Say Goodbye to Imperfect Rice: The Best Rice Cookers
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Salton 6 Cup Automatic Rice Cooker -
GForce Professional Rice Cooker -
3 Squares Rice Cooker -
Aroma Professional Cool Touch Rice Cooker -
Buyer's Guide
It used to be the only way to cook rice was pour it in a pot, add the correct amount of water, and pray. Not enough cooking time and the rice was hard and crunchy. Too much cooking time and the rice ended up gummy. Getting perfect cooked rice depended more on luck than anything so companies began manufacturing automatic rice cookers to give you the perfect pot of rice every time. They do this by supplying the correct amount of heat over the correct amount of time, thereby eliminating the guesswork.
All of the best rice cookers in 2022 on this list were chosen because they provide quality rice with the perfect texture every time, meaning no browning or undercooking. These are also the most efficient rice makers, meaning they’ll cook your rice faster than other options out there. These units are also easy to clean thanks to all having removable rice cooking bowls and can be damp wiped for cleaning. Lastly, all of these rice makers will feature a minimum 1 year limited warranty from the manufacturer unless otherwise specified within the description.
There is some concern in the cooking industry that rice cookers which use non-stick Teflon that may leach chemicals into the cooked rice. If you want to avoid Teflon, we have also featured some stainless steel options which will be highlighted in the appropriate reviews
Best Rice Cooker Worth Considering in 2022
Salton 6 Cup Automatic Rice Cooker - Best Rice Cooker Overall
If you’re looking for the least expensive rice maker on this list, the Heaven Fresh HF 1011 NaturoPure 5-Cup (Uncooked), 10-Cup (Cooked) Rice Cooker ranks as the best of the best. Simple to use, inexpensive and with good looks, you just can't do better for the price. The Heaven Fresh HF 1011 NaturoPure Rice Cooker comes with a non-stick rice cooking bowl which makes it the easiest to clean unit here. This is literally a "one touch" rice cooker; add the rice, pour in the correct amount of water, flip the switch, and marvel how his unit cook’s perfect rice every time. If all you want is the best rice every time, with just a touch of a switch, the Heaven Fresh HF 1011 NaturoPure 5-Cup (Uncooked), 10-Cup (Cooked) Rice Cooker must be #1 on your list too!
GForce Professional Rice Cooker - Runner Up
For the best rice cooker with an aluminum rice bowl, check out the GForce GF-P1155-564 Professional Rice Cooker, an inexpensive unit which integrates a steamer for added versatility. This rice cooker will let you cook your rice while steaming vegetables in the top steaming compartment. This unit is also a "one touch" rice cooker; just fill with water and rice, push a button and let it cook. Since it’s made with aluminum, some rice may stick to the bottom upon completion, but a bit of water and a damp cloth is all you need to get it looking clean.
3 Squares Rice Cooker - Honorable Mention
If you want the most complex yet most versatile rice cooker on this list, choose the 3 Squares 3RC-3010S 20-Cup (Cooked) Rice Cooker, 4-Quart. It is the fastest rice cooker here and its versatility can't be matched. The fuzzy logic digital 3 Squares 3RC-3010SRice Cooker has its own soft touch key pad with programs for cooking foods like rice, yogurt, quinoa, and oatmeal. This computer controlled marvel heats and cooks the rice thoroughly on every level, from top to bottom. It even acts like a slow cooker, with high, medium and low settings for cooking and warming. Rounding things out is the non-stick cooking bowl which allows for easy cleanup. Given all the features and programs, this may be overkill for a rice cooker. However, if you value culinary versatility, this is the rice cooker for you.
Aroma Professional Cool Touch Rice Cooker - Consider
If you are looking for an affordable, dishwasher-safe, stainless steel rice cooker that makes perfect rice, look no further than the Aroma Professional 20-Cup (Cooked) Cool-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer. It will cook between 4 and 10 cups of uncooked rice, and the digital display offers a selection of "one touch" options at the push of a button. There are several pre-sets to cook such things as sauté, steam and both white and brown rice, and it turns into a slow cooker to make such dishes as chili, jambalaya and other dishes. An automatic timed warming function allows you to make rice in the morning so that it will be hot and ready for dinner at night. Unlike some models, the outside of this rice cooker never gets hot while rice is cooking. The inner stainless cooking pot is dishwasher safe.
