A worldwide protean ingredient rice is the mainstay of many dishes, each day a new dish. While cooking rice on the stovetop is acceptable, the best rice cooker puts an end to the effort and guesswork required in making batches. Moreover, no more slaving over the stove for starchy, half-cooked sloppy or crunchy, half-finished grains. From single-button essentials great for hurried weeknight dinners to computerized systems that can cook every grain under the sun.
Whether you consider it a mundane carbohydrate or the centrepiece of your supper, rice is an affordable, quick, and flexible mainstay. And the best rice cooker can significantly improve flavour and texture. There are devices out there that make cooking precisely prepared rice easier and faster than ever before. To experience the different varieties of rice dishes, you need to see your rice is perfectly cooked. So, to make sure here are the top rice cookers for you.
Contents
- 1 What Is the Purpose of Using a Rice Cooker?
- 2 What materials are used in the rice cooker pot?
- 3 What does a PTFE and PFOA-free coating rice cooker mean?
- 4 Best rice cooker – a summary list
- 5 Features and reviews of the Best Rice Cooker Listings
- 5.1 #1. Breville Rice Cooker, Fast Slow Pro Slow Digital Rice Cooker
- 5.2 #2. Cuckoo Rice Cooker, 6 Cup Rice Cooker
- 5.3 #3. Mishcdea Low Carb Rice Cooker, Programmable Rice Cooker
- 5.4 #4. Instant Pot Duo Plus Top Mini Electric Pressure Cooker for rice, Beach Rice Cooker
- 5.5 #5. Aroma Housewares ARC-954SBD Fuzzy Rice Cooker
- 5.6 #6. BLACK+DECKER RC506 Rice Cookers for best rice
- 5.7 #7. Joseph Joseph 45002 Microwave Rice Cooker for best rice
- 6 Research Technique to select perfect Rice cooker
- 7 FAQs
- 8 Conclusion
What Is the Purpose of Using a Rice Cooker?
Rice can be cooked on the stovetop in a saucepan or pot. So why invest in rice cookers, a separate appliance that appears to be suited for only one role? The answer is very simple – because rice cookers always cook rice in the best way. Even the most experienced stove-top rice chefs might wind up with soggy, slimy rice that crusts to the pot and is difficult to clean.
Has many-sided than their name suggests, rice-cookers are easy to clean, safe, and well suitable. After not using one for the longest time, now it can become the most used device in your kitchen, aside from the refrigerator.
What materials are used in the rice cooker pot?
The inner pot of many rice cookers is built of aluminium coated with non-stick Teflon. This non-stick coating keeps the rice from sticking to the bottom of the surface. Moreover, when non-stick Teflon is scratched, however, hazardous chemicals are released. If Teflon is not scratched or overheated, it is safe. However, it becomes a problem when Teflon brings to temperatures above 500 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the rice cooker cooks rice near the boiling point (212 °F). As a result, there is no danger of Teflon overheating.
Teflon nonstick coating is layered with a chemical called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). And Perfluorooctanoic acid was used to make polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (PFOA).
What does a PTFE and PFOA-free coating rice cooker mean?
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) is a chemical that is used in the process of preparing PTFE. The nonstick coating is mainly composed of PTFE, which is also known as Teflon. Teflon, on the other hand, has been PFOA-free since 2013. As long as temperatures do not exceed 570°F (300°C), today’s nonstick and Teflon cookware is perfectly safe for everyday home cooking.
Did You Know?
Sticky rice holds the Great Wall of China together. If you’ve ever strived to take out caked-on rice from the base of a pot, you know how sturdy it can be. While the Great Wall was constructed throughout the Ming dynasty in the 15th and 16th centuries, workers utilized a porridge consisting of rice and calcium carbonate as a mortar to hold the wall’s stones in conjunction.
Best rice cooker – a summary list
#1. Breville BPR700BSS Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker – With an LCD screen for temperature indication, this Korean-designed product is popular among Amazon shoppers, with 4.6-star ratings.
#2. Cuckoo CR-0631F 6 Cup Micom Rice Cooker – This gadget outperforms a traditional rice cooker in every way: it prepares rice better, faster, and it keeps rice warm for up to 24 hours!
