Best Rice Cookers For Tasty And Healthy Meals

Love to eat rice but hate to cook it? Why not try the rice cooker? Not only will these handy devices save you time, effort, and space. But they will allow you to always cook your rice to perfection. Thanks to their various sensors and additional functions.

The modern rice cookers guarantee that you will never again find yourself with soft, soggy, overcooked, or undercooked rice. On the contrary, they will make you experience the wonderful texture of rice, its delicious taste, and even its chewy appearance.

Best of all? Most modern rice cookers are not unitaskers – in addition to rice, they can also cook other grains, including oats, quinoa and barley, steamed vegetables and meat, and meat stews. stews. So, if you are short on time or want to simplify the preparation of your lunch, try the rice cooker.

Here you will find reviews of some of the best rice cookers on the market, which should help you choose the right cooker for you.

What is a rice cooker?

For this product to function effectively, it requires certain specific characteristics to achieve its objective, which is to cook rice. Rice cookers usually consist of a bowl that is removable and made of non-stick material, a lid, usually made of glass and two basic controls with only two positions: “Cook and keep warm”. Under the bowl is a heater and thermostat, basically, these components make up the rice cooker.

The rice cooker has to stop automatically when the food is cooked, this is the basic principle that the product uses. The thermostat constantly measures the temperature and as long as there is rice water in the rice it will remain stable, however by reducing the water level and evaporating completely the temperature rises rapidly and the thermostat switches from cooking mode to hold mode hot, leaving the rice ready to taste.

Thanks to all these benefits they have become indispensable in homes, where it makes work a lot easier for the user.

Best Rice Cookers – Comparison Table

Product	weight	Pot Size	Price
Hamilton Beach 37541	5.95 lb	20 cup	Check Price
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10	9.5 lb	5.5 Cup	Check Price
Tiger JBV-S18U	7.5 lb	10 Cups	Check Price
Aroma ARC-753SG	4.06 lb	6 Cup	Check Price
Cuisinart CRC-400	5.42 lb	4 Cup	Check Price
Cuckoo clock CRP-P0609S	15 lb	10 Cup	Check Price

Top 7 Rice Cookers Review

However, there are many models: rather individual, rather family focused on ease of use or on the contrary on the range of features. It is therefore particularly difficult to make a choice, all the more if one is not informed about the elements to be considered to assess the quality-price ratio of a product.

That’s why we analyzed and compared the top 7 rice cookers sold in America for nearly 54 hours, and took into account the opinions of 712 consumers.

Following our last update, our favorite model is the Hamilton Beach 37541: it has a large capacity, can cook other foods simultaneously and can cook any type of rice very precisely.

Hamilton Beach 37541- The best choice for large families

Do you often prepare meals for a large number of people and want to preserve your budget as much as possible? In this case, the Hamilton Beach 37541 is a solution that offers sufficient capacity for a large family and is often offered for a price of around $ 60 online.

Our impression

The design is rather well thought out, despite a very slight defect: it is impossible to remove the cover, which is not very comfortable to clean it. It is however an anecdotal element, which is quickly forgotten thanks to the simplicity of use.

Everything is accessible with the buttons on the front of the device. You have all the essential features, including keeping warm, steaming, or a mode suitable for whole rice and certain cereals. The appliance can be used as a slow cooker for beans or soups.

You can schedule the machine to start up to 15 hours in advance. You also benefit from a basket allowing you to cook meat or vegetables simultaneously with rice. The main container is removable and dishwasher safe, like the accessories: the rice spoon and the measuring cup.

Finally, with regard to the quality of manufacture, we have no complaints to make. The unit is plastic, but strong. Hamilton Beach also offers a 5-year limited warranty on this product.

What could be improved?

The Hamilton Beach 37541 does not offer advanced features: above all, it is an easy-to-use device designed to make life easier for large families. Furthermore, its reasonable price and its manufacturing quality make it a good investment. If you have a strong appetite, don’t hesitate.

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Zojirushi NS-ZCC10- The cookers for real rice lovers

If you really love rice and are used to including it in a lot of preparations, Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy 5.5 cups may be for you, as it allows you to consistently achieve perfect cooking depending on what you are cooking.

