#### Contents 1. [Benefits of a rice cooker](#benefits-of-a-rice-cooker-2) 2. [Types of rice cookers](#types-of-rice-cookers-2) * [Microwave rice cooker](#microwave-rice-cooker-3) * [Traditional rice cooker](#traditional-rice-cooker-3) * [Jar-o-mat rice cooker](#jaromat-rice-cooker-3) * [Micro-computerised rice cooker](#microcomputerised-rice-cooker-3) * [Induction heating](#induction-heating-4) * [Pressurised induction heating](#pressurised-induction-heating-4) 7. [The capacity of your rice cooker](#the-capacity-of-your-rice-cooker-2) 8. [Rice cooker features to look out for](#rice-cooker-features-to-look-out-for-2) ![Fresh rice from a rice cooker](https://cdn.productreview.com.au/resize/buying-guide/e19acee0-0e67-439a-bca9-941f4d7ea4ea?width=826) ## Benefits of a rice cooker A rice cooker is designed to get you perfectly cooked rice every time with minimal effort. All you have to do is put a certain amount of rice and water (or stock) into the bowl, turn on the device and wait. It can be useful in simplifying your dinner prep if you don’t want to use a stove or can be a very convenient option for those without access to a stove. Unlike stovetop cooking, there’s a minimal chance that you’ll under or overcook your rice. The latest models offer advanced features and computerised sensors to ensure against this. Many rice cookers also tackle additional tasks like steaming vegetables and protein, simmering soups and stews or cooking other grains from oatmeal to quinoa. Ideal for those who eat rice often to save time and effort Multiple uses including cooking porridge and steaming vegetables Can sear ingredients that go with rice to make flavoursome risottos Contains an auto-off function that prevents your rice from overcooking Dishwasher safe accessories, making them easy to clean Can be expensive Can take more time than cooking on the stove May not be suitable for single-households Obsolete if you don't cook rice often ## Types of rice cookers The first thing you need to consider when choosing a rice cooker is: How much rice will I be making, what kind of rice will I be making and which features are worth investing in? Even though they’ll all get you tasty and perfectly cooked rice in the end, there are four kinds of rice cookers that range in price and functionality. These include microwave, traditional, jar-o-mat and micro-computerized rice cookers which feature induction and pressure cooking technology and the ability to cook exotic grains. ### Microwave rice cooker This is a rice cooker in its most basic form. It consists of an inexpensive plastic cooking vessel and a lid that keeps steam locked in. You can use this in the same way as a traditional rice cooker by adding rice grains and the appropriate amount of water to cook rice (or steam foods) using only the heat from your microwave. ### Traditional rice cooker Traditional rice cookers are the most popular type of rice cookers. They include basic components such as a heating plate, an internal cooking bowl, an external pot and possibly a steam tray. They are simple machines that rely only on the heat plate and a timer to cook rice. They normally have one button or switch to turn the device on or off and are extremely simple to use. They cook rice quickly (approximately 1 cup of rice every 25 minutes) and come with a ‘keep warm’ function to keep your rice warm until you are ready to eat it. Other functions could include an automatic shut-off and a delayed start. As versatile tools, they come in sizes as small as 3 cups to as large as 60 for commercial use. They are best for use on white rice exclusively since they only go through a single heat sequence. ### Jar-o-mat rice cooker There are a few differences between a traditional rice cooker and a jar-o-mat rice cooker which is the next step up in terms of price and functionality. Traditional rice cookers have a single heating element that heats rice from the bottom up. This may produce a crust on the cooked rice which some people may not like. A jar-o-matrice cooker also has heating elements along the side of the rice cooker body (and some in the lid) that cooks the rice evenly leading to no crust. Jar-o-mat rice cookers also have a hinged lid, attached to the body with a rubber gasket seal. This enables the cooking process to work more efficiently and for the rice to stay warmer for longer. Comparatively, traditional rice cookers have a glass lid that sits on top of the inner pot which is less efficient for retaining heat. ### Micro-computerised rice cooker If you’re planning to cook all sorts of different rice and grains, then you may want to consider investing in a computerised rice cooker that has a few advantages over the previous cooker models. Micro-computerised rice cookers with fuzzy logic technology will create fluffier and better-tasting rice. They achieve this via a method that involves warming your rice before cooking it, cooking it at varying temperatures during the heating cycle and then warming the rice once again before it’s done. The cooked rice is of better quality due to the thermal sensors which monitor the temperature at all times and change it accordingly for optimal and thorough cooking. This method naturally takes longer than a straightforward heating process (approximately 50 minutes per cup of rice as opposed to 25 minutes). However, it can be worth the wait for some. This setting can also be disabled or replaced with the ‘quick cook’ function if you’re in a rush which essentially turns your cooker into a jar-o-matic rice cooker. As the name suggests, this type of rice cooker is operated by a computer. In addition to the fuzzy logic function, some models are able to cook brown rice which cooks at a different temperature and requires a different amount of water and cooking time. Other popular features include porridge, slow