When you buy by means of our links, Insider may earn an affiliate fee. Learn extra.
The primary time I was requested how I cook rice, I was taken by shock. “What do you mean?” I requested back. “I push a button.”
I didn’t have a recipe to share with the asker because actually, nearly every East Asian household I do know owns a rice cooker. Why labor over a stovetop, wasting time, consideration, and burner house on making ready rice in a pot when a small kitchen equipment will do the job for you completely? As a result of there are few more simple pleasures than excellent rice. A staple meals for countless cultures the world over, rice is cheap, filling, nutritious, and – with the suitable rice cooker – rich with refined nuance, layers of taste, and lovely distinctive fragrances.
Having been raised in my parents’ Chinese restaurant, where commercial rice cookers have been an integral part of the business, it’s no surprise I grew up delicate to what constitutes nice rice. It’s a pickiness I’ve leveraged as a meals writer, product reviewer, and author of several rice cooker references and guides.
To search out the very best rice cooker for this information, I researched 30 rice cookers, dwelling-examined a whopping 15, and distilled it down to the seven best based on grain sort, preparation, and different factors essential to rice aficionados. You’ll be able to read more about how the Insider Critiques workforce tests and evaluations kitchen products here.
Listed here are the perfect rice cookers you should purchase in 2023
Best rice cooker general: Yum Asia Panda 3.5-Cup Mini Rice Cooker – See at Amazon
It was a troublesome name between the legendary Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy and this relative unknown, but this cute medium capability rice cooker turned out consistently flawless grains of every kind of rice we examined.
Finest budget rice cooker: Aroma ARC-1126SBL 20-Cup SmartCarb Multicooker – See at Walmart
Despite being an older model I’ve used for years, the Aroma SmartCarb Multicooker outperformed more expensive models in texture and style.
Greatest mini rice cooker: Black + Decker 3-Cup Rice Cooker – See at Walmart
In case you just need an inexpensive monotasker for one or two people, this bargain buy from Black + Decker is just right.
Finest large capacity rice cooker: Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker – See at Amazon
The gold normal of rice cookers, the legendary Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy is now obtainable in double its original capacity.
Greatest rice cooker for long-grain rice: Zojirushi UMAMI Micom Rice Cooker & Hotter NL-GAC10 – See at Amazon
The Zojirushi UMAMI Micom Rice Cooker & Hotter NL-GAC10 is a stylish cooker and a little bit of a splurge, however you assuredly get what you pay for, particularly in the event you primarily cook lengthy-grain rice.
Greatest rice cooker for brown rice: Cuckoo CR-0632F 6-Cup Multifunctional Micom Rice Cooker – See at Amazon
Sensible rice cookers are inclined to overthink and therefore overcook brown rice, but the Cuckoo CR-0632F 6-Cup Multifunctional Micom Rice Cooker nailed the cook on this robust grain.
Best low-carb rice cooker: Toshiba Low Carb Digital Programmable Multifunctional Rice Cooker TRSH01 – See at Amazon
The Toshiba Low Carb Digital Programmable Multifunctional Rice Cooker TRSH01 finishes the rice by steaming it suspended above the starchy cooking water for a decrease remaining carb count.
Best rice cooker for porridge: Toshiba TRCS02 Digital Programmable 3-Cup Rice Cooker – See at Amazon
If congee is your precedence, the Toshiba TRCS02 Digital Programmable 3-Cup Rice Cooker feels like it was made only for porridge, however it would cook conventional white and brown rice admirably, too.
It was a tricky call between the legendary Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy and this comparatively unknown rice cooker from Yum Asia, however this cute medium capacity rice cooker turned out constantly flawless grains of every sort of rice we tested.
Rice capability (uncooked): 3.5 cups
Rice capability (cooked): about 7 cups
Fuzzy Logic: Yes
Pros: Detachable energy cord, clear straightforward-view show, straightforward operation, sleek design, compact footprint, precision settings, detachable prime for cleansing, carrying handle, 24-hour keep warm setting, included further equipment
Cons: Robust spring-back within the lid, internal pot markings arduous to read and scratch easily, only one set of water traces, quick rice setting is just for white rice
There’s so much to love about this unassuming little powerhouse, it’s onerous to know the place to start. Its form is sleek, tidy, and compact, and its packaging and construct demonstrate excessive consideration to small details: for example, an included steamer basket and ladle, a tabbed handle for the measuring cup, and glossy magazine-model person’s handbook.