Our impression

Let’s first mention an element that can be prohibitive: the design really lacks finesse and elegance. It must be recognized: in a kitchen, the device is difficult to integrate into decoration.

However, that is not really its purpose. This cooker aims above all to offer different modes of cooking rice adapted to all tastes: whether you want to prepare white rice, brown rice, mixed recipes, or porridge, the appropriate programs are available. It’s perfect for Asian food lovers.

Be careful though: versatility is limited. You do have a steam function for cooking other foods, but given the price range, it is possible to expect more. Two measuring glasses, a non-stick rice spatula, and its storage compartment as well as recipes are included in the box.

The machine has a fairly massive side which is explained by its technological wealth: it weighs 4.31 kg, or 9.5 lb, and measures 33 * 20.7 * 25.7 cm, which is equivalent to 12.99 * 8.15 * 10.12 in. It is more bulky than the average cooker, but it is acceptable on a counter unless you really run out of space.

The capacity is 5.5 cups, or about 1 kg, of cooked white rice. This is reasonable for a family of three to four, provided you don’t plan to prepare all of your meals on the unit.

You benefit from an LCD screen displaying in particular the timer. On the other hand, the use is a bit complex: you have to read the instructions, be patient, and know-how to adapt. But it is logical and always allows us to obtain a perfect result. The solidity is excellent, and the maintenance easy, thanks to the removable dishwasher-safe container.

What could be improved?

The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy 5.5 cups targets above all real rice lovers, who want to make a little more original preparations: sushi, rice pudding, porridge are part of the range of possibilities of the device. It is interesting for buyers who like to cook and particularly demanding on the quality of cooking.

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Tiger JBV-S18U -The most advanced

With the Tiger JBV-S18U, the brand has taken advantage of technological developments to offer a modern, efficient cooker, offering ample capacity for a family of four.

Our impression

Let us first mention the most problematic point: the device is particularly bulky. It is much heavier than average since it weighs 3.4 kg, i.e. 7.5 lb, and since it measures 30.2 * 25.4 * 38.4 cm, i.e. 11.89 * 10 * 15.12 in, better to avoid the purchase if you live in a small studio for example.

But it must be recognized that this cooker was more designed for families since it can accommodate up to 10 cups of uncooked white rice, or 1.85 kg, which is more than enough to anticipate the preparation of two meals.

There are 10 programs included, which allow you to prepare rice, soups or porridge. In addition, on the LCD screen you have an extremely practical and easy to read timer. You have the option of programming the cooking times in advance. All this is done through the buttons on the front of the device.

We consider that the use lacks intuitiveness. Some buttons are used for several things, and it is absolutely essential to read the manual to understand how to make the settings correctly.

In fact, it is a product that breaks habits. In particular, you put the rice bowl on top of a plate. It is surprising at first, but does not interfere in practice. You have a container for steaming other foods, and are therefore able to prepare an entire meal.

As for the strength of the product, there is no problem to note: you can keep it for a long time. Its main flaws are above all the originality of its handling, which, without being extremely complex, can be disruptive, and a price that would have deserved to be reflected in an even slightly higher capacity.

What could be improved?

The Tiger JBV-S18U is a fairly complete machine, and very durable. Only, it is not intuitive to use in everyday life, and you may quickly find it unpleasant if you do not manage to adopt the right habits. In addition, the price remains high, some cheaper cookers offer better capacity.

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Aroma ARC-753SG -The affordable and versatile option

You can acquire the Aroma ARC-753SG at a cheap price . Without offering advanced features, it is a little more powerful, and therefore more versatile than entry-level models. It can be used for households of one to three people.

Our impression

This cooker is rather easy to store or place on a counter since it measures 20.8 * 20.6 * 26.2 cm for a weight of 1.84 kg, which is equivalent to 8.19 * 8.11 * 10.31 in for 4.06 lb. There is more compact, but it is in a low average which makes it acceptable in a small apartment or studio.

One major drawback should be noted: the appliance can overcook your rice or your food. This has the effect of creating a sticky deposit at the bottom of the tank, which is of course unpleasant to clean and can cause waste. Its capacity is low: less than 3 cups of uncooked white rice or 500 g.

