Rice Cookers
Rice Cookers are very popular these days as they provide an easier way to cook perfect rice every time rather than using the traditional methods of cooking rice such as boiling and absorption. They automate the rice cooking process by electronically controlling heat and timing. All that is required by the user is to measure the rice, prepare the rice (i.e. rinsing if required) add the correct amount of water then switch it on.

I love the time I save by using my Rice Cooker. It’s less hassle than cooking rice manually as I can set it in the late afternoon and forget about it. There are many fast and delicious recipes that are delicious served with rice so I give my Rice Cooker a workout at least once a week. Some of these family friendly recipes include Chinese Chicken,Slow Cooked Chili Beefand Mongolian Beef Stir Fry.

The size, price, quality and features of Rice Cookers differ from brand to brand and model to model. I personally have an old Sunbeam Rice Cooker that is not available anymore. For anyone looking to buy one, I have done some extensive research to review three of the best Rice Cookers currently on the market.

Rice Cookers: My Top 3 Picks

Aroma ARC-838TC 8-Cup Digital Rice Cooker & Food Steamer

Things I love about the Aroma Rice Cooker:
• Includes a food steamer function that allows you to steam vegetables while simultaneously cooking rice
• The least expensive of my top 3 picks
• Programmable, easy-to-use digital control panel
• 15-hour delay timer for flexible meal planning
• Prepares from 4 to 16 cups of cooked rice
• Cool-touch exterior
• Includes a measuring cup, steam tray and serving spatula
• Bigger capacity than the other 2 other models

What I don’t love about the Aroma Rice Cooker:
• Quite messy as the lid does not seal very tightly therefore it can “spit” out the starchy water as it cooks the rice. The starchy steam released during cooking can coat the surface of your bench under the rice cooker

Quotes from people who own the Aroma Rice Cooker:
“This is the fourth rice cooker I have owned and it is by far and away the best.”
“It’s easy to clean, can keep cooked rice hot for hours and is extremely easy to use.”
“This one does a great job for a very reasonable price and I’m so glad I didn’t pay more.”

Sanyo ECJ-HC55S 5-1/2-Cup Micro-Computerized Rice Cooker and Slow Cooker, White

Things I love about the Sanyo Rice Cooker:
• Additional steaming function for vegetables with a programmable timer
• Additional slow cook function up to 12 hours (for cooking soups and stews)
• Carrying handle for easy transport
• Includes tofu container, steaming tray, measuring cup, spatula, and recipes
• Two separate inner pots and inner lids to keep slow cooked dishes separate from rice
• One-touch selections for different programs for white, brown, mixed, and sushi rice
• Option to choose different rice textures
• Micro-computer chip technology automatically adjusts the temperature and cooking times
• Retractable cord
• 24 hour pre-set timer
• Battery (clock) can be changed by the user without shipping to the distributor
• Not the most expensive model out of my top 3 picks

What I don’t love about Sanyo Rice Cooker:
• Although the pan states non-stick, rice can sticks to the bottom of the pan, especially when cooking brown rice, making cleaning a little harder
• No option to steam and cook rice simultaneously

Quotes from people who own the Sanjo Rice Cooker:
“I ended up buying the Sanyo over the Zojirushi based on price and couldn’t be happier. I saved a lot of money and am 100% happy with the product.”
“The bowl cleans easily with just a sponge.”
“This rice cooker works like a charm. Looks great in the kitchen and the rice is always perfect!”

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White

Things I love about the Zojirushi Rice Cooker:
• LCD clock and timer
• Retractable cord
• Includes 2 measuring cups, nonstick rice spoon/scooper, rice spoon holder, and recipes
• User-friendly control panel
• Inner pan has Teflon, non-stick coating that prevents rice from sticking to the bottom
• Stay-cool side handles
• Has a setting for brown rice

What I don’t love about the Zojirushi model:
• The most expensive of my 3 options
• May require special battery change at the distrubutors after around 4 years

Quotes from people who have the Zorijui rice cooker:
“A fairly complex machine but it’s really easy to use once you understand the setup.”
“I’m Japanese so I have high expectations for a rice cooker so I have researched many products before I bought this, and I love this one!”
“My mother has the 10 cup version of this machine and I almost bought that one, but if you are not feeding more than 5 people, then this machine (5.5 cups) will definitely be enough.”

My Recommendation

After extensive researching, and coming up with the top three models of Rice Cookers, I would highly recommend the Sanyo model (affiliate link). This all in one product cooks rice, steams vegetables and slow cooks soups and stews. I already have a slow cooker (link to article) so the slow cooking function is not a make or break feature for me personally but for anyone who doesn’t have a slow cooker it’s a great extra. I love the different rice cooking settings of this model as I cook a lot of different types of rice and at around $100 it’s the middle of the road price range of the three models.
Although a great price and a model that cooks great rice, the main drawback of the Aroma modelis the mess factor (my current Rice Cooker has a similar problem with a lid that does not seal tightly which makes a mess round the cooker.)
If you don’t need the slow cooking function and you don’t mind spending the extra money for a good quality product, I would not hesitate to go with the Zojirushi model (affiliate link). If my Rice Cooker died today, the Zojirushi (affiliate link) is the one I would be buying.

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