR-1055
$64.99 $54.Ninety nine at Cuckoo
This large, 10-cup rice cooker took up tons of counter space and didn’t cook superb rice. Until you’re cooking for a big household and need the 10-cup capacity (the Hamilton Seaside can cook 7 cups), we don’t assume this rice cooker is worth your money. The underside of the rice was burnt and it didn’t taste quite as fluffy because the rice from the Hamilton Beach machine.
Oster DiamondForce Nonstick 6-Cup Electric Rice Cooker
$24.Ninety nine $19.Ninety nine at Target
The Oster DiamondForce made some fairly mediocre rice. It’s low cost, however we expect spending the additional money on the Hamilton Beach or even the Zojirushi NHS-06 is well price it.
Black+Decker 6-Cup Cooked/3-Cup Uncooked Rice Cooker
$21.24 at Goal
Much like the Oster DiamondForce, we really don’t think this rice cooker is worth buying. In the event you spend the additional cash on the Hamilton Beach, you’ll get significantly better rice and a greater cooking experience too.
Sprint Mini Rice Cooker
$24.99 at Amazon
This tiny, 2-cup rice cooker is cute, however it didn’t cook superb rice. It might be an excellent gift for someone dwelling in a small residence or a school dorm, however we still think the Hamilton Seashore or Zojirushi NHS-06 are better options.
Aroma Housewares 8-Cup/2-Quart Digital Cool-Touch Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
$39.Ninety nine $29.99 at Amazon
The rice from this Aroma had a burnt bottom and didn’t come out very nicely at all. The Professional Model is unquestionably a greater possibility than this one for about $10 more, but we nonetheless recommend the Hamilton Seaside over both Aroma machines.
Instantaneous Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
$129.99 at Immediate
We wanted to see if a pressure cooker might make rice at the same degree as a dedicated rice cooker, however sadly the outcomes have been underwhelming. The rice from the moment Pot Duo Plus was gummier and mushier than most of the normal rice cookers we tried. If you want to consolidate kitchen appliances, the moment Pot is a great decide, but when you’re just looking for a rice cooker we don’t think it might compete.
Cuckoo 10-Cup HP Pressure Rice Cooker
$298 $279.Ninety five at Amazon
This pressure cooker from Cuckoo had related outcomes as the moment Pot. The rice we cooked was mushy and didn’t taste excellent in any respect. The machine has tons of different capabilities, so it could be worth a look if you’re in the marketplace for a pressure cooker, nevertheless it isn’t value the cash if you happen to simply need a rice cooker.