Buyer's Guide
Best Rice Cooker Buying Guide
Whether you enjoy eating rice or not, some people like to fill their kitchen with useful gadgets to make different meals for their family and friends. A rice cooker is actually the most convenient way to make rice. Although you can make rice with any pot and stove, it is very challenging to make perfectly steamed white rice without a rice cooker.
The best rice cooker is something that is the right size, efficient and has other features for steaming food, cooking stews, and more. This section of the article will show you how to choose the best rice cooker for you. It is straightforward, and if you don’t really eat rice that much—you will probably enjoy it more than you think.
What is a Rice Cooker?
A rice cooker is a kitchen gadget that enables you to cook the perfect rice without using a stove. It is an electronic appliance and some options that can cook more than just rice. They come in different shapes and sizes because some cultures love rice and can’t get enough of it! For people who don’t really eat too much rice, a small rice cooker will probably work just fine.
Why Do You Need a Rice Cooker?
You will need a rice cooker if you want to make rice, stews, and other foods. You cannot really make fried rice without making steamed rice first, and a rice cooker is more versatile than you think.
To make cooking rice easier
The first reason for owning a rice cooker is that it makes cooking rice a lot easier than using a stove. When cooking rice on a stovetop, you need to watch it, so it doesn’t get overcooked. Plus, you will need to lower the temperature after the water boils—meaning you need to be there by the stove watching the rice if you want it to be perfectly cooked. Some might say cooking rice on a stove is faster. It might be somewhat true, but using a rice cooker enables you to cook rice perfectly without keeping an eye on it. You can do other chores while the rice is cooking or get started on preparing the main course.
You don’t have to watch for your rice to cook
Like we mentioned before, you don’t need to watch the rice as it cooks. Plus, you can cook more than just rice in a rice cooker. You can use it for making soup and other stews. You can find cookbooks and videos on the internet of the different recipes you can cook using a rice cooker.
How to Cook Rice with a Rice Cooker
If you don’t know how easy it is to cook rice using a rice cooker, here is a quick step-by-step guide for rice beginners!
Scoop about 3 cups of rice
Some rice cookers will come with accessories for scooping rice. Use that apparatus to scoop the rice grains. Around three cups are fine for your first time, but you can do more if you have a bigger rice cooker and if you are cooking for more people.
Wash the rice
Many people don’t wash the rice before cooking, but it is essential to do so. It not only cleans the rice but washing the grains can also help in cooking the perfect rice! Just wash the rice in the pot and use your hand to strain the rice as you dump the water. You can repeat the process one to three times to make sure the rice is nice and clean.
Fill in the recommended amount of water
After washing the rice, fill the pot with water. Usually, the ratio is one-part rice grains is to one-part water. However, the real secret is to do one-part rice grain to one and a half parts of water. So for three cups of rice, use four and a half cups of water. If you don’t want your rice to go bad for at least 24 hours, put a teaspoon of vinegar in there. Many people do not know this secret, and you are one of the lucky ones!
Press cook and wait
Press cook and wait for it to cook! Many people also forget to press cook, so make sure you push that button; otherwise, you will be waiting in vain for nothing. Once the rice is cooked, congratulations—you are now a rice cooking master.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Rice Cooker
Size
Choose a size that is enough to cook rice, depending on the amount you want to consume. If you are not a big rice eater, a small option is enough. Plus, it is easier to store.
Extra Features
Some options have extra features that allow you to cook soup and steam vegetables. If you are interested, you can pick those options.
See-through lid
Make sure the lid is see-through, especially if it is your first time cooking rice. It also lets you know instantly if you have rice left without lifting the lid and disappointing yourself!
Accessories You can choose a rice cooker that comes with everything you need, such as a cup for measuring the rice, a rice scooper for serving, and more.
Rice Cooker Price Ranges
Rice cookers cost anywhere between $20 to $50, depending on the size and features. Usually, you can get the best rice cookers for around $30.
Rice Cooker FAQ
Can you use a rice cooker for making other meals?
Yes, you can use a rice cooker for cooking soup, steamed vegetables, cakes, boiling water, and more. Just make sure the rice cooker has different cooking settings if you want to cook different dishes.
Do you need to watch rice while cooking?
If you are not using a rice cooker, you will need to watch the rice and check it from time to time so you don’t burn it. However, you don’t need to wait for it to cook when using a rice cooker. You can go ahead and do something else while waiting.