Presentation only goes so far without perform; this model nails both. It has totally different applications for long- and short-grain rice in addition to brown rice, porridge, quick and sluggish cooking, steaming, and even making cake, which speaks to its precision. A detachable cord stores proper into the inside pot; the hooked up carrying handle tucks away seamlessly; a constructed-in holder retains the spatula clean and in attain; and a minimal, straightforward-to-understand show and properly-considered cook settings make it effortless to use.
It cooked all 4 sorts of rice perfectly – a feat that almost all larger identify rice cookers weren’t ready to perform. Each batch was moist however not wet; gemmy however not dry; sweet and aromatic. Each grain was effectively-defined and evenly cooked.
It gets bonus factors for its Keep Heat countdown timer that begins instantly and tracks by the minute (most others only monitor by the hour). This mode was gentle enough that the rice resisted hardening or growing crustiness. Even better, as a small capacity cooker, it is quick about its job, taking round half an hour for white rice, just under an hour for brown, and an hour and a half for porridge.
Despite being an older model I’ve used for years, the Aroma SmartCarb Multicooker outperformed more expensive models in texture and style.
Rice capacity (uncooked): 10 cups
Rice capacity (cooked): 20 cups
Fuzzy Logic: No
Execs: SmartCarb characteristic, large capability, many included equipment, sauté-then-simmer functionality, Keep Heat countdown begins immediately, eight one-contact programs, accessible in smaller 12-cup dimension
Cons: Non-removable lid is tough to scrub, parts like steamer vent and condensation catcher might pop off, condensation catcher will leak over time, internal pot susceptible to scratching and denting, pot markings should not excessive-distinction, rice can stick to stainless steel SmartCarb basket, a bit huge for smaller households
This jack-of-all-trades multicooker has actually mastered one: chewy, toothsome rice that retains its fragrance and flavor. Technically, this makes the cooker a “dumb” rice cooker regardless of having “smart” in the name since, in contrast to the opposite superior cookers ruling this list, it’s not a micom (microcomputerized) equipment. Even more shocking is that it uses extra “old school” rice cooker expertise that depends on water evaporation sensors to trigger cycle completion. It aced all of our rice cooking tests, a notable feat contemplating that, in my expertise, all-in-one machines are usually masters of none.
Don’t assume for a minute that this detracts from its efficacy, though. Fuzzy Logic micom cookers tend to “overthink” brown rice and due to this fact overcook it, whereas this one gets it completely. This very primary know-how is definitely a boon for cooking brown rice, which comes out simply on the correct facet of al dente.
White rice is able to eat as soon as you crack open the lid, and comes out sweet with no hint of onerous boiled flavor. And if you would like to attend a bit, its Keep Heat operate does its job nicely for about three hours earlier than the steam catcher traps extra moisture than it returns to the rice.
Sadly, this rice cooker’s headlining SmartCarb setting was a bust. This supposedly prevents the starchy water from being reabsorbed, slicing the overall carbohydrate content of the completed rice. This expertise elevates the rice above the cooking water after boiling. This function sounds too good to be true, and sadly, it’s. The rice texture finally ends up being too delicate and grains blown out on this setting.
Best mini rice cooker
If you simply want an affordable monotasker for one or two individuals, this bargain buy from Black + Decker is good.
Rice capacity (uncooked): 1.5 cups
Rice capacity (cooked): 3 cups
Fuzzy Logic: No
Professionals: Really cheap, detachable clip-on lid, just the basics, cooks quickly
Cons: Seems to be flimsy, design creates boil-over and burn threat, laborious to read water markings, outer body gets extremely popular, rice hardens rapidly and is hard to scoop out, no Keep Heat timer, no display in any respect, no audible notifications
Beating out much pricier and way more superior mini fashions, this child’s toy-wanting, primary one-setting, one-button, entry-degree rice cooker resulted in surprisingly acceptable rice. The standard of its outcomes came nowhere close to any of the others on this listing, however for a household of one that’s short on storage area and long on thrift, this utilitarian mono-tasker does its job cheerfully and rapidly.
