Rice has long been one of the main dishes in kitchens around the world. This cereal is an excellent side dish or even a full-fledged independent dish, as well as the basis for a huge number of dishes. Any of them requires the right technique of cooking rice, which is not always easy to cope with.
For example, popular Asian sushi requires a special cooking process, and pilaf and other dishes – quite different. And although rice cooker is not considered a necessary appliance in the kitchen, because you can cook it in the microwave, it will be a useful purchase.
In fact, even in the 20th century, there were already special saucepans for cooking rice, but now you can cook it without your participation. The rice cooker will relieve you of many of the hassles associated with the texture of the rice and how cooked it is. We’ve decided which small rice cookers are best for home use.
1. Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR Pot Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer
Cooking rice can be a real pleasure for you with Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR Pot Style Rice Cooker. Even if you have previously had an unpleasant experience with burnt rice or a strange rice cooker, this device can make you happy.
With the Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR Pot Style Rice Cooker, you will receive white crumbly rice in the shortest time possible. The result is a non-stick coating and you can measure the right amount with a measuring cup.
The Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR Pot Style Rice Cooker has a capacity of 6 ready-made cups of rice, which is enough for cooking large portions for 5-6 people. The unit can perform several cooking functions.
For this purpose, it comes with a steaming basket, measuring cup and rice spatula – all perfectly suited to the cooking process. All control takes place using the buttons located on the body of the rice cooker. After each action, you will see the reaction of the LEDs.
You can set the cooking process not only for different types of rice but also for birds, fish or even sponge cakes. If necessary, the Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR Pot Style Rice Cooker will automatically switch to heat maintenance mode.
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2. Proctor Silex Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
If you don’t like to set the timer, boil the water beforehand, or take any other additional steps, the Proctor Silex Rice Cooker & Food Steamer will save you. You just need to place all the ingredients in a nonstick coated rice cooker, turn it on and leave it alone.
Your favorite cereals will be cooked perfectly without your involvement. Proctor Silex Rice Cooker & Food Steamer is designed to cook a variety of grains, not just rice, and its types.
Dinner can be made in just 1 cooking cycle. While cooking rice, the Steam Basket allows you to load various vegetables or even meatballs into it, which can be quickly cooked. The transparent lid of the device allows you to watch all the processes.
You don’t need a device that is too expensive to get good results in your rice preparation. Refinement in rice cookers is not a necessity, as even such a simple model can give you the perfect result.
3. Aroma Housewares 20 Cup Cooked (10 cup uncooked) Digital Rice Cooker
Probably, in our article Aroma Housewares Digital Rice Cooker is the largest model of a rice cooker. The capacity of the bowl is 20 cups of cooked cereal, which is enough for 10 large cups of rice.
That’s enough to feed a whole group of friends for a curry dinner together. The warm-up function is ideal if you don’t have time for dinner with your family.
The design is made of stainless steel and the set comes with several cooking accessories such as a soup spoon, steam insert, and spatula. All the rice cookware is perfectly washed and the rice does not remain on the walls of the bowl.
You just need to load the required proportions of water and cereals to prepare them. For vegetables or fish, a special tray is included so you can cook both the main course and the side dish at the same time. Ideal for busy people!
Also worth noting is that Aroma Housewares Digital Rice Cooker has a great stylish design and fits into any kitchen interior.
4. Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
If you like to try something new and often use different kinds of rice in your dishes, Zojirushi NS-TSC10 will be a real helper for you. The device allows you to set specific settings for each type of rice, and its capacity is 5.5 cups.
The warm-up function is ideal if you don’t have time to eat with your whole family. This mode can be turned on for up to 12 hours, and the result will be just as good.
The design is made of stainless steel and has an easy to read LCD display. The whole rice cooker is perfectly washed, and the rice does not stay on the walls of the bowl. Zojirushi NS-TSC10 has an excellent delay timer function – there are only 2 modes and you can start cooking later.
In addition to rice, you can quickly prepare cakes, as well as make porridges and rice for sushi. With the steam tray, you can steam fish or vegetables. Rice cooked in Zojirushi NS-TSC10 is always perfect and fluffy, which is perfect for Japanese cuisine.
You can also check: 5 Best Bamboo Steamers On The Market
5. BLACK+DECKER RC506 6-Cup Cooked/3-Cup Uncooked Rice Cooker and Food Steamer
Are you looking for a compact but convenient cooking device? Then we would like to tell you a little bit about the BLACK+DECKER RC506 Rice Cooker, a device with wide and convenient functionality.
Not only can it boil your rice, but it can also steam it and keep food warm for a while. So, for example, rice will retain its properties much better than if you heat it up after a while in the microwave. The unit will automatically switch to the heat maintenance mode, notifying you by the light indicators.
You can watch the cooking process using the lid of the unit. The lid is made of tempered glass, while the body is made of metal. You can easily wash the cup in the dishwasher.
The bottom of the BLACK+DECKER RC506 Rice Cooker has legs that prevent it from sliding on the kitchen surface. The non-stick bowl has a capacity from 6 to 28 cups of rice, so you can make a whole dinner for your guests. Save all the nutrients in your rice with BLACK+DECKER RC506 Rice Cooker.
Technology does not stand still in any case, and the market is constantly updated with new models. We decided to consider small enough devices that are suitable for home and personal use – that is, they can easily cook 2-8 portions of rice.
You can also find quite large models with a volume of 3 liters and above, which prepare a huge amount of rice by the desired recipe. However, if you do decide to buy – perhaps your love for rice is very great – then we recommend buying a small rice cooker for the beginning. We hope that the device will simplify all your attempts to cook bulk rice, as well as give you some free time.
FAQ for rice cooker buyers
1. Rice cookers often have a non-stick coating inside the bowl. Can I wash it in the dishwasher?
Dishwashers can wash non-stick coated dishes in the dishwasher. The main thing you need to do is to check that the surface is not damaged during washing – so that there are no foreign objects inside (spoons, knives, etc.).
If you have been washing your bowl in the dishwasher for a long time, we recommend that you oil it with vegetable oil or butter before cooking – the non-stick properties may weaken over time.
2. What proportions of water and rice should I observe? Which types of rice should be used for the rice cook?
Every rice cooker is versatile and is not designed to cook the same kind of rice. You can cook completely different varieties of rice, you only have to take into account the specifics of their cooking.
The proportions of water and cereals are 1:2 – one part of rice, two parts of water. It is best to use measuring glasses. The cooking time depends on the type of rice you use. For example, steamed rice gets cooked much faster than Basmati or Jasmine.
3. Can you cook anything other than rice in a rice cooker?
Of course, you can. You cook in pots not only cereal but also vegetables, meat and more! You should consider the size of the rice cooker’s steam basket. Do not overload it – so you will interfere with the circulation of steam and will not be able to cook anything.
You should also keep in mind that if you cook several ingredients together, they can soak up each other’s smells. For example, when you cook rice and fish together, fish can release juice and soak up the rice. If you cook meat and fish in large pieces, it is better to use heat-resistant baking paper.
4. Do I need to use oil before putting the grain in the rice cooker?
As we have already said, most rice cookers have a non-stick surface in the bowl. This coating prevents food from sticking, which means you should not use oil nominally. Over time, the non-stick surface becomes thinner and the effect disappears.
If you have been using the rice cooker for a long time, we still recommend that you oil it a little before you start – so you will definitely not get the rice sticking to the bottom.