Best Rice Cooker 2019 – Buyer’s Guide

Rice cookers do what the name suggests. A few can also steam vegetables or will let you add stock/risotto rice. Overall though, they aren’t quite slow cookers.

This model, however, is a 17 in 1 wonder machine. You have your rice setting but also your steam, stew, soup, roast, poach, bread rise, bake, fish, sauté/brown, pasta, slow cook and yoghurt options, plus a fully customizable DIY function. There is also the ability to slow cook casseroles and stews.

A keep warm option keeps you on track, so everything is ready when you are, and the delay start timer is the perfect way to plan ahead. The non-stick inner pot is simple to wipe clean and is also suitable for dishwasher use.

There is a recipe book included so you can get the most of the appliance, and the generous 5L capacity will allow you to cook huge batches of rice for large families or a great amount of casserole to feed everyone.

Quick touch controls are simple to use, and the intuitive layout is pretty self-explanatory. Whether you want to be healthy and start cooking in a better way, or you’re so busy that you don’t want to spend up to an hour watching a pot of rice, so it doesn’t come out like little bullets, it is ideal.

Crock Pot, a brand more associated with slow cookers, has released a model dedicated to rice preparation.

It is ideal for larger families or those who like to entertain, thanks to the 2.2L capacity which can prepare around 24 cups of rice, which is enough for 6-7 people if the meal is rice-based. It will also cook paella, rice and oat-based dishes.

The pot is removable, so you can take your risotto or jambalaya straight to the table without needing to transfer – just let everyone dig in. When you need to store it away, the power cord is removable, so this can be kept safe and won’t get in the way.

It feels very strong and well-built, so if you hate the fact that a lot of small appliances have a short shelf life these days, this is a great model. We have no doubt it will last at least five years, so there is a great chance you will get your money’s worth.

Featuring a huge five-litre capacity, this is the ideal cooker for big servings. If your family gets through heaps of rice, then it won’t only look stylish in your kitchen but will save you a lot of hassle.

Up to 14 cups can be made at any one time, so you’ll never go short. When you’re done, just wipe down with a cloth and wash all internal bits by hand.

With the purchase comes an additional basket that can be used for steam cooking, as well as a spatula and measuring cup. This will keep you in check when you’re monitoring the rice, plus allowing you to cook vegetables and other steamed food all using just one appliance.

We did find that if it was left on ‘keep warm’ for a bit too long, it tended to start sticking and going a little dry in the middle. A lot of steam is also released outside of the lid of the cooker so you may have to turn the cooker hood on.

To get the water amount right for the rice is a bit tricky because too little and it burns, too much and it goes very stodgy. But once it is right, the rice looks and tastes good. The price isn’t too high but just depends if you can be bothered with the hassle.

It is all well and good talking about rice cookers, but not everyone has space to both place these appliances when in use or store them away in between uses. Thankfully, you don’t have to miss out just because of space restrictions.

Working at high temperature and low pressure, it makes the ideal amount for two servings. Instructions resulted in perfect rice, which was very welcomed. The instructions of many other rice cookers leave room for improvement.

Because of the smaller dimensions, it is ideal for popping away in the cupboard in between uses. Other reviewers have said that they also find it ideal for travelling, so if you spend a lot of time in hotels with work or you go away in the caravan often, you can still have the perfect rice serving.

Don’t just leave it to stand after being made, though. Best to give it a stir first as it will stick if left to sit. It won’t turn off automatically so needs a close eye kept on it. Apart from that though, you don’t want much more from a small, unobtrusive cooker.

A brilliant little rice cooker for the price, this Lloytron appliance is perfect preparing one or two portions at a time.

Once the rice is done, it automatically switches to ‘keep warm’ mode, so you don’t have to rush to get everything ready. When we tested this, the rice seemed to come out even better so is worth the little wait. This setting can be ticking over for five hours. So, even if you’re nipping out and want it ready for when you get back, it has your back.

The toughened glass lid is both strong and easy to see through. The handle also has a comfortable rubber grip to make lifting it on and off easy. A non-stick coating makes cleaning simple enough. But if there was any sticking, we found soaking it in water for ten minutes did the job alone.

Because of the capacity, it is brilliant for a small household. Rice can be just like pasta where you’re cooking for one and end up making a hundred servings. However this cooker makes it easy to control your portions. It is perfect for four if rice is a side dish, or if it is the main base of your meal then it is perfect for two.