#3. Mishcdea Low Carb Rice Cooker, Digital Programmable Small Rice Cooker – It comes with 50 Starter pressure cooker recipes. Along with that, it has (1) stainless steel basket, (1) stainless steel rack, (1) rice spoon, and (1) measuring cup.
#4. Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini Electric Pressure Cooker – If your kitchen room doesn’t have enough space for a rice cooker or other essential appliances, then you haven’t met a 9-in-1 electric pressure cooker. A top-class choice for small to medium-sized families!
#5. Aroma Housewares ARC-954SBD Rice Cooker – It cooks white and brown rice up to 8cups and grains 50% faster. What more are you looking for?
#6. BLACK+DECKER RC506 – If you don’t want to give a toss kitchen appliance you’re searching for, this Black + Decker cooker is the best choice.
#7. Joseph Joseph 45002 Microwave Rice Cooker – A well-respected top brand with several excellent products to boast about, its accessories make your life far easier!
Features and reviews of the Best Rice Cooker Listings
#1. Breville Rice Cooker, Fast Slow Pro Slow Digital Rice Cooker
- Color changing LCD tells you when the cooker is pressurizing, cooking or releasing steam
- 3 Way Safety System/Safety locking lid, automatic hands free steam release, safety valve
- 11 pressure cook settings plus a custom setting to suit your favorite recipes
- Keep Warm function turns on after cooking so food is ready to serve when you are
- Removable cooking bowl with PTFE and PFOA free ceramic coating
Brown rice comes under low “glycemic index” food. The glycemic index (GI) shows how fast food raises a person’s blood sugar levels after eating. For more information about the glycemic index, refer to this link. Brown rice takes more time to cook than white rice as it consists fibrous bran layer. Not like white rice, brown rice retains its valuable bran and germ coating, making it chewier, nuttier, and a little difficult to prepare. Moreover, it has a very high price but features justify it.
Additionally, when it opens, it has stainless steel inner pot with a long-lasting PTFE and PFOA-free coated insert pot. Furthermore, this rice cooker is quiet while cooking and releases almost no vapour, so your kitchen won’t smell like whatever you’re preparing.
User Experience
While most users love the multiple modes functions but some have shown little concern about the retained food odour from the lid. However, I didn’t notice any significant complaints from users regarding this product. Unlike most pressure cookers, which only have a high or low-pressure setting, this includes a digital display. Many users liked the fact that this feature gives them the flexibility to set the pressure according to their needs. Besides, its adaptability is one feature most consumers appreciated.
Pros
- Multiple modes
- Detachable cord
- LCD for ongoing process
- Automatic settings
- Precise pressure setting
- 3 Way safety system
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Food retained order from the lid.
- Price is very high
My Verdict: If you’re looking for smooth functionality along with longevity, then this is the best product. Its features seek to call attention to this product.
#2. Cuckoo Rice Cooker, 6 Cup Rice Cooker
- MULTI-FUNCTIONAL: Features 8 menu options such as glutinous/white rice, GABA rice, mixed/brown rice, porridge, slow cook, reheat, and more amongst a...
- KITCHEN STAPLE: From small family gatherings to entertaining a few guests, this rice cooker provides the perfect serving amount with a 12-cup (cooked) capacity
- EASY TO USE: Effortlessly create meals with features like user-friendly digital controls, an LCD display, an included rice measuring cup for precise measuring,...
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Featuring a non-toxic nonstick inner pot with superior durability, a detachable inner lid to occasionally remove and clean, and an excess water...
- TRUSTED BRAND: Internationally known for superior quality and with over 40 years of industry experience, CUCKOO has perfected the art of cooking rice and...
One of the best features of Cuckoo rice cookers is that they keep rice incredibly moist and just-made-tasting for days on end; but, because of their small size, this feature is no longer available. This rice cooker produces excellent rice that does not burn on the bottom or sides. However, there are various options for different types of grains, cooking time/steaming duration, and timing settings (up to 12 hours ahead of time).
