Rice cookers are all-in-one convenience cookers. They create the light, fluffy, and evenly cooked rice we all love so much. Rice cookers cook rice evenly and do not have the issues with burning or overcooking associated with stovetop and slow cooker-rice. Rice made in a rice cooker is both smooth and flavorful. For the avid rice eater, a rice cooker will not disappoint in the quality produced.
Rice made in a rice cooker is better for taste and texture. Rice cookers are designed for rice and therefore reach the optimal temperature and pressure for making the very best rice. The regulated temperature helps the rice retain its flavor while thoroughly cooking the rice inside and out.
A rice cooker makes the best rice with ease and simplicity. Rice made with a rice cooker is notably soft without being mushy with an authentic rice flavor dominating the taste. Rice cookers do not run the same risks from neglect associated with other cooking methods.
Why Do Rice Cookers Make Better Rice?
Rice cookers have been engineered specifically to cook rice. This technique was made to bring the rice to a boil quickly and evenly. This prevents the rice from becoming mushy due to a slow cooking experience. It also prevents an uneven cook with some of the rice overcooking and other grains under cooking as happens so often on the stove.
Rice cookers have a gauge that communicates to the machine about when the rice is finished. This helps regulate the heat and intensity of the cooking. It can determine if the rice is finished or not and then turn on the “warm” setting. This will keep the rice warm without further cooking it.
They also do not run the risk of over-saturating and over-boiling the rice. Rice cookers utilize all the water in the cooking of the rice. This prevents the rice from becoming too wet and mushy as the water evaporates.
Just be careful how much water you add! As we’ve discussed in a previous article, adding water to a rice cooker is very important. If you add too much water it can cause your rice to overcook and become mushy. If you don’t add enough it may undercook or possibly burn.
But, the rice cooker does have lines for measuring out the rice which should be sufficient to help you get the right amount. Just try your best to stick to this as much as possible and adjust where you prefer.
One of the best ways to understand how a rice cooker cooks rice is to compare it with other methods of cooking.
How do Rice Cookers Compare with Slow Cookers and Stove Top Rice?
Rice cookers differ from stovetop and slow cooker methods. Slow cookers use a low heat setting which gradually warms the water and cooks the food. This means that foods such as meats and potatoes are great in a slow cooker since they get nice and tender.
However, with rice, you don’t necessarily want slow-boiled rice. This is because while it is cooking and sitting in tepid water it tends to get softer and mushy and thus makes an unpleasant rice experience.
For stovetops, temperature control is the real struggle (especially for gas and open flame stoves). It’s hard to get an even and steady temperature for your rice to boil. Also, if you accidentally boil it too long or have the heat on too high it can cause the rice to burn or not cook on the inside.
A rice cooker solves both of these issues with a regulated temperature and cooks the rice at a much quicker rate. Rice cookers usually take around 20-40 minutes to cook rice, whereas a slow cooker can take up to 2 hours. This is why rice from a rice cooker is not mushy but also evenly cooked.
Other Benefits of Rice Cookers
Aside from making some of the best rice for your meals, rice cookers are also beneficial for their convenience and versatility. Rice cookers require very little oversight when they are being used, unlike stovetop cooking. Additionally, they can be used for cooking a variety of meals and not only for cooking rice.
First, rice cookers are convenient. With very little effort, a rice cooker can create a much more pleasant experience than a stovetop meal. You essentially just need to add the water, the rice, and allow it time to finish.
It’s great for the busy person who wants a warm meal at the end of a long day. They automatically switch from cooking to keeping warm without your intervention which means if you need to run errands your rice should still be fine when you get back.
A rice cooker can also be used for more than just rice. People who have a busy morning can use their rice cooker to make some delicious oatmeal or other hot cereal.
Similar to the rice, the hot grain cereals cook thoroughly without becoming mushy or overcooked. The hot cereal is also said to have a richer flavor and absorb any added seasonings thoroughly.
Rice cookers can also be used to steam vegetables. Some rice cookers come with a steamer basket. This can be used to steam vegetables while your rice is cooking to save you time.
If your rice cooker does not have a basket, you can also just add the vegetables on top of the rice when it’s about halfway done. But, it could make your rice taste a little like the vegetables you’re cooking.
Are Rice Cookers Worth It?
Rice cookers are worth it, especially if you are a busy person looking to still make healthy, wholesome home-cooked meals. They can save you time, effort, and make better quality rice than other methods. And, they are versatile machines that can be used for a variety of dishes with ease.
More expensive models tend to have more options for cooking and cooking different varieties of food. This isn’t to say you can’t cook wild rice, brown rice, or other grains in a cheaper model. Many claim that cheaper models make good white rice, but it gets more difficult with other grains or rice varieties.
Part of this is related to the fact that many cheaper models only have two settings: cook and warm. This means that it’s great at making a few things well, but it doesn’t have much versatility for other foods.
The more expensive models can cost close to $100-$170, but they do have more settings and are more versatile. This may make them more useful to you if you hope to use them for a variety of foods and grains.
How to Care For Your Rice Cooker
Cleaning your rice cooker is very important for your health and the longevity of your machine. Rice needs to be thoroughly cleaned from your machine after each use. Otherwise, your machine can develop bacteria from the rice fermenting with age and moisture.
Rice is also a starch food and the water can tend to get very thick as the rice cooks. You want to be sure that the residue from the rice is removed and cleaned out of each crevice and the cooking tray.
If you regularly clean it then hot water and dish soap should suffice to keep your rice cooker running smoothly and without any harmful bacteria. But, it’s a smart idea to try and clean out the space below the steamer pot as well as the exterior (for aesthetic purposes! But, no one likes a dirty appliance, right?).
Last, make sure you clean the glass lid thoroughly. This part is ignored by and large, but it must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. The steam from the rice tends to have some starch in it that will leave your lid feeling sticky and can lead to bacteria buildup.