Buyer's Guide to Rice Cookers
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November 21st, 2024
First off, why should you even consider a rice cooker? Can't you just boil rice in a pot? Sure, you can. But a rice cooker offers consistency, convenience, and versatility that a regular pot can't match. It saves time, ensures perfectly cooked rice every time, and frees you up to focus on other kitchen tasks.
Here, rice cooker expert Shu Han Lee shares everything you need to know about rice cookers.
Or check out how to make perfect sticky rice in a rice cooker.
What are Different Rice Cooker Features?
When selecting a rice cooker, keep an eye on the following features:
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Capacity: Think about how much rice you typically cook. Rice cookers come in various sizes, from small models that prepare enough for one or two people to large units suitable for big families or gatherings.
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Cooking Functions: Some rice cookers do more than just cook rice. They can steam vegetables, slow-cook stews, or even bake cakes. Decide if you want a multi-functional appliance or one dedicated solely to rice.
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Ease of Use: Look for intuitive controls and clear indicators. A good rice cooker should be straightforward to operate without requiring a deep dive into the manual.
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Cleaning: Non-stick inner pots and detachable lids make cleaning a breeze. Some models are even dishwasher safe, saving you time and effort.
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Keep-Warm Function: This feature keeps your rice at the perfect serving temperature until you're ready to eat, without overcooking it.
Which Rice Cooker is Right for You?
Depending on how you cook, who you're cooking for and your kitchen habits - these are a few things to consider:
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Family Size: A 1-litre cooker is suitable for small families, while larger households might benefit from a 4.6-litre or even a 6.3-litre model.
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Cooking Habits: If you enjoy experimenting with different types of rice or dishes, a multi-functional cooker with various settings will serve you well.
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Kitchen Space: Ensure the cooker fits comfortably in your kitchen without causing clutter.
What Are the Different Types of Rice Cooker?
Rice cookers come in various types, each with its own set of advantages:
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Basic Rice Cookers: These are straightforward devices that cook rice and then switch to a keep-warm mode. They're affordable and easy to use but lack advanced features.
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Microwave Rice Cookers: Ideal for those short on space or time, these cookers allow you to prepare rice quickly in the microwave.
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Multi-Functional Rice Cookers: These models offer various cooking settings for different types of rice and other dishes. They can steam, slow-cook, and sometimes even bake.
Best Rice Cookers
Here are some rice cookers that stand out:
Cuckoo Electric Rice Cooker 1L - 6 Persons: This South Korean-made cooker produces six cups of uncooked rice in just 33 minutes. It includes settings for perfect rice porridge and slow-cooked stews, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen.
With 8 settings for different rice varieties and cooking types - achieve perfect white, brown and glutinous rice, plus specific settings for reheating rice safely. Digital controls for easy use. Non-stick inner pot and detachable lid to make cleaning up just as easy as cooking.
Cuckoo 6 Person Pink Electric Rice Cooker, 1 Litre: With a 1-litre capacity, this multi-purpose gadget delivers light and fluffy rice every time. Its compact size and retro design add a lovely touch to your kitchen.
Keeps rice warm until ready to serve for up to 12 hours without drying out the rice. Special three-dimensional heat system for even cooking. Simple controls for easy use.
Cuckoo 3 Person Orange Electric Rice Cooker, 540ml: Perfect for couples or small families, this compact cooker promises perfect rice every time. Its non-stick inner pot and detachable lid make cleaning up just as easy as cooking.
Cuckoo 25 Person Electric Rice Cooker, 4.6 Litre: Ideal for restaurant kitchens and catering professionals, this large-capacity cooker can produce enough rice to feed 25 people. It offers multiple settings for different types of rice and keeps it warm until ready to serve.
Cuckoo is a world-renowned Korean brand for premium and efficient cookware. They have perfected their smart cooking algorithm over 40 years. This 4 step process involves soaking, heating, steaming and resting the rice.
Cuckoo 35 Person Electric Rice Cooker, 6.3 Litre: This professional-grade cooker is perfect for large gatherings, producing enough rice to feed 35 people. It provides large quantities of white, brown, and glutinous rice with separate settings for cooking and warming.
The rice cooker can provide large quantities of white, brown and glutinous rice. There are separate settings for cooking and warming which keeps rice hot without overcooking it. You can flavour your rice with spices, fresh herbs and aromatics like garlic, ginger and lemongrass.
For more rice cooker inspiration, ready our expert guide to everything you need to know about rice cookers. Or check out how to make perfect sticky rice in a rice cooker.
