Before the rice cooker came along, traditionally the only way to cook rice was with a pot, spoon, and consistent heat. You had to tend to it, nurse it, drain it, and hope it didn’t come out gluggy or dry or stuck to the bottom of the pan.
For such a simple grain, cooking rice is not something that everyone could prepare well. More often than not, it was easier to get it wrong. However, when the rice cooker came onto the scene, home cooks could rejoice. They could now cook rice without needing to worry about watching it or cooking enough for a village rather than a household.
The rice cooker soon took care of everything. You could sit back, relax, or prepare other dishes as part of the meal. The rice cooker variety has also grown significantly since it first hit the market all those years ago. You can now buy a cooker big enough for two cups of rice, four, or even more.
You can also purchase industrial-sized ones for the likes of sushi restaurants that rely on quality, well-cooked rice every time. Since the rice cooker came onto the scene, food wastage and stress levels have changed forever.
If you’re tired of never being able to prepare this staple food item correctly, then could it possibly be time to buy one for your household? If so, you will be amazed at how these options below will cater to your requirements with ease.
1. Comfee 5L Electric Rice Cooker and Warmer Photo: Comfee
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If you are thinking about buying a rice cooker, you may be put off by the fact that it can only do one thing: cook rice. Even if it’s going to make life more convenient, it can be hard to justify taking up a lot of space in the kitchen for an appliance that can only do one thing.
However, this Comfee rice cooker will surprise you in more ways than one. Not only does it cook rice – and cook it well, but it has 11 menu options to cater to your meal requirements. You can use this rice cooker for taking care of quinoa, pasta, brown rice, and sauteing, soups, and stews too. It may be a convenient rice cooker, but it’s also so much more.
It has a five-liter water capacity too, which means it can hold up to 10 cups of uncooked rice, turning it into 20 cups of cooked rice. As a result, it’s more than suitable for home use and even some commercial operations.
Features
11 menu settings Five-liter capacity 10-cup uncooked capacity 20-cup cooked capacity 24-hour preset timer Warm function LED digital panel Touch control Rice measuring cup Steam rack Rice paddle Soupspoon Condensation collector
Pros
Convenient features Affordable price tag Suitable for small and large families Versatile Comes with a range of accessories A generous number of menu settings such as brown rice, quinoa, slow cooking, and more
Cons
It doesn’t come with instructions for water-to-rice ratio Takes up a lot of space in the kitchen 2. Aroma Housewares Stainless Steel Digital Cool Touch Rice Cooker Photo: Aroma
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The rice cooker variety on the market is getting more substantial, but it doesn’t make it any easier to find one that’s affordable yet ticks the boxes for quality as well. You will be pleased to know this one from Aroma Housewares does. It’s suitable for a small family, holding up to eight cups of cooked rice, while also offering a range of other features as well.
You can delay the rice cooking by up to 15 hours, or keep it warm thanks to the warmer feature as well. What’s more, while your rice cooks at the bottom of this stainless steel or white unit, you can be steaming meat and vegetables on the top. As a result, it’s the perfect appliance for health-conscious and busy professionals who don’t have time to cook and want a device to do all the hard work.
If you’re in a hurry, the flash function enables you to cut the cooking time in half, while also benefiting from the versatility of being able to cook white rice or brown rice in it too. Priced affordably and suitable for a range of people, you are sure to love everything this cooker has to offer.
Features
8-cup capacity Effortless to operate Programmable digital functions Warmer Two options – stainless steel and white 50% faster than cooking in a pot 15-hour cook delay Steam tray Rice measuring cup Spatula Flash rice function Recipes
Pros
The very affordable price tag Versatile Compact size You can steam meat and vegetables in it while cooking rice Comes with a range of functions
Cons
Rice sticks to the bottom when it has finished cooking It can take time to get the water to rice ratio correct 3. Aroma Housewares Pot Style Rice Cooker Photo: Aroma
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Rather than waste time with a pot and risk burning your rice, why not invest in a small rice cooker that will cook your rice far quicker and easier? Aside from its ease of use, you will also appreciate the style of this cooker. You can buy it in white, red, or black, and benefit from its compact and funky design for ease of use on any benchtop.
What’s more, it takes one touch to use, cooks up to six cups of rice, and has a transparent glass lid so you can see what’s happening. You also don’t need to worry about other appliances to cook for the rest of your meal. Put the rice in the bottom, your meat and vegetables on the top, and dinner will be ready in an hour.
Features
Six-cup capacity One-touch operation Warm function Tempered glass lid Steam tray Rice measuring cup Spatula Three options – red, black, and white
Pros
Suitable for a range of meals Compact and small size Affordable price tag Comes with a variety of accessories Effortless to use Steams vegetables and meat at the same time Suitable for small families
Cons
Rice can burn and stick to the bottom It can be messy to use 4. Proctor Silex Mini Electric Rice Cooker Photo: Proctor Silex
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If you are trying to live a far healthier lifestyle, then investing in a rice cooker is an excellent place to start. Rather than be put off by the challenge of cooking rice, you can put up to four cups of uncooked rice in this cooker, set it, then come back to eight cups of perfectly cooked grains. Every member of the family will enjoy how easy this cooker is to use.