On the other hand, we must recognize a certain versatility in it. Unlike entry-level products that show poor performance in preparing something other than rice. The Aroma ARC-753SG does very well for soups or pasta in particular: you can vary the pleasures even if you lack time.

The overall build quality is a bit disappointing. The rice container is removable, and designed in stainless steel, but is nevertheless not very resistant. Aroma offers a one-year limited warranty on this device. It also happens to be the durability that you can expect with regular maintenance.

Everything works with a single button. It is undeniably simple. However, you can’t help but be disappointed with the lack of additional features: automatic warming is available, but in this price range it would have been nice to have at least a one-time.

What could be improved?

roma ARC-753SG is an interesting rice cooker because it is compact and you can achieve satisfactory results for other foods. However, it really lacks functionality: so be aware that for ten dollars more, you can get a much more complete device.

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Cuisinart CRC-400- The most stylish

You want to equip yourself with a rice cooker, but for you the aesthetic matters and you want it to be able to integrate in your kitchen in an elegant way? In this case the Cuisinart CRC-400 may please you thanks to a well-crafted design.

Our impression

What strikes you at first glance with this device is the attention paid to the general aesthetics by Cuisinart: it is indeed very pretty, with its unusual square shape and its glass cover. Its brushed stainless steel design gives it both elegance and discretion.

Unfortunately, if the object is beautiful, it is not very strong. It tends to run out very quickly, and the lifespan is not phenomenal: count a year or a little more if you perform regular maintenance and you do not have too intensive use. In this price range, it’s just too short.

There is also a lack of features that we find annoying: you only have the option to cook and keep warm. Admittedly, the use is facilitated, but it is available on all products, even the cheapest.

The unit is a bit heavier than other cookers, at 2.46 kg or 5.42 lb. However, this is perfectly acceptable. As for the dimensions, they are 25.4 * 27.4 * 25.4 cm, that is to say 10 * 10.79 * 10 in. The square shape is very convenient for storage: you can easily slip the product into a cupboard, much like a cardboard box.

Maintenance is very simple, since all of the removable elements can be cleaned directly in the dishwasher. You have a basket to accommodate food to be steamed. The glass lid, as well as the spatula and the rice container, also benefited from a significant work on aesthetics.

The product has a capacity of 4 cups for white rice before cooking, i.e. approximately 740 g. It is a value that is in the middle of this price range and which is sufficient for a family of three to four depending on appetites and frequency of use.

What could be improved?

If you are not worried about budget matters, and what matters most to you is to have a nice appliance that will fit into your kitchen, you can opt for the Cuisinart CRC-400. But its price-performance ratio is less attractive than that of other products, and its functionality is limited.

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Cuckoo clock CRP-P0609S

There is a rice cooker which is known as the best rice cooker currently on the market, created with you in mind. Cuckoo clock wants to help you get your culinary juices flowing by being everything you need, literally.

Our impression

This is the Cuckoo CRP-P0609S, a multi-function cooking appliance designed to help you express your culinary creativity endlessly. Its versatile nature makes steaming vegetables, fish, and poultry extremely easy and fast, as it uses steam technology.

This technology helps ensure that steamed foods are not overcooked or undercooked, as this can affect the health of the people who consume them. This rice cooker includes elements such as its aluminum steam tray, an internal non-stick pot, a plastic rice spatula, and a rice measuring cup.

Which have been provided to help make cooking your new favorite hobby. Its design includes a full view tempered glass cover which helps you keep an eye on the cooking process.

This appliance is equipped with an IH pressure system, which guarantees perfect cooking of food without leaking liquid or air in the event of a pressure drop. When pressure cooking is used in the preparation of rice, it is believed that the rice stays softer for longer periods of time than regularly cooked rice.

This device also has a smart voice guide, available in three different languages, making it an extremely interactive group for users. Any excess water from cooking the rice is collected and eliminated by the water drainage system of this unit. Which prevents the formation of unpleasant odors and helps maintain a clean environment.

With 12 cooking functions and a capacity that can serve up to 6 people at a time, the CRP-PO609S is your best choice. Many safety features are included in this model to protect both users and passers-by, such as your curious children.

What could be improved?

