13 Best Rice Cookers To Buy In 2021
In This Article
Overcooking and under-cooking of rice is a common problem that most of us experience. It could lead to wastage of food and make cleaning difficult when the rice sticks to the vessel. In such a case, a rice cooker that cooks rice at the set temperature and for a set duration can come to your rescue.
A rice cooker uses a heat source, a cooking bowl, and a thermostat to control the cooking process. The source of heat could either be electricity or a stovetop. Whether you cook rice daily or occasionally, a good quality rice cooker is necessary to prepare rice with the perfect texture and softness. It also saves your time as you don’t have to keep checking if it is cooking or requires draining the excess water once it is done.
Keep reading this post for a list of best rice cookers and a buying guide.
Top Picks
13 Best Rice Cookers
1. Aroma Housewares Grain Cooker
Aroma’s rice cooker is a stainless-steel pot that helps cook brown rice, white rice, and other grains, including barley, quinoa, and bulgur wheat. The cooker comes with a vegetable steamer for easy and light boiling so that nutrients are not lost. It can accommodate two to eight cups of rice, which is ideal for a family of four or five members. The cool-touch handles make it easy to carry and serve.
Pros
- Six easy-to-use functions on the panel
- 15-hour delay timer to pre-plan your meal
- Can be used to prepare a fluffy cake
- Nonstick inner pot
- Gives the right texture and softness in just a few minutes
- Measuring cup, spatula, and a user manual included
- Programmable digital control
- Cuts cooking time by 50%
- Easy to clean and use
- Removable accessories for easy storing and handling
Cons
- Plastic hook that holds the lid may break
2. Instant Pot Programmable Cooker
The multi-use programmable pressure cooker lets you steam, sauté, warm, and boil food. It also helps you to make yogurt and sterilize items. The rice cooker can accommodate three quarts of rice or grains, which is enough for a small family. It is lightweight at just nine pounds and has 11 safety mechanisms. The rice cooker functions on third-generation microprocessor technology and cuts down kitchen time by70%. It has a blue LCD to show time and other selections.
Pros
- Easy-to-use dial for program selection
- Cooking progress indicator included
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Stainless steel pot
- Designed for both left and right-handed users
- Dishwasher-safe lid, inner pot, and steam rack
- Steam release button
- 14 easy-to-operate smart programs
Cons
- Front dial may get stuck at times
3. Black+Decker Rice Cooker
The Black+Decker rice cooker is a simple machine with two heat settings. It has a black tempered glass lid for safety, and it can accommodate 16 cups of rice. The cooking base leverages the coil to heat the pot and cook the ingredients perfectly as per the desired texture. It comes with a steaming basket, cooking bowl, glass lid, serving spoon, and a rice measuring cup. Whether you want to cook brown rice, white rice, quinoa, or any other kind of grain, this rice cooker can be a good pick.
Pros
- Stops automatically when the moisture gets absorbed
- Red and green LED light indicators
- Removable nonstick bowl
- 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time
- Steaming basket, measuring cup, and a spoon included
- Spoon prevents accidental scratches
Cons
- Pre-set cooking options not available
- No delay timer
4. Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer
The removable nonstick pot from Dash cooks all grains and vegetables quickly. It keeps the food warm and fresh for a long time. The black compact appliance is useful for daily use and special occasions. It is easy to handle and store and does not occupy much space on the kitchen counter.
Pros
- Plastic and metal combination
- Portable and travel-friendly
- Cool-touch handles
- Light in weight
- Easy to use and clean
- Mixing paddle and a measuring cup included
- Recipe book and a user manual included
Cons
- Not suitable for large families
5. Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker
The Zojirushi rice cooker with a one-liter capacity is sufficient for medium families. It has multiple setting options for steaming and cooking white rice and brown rice. The cooker has a removable inner for easy cleaning and a retractable power cord for convenient storage. It comes with a separate steam basket for easy steaming vegetables and a nonstick cooking pan for cooking other stuff.
Pros
- Micro-computer fuzzy logic technology for intelligent cooking
- Automatic warm, reheat, and extended warm settings
- Interchangeable melody and beep signal
- Menu settings for white rice, brown rice, steaming, and cake set
- Easy-to-clean stainless steel exterior and nonstick cooking pan
Cons
- Heat distribution may not be even
- May take longer cooking time
6. Hamilton Beach Digital Rice Cooker
Prepare a complete meal with the Hamilton Beach rice cooker that comes with an integrated basket for steaming vegetables. It has a cooking capacity of eight cups, ideal for a family for two or three people. The accessories include a measuring cup for ratio and a paddle for easy serving.
