Best Stainless Steel Rice Cookers And Things You Need To Learn
Globally, there is nearly half billion of metric tons of rice being consumed. And to have delicious rice, you also need to have proper equipment that could prepare the food well. Sometimes cooking rice can be a bit tricky. Especially when you cook it on a stovetop. You would need to stand near the heat, add water when necessary, and lots of pre and post cooking activities. This is why you should use stainless steel rice cooker to achieve convenience in preparing rice, from short to long-grain rice; from white to black
There are many stainless rice cookers available in both online and brick-and-mortar stores. However, not all offer the best quality in an affordable and justifiable prize. This article would provide you the things you need to put into consideration before buying a rice cooker, and our reviews on our top five (5) best stainless steel rice cookers you need to try!
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Rank | Image | Product | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  |
Aroma Housewares ARC-914SBD | ||
2 |  |
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3 |  |
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4 |  | |||
5 |  | Aroma Housewares ARC-150SB |
What Is Stainless Steel Rice Cooker?
This kitchen equipment is a simple electric pan where you can only boil rice --- supposedly. However, you can also use this cooking tool for boiling other foods like vegetables to make frittatas; meat; boiled eggs, and much more.
Advantages
Of course, cooking in a rice cooker may not improve your cooking skills. However, when you are a busy person, this tool can help you minimize cooking time. You just need to put your rice on, add water, adjust the heat and just wait until your rice gets cooked. You can do other tasks while waiting. It is also more convenient and safer than using a stove for cooking or boiling.
Why Stainless Steel?
Why would you need a stainless steel rice cooker rather than the usual aluminum pot with a non-stick coated surface? This is because even though longer exposure to aluminum, even in smaller amounts can lead to health problems. The non-stick coating can release poisonous gas when heated above 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stainless steel, on the other hand, does not react to temperatures that high and does not affect the food being cooked on its surface. To make it short, stainless steel rice cookers are safer than aluminum ones.
Because this rice cooker can cook your food well at a right temperature and time, the risk of vitamin concentration reduction decreases. According to Consumer Report, inappropriate cooking might lead to the decrease in vitamin level up to 50% and minerals up to 15%.
What Are The Things You Need To Consider?
Even though there are lots of best quality rice cookers including the five stainless steel rice cookers we reviewed here, it is still always better to choose the one that meets all your kitchen and culinary needs and preferences. However, we would provide you the basic things you need to take into consideration in to help eliminates the bad ones and helps you narrow down your options.
1. Material And Construction
Material and construction refer to the type of materials the model is made. There are stainless steel rice cookers that also have a non-stick coating, which is proven in making your cleaning more convenient.
When you consider the construction of the unit, you would have a clue of how durable it can be. There are models that are made of fragile materials. So you should better choose the one that looks durable. There are also units that are compact, allowing you to save extra space.
2. Size And Capacity
The size also determines the ability of the unit and your preferred size of the unit is necessary to determine model best suits you. The size can be defined by some foods you plan to cook in your stainless steel rice cooker. Do you have few people at home?
If so, then it is practical to buy a unit that has three (3) cups capacity. On the other hand, if you have many people inside the house, consider buying a larger unit probably which has a capacity of six (6) cups.
3. Value
The value can be determined by the functions your unit has, and how they are justified by the given price. When you buy a pricey unit with small features to offer, you are not getting the most of your money. On the other hand, when you buy a unit that has the functions you need and the quality you seek sold at an average price, then you are making a smart decision.
4. Versatility
The versatility refers to how flexible your unit can be. For instance, there are units that are easy to transfer and offers different functionalities. This means that your stainless rice cooker can be versatile in different cooking methods and styles, which means it can also be a pressure cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, and much more.
5. Convenience (Easy To Use And Clean)
The unit convenience can mean two things: it is easy to use, and it is easy to clean. Make sure that you choose a rice cooker that does not make cooking difficult in your part. This is why you choose to use stainless steel rice cooker than the stove, after all – to reduce the amount of effort in cooking.
Make sure that the buttons and other settings can be operated without reading pages of manual. There are stainless steel rice cookers that have a one-touch operation, while others have automatic digital controls.
Also, try to choose rice cookers that are easy to clean. There are certain features that can make cleaning easy. For instance, a non-stick coated surface can make leftovers easy to brush off using water and dishwashing soap alone. The unit that has dishwasher-safe parts is also convenient.
6. Benefits And Downsides
Some units offer a gala feature which can make your rice more nutritious. Gaba stands for the gamma-aminobutyric acid that potentially lowers blood pressure, improves kidney functions and relieves stress. This settings/feature helps you activate the nutrients in the brown and black rice through holding the temperature at 104 degrees Celsius for hours.
Another advantage you can have in using rice cooker is that you are given directions of how much water and rice to put into the bowl, by providing you a cup for measurement.
The disadvantage you can encounter are units that have a Teflon-coated inner pot that scratches and peels when used over a long time.
7. Additional Functions
Try to choose the unit that has the functions you need, or the one that has many functions. Some stainless steel rice cookers do have a functionality that allows you to cook cereals, sushi, and even porridge. Watch this video to know how to cook porridge using your stainless steel rice cooker.
Most rice cookers do have a steaming feature that allows you to steam different kinds of foods – potatoes, carrots, and much more!
8. Cooking Style
Electric Stainless Steel Rice Cookers can cook rice in two ways:
Thermal Convection: In this method, the pan inside the unit is not heated through the surface. Instead, a heated air outside the pan passes through it through thermal convection. When your unit has a thermal sensing device, it automatically turns to the warming mode once done.
Heat Induction: In heat induction, the pan does not heat up so much. The unit produces an electromagnetic current that causes heat to build inside the rice cooker.