It relies on an old school temperature trip sensor to determine when the rice is completed; the only audio cue you may get is the flip of the change because it modifications from Cooking to keep Heat settings. Give it that rest, though, and your persistence will be rewarded with candy, chewy medium-grain rice that provides that lovely semi-translucent, gemmy look. In the event you attempt to eat the rice instantly, you may find it nonetheless quite wet and undercooked. Like with different “dumb” rice cooker fashions, it’s necessary to be affected person and give the rice no less than 15 minutes of resting time before it actually is prepared.
We had less successful results with other varieties of rice: lengthy-grain rice obtained delicate but no less than avoided mushiness; and brown rice was flavorful however on the beneath-completed aspect. Its minuscule size also comes with natural cons. It accommodates solely a mere 1.5-cup maximum of uncooked rice, which does not offer you an entire lot of room to maneuver, particularly whereas rinsing the rice since the interior pot was roughly the dimensions of my (small) fist.
There are additionally a couple of burn risks within the design: the lightweight inside pot makes it unstable, forcing you to grip it when scooping out rice, and the vent within the lid concentrates the steam in a pointy plume. Its ease of cleansing and the end taste of the rice is how it won over other small choices. Nonetheless, I did appreciate the clip-on characteristic of the detachable lid, and the fun of being able to observe the standing of the rice visually through the glass top.
Best massive capability rice cooker
The gold customary of rice cookers, the legendary Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy is now out there in double its authentic capability.
Rice capacity (uncooked): 10 cups
Rice capacity (cooked): 20 cups
Fuzzy Logic: Yes
Execs: Precision settings for nearly every sort of rice, detachable internal lid and rounded nonstick inside pot for easy cleansing, nicely-marked pointers, alternative of textures for customizable rice
Cons: Appears dated with its huge buttons, so many decisions can feel overwhelming for inexperienced users, brown rice cooks too comfortable
Although we examined the 5.5 cup model, the bigger 10 cup model of this classic cooker is similar in every little thing but measurement, with thoughtful design and usability particulars that make it incredibly intuitive.
The retractable cord, as an illustration, is such a easy but brilliant solution, as is the dual-sided rice paddle holder, smooth-open lid, and simple-grip handles on the sides of the interior pot. In fact, I could commit a whole paragraph to this internal pot, which has a rounded backside that makes rinsing the grains, scooping the cooked rice, and cleaning up a breeze. The pot also options excessive-distinction water markings for several types of rice to make sure precision.
Most importantly, although, is how good the rice comes out and the way it maintains that degree of quality for hours after the rice is done. Rice porridge emerged glistening in a thick, pleasantly tacky suspension, comfortable but retaining a trace of a chew. Medium-grain rice comes out absolutely beautifully – chewy, polished, pearly, absolutely formed, uniformly cooked, and with a lovely enhanced sweetness few different cookers could match. The long-grain rice was fragrant, totally distinct, evenly cooked, however fluffy with unmatched airiness.
In both white rice assessments, the rice was better after 24 hours on Keep Heat than recent-cooked rice from a few of the other cookers, with minimal deterioration and no clumping or crust. The brown rice setting was its solely underperformer because of this system’s lengthy cook time, which made the rice mushy and blown out.
Greatest rice cooker for long-grain rice
The Zojirushi UMAMI Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer NL-GAC10 is a fashionable cooker and a bit of a splurge, however you assuredly get what you pay for, particularly when you primarily cook long-grain rice.
Rice capacity (uncooked): 5.5 cups
Rice capability (cooked): 11 cups
Fuzzy Logic: Sure
Professionals: Sleek design, simple to read show, straightforward to make use of, clearly marked water lines for practically all programs, hyper-particular settings, compact footprint, removable internal lid, extended Keep Heat, sturdy handle, detachable cord, included steamer basket, ambidextrous spatula holder
Cons: Keep Warm countdown doesn’t begin immediately, so many decisions can feel overwhelming for inexperienced customers, brown rice cooks too delicate
This microcomputerized (micom) cooker has incredibly precise and detailed cooking settings. The batch even held strong for over sixty six hours with none vital degradation. I appreciated the jasmine rice setting, a nod to the delicate construction of this long-grain cultivar. The batch I made on this setting was perfect from the get-go, with distinct, intact grains that were chewy and solely obtained sweeter with time on the Keep Heat setting.
