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The Best Rice Cookers of 2024
Unlocking the secret to consistently fluffy rice is easier than ever with the assistance of a top-notch rice cooker. These kitchen essentials are transforming the way we prepare this staple grain, offering precise temperature controls, user-friendly operations, and energy efficiency. Our comprehensive analysis of the market's best rice cookers of 2024 evaluated these factors and more, including features such as capacity, ease of cleaning, and additional functionalities. As a result of our thorough research, the BLACK+DECKER 6-Cup Rice Cooker emerged as the leading contender, turning the mundane task of cooking rice into a streamlined, foolproof process every time. But, there's plenty more where that came from — we have four other rice cookers on our list that are well worth you while.
Our Top Picks For Rice Cookers
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People Also Asked
- How does a rice cooker work?
- How do I clean my rice cooker?
- Why does my rice cooker overflow?
- Can I cook other foods in a rice cooker?
- How much water should I add to my rice cooker?
- What should I do if my rice is not cooked properly?
- What's the difference between a rice cooker and a pressure cooker?
- Related Articles
The Best Rice Cookers
Best Overall
The BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker, with its six-cup capacity, caters to both individual meals and larger spreads comfortably. Whether you’re rustling up a quick meal for one or feeding a hungry family, this cooker adapts to your needs. The automatic ‘keep warm’ function takes over once rice cooking completes, ensuring your meal remains at a perfect serving temperature. The addition of a steamer basket, measuring cup, and spoon elevates its functionality, providing an inclusive culinary experience.
The rice pot, featuring a non-stick interior, detaches effortlessly for a swift and thorough clean-up in the dishwasher. And our team loves that it only measures 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 inches, so you can save precious counter space without compromising on capacity. The accompanying food steaming basket broadens your menu options, enabling you to steam vegetables, fish, and more while your rice cooks.
Pros
- Has a warming feature
- Removable non-stick bowl
- Includes accessories
Cons
- May be too small for some
Most User-Friendly
Zojirushi’s Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer stands out with its convenient retractable cord that allows you to pull back it in once you’re done with the cooker. The rice cooker also comes equipped with three different settings for heating and reheating your rice, keeping it warm until it’s time to serve. And it accommodates up to 10 cups of rice at a time, making it perfect for cooking rice for a large family.
The stainless steel interior makes it incredibly easy to clean with the help of a damp cloth. On the inside, you’re met with non-stick materials that won’t leave any mess once you’re done.
This option even has a digital counter to let you know how much time is remaining for your rice. Plus, you can use the cooker to cook delicious vegetables and fish to go along with your rice. After our team read through some customer reviews, we found that users love how easy this rice cooker is to use.
Pros
- 5.5 cup capacity
- Several cooking settings
- Cord is retractable
Cons
- Too slow for some users
Most Versatile
Aroma Housewares’ Grain & Rice Cooker redefines versatility with its seven automated controls. Whether you crave steamed veggies, fluffy white or brown rice, creamy oatmeal, or exquisite risotto, this marvel of a machine will deliver. Its generous capacity effortlessly caters to both single servings and family meals, accommodating up to 8 cups of cooked (or 4 cups of uncooked) rice.
The cooker’s coating not only endures but thrives under rigorous use, boasting eight times more strength than typical models. This robust coating resists scratches and simplifies cleaning, promoting a healthier lifestyle with each use.Accompanying the cooker are practical accessories, including a non-stick inner pot, rice measuring cup, plastic rice spatula, and steam tray. And all parts confidently carry the BPA-free tag. The cooker’s slow cook function effortlessly transforms it into a 2-quart slow cooker, amplifying its utility in your kitchen. At the end of the cooking cycle, this ingenious cooker automatically transitions to ‘Keep Warm’ mode, eliminating the need for monitoring or stirring and ensuring your food remains at optimal serving temperatures. And we were impressed with the programmable 15-hour delay timer that allows you to plan your meals ahead.
Pros
- Cooks any grain
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Made of stainless steel
Cons
- Can take a while to cook rice
Most Compact
This TIGER Micom Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is an incredible appliance that transforms your meal preparation, allowing you to cook rice and a main dish simultaneously with its innovative “tacook” cooking plate. This function ensures that flavors do not mingle, maintaining the individual taste and aroma of each dish.
With four distinct cooking menu settings, the rice cooker gives you control over your cooking.Whether you’re making plain rice, brown rice, or using the slow cook/steam feature, this product delivers optimal results. The non-stick coating inner pan simplifies the cleaning process, allowing more time to savor your meal instead of cleaning up. And as our team was scouring through customers’ reviews, we discovered that users like how compact this rice cooker is. We think it would be a good option for someone with a small kitchen.
Pros
- Non-stick inner pot
- BPA-free cooking plate
- Four cooking settings
Cons
- No digital screen
Best Features
With seven pre-programmed cooking settings, the Toshiba Rice Cooker comes offers you a lot more cooking options beyond just rice. It houses a quick rice feature that whips up perfectly cooked rice in less than 30 minutes, making it great for anyone with a busy schedule.
