What is a Rice Cooker and What are the Benefits?
As the name suggests, a rice cooker is a kitchen appliance designed to prepare rice automatically, so you don’t have to watch a simmering pot. However, today’s rice cookers can also prepare other types of food or even one-pot meals. When considering the best rice cooker for your home, look for a model that offers the most versatility for the money you’re willing to spend.
Types of Rice Cookers
Although you’ll find a variety of products on the market today, here are the main types of rice cookers.
Conventional Rice Cookers
If you’re looking for the best budget rice cooker, there’re lots of inexpensive models designed solely for cooking rice. Entry-level models also don’t come with a lot of complicated settings or additional options, so if simplicity is what you’re looking for, these are the way to go.
Smart Rice Cookers
If you’re a culinary enthusiast or you want to use your rice cooker for a variety of dishes, consider a smart rice cooker with advanced settings and cooking sensors.
Rice Cookers That Double as Slow Cookers
If you enjoy the rich flavor of slow cooked foods like pot roast, brisket, soups and stews, consider a machine with a slow-cooker function. Another convenience of this type of cooker is that you don’t have to monitor it. It will simply shut off and keep food warm after cooking is complete, which allows you to start food in the morning before you leave for work and come home to a hot, ready-to-serve meal.
Rice Cookers That Double as Steamers
Some high-end rice cookers are also capable of steaming foods like vegetables and meats for a healthy alternative that doesn’t require additional fats or oils. You can even find some models with stackable steamer baskets that allow you to cook more than one type of food simultaneously.
Smart Pressure Cookers
Many smart pressure cookers also have a setting for cooking rice. Although these devices are more expensive than average rice cookers, they’re a good investment if you plan to use your machine a lot.
How to Choose the Best Rice Cooker
Here are some important features to think about when shopping for the best cooker for rice.
- Capacity: Most rice cookers can make between three and ten cups of cooked rice in one cycle. Consider the size of your family and how much rice you make on average to determine the size that’s best for your kitchen.
- Model Type: Do you need a high-end cooker or will a basic model suffice? To help you decide, make a list of must-have features and features that would be nice to have to gauge your price range. Once you’ve decided how much you’re willing to spend, look for a model within your budget that has the most features or the highest rating.
- Settings: Look for helpful settings such as a food warmer and a timer that lets you prepare foods in advance and choose when you want them to be done.
- Cooking Time: Each type of rice has its own ideal cooking time, so a cooker that’s highly adjustable will give you the perfect doneness every time.
- Ease of Use: The easier your machine is to use, the more likely you are to enjoy using it. If you decide to purchase a high-end model with lots of customizable settings and features, look for one with an easy-to-read display and a settings menu that’s simple to navigate.
How to Use and Maintain Your Rice Cooker
Like all kitchen appliances, rice cookers require regular maintenance to stay in good working order. While care instructions for your model will depend on the manufacturer’s specific recommendations, here are a few best practices.
- Thoroughly clean your rice maker after each use according to the method outlined in the instruction manual. If you leave leftover rice or residue inside your machine, it can build up over time and burn. This can cause food to have an unpleasant flavor or aroma. Plus, if you have a smart cooker, food buildup can interfere with the cooking sensors.
- Only use the recommended utensils to serve food from your cooker. Sharp or abrasive utensils can scratch the interior.
- Always follow cooking directions. Overcooking food can damage your machine.