What I like most about it is that it allows you to control how soft or sticky your rice turns out to be. Furthermore, being one of the best rice cookers, it also has a specialized brown rice setting for impeccable cooking of healthy ingredients. Moreover, it has a very high price but features justify it.
Surprisingly it has the best servings for small to medium-sized families and even for small gatherings.
User Experience
According to the user reports, this is an excellent rice cooker for the money, especially if you have a hectic schedule and will use all the timer functions. They also found the pot to be easy to clean with only soap warm water, and a gentle sponge; no scrubbing is required. It’s been fantastic and reliable. I didn’t find many unhappy customers or ones with any major complaints. Many recommended that it is best for medium-grain white rice brown rice sushi rice and much more.
Pros
- Smart cooking algorithm
- Suitable for GABA rice and brown rice
- 10 different settings options
- Customized rice cooking
- The non-stick inner pot
- Easy to clean
Cons
- The pot size is smaller than it shows
- Price is very high
My Verdict: Other than the size issue, I have not seen any major problems with this product. In addition, it can cook a variety of rice and has expressed a thumbs up from its users. Furthermore, users were impressed by the design’s creativity, mainly with different settings options. So, it is a great rice cooker.
For more stainless-steel, inner pot rice cookers, don’t forget to visit our expert listings.
#3. Mishcdea Low Carb Rice Cooker, Programmable Rice Cooker
- 👍【Professionally Cooking Low Carb Rice】Max volume for low sugar rice is 1.5 cups uncooked. Low-carb rice cooker is a perfect gift for diabetics or the...
- 🥘【3 Cup Capacity】3 cup uncooked capacity yielding anywhere from 2 to 6 cups of cooked rice, designed for single people, young couples or girlfriends,...
- 🍝【Multi-menu Selections】Whether you are in the mood for a hearty jambalaya, soup/congee, white rice, brown rice, or stew, quinoa, oatmealand and low...
- 👆【Humanized Designs】The small rice cooker is user friendly with digital LED display and sensitive touch panel, so your cooking could be set by simply...
- ⏰【24H timer & Keep Warm】It's flexible for meal planning with 24-hour delay timer and auto keep warm for 12 hours. Just set the appropriate cooking time,...
It also has a stainless-steel inner body with comfortable grip handles and a gasket-sealed lid that is self-locking. Other features include Auto Keep-Warm Slow Cook for up to 12 hours. A ’24-hour delay’ timer is included in the smart cooker to assist you with meal planning. It automatically switches on the keep warm mode after cooking and keeps the food warm until you’re ready to eat it. The feature that impresses me most is that it removes excess unhealthy sugar and carbs through the rice soup box and rice inner pot.
The instructions are quite simple to comprehend. It’s simple to clean as the cleaning of the stainless steel external housing and removable inner lid are like a breeze. It shows the time when it is unplugged. Moreover, this rice cooker has a digital LED display and a sensitive touch panel. Besides various menu choices like hearty jambalaya, soup, congee, grain, white rice, brown rice and low sugar rice. However, it is recommended for people with high blood sugar to not drink rice soup in rice soup boxes as it has high sugar content. Moreover, the price is a little bit high but the peculiarities justify it.
User Experience
Users are amused with the different features and easy-to-operate functions. With this view, I would say that if you love spending time in the kitchen and experimenting with dishes, then don’t give it a second thought and go for it. Besides that, I have seen some customers were suggested to have a better instruction manual.
Pros
- Detachable inner lid
- Reduces sugar level up to 30-40%
- Includes accessories like power cable, rice spoon, measuring cup, rice soup box and manual.
- A big handle makes this rice cooker portable
- 24-hours delay timer
- It has 7 function keys
- Digital LED display
- Perfect size cooker for couples and small families
- Induction safe
Cons
- Complaints of giving a better instruction manual
- High price
My Verdict: On the whole, what I think about it is if you don’t want to stuff your kitchen space with different appliances, then this is an excellent product you must have. Cook your favourite Japanese rice with this one!
#4. Instant Pot Duo Plus Top Mini Electric Pressure Cooker for rice, Beach Rice Cooker
- 9-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, sterilizer and food warmer.
- IMPROVED STRESS-FREE VENTING: Intuitive and simple, our improved easy-release steam switch makes releasing steam easier than ever, and it automatically resets...