It additionally carried out remarkably with medium grains, too. They came out flawless: chewy, gem-like, moist, airy, and with no soggy or wet spots, retaining their character for 14 hours.
The UMAMI setting that offers this mannequin its identify extends soaking and steaming to coax out extra sweetness and subtleties within the rice. The extended cook made it gentle, wet, and blown out. Nonetheless, I do not advise using it on brown rice.
Greatest rice cooker for brown rice
Sensible rice cookers tend to overthink and due to this fact overcook brown rice, but the Cuckoo CR-0632F 6-Cup Multifunctional Micom Rice Cooker nailed the cook on this robust grain.
Rice capability (uncooked): 6 cups
Rice capability (cooked): 12 cups
Fuzzy Logic: Yes
Pros: Keep Heat timer starts instantly, My Mode options for personalised taste and textures, attractive coffee-colored inner pot, longer energy cord, built-in spatula holder, cleans simply
Cons: Overcooks white rice, important bounce-again in lid operation, water line markings are onerous to read, no handle, condensation catcher can leak
With all this talk of soaking brown rice, you’d suppose that the cookers who do it longest would make one of the best. Plus, you lose the popcorn factor that’s so distinctive to brown rice – one among the best pleasures of it. I did. But after in depth testing, I discovered that prolonged soaking broke down the bran a bit too much, resulting in a mushier chew rather than the agency, gemmy one that comes with good rice.
With this cooker, although, a propensity for cooking softer, mushier white rice benefited its brown rice execution. This cooker blooms the grains visibly, however stops in need of any blow-out. It breaks down the bran simply sufficient to make it extra easily digestible with out compromising the chew. Although there is a hint of sizzling-heat scorch to the rice in case you eat it as quickly as it’s achieved, it mellows after a few minutes of resting to a pleasing toasted nutty richness.
Each chunk of brown rice from this cooker showcased the best qualities of this type of rice. Get this cooker if brown rice is your major pick, and just use much less water than marked on the events you make white rice. Plus, it also has a setting for GABA rice, a sprouted variety of brown rice with purported nutritional advantages. Grains remained absolutely distinct, avoiding any form of clumping, crusting, or wetness for a shocking 50 hours on Keep Warm.
Greatest low-carb rice maker
The Toshiba Low Carb Digital Programmable Multifunctional Rice Cooker TRSH01 finishes the rice by steaming it suspended above the starchy cooking water for a lower ultimate carb rely.
Rice capability (uncooked): 5.5 cups
Rice capacity (cooked): 11 cups
Fuzzy Logic: Sure
Pros: Quick Rice perform, removable inner lid, stainless steel steamer basket, standing paddle, large digital display, tactile buttons, carrying handle, heavyweight nonstick bowl, excessive-distinction markings, 24-hour Keep Heat setting, counts right down to completion time
Cons: Louder than others, max capability for low-carb is 2 cups (4 cups cooked), show arduous to read, power cord not detachable
Low-carb rice cooker: sounds too good to be true. But a handful of manufacturers have heard the carb-aware masses and developed rice cookers that use steam and an elevated basket to finish cooking rice above the starchy water. Our finances decide, the Aroma SmartCarb Multicooker, pioneered this technology, however Toshiba truly perfected it.
The Toshiba TRSH01 turned out flawless “low carb” rice in 40 quick minutes. The rice emerges gemmy and chewy, the proper texture, and sweeter than with different fashions. At first glance, it appears to be like on the wet side, however all it needs is a fast stir to launch excess moisture.
Nevertheless, that is no one-trick pony. It made regular medium-grain rice that was moist and fluffy however nonetheless distinct. During testing, I found that this instant countdown to completion was my favorite universal Toshiba rice cooker function. It achieved this in 50 minutes, and the display started counting down as soon as I pressed the button.
It equally swept the brown rice class with a fully flawless cook in less than an hour and a half. The grains have been tender, nutty, aromatic, and nicely-formed – absolutely cooked via whereas maintaining a lovely chew.