Some of these features include a lock checker, pressure monitor, reed switch, thermal fuse, and many more. This, in conjunction with the appliance’s silent steam release path, ensures that the steam released during cooking is done safely and quietly. Find more amazing products like this by checking out our guide to the best food dehydrators.

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Things to consider before buying a rice cooker

What matters most in your purchase is obviously your needs. There is no point in investing in a very sophisticated cooker if you simply buy it for modest and infrequent use. Conversely, you are better off being prepared to invest if you want to have a device that you are going to use every day.

Foods to cook

All rice cookers, in addition to rice, are generally effective in preparing certain grains, including quinoa. If your needs end there, you can easily settle for an entry-level product.

If you want to be able to also cook pasta, soup, or more varieties of rice, it will be necessary to aim for intermediate or high-end products, whose lifespan and functionality will better match your desires.

The number of people in the household

Capacity is one of the most important factors in the price of a cooker. It is therefore important to properly assess your needs. If you are alone, or live in a couple without children, almost any product is suitable. For families of three or more, everyone’s appetites must be taken into account.

Your space

Do you want to put your cooker on a table or counter, or put it away when not in use? If you live in a studio or a small apartment, do not hesitate to take measures: you must absolutely prevent the device from becoming a nuisance in your daily life, you would immediately leave it aside.

Security requirements

As with all electrical appliances, with rice cookers, we recommend that you beware of very interesting offers available on certain import sites. Information to consumers is not always reliable. Be sure to order a product that meets North American electrical standards.

The capacity

It is usually expressed for classic cooked white rice, in cups or grams, and the standard is around 5.5 cups or 1 kg of cooked rice, which is usually enough for a family of four. The indications in liters or quarts also exist but are much less frequent.

Be careful, be careful: it is sometimes the capacity after cooking that is indicated, and not the amount of rice that you can actually fit into the tank. One must be aware of this subtlety to avoid unpleasant surprises. In addition, the measuring glasses supplied often underestimate the real cup.

Features and programs

It is the programs pre-recorded in the machine which will give it good versatility or not. So, some rice cookers have dedicated options for porridge, whole grains or brown rice for example. The rule here is simple: the more programs, the better.

As for the functionalities, there are some very practical ones, such as the presence of a timer or the possibility of programming the start-up of the device in advance. There are options that today seem almost essential to us when you leave the entry-level: automatic shutdown in particular.

The accessories

Almost all rice cookers are supplied with a measuring cup and a spatula, usually made of plastic. The quality of these accessories tends to be quite low, but there are exceptions. The basket attached to the cooker for steaming is also one of the essentials.

Ease of maintenance

The rice bowl is generally removable, usually dishwasher-safe. But it sometimes happens that the unit is all assembled, and that a little tedious maintenance is necessary, requiring to pay very attention to the electrical parts.

Weight and dimensions

Try to favor the lightest product possible, especially if you intend to move it after use in order to store it. Be careful however: too pronounced lightness may be a sign of questionable quality design, or the choice of materials that are not very durable.

As for dimensions, it is a question of finding the compromise between capacity and size which seems to you as reasonable as possible. This especially applies if your space happens to be tight.

The power

Not all manufacturers indicate the power of their devices. When it is displayed, it is displayed in watts. Rice cookers aren’t made to go fast, but rather to make your job easier by eliminating the need to stay in the kitchen and choosing the best settings for you.

Do not panic if the observed power seems low at first glance. If you want to know how fast a device is, the most effective solution is to ask other buyers directly.

Design

It must be recognized that rice cookers are unfortunately not the most aesthetic objects that can be found in a kitchen. But there are exceptions. If decoration matters a lot to you, prefer to spend a little time finding a model whose appearance you like.

The price

You can find entry-level individual rice cookers for $30 or a little less. They are generally very limited in capacity and functionality. Then there are very large variations in prices, possibly exceeding $ 250 for the most sophisticated devices.

We hope this guide has made you more comfortable choosing a rice cooker that is right for you, including beyond our selection. Remember, chatting with other people is the key to getting honest, accurate information and finding a device that you really like.

Step-by-Step Guide- How to use a rice cooker

Here are a few steps to keep in mind to make sure everything goes as planned.