- REALTIME FEEDBACK: The easy-to-read display includes a full cooking progress bar lets you know what stage of the cooking program you’ve reached.
- QUICK ONE-TOUCH COOKING: 15 customizable Smart Programs for pressure cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, desserts and more.
- VERSATILE INNER COOKING POT: Food-grade stainless-steel cooking pot with a tri-ply bottom offers more even cooking and an anti-spin design that secures the pot...
Rice cooker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, warmer, steamer, yoghurt maker, sauté, and sterilizer all these functions are Instant Pot DUO Plus 3. Similarly, there are two more options of 6 and 8-quart versions for large families. Temperature, pressure, duration the 3rd gen microprocessor monitors all of them. The cooker considers the volume of the meal and distributes heat evenly across the many dishes to ensure consistency. Within a couple of minutes, you can cook half, medium, or hard-boiled eggs with the egg cooking function.
Moreover, it’s a fully sealed cooking environment that captures nutrients, flavours, and scents that make no concessions to food taste. The inside non-stick pan is composed of 3-ply food-grade stainless steel, which is long-lasting. This mini rice cooker on Amazon has 4.7-star ratings.
User Experience
Besides the feedbacks are full of a happy customer, some complaints were about customer service. In my opinion, that can be ignored for the variety of functions it swank. Furthermore, it does several things within that round footprint! and doesn’t take centre stage on the kitchen counter.
Pros
- Simple, Untroubled Venting
- 15 smart functions for one-touch cooking
- Large display
- Anti-spin for easy sauteing
- Easy seal lid
- Cook fast or cook slow
- Secure operation
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Didn’t find any complaint worth mentioning.
My Verdict: While I think the creativity and general charm have given it full marks! This one is the best product for those with limited kitchen storage.
For some more mini rice cooker options, don’t forget to refer to our expert listings.
#5. Aroma Housewares ARC-954SBD Fuzzy Rice Cooker
- Multi-Functional Use – Whether you're in the mood for perfectly cooked grains, belly-warming slow cooked stews, hearty oatmeal, steamed veggies, or even a...
- User-Friendly Programming – Easy-to-use with 8 preset digital functions and automatic Keep Warm mode when the cooking is finished.
- Simultaneous Steaming – With the included steam tray, steam foods above while rice, soup, or any other meal simultaneously cooks below, allowing you to save...
- Sauté-then-Simmer – Our patented function that allows you sauté and brown foods at high heat then once liquid added, the cooker will automatically switch to...
- 15-Hour Delay Timer – The programmable delay timer is great for families on the go, delivering delicious meals ready when they're needed, up to 15 hours in...
Aroma’s quick and reliable cooker can handle any task. It includes special functions for cooking up to 8 cups of grain, white and brown rice. There’s even a “quick rice” setting, which professes to cook grains up to 50% faster.
This Aroma version includes a steaming tray for cooking meat and veggies at the same time, as well as a removable nonstick inner cooking pot for simple cleaning. With a 15-hour delay timer and an automated keep-warm mode that activates when the rice is done cooking, this automatic appliance is ideal for home cooks who don’t have time to supervise a stove.
Also, this rice cooker with more than 25,000 five stars ratings is one of the top best rice cookers on Amazon. Even short-grain sticky rice for sushi cooks great in it.
User Experience
Each grain of rice was precisely cooked, distinct from the others, flowable, and uniform from the top to the bottom of the pot. It’s incredible and stunning. Aroma Housewares is super convenient to use and clean. Users are amazed by the automatic keep-warm function and digital control. Yet some users complained about efforts in cleaning.
Pros
- Capacity – 4 Quarts
- Can cook both white rice and brown rice
- Easy-to-use
- Sauté-then-simmer feature
- Digital control
- 15-hour delay timer
Cons
- Beeps a little loud
My Verdict: If you are looking for a multifunctional device, then this is the perfect product. I think the features, unquestionably, outrun the price! Besides, it offers apparatus for other uses.
If you have developed a fondness for sushi and need some more rice cookers for sushi options, don’t forget to refer to our expert listings.