In truth, this model might have become our high decide for total had it done higher on the lengthy-grain rice take a look at. This extra delicate size of rice came out on the softer facet, with slight degradation to the outer layers that made the grains stick together while the centers had been saturated.
A durable, additional-thick nonstick inner pot helped to keep up temperature for the Keep Warm operate, which begins as soon because the cooking cycle is complete. The only main fault is that the large, brilliant display can look warped in daylight or glare and the cord will not be detachable.
Finest rice cooker for porridge
If congee is your precedence, the Toshiba TRCS02 Digital Programmable 3-Cup Rice Cooker feels like it was made just for porridge, however it can cook conventional white and brown rice admirably, too.
Rice capability (uncooked): Three cups
Rice capability (cooked): 6 cups
Fuzzy Logic: Yes
Professionals: Detachable inside lid, excessive-distinction markings in internal pot, carrying handle, Fast Cook characteristic, 24-hour Keep Heat, Cake and Egg applications, two timers for delayed begin, shade-altering show to point when working, detachable energy cord, instant countdown to completion
Cons: No steamer basket, no brown rice markings, no condensation catcher
Whereas this cooker performed admirably via all of the rice categories (medium, long, and brown), it actually turned out an exemplary pot of porridge in an hour and a half. This made it stand out from the get-go. Plus, it is one in every of the only smaller cookers that even offer a porridge setting, much less bowl markings that show you the proper proportions. This was 30 minutes longer than different fashions we tested, however the porridge was simply that a lot better.
The grains of rice in porridge have been plump, gelatinous, and candy, where different cookers disintegrated them into broken fragments. Even when left to sit down on Keep Warm for several hours, there was little to no movie, and the liquid thickened additional right into a lovely, luxuriously creamy bowl that didn’t get mushy or flip into a slurry.
Whereas the cooking was a tad uneven for different forms of rice, it was far from disappointing. Despite the grains looking slightly busted open, they got here out with a pleasant chewy bran, cooked all the way in which by means of however not comfortable. Mixing the rice nicely resulted in texturally interesting and straightforward to eat brown rice with a buttery popcorn undertone. This unevenness actually worked in its favor for brown rice.
White rice came out very firm and chewy on this model – simply barely undercooked and wet-smelling. While it is not a fully even cook, it additionally did not have any scorching spots that burned the rice, even over time on the Keep Heat setting.
What else we examined
We tested greater than a dozen rice cookers, and while many were in a position to do an sufficient job, there have been inherent design or efficiency flaws that made them less really useful.
What else we suggest and why:
Aroma MTC-8008 Professional 8-Cup Champagne ($169.99): This elegant, lovely rice cooker provided a litany of premium features, together with turbo convection and a thick internal pot that held heat nicely.
Toshiba TRCS01 6 Cup Rice Cooker ($149.99): Quite a lot of sensible little conveniences went into the design of this rice cooker. While it was nice for porridge, it underperformed with regular rice. The lid drips and holds onto lots of condensation, stealing moisture from rice that’s being saved warm and ultimately dries out.
GreenLife Go Grains Rice Cooker ($49.99): It’s exhausting not to love a cooker this cartoon-cute, plus it is considered one of the one tiny rice cookers that includes micom Fuzzy Logic. It was a detailed call between this and the Black & Decker for best small capacity rice cooker, but in the end, the cleanup determined it. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent size and a funds purchase for entry-level cookers.
What we don’t advocate and why: However, conventional white rice was persistently undercooked, with a wet outer layer and chewy internal. Sadly, it consistently cooked every kind of rice too dry and condensation puddled up across the rim, which made for a bothersome cleanup. More markedly, it put out a beautiful porridge in only an hour, one which was candy and wealthy and only got better with time on the Keep Warm setting. Like all Toshiba models, it begins a countdown timer as soon as you hit the beginning button so there isn’t any guessing around your meal planning schedule.
Instantaneous Pot Zest 8-Cup Rice Cooker ($49.99): Powered by a cult-favorite model however utilizing the standard boil-and-steam technique versus stress, this multicooker seemed initially promising. Excessive distinction markings, a tucked-away handle, two timers, and a steamer basket with cut-out handles increase its enchantment. It was beforehand our choose for finest rice cooker for porridge class, yielding delicate, lumpy, cottage-style congee in a luxuriously thick suspension. It yielded wet rice, which is a quirk of us can study to work with by customizing their water fill, however the nuances of sweetness had been lost in a flat boiled style.