While it’s made for use with long-grain white rice, you can use it with other types as well. You may need to alter the water and quantity of rice for different varieties, however. It comes with a lid, accessories, a non-stick pot, and plenty of convenient functions to impress.
Features
Eight-cup capacity Warm function Non-stick pot Lid and accessories included White long-grain rice cooker Cooks four cups of rice
Pros
Affordable price tag Versatile and easy to use Suitable for small and large families
Cons
Takes up a lot of space on the bench The capacity is smaller than advertised 5. Oyama Inner Pot Electric Rice Cooker with Stainless Steamer Tray Photo: Oyama
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If you run a sushi restaurant, or you have a large family who loves rice, then this rice cooker is for you. Not only is it affordable and easy to use, but it can prepare up to 16 cups of rice without you having to use a pot or lift a finger.
It features high-quality stainless steel, a robust outer shell, and a glass lid so you can see what’s happening inside the unit. What’s more, you can add your vegetables, meat, and other ingredients and cook everything together.
It even lets you cook all manner of rice varieties with included instructions to help you prepare the right quantities and ratios. When you buy this cooker, you get a free steamer tray so that you can benefit from everything this 16-cup rice cooker has to offer.
Features
Stainless steel Steamer tray Eight-cup capacity Glass lid Non-toxic Steamer 120-volt
Pros
You can use the steamer tray for cooking other food as you prepare your rice Large capacity for home or commercial use Will hold eight cups of rice to provide 16 cups. You receive the steamer tray free when you buy the cooker It’s an attractive cooker
Cons
The surface materials chip off The rice capacity is not accurate 6. Zojirushi Fuzzy Premium Rice Cooker and Warmer Photo: Zojirushi
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If you want the rice cooker you purchase to have all the bells and whistles, then don’t look past this one from Zojirushi. Designed to take rice cooking to the next level, it’s packed full of helpful meal preparation features. It also caters to both professionals and home cooks thanks to its 5.5-cup capacity for cooking. Mount it to the wall, put it on your bench, and get cooking.
It comes with several menu options depending on the rice you want to cook, as well as functions for warming, reheating, and cooking hard or soft to suit your preference.
It also has a built-in timer and clock and comes with a range of accessories as well. Rather than battle away with a pot and spoon, you can now invest in a far more convenient cooking method for your family or business.
Features
Wall-mountable Computerized Multi-menu selections Warm function reheat cycles Non-stick pot 5.5-cup capacity Eight functions Two measuring cups Rice spoon 1-year warranty Rice holder Recipes
Pros
There are different settings for different rice varieties and preferences You can choose from hard or soft rice Compact size Rinse-free for convenience Extended warming function You can mount it to the wall to keep it out of the way Suitable for commercial or home use
Cons
More expensive than many other cookers on the market You can’t remove the steam vent It has a strong plastic smell The non-stick coating peels off with a lot of use 7. Tiger Corporation Rice Cooker with Food Steamer Photo: Tiger Corporation
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If you want a “no-frills” approach to cooking rice that’s still easier than cooking it in a pot on your stove, then this rice cooker may be the answer. Even though it’s more expensive than other options, it’s easy to use, effortless to clean and care for, and will still provide you with the opportunity to prepare an entire meal within it. Add your rice, meat, and vegetables, and wait for it to make itself.
It also has a non-stick pot to make cleaning it a breeze, as well as arriving with accessories such as a measuring cup, cookbook, and spatula. It’s very lightweight too, which means you can move it from one surface to the next without it being a problem. Effortless to use and simple to care for, you will be pleased with what this rice cooker can do for you.
Features
Syncro-cooking function One-button operation Four functions Easy-clean Non-stick pot Spatula Cooking plate Measuring cup cookbook
Pros
Effortless to operate Compact size Easy to clean Lightweight and not at all cumbersome You can cook meat and vegetables in it with the rice The buttons and instructions are clear to use and follow
Cons
Cooking would be easier if the paddle stand was attached to the rice cooker It doesn’t tell you how long there is left for it to cook It doesn’t have any advanced functions For the price, you would expect it to be more technologically advanced 8. Panasonic 1-Step Automatic Rice Cooker Photo: Panasonic
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For small families who enjoy rice dishes, this rice cooker will take your cooking experience to a new level. Within a short amount of time, you can be enjoying rice cooked to perfection by this unit from Panasonic.
It can turn three cups of uncooked rice into six cups of fluffy rice, it has a non-stick pan for effortless cleaning, and there is only one step involved in the cooking process. As a result, you are going to enjoy it far more than other rice cooking methods on the market.
When you buy this rice cooker, you will also enjoy that it comes with a glass lid you can see through, as well as accessories. The rice scoop and measuring cup will ensure you get the right water to rice ratio every time. When the time comes to make cooking dinner far more effortless, invest in this Panasonic cooker.