#6. BLACK+DECKER RC506 Rice Cookers for best rice
- 6-Cup Capacity - Prepare anywhere from 1 to 6 cups of cooked rice, great for small or large meals, and for leftovers. ETL Listed
- Automatic Keep Warm - The rice stays ready for serving! The rice cooker automatically switches to the “keep warm” function after cooking is complete.
- Nonstick Rice Pot - The nonstick rice pot is completely removable for easy dishwasher cleanup. Dimensions are 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 inches
- Food Steaming Basket - The included food steaming basket lets you make healthy meals with vegetables, fish, and more. Measuring Cup and Spoon Included - The...
- Volts: 120V. Wattage: 300W
This device smoothly prepares up to 6 cups of soft rice under 30 minutes and keeps it warm until ready to serve with an automatic warming mode. Its glass lid allows you to see the preparation of your grains, while a smartly designed cool-touch plastic knob to handle rests on each side of the cooker.
In addition, it comes along with a measuring cup, serving spoon, and a steaming basket, so you’re ready to experiment with a variety of healthy food. The nonstick rice pot is fully removable, making cleanup a cinch in the dishwasher. The dimensions of this item are 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 inches. The measuring cup makes it simple to prepare the right amount of rice, while the plastic serving spoon protects the nonstick rice cooker from scratches. Customers admire how simple it is to use and clean the rice cooker, and more than 15,000 of them have left quintessential ratings.
User Experience
Users are highly impressed with the fast cooking and no splattering water out of the cooker. They said that it performed really well. Whether it is jasmine rice or Spanish rice users have been able to cook a variety of rice without any mess. However, I notice some concern about the bottom scorched rice. I think the right amount of water in rice will avoid burnt rice.
Pros
- Capacity: 6 Cups (Cooked)
- Ready Indicator Light: Yes
- Warranty: 2-Year Limited
- Automatic Keep Warm
- Tempered Glass Lid
- Food Steaming Basket
Cons
- Complaints of scorching the rice.
My Verdict: Highly rated product from users and a great option for the first step in the kitchen. So, don’t exert yourself to choose the right product and go for it!
#7. Joseph Joseph 45002 Microwave Rice Cooker for best rice
- Measure, wash, cook and serve perfectly fluffy rice and grains in one
- Set comprises of 2 L cooking pot, colander, measuring cup and multi-purpose rice paddle
- Rice paddle can lock the pot lid whilst providing two convenient carrying handles
- Paddle also can be used as a spoon for fluffing and serving cooked rice
- Dishwasher safe
It contains a chamber, colander, rice paddle, lid, and measuring cup. What makes this appliance the best rice cooker is its majestic design that discards any inconvenience of moving your pot out of the microwave. The rice paddle tends to adhere to the edges of the cooking chamber’s circumference.
However, this allows you to safely remove the cookware from the microwave. It also helps in the correct lock of the lid. This rice cooker costs a little more than similar models from other brands. On the whole, the best rice cooker is its design that makes him ahead of the competition.
User Experience
Although it’s a pocket-friendly product, some users felt that it takes less space in your kitchen. According to them, the rice cooker performed exceptionally. This microwave cooker includes a colander for easy rinse and drains. There was some issue with the melting in the microwave. Overall, I think it is a great product.
Pros
- Suitable for multi-grains, cookies
- Includes colander, measuring cup, and rice paddle
- Dishwasher safe
- Tested for microwave usage
Cons
- Complaints about melting in the microwave
My Verdict: A handy product to have, especially if the storage area is limited. Furthermore, they were impressed by the design’s simplicity. Although some may consider it a disadvantage, I believe that being little makes things more convenient. For 800W Microwave Ovens, instructions and cooking time are provided. One more thing, don’t ever try to cook chicken in it!
Research Technique to select perfect Rice cooker
There is a profusion of brands and kinds on the market boasting to be the greatest; are you well qualified as a shopper to weed out the misleading profess? So, after looking at the diversity of cookers on Amazon and reading countless reviews, I decided to use my expertise to guide you. On the whole, in my research, I utilized the following criteria to compile a list of the best rice cookers in several categories to lessen your efforts.