In this heating method, you can achieve consistent cooking. However, heat inducted rice cooker is pricier than rice cooker with thermal convection.
9. Design
The design should be the least of your concern. However, we encourage you to pick out what you like the most. Otherwise, choose a design that is simple yet elegant. This can create an attraction in your kitchen when displayed.
Top 5 Best Stainless Steel Rice Cookers
Rank | Image | Product | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | |
Aroma Housewares ARC-914SBD | ||
2 | |
| ||
3 | |
| ||
4 | | |||
5 | | Aroma Housewares ARC-150SB |
Aroma Housewares ARC-914SBD
Via Amazon.com
This unit is one of the best because it has a capacity of cooking eight cups of rice, ideal for serving many people. It is also easy to use because it has a digital control panel where you can automatically set up the time and the temperature. You are also provided with a lot of rice-cooking options – white, brown and black rice and an automatic keep-warm capability.
The unit has a non-stick inner pot, which makes cleaning more convenient. The parts are also dishwasher-safe too! The unit also has accessories such as a steam tray, rice measuring cup, spatula, as well as coupons and given recipes. It also has a Sensor Logic that can make adjustments to heat and time to produce a perfectly-cooked rice.
The prize is also justifiable. Compare to other units that offer the same quality; this unit is relatively cheaper.
Pros
- It automatically shuts down when the rice is already cooked
- It cooks your rice evenly and perfectly
- It gives a beep sound when the cooking is done
- It is easy to use
- It can serve many people
- Durable
Cons
- Can be a bit tricky to clean
Hamilton Beach 37548
Via Amazon.com
When it comes to outer appearance, the unit offers an elegant, durable and sophisticated looks. With its versatile functionality, you can cook not just different kinds of rice but also other foods like cereals. It has a variety of sizes from 14-cup capacity unit to 20-cup capacity unit.
The materials are coated with a non-stick coating, so a small amount of flowing water can brush off the leftover foods.
A lot of customers point out the price this unit offers. Considering the quality and the functionality it gives, you are sure you are getting the most of your money.
It also has a digital control panel for settings. This type of display makes operation and cooking more convenient and highly technological.
To summarize, this unit is a potential choice.
Pros
- Versatile 2 – 14 cup capacity
- Versatile functionality – you can cook rice and other dishes
- It has a delay start making planning easier
- Cheaper compare to other good brands
- Non-stick coated pot
Cons
- Few users claim leakage when cooking oatmeal
Tiger JNP-S10U-HU
Via Amazon.com
This unit is a bit pricey. However, it also makes sure that it gives a good quality unit. It also produces an excellent and deliciously cooked rice – moist and fluffy. It also has a huge capacity which can accommodate nine to thirty (30) cups in one cooking.
When it comes to construction, the unit is proven durable. A lot of users claim that their bought unit lasted for almost twelve (12) years, surely an excellent payback to the money you spent.
Another asset is that this model is easy to use. It does not have any complicated buttons. You just need to have the right measurements, plug the unit, press and then forget! Once the rice is done, the unit automatically turns into warming mode, until you are ready to serve it.
This unit can hold your rice at warm mode up to 12 hours without drying or burning your rice. You can also cook other foods like vegetables and boil eggs.
Because it has a non-stick coated surface, the unit is also easy to clean.
Pros
- Good construction
- A lot of users claim of its durability (claims lasts up to twelve years)
- Easy to use
- It cooks rice fast
Cons
- It offers no programming starting time
- It does not have a steaming functionality
- Can be a bit pricey compared to other single-switch rice cookers
Cuisinart CRC-400
Via Amazon.com
This is another best quality you need to try! Cuisinart CRC-400 offers you a very stylish design. It can be as big as your two-slice toasters combined with a capacity enough to cook four cups of rice. This is ideal for serving few people and perfect for small rooms and apartment.
It also produces a good, fluffy and moist rice – just put water according to accurate measurements.
You need to make adjustments especially when you are cooking different kinds of rice. For instance, cooking brown rice requires you to add more water than cooking white rice.
It also has a steaming that you can in heating up vegetables and boiling eggs. Aside from a steamer, it comes with a plastic rice paddle, measuring cup as well as recipes and manual for a good cooking operation.
On the other side, the unit’s surface can be too hot, so you need to take extra measure when cooking.
Pros
- Elegant and unique stainless steel design
- Easy to use
- It cooks a good quality of rice
- Small and compact, ideal for apartments and small rooms
Cons
- The exterior can be very hot
- Some users claim to have experienced boil over issues
Aroma Housewares ARC-150SB
This unit has a digital control panel that lets the cooker automatically adjust the timer and the heating temperature. This feature offers convenience. Aside from this, it has a big capacity that can accommodate twenty cups of rice, perfect for serving many people in the house.
It also has a delay timer which can make cooking planning easier. It can hold your cooked rice up to 15 hours without affecting the quality of the rice. It also has different settings intended for various types of rice. You can even put the setting into a slow cooking mode.
Aside from rice, this unit is capable of cooking and steaming other foods like vegetables as well as can boil eggs.
It is not only easy to use considering its digital and technological control panel, but it is also easy to clean. You just need to rinse it with a dishwashing soap and water, and you’re ready to go.
Pros
- Automatic digital control panel
- Has a delay timer
- Good quality
Cons
- You need to soak the rice to cook it correctly
The Best Pick: Aroma Housewares ARC-914SBD
We considered this unit as the best among the best. It has a large capacity and an automatic control panel, which makes cooking more convenient. You are also provided with different setting options for different kinds of rice.
When it comes to cleaning, this unit has dishwasher-safe parts and has a Sensor Logic that automatically adjusts the temperature and time to produce a perfectly-cooked rice. You can have these all in just an affordable price!
