The best way to store your rice cooker to keep it clean and functional is to unplug it, drain any leftover water, and wipe it down with a damp cloth. If you want to store larger quantities of rice in your rice cooker, you should place it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag before refrigerating or freezing it.
- The majority of contemporary Japanese rice cookers are also equipped with timers, which can be useful when preparing automatic meals such as breakfast, as they will shut off automatically after a predetermined period of time.
- Using this function would allow you to have some warm food waiting for you when you wake up if, for example, you wanted to make a pot of warm oatmeal for breakfast in your rice cooker but you tend to sleep in every morning.
- Many people enjoy using these cookers to prepare hot rice for lunch because the food is ready to eat in just a few minutes, eliminating the need to remain at the office for an extended period of time.
Does a rice cooker’s price make a difference?
Healthy food should still be tasty. – Sign up for our daily newsletter to receive additional great articles and delicious, nutritious recipes. Until I got my own apartment, I used it to cook rice and occasionally ramen soup for a couple of years before storing it in a cabinet.
- When I had my own kitchen, I developed the habit of cooking rice on the stove, which is generally quite simple and quick; therefore, a rice cooker seemed like more of a hassle than it was worth.
- During one of my moves, I eventually disposed of it.
- That was the last time I used a rice cooker until my wife’s father gave us a Zojirushi rice cooker as a housewarming gift several years later.
It is about as cute and futuristic as a kitchen appliance can get: It has six buttons, resembles a sleek white egg, and sings a tune when you turn it on and when the rice is done cooking. I thought it was sweet, but largely unnecessary, as we don’t consume that much rice on a regular basis and I can make it myself.
- It retails for approximately $175, which is ridiculously expensive.
- However, because it was such an extravagant present, I began searching for ways to utilize it.
- That’s when I discovered all of its capabilities.
- The first thing I noticed were the numerous grain buttons.
- While my old rice cooker performed admirably with white rice, it was incapable of handling much else.
Whenever I attempted to cook brown rice (or, heaven forbid, wild rice), I would end up with something that took approximately four times as long as on the stove and was invariably a little tough, dry, or sticky. However, my new rice cooker effortlessly handled both sushi rice and long grain rice.
However, the best feature is the porridge function: This appliance can cook steel-cut oats just as well as if I prepared them on the stovetop. And this brings me to my second discovery: the timer function. You can schedule something’s completion up to 24 hours in advance. And this is a game-changer. I began starting my day with steel-cut oats, then preparing quinoa or brown rice to be waiting for me when I got home.
Suddenly, I was whipping up stir-fries and grain bowls in mere minutes. Additionally, it keeps food warm for hours. Fortunately, you do not need to spend $175 on a rice cooker to receive the same benefits. There are currently a few excellent options on the market.
The Aroma professional plus is user-friendly and versatile, with a 15-hour delay timer that is sufficient for preparing either breakfast or dinner the following day. In addition, it can cook rice, quinoa, and brown rice, as well as oats. If you are willing to splurge, I cannot recommend the Zojirushi enough.
It will last for many years, looks great, and can cook virtually any grain you throw in it. A high-end rice cooker is a surprisingly versatile piece of kitchen equipment that will save you time and make it easier to prepare delicious, healthy meals. It is well worth the expense.
How to cook rice in the microwave – Would you like to learn how to cook rice quickly? Consider using the microwave! You may believe it is impossible to cook rice in a microwave, but it can be cheaper and simpler than using a rice cooker. In contrast to cooking rice on the stove, where you must wait until the water boils before reducing the heat, you can leave the microwave to its own devices.
A bonus is that you only need a microwave-safe bowl, so there is less cleanup. Furthermore, it is less likely to burn and less sticky than cooking in a pan. Before placing rice in a microwave-safe bowl, thoroughly rinse it with cold water to prepare it for cooking in the microwave. Next, cover the rice with water using the ratios suggested above, but keep in mind that brown rice requires more water.
Then, cover the bowl with clingfilm and pierce several times with a fork. If you’d rather not use plastic, you can also cover the bowl with a plate. Cook the rice over high heat (900W) for 6 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium (500W) for an additional 8 minutes.
Why do consumers acquire rice cookers?
Do you need a rice cooker? Pros: – Variable rice grains (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) You’ll never burn rice again Rice cookers are designed to cook at the precise temperature and will automatically switch to ‘keep warm’ mode once the rice has reached the ideal temperature.
No longer will you need to worry about undercooked or overcooked rice! Since it is gently steamed, the grain will have a consistent, aromatic, and deliciously fluffy texture. In addition, you will not be required to constantly monitor the pot. It can cook various types of rice grains to perfection. Different grains, such as basmati white rice and brown rice, require specific cooking methods and times.
The humble rice cooker can accommodate any type of rice grain, so there is no need for concern. Ideal if you enjoy experimenting with a variety of rice recipes, from risotto to aromatic dishes.3. Rapid and simple to use The greatest benefit of rice cookers is that they do all the work for you.
Just add rice and water before turning on the stove. Then simmer it until the grains are cooked to perfection. You don’t even need to monitor when it’s done or immediately turn off the rice cooker. It will automatically enter “keep warm” mode once the process is complete. Serving rice from a rice cooker with a spoon (Image credit: Shutterstock) It keeps rice warm during meals.
If you do not intend to consume your delicious rice immediately, a rice cooker will maintain it at a safe, warm temperature. This will ensure that it is always ready to eat at mealtimes without requiring re-heating.5. Rice tastes significantly better Since rice cookers are designed to regulate the cooking temperature, the rice’s aromatic flavor is preserved, resulting in rice that is tastier.
- In addition, the rice is significantly softer than when cooked on a stove or in a microwave.
- They cook rice more effectively than a multi-cooker.
- Nowadays, multifunctional cookers such as Instant Pots with a rice program are available.
- Due to the fact that it is not specifically designed to cook rice, the texture and flavor are never as good.
In other words, nothing can match the effectiveness and deliciousness of rice cookers. Instant Pot Duo Nova positioned on the kitchen counter (Photo courtesy of Instant Home) 7. Cost-effective appliance Compared to expensive kitchen appliances such as the best microwaves and best toaster ovens, rice cookers are readily available for less than $50.
- This depends on the capacity, which ranges from 3-cup cookers ideal for one or two people to 30-cup cookers for the entire family.
- Additionally, if you cook rice frequently, this will save you time and be a worthwhile investment.8.
- Simple to clean If you spend considerable time scrubbing pots after use, a rice cooker makes cleanup a breeze.
The inner pot of the majority of rice cookers is non-stick, so there should be no rice residue on the bottom. Additionally, verify that they are dishwasher safe to save yourself the trouble! Chicken curry and rice (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) 