With the capacity to prepare 12 cups of cooked rice (6 cups uncooked) in a single pot, you can easily feed large family gatherings on special occasions.
The “Keep Warm” feature ensures that your rice remains nice and warm as long as it’s inside the rice cooker. With the two delay features, you can place your rice in the cooker overnight, to be met with steamy hot rice for breakfast. And the cooker contains a large steam vent that allows your rice to cook at a higher heat and prevents water from bubbling up and overflowing. We really like that all the operations are done in a non-stick pot that’s much easier to clean and maintain than conventional ones.
Pros
- Has a user-friendly digital display
- Steam and cook simultaneously
- Anti-overflow design
Cons
- Higher price point
Rice Cookers: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Having a rice cooker makes preparing meals super convenient. But, choosing the right cooker can often be an overwhelming task thanks to the wide variety of appliances out there to choose from.
To make a smart purchase, there are several things that you need to take into consideration. So, to help you out, we have prepared a comprehensive guide that highlights some essential things you should keep in mind before purchasing a rice cooker.
Serving Size
Before anything else, you need to carefully consider the number of people you’ll be serving with your rice cooker. Generally speaking, the number of cups a rice cooker can serve should be the same as the number of people you are serving, unless you are cooking for a lot of small children or big eaters.
If you have a small family, then getting a cooker that can prepare a few cups of rice at a time is more than sufficient. A large family, on the other hand, will require a rice cooker that can manage at least six cups of rice at a time. Try to avoid buying a cooker with a larger serving size than you need, since it’ll only end up taking up more counter space and use up extra energy.
Type of Food
Contrary to their name, rice cookers can be used to cook a variety of different foods. A cooker that can cook fish, vegetables, and porridge can be a great help, especially for people who don’t have the time to prepare everything all the time. Plus, most modern cookers come with a steam option that allows you to simeutaneiously cook meals.
Materials
Rice cooker materials should always be chosen carefully. A BPA-free interior and utensils will make sure that the cooker has no health side effects. Plus, a non-stick pot makes all the difference when it comes to cleaning your rice cooker conveniently.
It’s also great if the cap of your rice cooker is made of stainless steel. It not only looks nice in the kitchen, but it’s also incredibly durable.
Types of Rice Cookers
Different rice cookers cater to a vast array of cooking needs. Basic rice cookers are the cheapest option when it comes to cookers since they don’t have any extra functionalities apart from cooking perfectly fluffy rice. They’re great for people who don’t have any extra use for a rice cooker. Multi-functional rice cookers come with a variety of cooking functions beyond just rice. They may have settings for cooking other grains, steaming vegetables, making soups, or even baking cakes. Induction cookers use electromagnetic induction to heat the cooking pot, providing more precise temperature control. They are known for producing high-quality rice with even cooking. Pressure cookers will cook your rice quickly by increasing the pressure inside the cooking pot. They are especially suitable for busy individuals who are looking for fast cooking times.
People Also Asked
How does a rice cooker work?
A rice cooker works by heating up the water to a boil and then automatically reducing the heat to a simmer. The rice absorbs the water, and once the water is gone, the temperature in the bowl starts to rise. The thermostat detects this temperature increase and either switches the cooker to a warming setting or turns it off completely.
How do I clean my rice cooker?
After every use, ensure you unplug the rice cooker and let it cool down. Remove the inner cooking pot and wash it with warm soapy water (some rice cookers may have dishwasher-safe parts). Wipe the outer surface of the rice cooker with a damp cloth. Avoid immersing the heating unit in water.
Why does my rice cooker overflow?
The common reasons for a rice cooker overflowing are using too much water, using a rice type or quantity that's not suitable for the cooker, or the vent hole being blocked. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.
Can I cook other foods in a rice cooker?
Yes, besides rice, a lot of rice cookers have the ability to cook a variety of foods, including steamed vegetables, soups, stews, and even cakes. Of course, the results may vary depending on the model and settings of your rice cooker.
How much water should I add to my rice cooker?
The amount of water to add depends on the type of rice and your preferred texture. Generally, the ratio is one part rice to two parts water, but it can vary. Many rice cookers come with a measuring cup and water level lines on the inner pot that provide guidance.
What should I do if my rice is not cooked properly?
If your rice isn't cooked properly, it could be due to an incorrect water-to-rice ratio, the thermostat malfunctioning, or the rice cooker switching off too soon. Refer to the user manual for troubleshooting or contact the manufacturer's customer service.
What's the difference between a rice cooker and a pressure cooker?
While both can be used to cook rice, they work differently. A rice cooker uses a thermostat to control the heat and switches to a warming setting when the rice is cooked. A pressure cooker, on the other hand, builds up pressure by trapping steam, allowing food to cook faster at a higher temperature.