Pros
- Four pre-programmed settings
- Rinse and steam basket for vegetables and rice
- Countdown timer included
- Warm function to keep food warm
- Ideal for one-pot meals
Cons
- Rice could become hard when kept on warm
- Brown rice and whole grains may take longer to cook
7. Zojirushi Rice Cooker
The simple and easy-to-use rice cooker with single switch control from Zojirushi is suitable to cook grains and vegetables. It has a nonstick cooking pan for easy cleaning and heat-resistant handles for portability. With a see-through glass lid and heat-resistant knob, the rice cooker is easy to use and maintain.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Heat-resistant handles and knob
- Durable cooking pan
- Lightweight and durable
Cons
- Warm mode is not available
- May cause spattering for some varieties of rice
8. Imusa Electric Nonstick Rice Cooker
Imusa’s rice cooker is a simple vessel that comes with a smart pot and a glass top. It has two LED options, warm and cook, to know the status of cooking. There’s a small button at the bottom of the LEDs to reset the cooking option. The appliance comes along with the measuring cup and a spoon for ease.
Pros
- Accommodates three to six cups
- Automatically switches to warm mode
- Tempered glass top for extra strength
- Easy to clean and store
- Useful for cooking and serving
- Energy-efficient
Cons
- May not be suitable for large families
9. Proctor Silex Rice Cooker
Useful to cook grains and cereals, the Proctor’s rice cooker can hold up to eight cups of rice. It helps you with day-to-day cooking for a large family by reducing the cooking time and energy. The dishwasher-friendly rice cooker’s body is a combination of aluminum and plastic and is safe to use. The cooking pot is useful to prepare versatile items, including seafood, poultry, and vegetables.
Pros
- Steam basket, lid, and measuring cup included
- Automatically switches to warm mode
- Nonstick coating cooking pot
- Adjusts the extra amount of water
Cons
- Could splatter water from the top
10. Cuisinart Rice Cooker
If you are looking for a unique rice cooker, Cuisinart’s appliance could be the right choice. It comes in a shiny silver color and has a glass lid on the top. The cooker has holders on the sides for a comfortable grip. The appliance can accommodate four cups of cereals and grains. It comes with a measuring cup and serving spoon.
Pros
- Switches to warm mode automatically
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- Steaming basket included
- Easy-to-clean built-in tray
- Chrome-plated cool-touch handles
- Steam vent on the top helps
- Doesn’t spill the ingredients
Cons
- Teflon coating requires maintenance
11. Tiger Micom Rice Cooker
Tiger’s rice cooker has a one-push operation and a unique look. It can be used for cooking rice and steaming vegetables at the same time. The appliance can hold 5.5 cups of rice and has four cooking menu settings for added convenience. The removable inner pan is suitable for cleaning and serving, and it comes with a nonstick spatula, cooking plate, and a measuring cup.
Pros
- Synchronized cooking functions
- BPA-free cooking plate
- Automatic warm mode
- Detachable inner steam cap
- Keeps the flavor and texture of rice perfect
Cons
- Doesn’t have a timer
- Teflon coating requires maintenance
12. Tiger Rice Cooker
The Tiger rice cooker has an elegant design with a warm and floral pattern. It is suitable for a large family as it can accommodate ten cups of rice or other cereals. The locking system of the cooker is perfectly safe and reliable. It has a removable and washable steam vent for perfect and fresh cooking. A simple and easy appliance has a nonstick inner pan and can save your time and energy.
Pros
- Retractable power cord
- Measuring cup and spatula included
- Cooks quickly
- Keeps the item warm up to 12 hours after cooking
- Auto-warm mode available
- Vacuum installation technology
- Two LED lights for indication
Cons
- Doesn’t have a timer
13. Elite Gourmet Electric Rice Cooker
Pros
- Can cook six cups of rice
- Removable aluminum cooking pot
- Keeps the food fresh for a long time
- Measuring cup and spatula included
- Suitable for rice, soups, stews, oatmeal, and porridge
- Tempered glass top
Cons
- Doesn’t have a programmable timer
How To Choose The Right Rice Cooker?
Here are a few factors to keep in mind when selecting a rice cooker.
- Quantity: Decide on the amount of food you would need daily based on the number of family members. If yours is a small family and you don’t cook rice often, a medium-sized cooker would be ideal. On the other hand, if your family has eight to ten members, go for a big cooker.
- Energy efficiency: Rice cookers work on electricity, and so these appliances need to be energy-efficient. Look at the energy rating they have before choosing one.
- Versatile: An ideal rice cooker allows you to cook multiple items, including varieties of rice grains, cereals, seafood, soups, and poultry. Also, look fora multi-functionality feature to make cooking easy and quick.
- Nonstick cooking pot: The cooking pot should have a good quality nonstick coating as it makes cleaning and maintenance easy and hassle-free.
- Others: Look for a few accessories, including a steam basket, spatula, and a measuring cup. And see that they are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Some add-on features you can look for are the size, shape, and weight of the rice cooker for portability and storage.
Rice cookers are versatile appliances that add value in terms of ease, feasibility, and convenience. In just a few minutes, the appliance cooks fresh, healthy, and perfect food automatically. Compare the pros and cons of different products and pick the best one as per your requirements.
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