Nutribullet EveryGrain Cooker ($69.99): I wished so badly to like this cute, squat cooker with its handsome matte end, trendy dark colours, and clear display. This makes it too small to even rinse out your rice correctly, a lot much less prepare a meal. Sadly, this was one of many worst rice cookers I’ve ever utilized in my life. Apparent hot spots made outcomes much more inconsistent.
Dash 2-Cup Mini Rice Cooker ($34.99): This rice cooker is adorable and out there in fun colours like aqua and pink.
JINGTIEDA Small Rice Cooker Portable ($89): A tidy design with more digital options than most cookers of similar measurement, this rice cooker performed acceptably with long-grain rice however undercooked medium-grain rice.
Tiger JAX-S18U-WY 10-Cup Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer ($159.99): White rice cooked in this oversized model rapidly degraded in structure. Its greatest flaw was a Keep Warm setting that made the rice hard, dehydrated, and inedible in mere hours.
Hamilton Beach Advanced Multi-Perform Fuzzy Logic 37570 ($79.04): Unlike the others, this micom rice cooker had an incredible visible chart that allowed you to trace the progress of your rice.
Our rice cooker testing methodology A shame, then, that the machine had essentially the most uneven, haphazard cook of the entire products examined, yielding a soggy decrease layer, dry and crusty high layer, and mushy grains in the middle of the bowl. The bottom was all the time soggy and the highest too dry, whereas the alternative was true for brown rice, which scalded. To start with, it is mismarketed as a 2-cup cooker because it actually only holds 1 uncooked cup, max. Minor inconveniences akin to a freestanding rice spatula holder that created muddle and a fixed inner lid confirmed inadequate consideration to detail. The warming operate also shuts off well before competing rice cookers, allowing the rice to come all the way down to unsafe temperatures in a micro organism-friendly environment. However each batch of rice came out unpalatably dry.
COMFEE Asian Type Programmable Multi-Cooker ($83.99): There was no getting away from having to continuously stir and manipulate the rice on this cooker; it cooked to numerous textures in layers, making for extremely inconsistent batches. The rice got here out damp, mushy, blown out, and slightly burnt.
Over the course of a month I examined thirteen rice cookers, one kind of rice at a time, and evaluated their usability and high quality of output:
Cooking rice
We decided the fairest method to judge the rice cookers was to test with one measure above each cooker’s minimal, no matter the type of rice or preparation. For instance, if the lowest marker was for 1 cup of uncooked rice, I examined with 2 cups; if it was for two cups, I tested with 3. We selected these measurements as a result of they are typical of what a household utilizing that capability rice cooker would make.
Each batch was hand-rinsed 5 times and none have been soaked prior to hitting their preset program button.
Medium grain white rice: Medium grain is chewy, plump, sweet, and commonly used in Korean and Japanese kitchens. With a firmer construction, medium grains require plenty of fluid penetration, making such a rice perfect for testing the thoroughness of the cook. Many rice cookers are programmed particularly with one of these rice in mind. For this check, I selected medium-grain Nishiki model Calrose rice.
Long grain white rice: Cooked lengthy grain rice ought to be fluffy, separate, distinct, and still firm. Long grain rices are often probably the most fragrant sorts, too, and good rice cookers will unlock these sweet aromas. I selected Thai Jasmine rice for this take a look at.
Brown rice: Brown rice retains the bran and germ layer of the grain, resulting in more micronutrients and a lower glycemic index. Additionally, many rice cookers with brown rice settings construct in soaking time for higher liquid absorption and digestion. Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice because the water needs to interrupt by these additional layers. I solely tested the rice cookers that performed nicely in the white rice classes with blended grain brown rice (a blend of medium-grain and Jasmine brown rice) cooked on the machine’s brown rice setting.
Porridge: For the rice cookers that offered this specific setting, I examined genuine Koshihikari brief-grain rice for porridge/congee.
