5 Best Rice Cookers

Buying Guide for Best Rice Cookers

Electric rice cookers or simply Rice cookers have seen unprecedented use and demand in the recent years. Due to its advanced feature to cook rice automatically, without any supervision and worries, it has become a must have kitchen appliance. Rice cookers are particularly prevalent in houses where the couples are working professionals.

Rice cookers are certainly a wise investment. However, if you are confused which rice cooker model to buy, then this rice cooker buyer’s guide is just for you.

Varieties of rice cookers with different specifications and features are available in the market. However, this buying guide has compiled the essential features that will help you to select the best rice cooker for your family.

Before you proceed with the factors, have a look at the different types of rice cookers in India.

Types of Electric Rice Cookers:

1. Standard Rice Cookers:

Standard rice cookers are the cheapest of all other types. Cooking rice in this type of rice cooker is extremely easy. Just add washed rice, water and turn the cooker on. Once the rice is cooked, the cooker automatically turns to warm mode. A standard rice cooker comes with a separable cord and a non-stick cooking pot.

2. Improved Rice Cookers:

These rice cookers have features similar to standard rice cookers, with additional features like steaming and baking. Hence, you will find extra settings in these cookers. Apparently, the price is also a little higher than the standard rice cookers.

3. Multi-functional Rice Cookers:

These rice cookers are equipped with the latest technology and advanced features. So, it is no surprise that the price of these rice cookers is also on the expensive side.

However, the high price seems justifiable because you can cook porridge, pulao, biryani and a number of other rice dishes.

Essential factors to consider before you buy the best rice cooker

Here is the list of essential factors you must consider before purchasing a rice cooker. Anyone, including someone buying a rice cooker for the first time, can also refer to this list for buying assistance.

Capacity:

First thing first, check the rice cooker’s capacity and match it to your needs. The capacity of a rice cooker is expressed in litres. A low-capacity rice cooker is suitable for smaller families. However, if your family has more members, you might have to look for rice cookers with high-capacity.

Refer to this table to finalize the right rice cooker capacity:

Inner Pot Material:

Most electric rice cookers look the same externally. However, the material used to make the inner pot makes a difference. Most producers use either stainless steel or non-stick aluminum. Some manufacturers even make the indoor pot with aluminum-coated stainless steel material.

Aluminium

Rice cookers with aluminum are typically lightweight and available at a less expensive price. Aluminum is regarded as the best heat conductor. It is not as durable as stainless steel, however. Vessels made with aluminum can also bend if too much pressure is exerted.

Stainless Steel

Pots made of stainless steel are extremely durable. These pots or vessels look new for years with a shiny finish. Compared to other materials, vessels in stainless steel are a little costly. The thermal conductivity of stainless steel is not as good as aluminium.

Non-Stick

Since no food material sticks to the pot, vessels are very easy to clean with non-stick coating. These non-adhesive coatings wear out more quickly, however. Once the coating wears out, you must replace the inner pot.

Automatic Shut-Off Feature:

Almost all rice cooker models in India come with an automatic shut-off function. These cookers have special sensors which determine if the rice is properly cooked. Once these sensors feel that rice is cooked properly, the cooker automatically switches off, and the rice stops cooking.

Insulated Exterior:

The outside of the electric rice cooker should be thoroughly insulated to avoid the possibility of burning or electric shock. Most rice cooker manufacturers offer a body with double isolation layers. These rice cookers also use a cool handling method for users to handle it safely.

Energy and Power Consumption:

The energy efficiency of every electric rice cooker is defined by the time it takes the food to cook with the heat that it produces. When compared with gas cookers, electric rice cookers consume only 60-70% of the heat. Contrastingly, the cooking time in electric rice cookers is much lower than their gas variants.

In general, electric rice cookers use as much energy as electric irons or even less in some cases. So, in terms of power consumption, they are quite energy efficient, which means you do not have to worry about your electricity bill while using electric rice cookers.

Easy to Clean Bowl:

You may notice that some electric rice cookers come with a steel bowl in the market. Since food sticks in the bowl, it is difficult for most users to clean it properly.

Therefore, many brands prefer to offer non-sticky cooking bowls. The non-stick coating prevents food from sticking, thereby making it easier for you to clean and wash.