Step 1: Wash the rice before cooking

Unless you are cooking a variety that does not require rinsing, washing the rice is important. It removes the remaining particles from the production process, which in some countries include talc.

Rinsing the rice is also a good way to remove excess starch, which will make it less sticky. The only exception to this rule is large fully automated rice cookers, which rinse the rice for you.

Step 2: Measure the amount of rice

Rice cookers are generally sold with a measuring cup or measuring cup . The volume of these measuring glasses varies from country to country. But to be sure you fill your rice cooker with the right amount of rice and water, you will need it badly.

The dosage is all the more important because most rice cookers have an optimal load capacity. For example, a rice cooker with a capacity of 7 cups may work best when preparing 4 to 6 cups of rice. But too much or too little water and rice will inevitably interfere with cooking.

Step 3: Measure the amount of water

Be aware that different varieties of rice require different amounts of water to cook properly. Many rice cookers have a graduated bowl . They are generally suitable for short grain white rice and some types of brown rice.

For other types of rice, read the instructions to know the amount of water to add. Rice freshness can also affect the amount of water and cooking. In general, more water is needed when rice is older.

Step 4: Respect the cooking time

On most rice cookers there is only one switch for on and off. In general, the appliance stops by itself once the cooking is finished. It then goes into keep warm mode or emits a sound to warn you. If the rice and water dosage has been correct, cooking should take between 15 and 30 minutes.

After cooking, it is good to let the rice rest. This will give it a better taste and better texture. This will also prevent cooked beans from hardening or drying out. Moreover, this step limits the risk of the rice sticking to the bottom of the tank.

Tips for perfect cooking

Rinse the rice before cooking.

It is less important for long grain varieties, but it is still important. This will allow you to remove excess starch from your rice, which will then be less sticky. You can either rinse it in a colander or wash it by hand after placing it in a bowl of water.

Make instant noodles.

You can use the rice cooker to make instant noodle recipes for yourself. This will save you from having to constantly watch the noodle pan in case it spills over. With rice cookers, as long as you follow the measurements given in the manual, it will never overflow! Besides, it will make delicious noodles, even if they are just instant noodles.

Use more water for brown rice.

There is a difference between brown rice and white rice when it comes to the measurement of cooking water. White rice requires about 1½ cups of water for each cup of rice, while brown rice requires 1¾ to 2 cups of water for each cup of rice.

Always rinse your rice before cooking.

It is less important for long grain varieties, but it is still important. This will allow you to remove excess starch from your rice, which will then be less sticky. You can either rinse it in a colander or wash it by hand after placing it in a bowl of water.

Do not stir the rice during cooking.

Unless you are cooking a risotto, do NOT stir the rice during cooking. This will make the rice sticky. Please resist the temptation!

Why buy a good rice cooker

To eat good rice dishes

In sub-Saharan Africa, Thailand, China, India, Japan, and many other countries, many culinary preparations use rice. We can mention sushi, Cantonese rice, Tiep Bou Dien, or rice soup. No matter what variety you cook, a good rice cooker will always meet expectations.

Fast cooking and longevity

If you cook rice regularly, a rice cooker will save you a lot of time and effort. Given the robustness and reliability of the devices, many will last for years. Up to 10 years for some models, or even more!

Results always up to par

You can cook the rice in a saucepan or pot. But it is with a rice cooker that you will get the best results. The micom and induction models even have functions to correct your dosing errors. As a result, the appliance adjusts the cooking until you get what you wanted at the start.

Convenience and simplicity

The rice cooker allows you to prepare other dishes or cook with steam. Meat, eggs, vegetables, spinach, lentils, fish, seafood … The choice is vast, not to mention the recipes incorporated into the most intelligent rice cookers. Also, using a rice cooker frees the stove to prepare something else.

Final Thoughts

The selection above includes some of the most advanced models of rice cookers; some rely on sensors and other components for proper operation, compared to others that use the conventional thermostat for its operations.

The above review also showcases models that have multiple uses, from reheating your food to cooking vegetables and even making yogurt! These models are typically purchased by students and home users who like to be efficient with their time.

With such a magnificent selection at your disposal, don’t hesitate to start shopping for the perfect rice cooker, specially designed to meet all of your family’s needs.