Cook time
Quick Rice functions generally is a time-saver, however you will sacrifice taste and at instances, tenderness, for those who select the faster-heating choice. To ensure consistency of high quality, I ignored these in favor of the traditional cook settings. The faster the rice cooker might end up flavorful, tender rice on a regular setting, the higher.
Keep Heat is an important perform of an excellent rice cooker, especially for families that meal prep or eat at totally different instances. I taste-tested every batch of rice instantly after cooking, at 30 minutes, then at longer intervals of hours – up to sixty six hours after cycle completion – to investigate how properly the cooker protected the rice towards degradation and taste loss.
Design
Nobody desires an ugly appliance sitting out on their counter. Useful necessities comparable to a carrying handle, delay timer, rice spatula holder, and bonus accessory materials had been also factored into this category. In this all-encompassing criterion, I took be aware of everything from total aesthetic to person expertise, together with controls, ease of use and cleaning, and general feel and appear.
What to contemplate when buying a rice cooker
All rice cookers will cook rice, plain and simple. But the most effective rice cookers can have sure default features that can extract essentially the most out of each grain. This is what to look for in a rice cooker:
Lid: Airtight, sealed tops help the aroma of fragrant rice types like jasmine and basmati bloom, in addition to prevent rice from drying out on the Keep Heat setting.
Sensible capabilities: Micom, or microcomputerized rice cookers, are finest for those who do not limit their pantries to just one type or preparation of rice. All Fuzzy Logic-marked rice cookers are equipped with this expertise. These smart rice cookers have completely different settings for every kind of rice, so that you just get constant outcomes each time.
Features: In an advanced rice cooker, audible indicators and digital countdowns make cooking even more easy. Removable inner lids are also an awesome characteristic for easy cleaning. Lastly, high distinction, water line markers will save quite a lot of frustration and help to guarantee success. A spatula holder minimizes mess, and easy-to-grip handles simplify clear up even further.
Extras: Some rice cookers only include a rice cup and paddle. If you’re planning to make use of your rice cooker as an all-in-one cooking gadget, you may want to search for a model that contains extras. Others include steamer baskets, ladles, spatula holders, scrapers, and different extras.
Capability: A mere half rice cup of uncooked rice, three ounces, is considered one serving, with a yield of a full cup of cooked rice. A tiny, single-serving rice cooker is perhaps positive if you’re cooking for only one, but if you are cooking for a family, you’ll desire a rice cooker that makes a minimum of 5 cooked cups of rice.
Rice cooker security tips
Rice cookers are immensely simple to operate and even safer than cooking rice on a stovetop. That mentioned, as with all small electronic appliances, you’ll wish to play it safe with some primary pointers:
– “Dishwasher protected” sometimes solely applies to the interior pot and accessory objects. By no means, ever immerse the outer digital casing of the cooker in water.
– Because rice cookers work with a lot moisture, it’s important to maintain them clear to keep away from mold and bacterial breeding. When you’re completed cooking, give it time to cool down earlier than you handle it, and method it with hand safety to avoid burn threat. Do not. Rce paddles and accessories are often fabricated from plastic, which can melt or leach plastics with prolonged and direct contact with heat.
– If the cooker would not include a spatula holder, it is likely to be tempting to depart the rice paddle in with the rice. The concentrated direct blast can cause actual harm. Clean out the steam vent and condensation catchers after every use or prepare to be grossed out in the not very distant future. Guaranteed that even when you wipe the moats, there can be some droplets hiding within the seams and linings you may want to offer a chance to dissipate.
– Do not forget that the interior pot is meant to retain heat. Wash out the interior pot right away and let it totally dry earlier than storing it again in the cooker. And while that’s airing out, go away the lid open to let any trapped or pooled moisture evaporate.
Rice cooker FAQs
– When grabbing the lid or standing close to an active rice cooker, by no means put your hand or face over the steam vent.
Is a rice cooker worth it? What are its advantages?
In line with tens of millions of Asians around the world: sure. It’s extra of a necessity to most Asian households than even a blender or toaster oven, saving significant time, labor, and babysitting over what for a lot of families is a day by day chore.