We would recommend using a bit more water than it states in the instructions for fluffier results. There is a little bit of spitting at the side of the lid if full, but they’re issues easily worked around. It isn’t the prettiest but does the job.

700W of cooking power and two heat settings make this an effective rice cooker which is pretty perfect.

Simply fill with your water and rice, and the next time you lift the lid, your rice will be perfectly prepared. An insulated wall body will keep it cool to the touch, and a keep warm function will keep everything ticking over until you are ready for it without ruining the taste or texture. There is little worse than your rice being ready long before your curry.

It comes with a spoon, measuring cup and steam basket, so you’re ready to go straight away. We liked the clear lid so you can see the rice cooking away, and the lid handle is very easy to grip and hold, so it lowers the risk of injuries or burns in the kitchen.

Taking 15-20 minutes to make perfect rice, it looks great in the kitchen, and it is easy to clean as well. There aren’t any fancy features, such as a timer or even a stand for the spoon, but the price means it is one of those items you can purchase without worrying about this too much.

We will say that the minimum you can cook in it is around five portions-worth though, so it isn’t for anyone who lives by themselves or in a couple.

With a removable bowl that can be taken straight to the table and a steamer tray which can prepare fish and vegetables, this is a solid choice for a rice cooker which can help you out with other meals too.

It is ideal for around 3+ people as it prepares around six cups of rice. The fact that it can be used to steam as well is incredibly handy, especially for anyone who is short on space. It switches from cooking to keep warm mode automatically, so you can give yourself an extra ten minutes finishing the vacuuming.

We found it gives better results when used for larger batches that keeping the portions small, but it still did enough rice for two people with a little more monitoring. The coating is incredibly effective, however, with very little sticking and it is easy to clean even the more stubborn burnt on areas off with a little soaking.

It comes in at a great price, and we think it would make a brilliant first-time rice cooker. If you have never used one before, you don’t want something that takes too much effort or is complicated to use. This one is a perfect introduction from a trusted brand.

A lot of other models’ lids tend to rattle a little with the mixture of the pressure and the water, but we can safely say the lid of this model is heavy and down enough to not.

A fabulous price for a fabulous rice cooker – it cooks precisely, and with little effort on your behalf.

Just fill with water or the grains, and you’re good to go. The cool touch body keeps fingers safe, and the toughened glass lid won’t crack yet allows you to check on the progress. And, if it is ready before your other ingredients, just hit the keep warm button.

This can keep everything warm for up to 12 hours so if you need to prepare ahead, or maybe you’ve cooked too much and want to take the rest to work the next morning, it will still be perfect without getting burnt or stuck.

An on/off button is in place for extra safety which we love, as it can never be turned on accidentally. Plus, you can add vegetables to the rice to make perfect fried rice for your Saturday night fakeaway.

It isn’t good for individual servings as you have to fill the tub up to the minimum level. But it is good with frequent use, so if you make rice with pretty much every meal then you’re on your way to a winner. Just follow the measures and you are set.

Joseph Joseph has made some intuitive products over the years, and this rice cooker is one which can be set apart from the other microwaveable items on the market.

You don’t just get the cooking chamber, but also a lid, colander, measuring cup and a multi-purpose rice paddle that simultaneously locks the lid closed for cooking. The paddle also sticks over the edge of the circumference, acting as two handles which keep cool to safely lift it out of the microwave.

Just measure into the colander, rinse with water and add to the pot. Top up with water and secure the lid using the paddle. There is a handy information sheet which guides you on water amounts depending on the type of rice.

The rice was cooked to perfection, even though we worked out that using a little less water than recommended was best. It is a bit more expensive than some of the other microwaveable options available, but it is ahead of the game, so if you want a trustworthy item then it is worth the extra.

If you make your rice in the microwave already but are winging it a little with jugs and cling film, or you currently use the hob but want an easier life, then this little pot could be a saviour.

It is easy to set up – just unclip the lid, add the rice and water, then replace the lid along with the pressure chamber tray. This tray is what helps to retain the moisture, and the clip lock lid will save any spillages.

There is a spoon included to make it easier to stir throughout the process. Because it is made of plastic, the rice doesn’t stick, and it is easy to wash with a bit of a soak for the more stubborn bits.

It isn’t overly easy to bring out of the microwave – it is very hot, and there are no handles or safety areas to grip. Always take precautions. Having said that, it is the same as any other microwaveable item.

We were pleasantly surprised at the capacity, too. It is larger than some electric models, so you don’t have to worry you won’t have enough space.