cook function and steaming functions. All computerised rice cookers come with a timer that allows you to preset a time for when you want your rice to be cooked. For example, you can add the rice and water to your rice cooker, plug it in and set it to cook for 6 pm. The rice cooker will turn on have the rice ready for 6 pm. This is an extremely convenient feature that can save you a lot of time. Some advanced brands and models of computerized rice cookers can also cook sweet rice, rinse-free rice, sushi rice and bake cakes. At this point, these products are only loosely rice cookers so if they aren’t features you’d take advantage of, then it can be more cost-effective to buy a jar-o-matic rice cooker. #### Induction heating The next step up is an induction-heating element that creates a magnetic field that emanates heat throughout the entire inner pot (not just the bottom, sides and top) for a much more even cooking with micom technology. These models start at around $250. #### Pressurised induction heating Finally, these models raise the cooking temperature with pressurised heating and can change the texture and structure of the grains and starch in the rice. They’re often priced between $300 and $400 but can be found second-hand for less. ## The capacity of your rice cooker Before you choose which rice cooker to go for, measure how many cups of rice you cook on a daily basis. 1 cup is roughly 190-200g of uncooked rice. Depending on the model and make of your product, the cup sizes may vary so keep an eye out for that when loading your rice. It’s important to choose a size based on your daily use rather than what you use for special occasions or parties because it’ll keep your rice cooker functioning better for longer if you don’t over or underfill the cooker regularly. Similarly, the rice may not cook evenly if only a small amount is cooked in a large cooker hence why many large cookers have a minimum requirement. Rice cookers come in various sizes. A 3-cup rice cooker is the smallest capacity commonly found in major brands such as Panasonic, Tiger, and Zojirushi. The next size up is a 5-cup and the biggest size (for household use) is 10 cups. Some niche brands may have 4-cup and 8-cup sizes available. Each cup of raw rice will yield two bowls of cooked rice. For example, a 5-cup rice cooker can make up to a maximum of 10 bowls of cooked rice. A 3-cup rice cooker would be the most suitable size for someone who cooks 1-2 cups of rice at a time. Couples and small families may benefit from a 5-cup cooker and large families may find a 10-cup cooker would be most suitable for them. ## Rice cooker features to look out for * **Steam baskets:** If this is something you’d benefit from, look for a rice cooker with a steam basket that will allow you to save even more time by steaming your veggies, fish and dumplings to enjoy with your rice. * **[Non-stick coating](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?6da74999-971b-4703-be35-355d3e1e0e04=true):** This will prevent your rice from sticking to the bowl and for easy serving. * **Accessories**: Some rice cookers come with accessories included spatulas, measuring cups, colanders and recipe books. * **Light and audio indicators:** These features will let you know when your rice is done so you don’t have to keep an eye on your cooker. * **Outer body construction material:** Choose between [plastic](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?c34b3685-be70-4514-ba6a-b1de42dbb4db%5B0%5D=29aee8ee-e68e-47ce-af21-d40fc3618127) or [stainless steel](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?c34b3685-be70-4514-ba6a-b1de42dbb4db%5B0%5D=537e2f20-2423-4b47-be23-8a0c77e20861) cookers for durability. * **Inner body construction material:** Choose between [stainless steel](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?b710fc45-f424-4677-bb1e-92b46578c4af%5B0%5D=1de57dfd-1836-44f1-accc-26843c6be50a), [aluminium](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?b710fc45-f424-4677-bb1e-92b46578c4af%5B0%5D=ee516086-25f6-4aaf-9e15-5374cb3f53dd) or [ceramic ](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?b710fc45-f424-4677-bb1e-92b46578c4af%5B0%5D=38cd1441-a63c-481a-913e-23ffc20a7ddd)for heat conductivity. * **Cup capacity:** 3 cups, [5 cups](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?d0f219ba-df32-443b-9211-6b2c6524e1a4%5B0%5D=5&d0f219ba-df32-443b-9211-6b2c6524e1a4%5B1%5D=5) or [10 cups](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?d0f219ba-df32-443b-9211-6b2c6524e1a4%5B0%5D=10&d0f219ba-df32-443b-9211-6b2c6524e1a4%5B1%5D=10). * Keep warm/delay features for flexibility. * Fuzzy logic technology for fluffier, tastier rice. * Reheat cycle to rewarm rice. * Quick cook function to save time. * Texture settings for firmer or softer rice. * Features that let you cook other grains such as quinoa and barley. * Simmer or slow-cook functions. * [Dishwasher safe parts](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers?8ba936a1-8fb4-49aa-b72d-8a87f8a99b99=true) for easy cleanup. You can read reviews on our website to help you find the best rice cooker for you. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.productreview.com.au/c/rice-cookers" }, "headline": "Best Rice Cookers", "description": "Learn about the different types of rice cookers and the features they come with.", "image": "https://cdn.productreview.com.au/resize/buying-guide/e19acee0-0e67-439a-bca9-941f4d7ea4ea", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Veena Chandar" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "ProductReview.com.au", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn.productreview.com.au/assets/public/og_logo_1a8a64.png" } }, "datePublished": "2021-05-07", "dateModified": "2021-05-07" }

Best Sunbeam Rice Cookers

Sunbeam Rice Perfect Deluxe 7 RC5600