However, I’d like to designate that, even though there are numerous rice cookers on the market to suit according to budgets, selecting the right rice cooker can be challenging. Here’s what I’ve examined before deciding on the best model:
Features
The competency of the product was my compelling interest. However, due to the lack of reliability of such companies, I have eliminated the less trustworthy brands with competency. In addition, I have given a top ranking according to the accessories provided, the quality, price, simple functions, and other factors. There is a wide range of deals available in the rice cookers. Always check the personal information stated to know about the features.
Price
As you know, price is the foremost key factor that limits or expands our options. I have selected the products to assist you in deciding between price and functionality. As a result, my goal was to compile a list of the best options for appliances ranging in price from high to low.
Accessories
Furthermore, it is undeniable that a decent accessory set adds a great deal of value to any purchase. The accessories aren’t limited to a single rice cooker but can make use further in cooking and baking efforts.
Versatility
Again, it will settle to the purpose for which the end-user is purchasing the product. Choose the varied alternatives if you want to get the most out of your rice cookers by exploring with cooking pasta, boiling stews, and steaming veggies. Just in case if all you want to do is cook rice, get a durable rice cooker with no frills.
Easy to Use
These products are created with the idea to make your life easier, not the other way around. Therefore, you must choose a model that is simple to use and does not obstruct your workflow.
FAQs
1. What is the need for a rice cooker?
A point often overlooked about a rice cooker is that it cut corners and eliminates the guesswork of perfect rice cooking. Every single time. All you have to do is put the rice and water in the cooker and forget about it. You don’t have to keep an eye on the pot or change the burner temperature from high to low at precisely the appropriate time. Hence, you’ll spend less time cleaning up when the rice doesn’t burn or stick to the pot.
2. What is the ideal rice cooker size?
Rice is a staple food in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Indonesian meals and Italian, French, and Spanish. The size of the rice cooker you require depends on whether you frequently cook rice for one person or a family of four to six people. The capacity of a rice cooker is measured in cups. One cup of uncooked rice is just about 2 cups of cooked rice. Therefore, the recommended serving size per person is about 12 cups uncooked, which will double to about 1 cup when cooked.
3. For perfect rice, what is the ideal water-to-rice ratio?
The standard ratio is 2 cups of water for every cup of uncooked rice. However, because the type of grain varies, follow the quantity of water that is mentioned in the manual which came with your rice cooker. Most importantly, while measuring rice and water, always use the plastic cup that came with the rice cooker. The cup given by some brands is not the conventional size. If you use a different cup to measure the water, the ratio will be off.
4. How long does it take to cook rice in a rice cooker?
Not only do rice cookers make it simple and quick to prepare rice but it varies on the rice cooker brand, model, and kind of rice. Depending on the grain type – white, Jasmine, or short – white rice might take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes to cook. Brown rice takes longer to cook, especially if there isn’t a brown rice setting. Some models even have a “rapid cook” setting that allows you to make delicious rice in half the time. Check the product directions for the optimum method of cooking rice for consistently excellent results.
5. What are the reputed brands to consider for rice cookers?
Zojirushi Rice cooker is pretty famous for its unique features and exceptional performance. Moreover, some other popular brands are Cuckoo, Hamilton, Aroma Houseware and Instant Pot duo. These brands have maintained their place in the rice cooker market for several years and you can trust them definitely.
Conclusion
Selecting the best rice cooker, go for a device that eases your time and effort. It is essential to understand its various aspects. This knowledge will lead to stress-free cooking. Additionally, to make it simple, you can go through our website to know more about the types of rice cookers.
Besides, I have set the seal even for budget-conscious readers. Hence, you have the ample mix variety to pick without going through the hassle of searching from different places for the same. So go ahead and choose the one that suits you the best.
Yogita, a graduate of arts, is very warm and passionate. Her huge appetite for knowledge has lead to blogging about kitchenwares. Being a culinarian herself, her experience will help you to decide what suits you the best. Selecting the best kitchen product might be confusing, but Yogita will help you choose the best product according to your need and comfort, for early morning fruit juice to midnight soup! And to know the range of kitchen product to your healthy diet, you will get it all!