Best Rice Cooker to Buy in 2020

A rice cooker (also called “rice steamer”) is a kitchen appliance that is designed to automatically boil or steam the rice. It is composed of a heat source, a bowl, and a thermostat: all of these components contribute to the cooking process. The thermostat will regulate the heat and temperature of the cooking bowl. Modern rice cookers are developed to ensure a multi-functional use, allowing you to just measure the rice and water quantity and see the machine do the work for you. Remember that not all rice dishes can be prepared with automatic rice cookers: some, such as typical risotto, need some hand-work. 

Of course, there are many valid products available in the marketplace. But which one suits you the best? It depends on what you’re looking for based on your needs. If you live with many people and you all love rice, then you need to buy a rice cooker with high cup capacity. I know it feels a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry: we accurately selected the top 10 rice cookers that can be found online just for you. So make yourself comfortable and let’s explore together the best rice cookers available on the web in 2020.

1. Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Rice Cooker

This cooker is one of the best available on the market. It stands out because it combines 6 appliances in one product. It’s a pressure cooker, a slow cooker, a rice cooker, a steamer, and a warmer.All of the features are combined in this pot! It cooks 70% faster than its usual competitors. The one-touch smart program allows you to cook food automatically and ensures tasty results. Additionally, it’s a safe product: it includes overheating protection, safety lock and more. It has a stainless steel lid and other components that can be washed with ease in the dishwasher. This appliance has a cool free app loaded with many recipes, so if you are a beginner or want to set your creativity free, this is the one for you! The product has a 6-quart capacity that can provide servings up to 6 people at once and suits both families and single people.

2. Aroma Housewares Digital Rice Cooker

Aroma Housewares offers one of the best rice cookers to suit your needs. It works at 860 W and prepares up to 20 cooked rice cups per time, so if you live in a large group of people and you eat rice almost every day this product is good for you. The peculiarity of this machine is that it is composed of two parts: the lower part cooks the rice, while the upper part allows you to prepare rich and nutrient meals to be combined together. The only limit here is your creativity, so if you love cooking and want to experiment with complex dishes this is definitely for you. Other cool accessories are the non-stick inner pot, the rice measuring cup, and the plastic rice spatula.
Plus, the price is affordable, which gives the product some economical value.

3. Black+Decker RC506 6-Cup Rice Cooker

This machine, assembled by Black+Decker, has an automatic keep-warm function: the rice is kept warm and ready to be served and eaten. The cooker keeps the food warm when it is complete, so you can relax five more minutes or finish your housework without having to worry about your food getting cold. The cup capacity holds up to 6 cups, which is enough for a medium-size family, but there are also other models of the same company that provide you with a bigger capacity if you need it. The food steaming basket lets you prepare healthy and delicious meals that can be accompanied by some vegetables, and more.  Eventually, this machine includes a measuring cup and spoon to easily quantify the rice.

4. Aroma Simply Stainless Rice Cooker

This smart rice cooker automatically detects when the rice is ready and stops working immediately. This is very comfortable for those who aren’t sure of the amount of time needed to prepare a cup of rice without overcooking it. Once it stops, it switches mode and starts keeping the rice warm. Everything is made even easier thanks to the one-touch technology: you just need to push down the lever to make the product work. One key feature is the stainless steel inner pot, that is designed to last and can be effortlessly cleaned in the dishwasher. Additionally, if you’re looking for a compact and non-invasive machine, you really have to consider purchasing this product.

5. Oster 6-Cup Rice Cooker with Steamer

This rice cooker of Oster’s can contain 3 cups of dry rice and produces up to 6 cups of cooked rice. This efficiently suits medium-sized families and groups of people. The steamer tray is the real deal of this product: with a one-liter capacity, it can cook vegetables, fish and other ingredients in a practical way. Another key feature here is the tempered glass lid that allows you to comfortably check the food while it is being prepared. This product, as others already discussed above in this list, provides an automatic keep-warm function to maintain the rice at a cool temperature and also switches off in order to avoid burning the food. Finally, the price is reasonable and the high-rated reviews may invite you to consider this purchase.