It also saves much more time with cleanup, because the nonstick interiors take scrubbing out of the equation, and scorching, too. And whereas its name might hint at uni-tasking, digital rice cookers take on many makes use of with aplomb. Even the most basic ones can boil and steam simultaneously. With the extra superior, you can cook yogurt, oatmeal, stew, baby food, and even cake.
What is the advantage of using a rice cooker instead of my stove?
Rice is extremely absorbent and subsequently delicate to even minuscule variation in water-to-grain proportions, plus sticky to boot, so making rice on a stovetop can be tricky and requires extra hands-on work. A rice cooker absolutely automates the method, so you possibly can just add rice and water, press the cook button, and come again whenever you prefer to perfectly cooked rice.
Can a rice cooker be used as a slow cooker?
If it has a sluggish cooker perform, absolutely! We don’t advocate attempting to slow cook in a rice cooker without a gradual cooker function, nevertheless. Simply mind that because these models tend to be airtight; the lining may hold onto the taste of what you are making, so make sure to clean and air it out thoroughly.
Can I use a regular measuring cup?
It isn’t beneficial. Measuring cups that include rice cookers are usually 2 ounces less than a typical one cup measure, and usually sized to match the markings on the internal pot of the rice cooker.
Incremental measurements can make a noticeable distinction in the case of cooking rice, and if you use a traditional cup measure, the ratios might be off and affect the success of your finish consequence. But when you do happen to misplace it, a regular ¾-cup measure should do the trick with comparable results. Hold onto the one that comes together with your cooker, and just store it in the inside pot with its accessories to maintain it on hand.
How lengthy can I keep rice in a rice cooker?
Typically, rice is greatest consumed 15-forty five minutes after cooking. Nevertheless, that eating window might not work for everybody (otherwise you might have extra you want to save and keep ready for the next meal). Most rice cookers – even the most elementary one-button ones – come outfitted with a Keep Heat operate that keeps your rice at a meals secure temperature for hours after cooking.
Ideally, cooked rice needs to be saved at 140 levels Fahrenheit or larger on the Keep Warm setting. Totally different models can maintain that temperature for different amounts of time. One of the best rule of thumb is to use a thermometer to confirm that the rice is, the truth is, being held above 140 levels.
However, understand that the upper the temperature, the upper the danger of dry-out. Many hours spent on Keep Heat causes flavors to dissipate, too. Most manufacturers report 12 hours as the maximum rice ought to be stored in a rice cooker on the Keep Warm setting.
What’s one of the best technique to retailer cooked rice?
Enable it to cool and store in an airtight container, then devour it within six days; the prolonged shelf life if it is saved correctly.
To purchase extra time, you too can freeze it, but make sure you cool, package, and freeze it inside an hour after cooking to avoid bacterial development. Bacteria can dwell through the freezing process, dwelling in suspension solely to multiply once you heat back up, picking up right the place it left off.
What’s the very best way to reheat cooked rice?
When reheating, reconstitute the grains with a sprinkle of water, then cover and microwave. One serving in a bowl will take as little as 35 seconds this manner.
For larger batches, some superior rice cookers have a “reheat” operate (many of our prime picks do). If not, you can too choose to steam the rice.
Can I make rice straight away Pot or multicooker?
If your family eats rice usually, it’s worthwhile to invest in a devoted rice cooker that can last you for years. Nonetheless, rice cookers may be quite expensive and is probably not one of the best choice in the event you only cook or eat rice occasionally.
Multicookers like the moment Pot will be an excellent alternative if you want a foolproof approach to make rice once in a while. Most normally have a minimum of one setting for rice and may produce acceptable outcomes. They supply excellent worth and help maximize storage house by doing the job of multiple small appliance.
What’s Fuzzy Logic?
Fuzzy Logic-equipped rice cookers are microcomputerized (micom, for short) rice cookers that have smart settings that allow them to make micro-changes dynamically to the temperature and humidity through the cooking course of.
The most fundamental rice cookers rely on a one-button switch to cook and will mechanically flip through spring mechanism to keep Heat once the internal plate detects that all water has been absorbed into the rice grains. For instance, jasmine rice cooks differently than medium-grain rice, which cooks in another way than porridge. Fuzzy Logic allows for this variability. Fuzzy Logic, on the other hand, permits for extra flexibility with the intention to set preferences and programs for particular textures and features.
