A staple in many Asian households, rice cookers deliver exactly what they promise: perfectly fluffy rice every time. That’s no small feat, especially since cooking rice on the stovetop can be anything but straightforward.
“If you’re cooking rice with a stovetop and a pot, you either have to use a timer or you have to really carefully notice when the water has stopped simmering,” chef and author J. Kenji López-Alt told The Atlantic. “And it’s really difficult to do that by eye.”
According to Circana, about 28 percent of American households already own a rice cooker. If you’re thinking of joining them, or upgrading the one you have, we’ve rounded up some of the best options on the market.
What can you cook in a rice cooker?
Rice cookers were originally designed for one purpose: making rice, of course. First introduced in the 1950s, they were invented to make life easier for Japanese women, who at the time typically handled most of the household cooking.
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But these days, rice cookers can do far more than just cook rice. “In a world of high-tech smart appliances, the simplicity and reliability of rice cookers have caught consumers’ attention,” said Joe Derochowski, home industry advisor at Circana. “Even though the appliance’s name is specific to rice, consumers are now finding other uses for rice cookers, like making oatmeal, steaming vegetables, chili, pasta, and more.”
Take, for instance, this Buckwheat Breakfast Bowl with Cinnamon and Coconut. The recipe comes together with the help of a rice cooker, which is used to precook the buckwheat.
What are the best rice cookers?
The best rice cooker for you depends on your individual needs. Check out some of the best options below.
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Best for small spaces: Dash Mini Rice Cooker
Short on counter space? A mini rice cooker might be just what you need. This compact model from Dash, for example, cooks single servings of perfectly fluffy rice in just 20 minutes, and it barely takes up any room. It’s also lightweight and easy to travel with, making it a convenient option for small kitchens, dorms, or on-the-go meals.
GreenLife
Best for families: GreenLife 3-Cup Electric Rice Cooker
Perfect for small families, this electric rice cooker from GreenLife holds up to three cups of uncooked rice, yielding about six cups when cooked. It’s sleek, simple to use, and made with non-toxic materials, making it a safe and stylish addition to any kitchen.
Zojirushi
Best for sushi rice: Zojirushi NS-ZCC10
Sushi lovers, take note: this Zojirushi model is designed to help you achieve perfect sushi rice every time, thanks to its built-in sushi setting and advanced Neuro Fuzzy logic technology. It also offers settings for white rice, brown rice, and porridge, making it versatile and simple to operate.
Best budget: Aroma Housewares 6-Cup
Looking for a rice cooker that gets the job done without breaking the bank? This budget-friendly model from Aroma Housewares holds up to three cups of uncooked rice and delivers reliable results. The best part? It’s priced at under $20.
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Aroma Housewares
Best multicooker: Cuckoo CR-0655F Rice Cooker and Warmer
If you’re looking to use your rice cooker for more than just rice, this model from Cuckoo is one of the best multi-functional options on the market. It can handle everything from porridge to cake, and even features a convenient self-cleaning setting.
Best splurge: Zojirushi NW-JEC10BA
If you’re looking for a rice cooker with all the bells and whistles, this top-of-the-range choice from Zojirushi, priced just under $900, delivers. It holds up to 5.5 cups of uncooked rice and uses AI-powered logic to perfect every cooking cycle. With pressurized cooking and steaming, it delivers sticky, plump rice by automatically adjusting pressure levels and removing excess moisture.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
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