Features
3-cup capacity One-step cooking process Non-stick pan Aluminum pan Glass lid Plastic handle Measuring cup Rice scoop
Pros
Produces six cups of cooked rice – plenty for a family It’s a robust and well-made unit Fairly affordable for the price Comes with all the accessories you need for use The lid is glass so you can see the rice cooking The pan is easy-care and aluminum It’s non-stick so the rice won’t stick to the bottom It’s a far easier method than cooking in a pot
Cons
It overflows and spills water when you put the maximum amount of rice in there No vent in the cover It has a strong chemical smell upon first use The capacity is less than advertised 9. Cuckoo Electric Heating Pressure Rice Cooker Photo: Cuckoo
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If you want the best of the best when it comes to kitchen appliances, then set your sights on this rice cooker from Cuckoo. While there is no denying it’s a more significant investment than other rice cookers on the market, you get what you pay for.
The quality and convenience of this cooker are undeniable. As a programmable pressure cooker, it comes with a range of fun features such as a self-opening lid, voice function, and a self-cleaning mode.
What’s more, it features high-quality materials such as non-stick coating, diamond-coated inner lining, and aluminum. The inner lid is even detachable for easy cleaning, while the entire unit has many options for different rice varieties.
Rather than opt for a no-frills rice cooker that will never be as convenient to operate, set your sights on this cooker that will provide no end of convenience for the home’s cook.
Features
Non-stick coating Six-cup capacity Detachable lid Voice function Easy-clean Intelligent cooking function Diamond-coated inner pot material Automatic lid opener Digital display with timer Technologically advanced features
Pros
It has plenty of functions to make cooking rice far easier You can tell when it’s going to be ready It’s effortless to use and clean It’s a compact and sleek design It’s suitable for families It has an auto-clean function
Cons
It dries rice out on the heating mode The rice smells after first use The automatic opening lid can be a danger and unbalances the unit 10. VitaClay Smart Organic Multi-Cooker Photo: VitaClay
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If you want to lead a healthy lifestyle with no toxins or harmful chemicals, then it might be time to try this multi-cooker from VitaClay. As an organic cooker, it features no lead, non-stick chemicals or aluminum, and has a clay pot for cooking a range of food items. While the lid has aluminum in it, the cooking pot itself doesn’t.
You can use it for rice, making cheese, germinating rice, and even making yogurt. No matter the task, you are sure to find this cooker hits the mark in more ways than one.
It’s also four times faster than regular slow cookers while allowing you to make yogurt at a low temperature. While it’s more expensive than other units, it’s perfect for those who like to decrease the number of chemicals they allow in their home.
Features
Clay pot Aluminum and lead-free No non-stick chemicals Low-temperature yogurt maker Cheesemaker Germinates rice Four-times faster than other slow cookers 500-600-watt unit
Pros
Cooks far quicker than other rice cookers and slow cookers Free of nasty chemicals Suitable for a range of tasks such as making cheese, yogurt, and more Customizable settings Compact size
Cons
The pot is aluminum-free, but the lid isn’t It’s not as well-made as other units on the market Considerations for Purchasing a Rice Cooker
The variety of rice cookers on the market can sometimes be overwhelming, with so many options for the home or professional cook. However, if you’re looking to purchase one in the future, you may like to consider the following features below.
Cup Capacity
The cup capacity is vital because it refers to how many people in your family or business you can feed. However, if a rice cooker has a five-cup capacity, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will provide five cups of rice.
Instead, it will allow you to fill it with five cups of uncooked rice, producing 10 cups of cooked rice. The bigger the cup capacity, the more suitable it is for larger families and commercial operations.
Steaming Trays
Rather than buy an appliance that can only do one thing – cook rice, you need to pay attention to what else each machine can do. For example, if they come with steam trays, you can add your rice, vegetables, and meat all in one cooker and utilize it as a one-pot meal device.
Versatility
The versatility of your cooker is crucial because rice cookers can generally be quite big units. You don’t want to have one sitting on your bench if all it can do is cook rice. Instead, see if it can help prepare yogurt at low temperatures, cook different types of rice, quinoa, and germinate rice as well.
Accessories
The cup size can differ substantially, depending on the cooker you buy. As a result, it’s crucial to make sure your cooker comes with a measuring cup, rice scoops, and spatulas as well. Without them, you may get the water to rice ratio wrong and get either burnt or gluggy rice.
Glass Lid
Not every rice cooker comes with a glass lid, but it’s a crucial component if you want to benefit from convenience while you cook. A rice cooker with a glass lid enables you to check the rice to make sure it’s cooking as it should while offering a means of ventilation as well.
The Best Tips for Cleaning Small Appliances Always consult your user's manual before cleaning any appliance. First, unplug and cool the appliance device. Use a cloth dampened with mild dishwashing liquid Wipe to wipe, and then dry the machine with a soft paper towel or cloth. Baking soda powder is also a good cleanser for most appliances. If you choose to use spray cleaners, never spray them directly on devices. Do not let any moisture to come in connection with electrical parts. Never immerse any appliance or any part of a device in water unless specifically labeled "immersible" in the care guide. About Jenna Van Der Hoorn
Jenna Van Der Hoorn is a journalist and freelance writer with several years of experience writing for newspapers and publications around the world. She has a particular affinity for real estate content but also loves to get stuck into SEO blog content. In her spare time, you’ll find her with either a book or dog leash in her hand.
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