6. Zojirushi NS-TSC10 Micom Rice Cooker

This product, sold by Zojirushi, introduces us to the “Micom” concept: it is regulated by a micro computerized technology. It means that the machine is set to constantly analyze the food while it is being cooked; this way, the rice cooker adjusts the temperature depending on the type and volume of the rice used. In simple words, this complex technology will take care of the food on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry too much about it. Providing a 5.5-cup capacity, Zojirushi machine also includes an automatic keep-warm function and reheating cycle to prevent the food from getting cold. Additionally , it is easy to clean and it has a retractable cord. It lets you choose between interchangeable melody and beep signals, so if you get easily annoyed by a particular sound you can change it!

7. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker

Another Zojirushi rice cooker, but this one features the Neuro Fuzzy logic technology: this technological advancement gives the machine the ability to “think” for itself, making small adjustments to heat and temperature to always prepare a perfectly cooked rice. This wall-mountable product furthermore provides you with a full multi-menu selection, an automatic keep-warm, and a reheat cycle. As you can already guess, this is a good fit for you if you want to have a wide range of options, beyond the classical machine that keeps your food warm. This product offers a 5.5-cup capacity and 2 cups measuring pots with a non-stick rice spoon. One last thing to keep in mind: this product is quite expensive, so check your budget before buying!

8. Dash DRCM200BK Mini Rice Cooker Steamer

This product is available for an accessible price. For just 20$, you can buy a machine that will cook you more than just rice: you can prepare stews, soups, quinoas, and steamed vegetables thanks to the 2-cup capacity, which allows you to prepare controlled, healthier portions. Dash’s machine is compact and easy to carry around since it is comfortably portable, so if you live in a small apartment or in a college dormitory this should be mandatory for you to have if you’re looking for a rice cooker. It can be quickly set by pressing a button, it will prepare your meal in about 20 minutes, and it’s easy to clean. Besides, the keep-warm function will guarantee you hot food, no matter what!

9. Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT Micom Rice Cooker

Beware! This product is very expensive, so if you’re looking for an affordable price you may want to skip this one.
This machine is set with fuzzy logic technology to provide an evenly heating that ensures better cooking, while the inner cooking pan allows for precise control of the ingredients used. Regarding the cooking functions, there are many at your disposal: you can prepare a lot of different types of rice, including the sushi rice! Please keep in mind that this product has a 3-cup capacity that gives you 6 cups of perfectly cooked rice, so it suits your needs if you live in a small family or group of people. Like the others, this machine features a keep-warm function to maintain your food warm throughout time. The inner lid is detachable and can be washed.

10. Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker

At the bottom of our list (and not because it’s a bad product) we got another Zojirushi’s rice cooker that features a practical-to-use single switch control to start the cooking in a comfortable way. The body features two handles that won’t get cool so you can easily transport the product without getting your fingers burnt. The top lid allows you to see through to check the food while being cooked. Watch out for the cup capacity: it can produce up to 3 cups of rice, so we suggest you buy it only if you live alone, with a partner or with a very limited number of people.

FAQ

What rice cooker size suits me best?

It depends on your needs, of course. Always keep in mind that a single portion of rice varies from half to one entire cup, so if you live on your own or with someone else you should not buy a cooker with more than a 3-cup capacity.

How much do I have to spend on a rice cooker?

The more you prepare rice weekly, the more you should spend on a rice cooker. If you don’t eat rice very often, then it’s not worth spending a lot of money on it. On the other side, if you are a rice lover you should really consider spending money on a high-quality product since they will last longer.

Which are the most important features to look for in a rice cooker?

There are many, and a few depend on your needs. We can suggest that every rice cooker should have a timer function, regardless of automatic or manual, and it’s got to be easy to use! Always remember that a non-stick inner container will let you clean the product in a dishwasher. Eventually, you have to look for the latest technologies, such as Microm or Neuro-fuzzy, and for a keep-warm feature.

Can I cook different types of rice?

Absolutely yes! Always check the types of rice that a product allows you to cook since they can significantly differ.

Can I cook other ingredients with a rice cooker?

Yes, you can as long as the product is suited for that. If the machine includes a steamer then you can practically cook other ingredients, such as vegetables or fish. Always remember to check what you can cook before you buy.

Conclusion

We hope to have helped you to better understand the world of rice cookers. We have outlined the key features that you should look for, but you always have to keep into consideration the needs you have. Some rice cookers will help you boost your creativity, while others will simply provide you an easy way to prepare and keep you meals warm. Remember that some technologies can help you cook food in a precise way, while others will make you many cups (be careful not to waste them!). In any case, you will find all the info you need to make the right purchase on the lists above.

Brands Included in This Review:

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