Some premium brands offer even anodised bowls of aluminum. The latest electric rice cooker models come with teflon coating.

Even Cooking:

A good rice cooker should cook even and fluffy rice in the pot. If the pot of rice is not evenly cooked, soggy rice grains may be found in the lower part, very mushy rice in the middle, burnt rice grains in the corner, sometimes cooked rice in the top part. It is, therefore, essential to buy a rice cooker which evenly cooks the rice.

Ease of Use:

Make sure that the rice cooker you buy is easy to use. Now, several factors decide whether the rice cookers are easy to use. Have a look at these factors:

• Large handles with good grip for easy picking
• Easy to clean bowl
• Controls with easy to understand labels
• A detachable power cord to carry it easily

Cool Touch Handle:

The electric rice cookers should have cool and heat-resistant handles. These handles provide a safe and firm grip to keep the cooker safe even when it is heavy and has hot rice inside. It also avoids burning your hand while serving rice.

Accessories:

It is highly recommended that you check the additional accessories available with every model. These extra accessories are necessary for a convenient cooking experience. Some of the important accessories you need to inspect are:

• A measuring cup to add perfect quantities of raw rice and water.
• A spatula or a ladle that’s useful to mix or serve rice. The plastic ladle is available for most brands, since the rice can easily be cut out without scraping the non-stick coating.
• You can purchase an additional idle stand separately for the rice cooker.

Brand:

When you are planning to buy a rice cooker or any electrical appliance, choosing a model from a well-known brand is always safe. Because well-known brands have a warranty period and offer better after-sales services, along with a superior quality product.

Even if you have to pay a little extra for the best rice cooker brand, you will never regret it.

Lid Type:

Lid type can be Sealed and Unsealed, with both having pros and cons.

Sealed: Rice cookers with sealed lids prevent rice or water splitting into the kitchen. However, it may be inconvenient to clean such cookers.

Unsealed: Rice cookers with unsealed lids are comparatively cheaper. You can easily clean and maintain such rice cookers. Some of the latest rice cookers in the market even have a visual lid for you to monitor the cooking process.

Price:

The rice cooker price in India ranges between 1000 rupees to 3000 rupees. Before buying your rice cooker, set your budget and compare the specifications provided by different companies at your budget.

Warranty:

It is always useful to buy an electric cooker with a maximum warranty period. Most rice cooker brands in India offer a standard warranty period of 1-2 years. Some brands also offer an extended warranty on the heating elements.

Hence, while you decide to buy a rice cooker, consider this factor, and choose a brand offering the best warranty.

FAQs on the best electric rice cooker in India

Q. 1. Is cooking rice in a rice cooker healthy?
A. Rice cookers are designed to cook rice fast and evenly, without losing its nutritional value. Thus, the rice is as healthy as rice cooked by any other means.

Q. 2. How long does it take to cook rice in a rice cooker?
A. If you are cooking normal rice, the standard time is 15-20 minutes. While other varieties of rice such as parboiled rice or whole grain rice may take some extra time depending upon the type of rice you are using.

Q. 3. What is the ratio of rice to water in a rice cooker?
A. The ratio also depends upon the rice type as different rice varieties require different amounts of rice. However, 2-2.5 cups of water for each cup of rice should be the standard for non-sticky and properly cooked rice.

Q. 4. How long does a rice cooker keep rice warm?
A. The auto warm functions of modern rice cookers can keep the rice warm up to 12 hours.

Q. 5. Can you open a rice cooker while cooking?
A. If the rice cooker has an unsealed lid, you can open it while cooking. However, it is advisable not to open as the heat may escape affecting the cooking time.

Q. 6. Which is the best rice cooker model in India?
A. Deciding the best rice cooker model depends upon your requirements. If a model can fulfill all the requirements within your budget is the best rice cooker. However, Prestige 1.8 Litre Rice Cooker and Panasonic 5.4-Litre Rice Cooker are among the best rice cooker models for large families. Similarly, the Pigeon 1 litre Rice Cooker is among the best models for small families.

Q. 7. Which is the best electric rice cooker for a big family?
A. Prestige 1.8 Litre Rice Cooker and Panasonic 5.4-Litre Rice Cooker are both suitable as the best electric rice cookers suitable for big families.