I want to buy a rice cooker. I absolutely suck at making rice in a pot on the stove top.

I did a forum search, found some recommendations but they are from several or more years ago, and I want more current info. Things change.

I'm willing to spend up to $150-ish or so.

The Zojirushi electric looks good but there are several different models.

I won't be cooking much at a time, probably 1 to 2 cups of rice.

Thanks.
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We use an Insta-pot

Though I don't use a rice cooker, it is interesting to note that those people who do cook a lot of rice swear by these dedicated cookers. Just about every household in Southern Louisiana had one of these cookers when I was growing up, and I doubt that's changed at all today. Also, Asian cooks seem to swear by them.

I prefer the stovetop method but for foolproof rice every time, a rice cooker is the way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by oldbill123:
We use an Insta-pot

Yep. Works just as well as my rice cooker, but much faster. Use 1 cup of water per 1 cup of (well rinsed) long grain white or jasmine rice. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 3 minutes (note: not the Rice setting). Leave at pressure 10 minutes. Release pressure. Fluff and serve.

My old rice cooker just collects dust now. While it does a good job, it takes ~45 minutes, and only has one use. The Instant Pot does it about 3x as fast, and can be used for dozens of other things too.

Uncle Roger's a hoot

We bought an Aroma ARC-616SB 12 cup rice cooker back in December 2014 and it has been bulletproof since.


Opted for it over a more expensive Zojirushi model which admittedly was a very close second.

We also weren't interested in a insta-pot type unit.

Jasmine rice is my preferred. A cup if that stuff cooks up in about 15 minutes. A little salt, a slab of butter, and sometimes a few dehydrated mushrooms for that umami craving. It finishes while I'm doing other prep stuff. Far less maintenance than a risotto. If you're cooking for the fam, I get it. 2-3 cups may be easier with another appliance in the kitchen. Now I'm hungry. Mom used to cook chicken and rice in the crockpot and slow cook all day.

Instant Pot is definitely faster as Rogue mentioned. That said, I still use a dedicated rice cooker simply because I can prepare the main entree in the I.P. while the rice is cooking separately. Everything gets done at the same time. Whether that's useful to you really depends on your cooking style.

As far as type, I still use a dumb cooker that cost me less than $30 I think. Put rice and water in, smash the on button. But if you want a smart-pot that does everything but eat the rice for you, wonderful, go for it.

Yes, I've stopped using long grain white rice and started using jasmine rice. 2:1 water/rice ratio, some butter and salt. Bring water to a boil, dump in rice, simmer for twenty minutes and done.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: parabellum,

My rice cooker, she isn't cheap.

I guess my Ninja Foodi will cook rice. Funny, but it had never occurred to me.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
My rice cooker, she isn't cheap.

But she is a smart cooker. I mean, she was smart enough to marry you.

Basmati and Jasmine are our favs for rice.

And yes, like kkina, we prefer a dedicated rice cooker for convenience when making meals.

I got a Zojirushi when I lived in Hawaii 25 years ago, and it's still going! I prefer not to have a single-use appliance, but this one is an exception.

My ex who was Asian would not have anything in the kitchen except a Zojirushi rice cooker. It made perfect rice every time and they last a long time. Her mother had one that looked ancient and was still working the last time I saw it. They are a good well made product that does its' job perfectly. It can also be used to steam vegetables and proteins.

If you want fancy, you can get a Japanese rice cooker as they're into technology. If you want bulletproof, just get any cheap Chinese rice cooker. You measure the rice, you put in the water, plug in the cord, press down the button to cook. When it's done, the button pops up and keeps the rice warm until you unplug it. Like meat, you don't go in and start scooping rice. You let it sit for a couple of minutes.

For the love of all that is holy, please do NOT wash or rinse your rice! Just put however many cups of rice you want into the rice cooker pan. Level the rice. Slowly pour water so as not to disturb the level of the rice. Add enough water to reach the first knuckle of your middle finger when you place your middle finger on top of the rice. This method works for however many cups you have or what altitude.

Based on the result which depends on the Jasmine rice crop, you may have to adjust the level by a couple of lines up or down. You'll use less water when the crop is fresh and more water when it's old.

I've lived in Louisiana for over 65 years and the first things I was taught was how to make coffee, and cook a pot of rice on the stove . Rice cookers are more prevalent at Church socials from what I've seen ..

We have been using this cheap rice cooker from Amazon for over a year and it works well for us, MUCH easier than out Insta Pot.

quote:

For the love of all that is holy, please do NOT wash or rinse your rice!

Don't wash your rice? I've never, ever heard that one. Reason?

I have 2 Zojirushis and a cheap Aroma from Target. Always used 1:1 ratio and to be honest, they come out the same. The Zojirushi has extra settings if you want to make different dishes

Growing up, this is what my parents used, and worked just fine for decades.