Are you tired of undercooked grains or overboiled messes that stick to your pot? Rice is a staple in many diets, but cooking it perfectly isn’t always as simple as it seems. This is where a reliable rice cooker becomes an essential kitchen ally. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a busy parent, the right rice cooker can transform your culinary experience, ensuring perfectly fluffy rice every time with minimal effort.
In today’s fast-paced world, convenience and efficiency in the kitchen have never been more important. That’s why we’ve meticulously researched and compiled a list of the 7 best rice cookers available in the USA. These cookers not only promise to make rice preparation a breeze but also bring versatility to your cooking, handling everything from jasmine rice to quinoa with ease.
Ready to elevate your rice game? Join us as we explore the best rice cookers that are a click away from becoming your favorite kitchen companion. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to the perfect plate of rice every time!
List of 7 Best Rice Cookers
1. Instant Pot Rice Cooker
7-in-1
⚙ Product Specifications
- Functions: 7-in-1 pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, warmer, and sterilizer
- Power: 1000 Watt
- One Touch: 13 Smart Programs
- Capacity: 3-6-8 quart
- App: App that includes over 800 recipes
- Easy-to-read: LCD
- Safety: 10 safety mechanisms
- Dim: 13.39 x 12 x 12 inches
- Weight: 11.8 pounds
2. AROMA Digital Rice Cooker
Best Overall
⚙ Product Specifications
- Capacity: 2 quarts
- Functions: White rice, Brown rice, Steam, Flash rice, Keep warm
- Material: Stainless steel exterior, non-stick inner pot
- Controls: Digital controls with LED display
- Dim: 8.6″D x 9.3″W x 8.5″H
- Power: 350 watts
- Weight: 5 lbs
3. Aroma Rice Cooker
Food Steamer
⚙ Product Specifications
- Capacity: 1.5 Quarts (3 cups uncooked)
- Functions: Cook rice, steam vegetables and meat
- Material: Non-stick inner pot, tempered glass lid, plastic housing
- Controls: One-touch controls with indicator lights
- Dim: 10.4″D x 11.1″W x 8.1″H
- Power: 300 watts
- Weight: 3.8 lbs
4. BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker
Steaming Basket
⚙ Product Specifications
- Capacity: 6 cups cooked rice (1-6 cup capacity)
- Functions: Cook rice, steam vegetables and fish
- Material: Non-stick inner pot and Tempered glass lid
- Controls: Simple two-button controls with indicator lights
- Dim: 5.5″D x 10″W x 9″H
- Power: 300 watts
- Weight: 4.4 lbs
- Warranty: 2-Year Limited
5. DASH Mini Rice Cooker
Best Budget
⚙ Product Specifications
- Capacity: 5 cups cooked rice (2-cup uncooked)
- Functions: Cook rice, steam vegetables and fish
- Material: Non-stick inner pot and Tempered glass lid
- Controls: One-touch button controls with indicator lights
- Dim: 6.5″D x 8.5″W x 6.3″H
- Power: 200 watts
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Warranty: 1 Year
6. Zojirushi Rice Cooker
Stable Design
⚙ Product Specifications
- Capacity: 5.5 cups or 1.05 Quarts
- Functions: Cook rice, steam vegetables and fish
- Material: Clear-coated stainless steel exterior
- Controls: LCD control panel
- Dim: 14″D x 10.13″W x 8.5″H
- Power: 610 watts
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
7. IMUSA Rice Cooker
Transparent Design
⚙ Product Specifications
- Capacity: 1.5 Quarts (3 cups uncooked)
- Functions: Cook rice, steam vegetables and fish
- Material: Nonstick aluminum inner pot, Tempered glass lid with steam vent
- Controls: Single on/off switch with indicator lights
- Dim: 7.9″D x 9.4″W x 7.5″H
- Power: 300 watts
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
Frequently Ask Questions:
1. What Size Rice Cooker Should I Buy?
The size of the rice cooker you should buy depends on the number of people you typically cook for. Rice cookers come in various capacities, usually measured in cups of uncooked rice. For a single person or a couple, a 3-cup rice cooker is usually sufficient. For a family of four to six, a 5 to 6-cup cooker is ideal. Larger households or those who entertain guests often might prefer an 8-cup or larger model. Remember, a cup of uncooked rice typically yields about 2 cups of cooked rice.
2. Can Rice Cookers Cook Other Grains or Foods?
Yes, modern rice cookers are versatile and can cook a variety of grains and foods. Apart from rice, they can cook quinoa, barley, oatmeal, and even steamed vegetables. Some advanced models come with settings for different types of grains, making them highly adaptable. However, the cooking times and water-to-grain ratios might differ from rice, so it’s important to refer to the cooker’s manual or a reliable cooking guide for specific instructions.
3. How Do I Clean My Rice Cooker?
To clean a rice cooker, first unplug it and let it cool down. Remove the inner cooking pot and wash it with warm, soapy water. Most cooking pots are non-stick and dishwasher safe, but hand washing is often recommended to extend their lifespan. Wipe the exterior and the heating plate with a damp cloth. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or materials that can scratch the surface. For stubborn stains or burnt rice, soaking the pot in warm water for a few hours can help loosen the residue.
4. Are There Significant Differences Between Cheap and Expensive Rice Cookers?
The price of rice cookers can vary significantly, and so do their features. Budget rice cookers usually offer basic cook-and-warm functions and are great for simple rice cooking needs. Expensive models often feature advanced technology like fuzzy logic or induction heating, multiple cooking settings for different grains, delayed start times, and keep-warm functions. They may also have better construction quality and more durable materials. Whether these features are worth the cost depends on your cooking habits and preferences.
5. How Do I Prevent Rice From Sticking to the Cooker?
To prevent rice from sticking, rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch. Use the correct water-to-rice ratio as advised in your cooker’s manual. A light coating of oil or butter in the cooking pot before adding rice can also help. Avoid opening the lid immediately after cooking; let the rice sit for a few minutes in the ‘keep warm’ mode to settle and dry out slightly. If sticking persists, it might be due to the quality of the cooker’s non-stick coating, and considering a higher-quality rice cooker could be a solution.
