What To Look for in a Rice Steamer or Rice Cooker

I'm still amazed at the number of people who cook rice so inefficiency in a pan of boiling water. If you do that, then stop it now, and get yourself an inexpensive rice cooker.

Working from a similar method as pressure cookers, a rice cooker (or rice steamer as they are known in America) will boil the water, and trap the steam that is produced, raising the pressure inside of the cooker and cooking the rice more effectively - in addition, any nutrients are left in the rice, as opposed to simply boiling water where a lot of nutritional value will escape with the rising steam.

Rice

There are two main types of rice cooker, and having lived in Japan for a number of years I've used and owned both.

The first is the simplest kind available and usually consists of a pot with a heavy lid and simple on off switch - these are common in Europe and America, and are generally regarded as rather "dumbed down" versions of the original Japanese designs. They do work though, and fulfil the modern kitchen requirement of sheer simplicity.

In Asia, most families will own a complicated programmable model with a fully locking lid. These models are more suited to the cultural aspects of Asian life, where rice is eaten throughout the day and keeping some available at all times is common. A programmable timer allows families to prepare rice for breakfast before they've woken up, and different cooking modes allow for a variety of rice types and dishes. Many people have allow found you can make cakes and pasta in your rice cooker, so they're really rather versatile machines. Generally these types of rice cooker are more expensive, but for families who eat rice often it's a great investment. Top of the line models in Japan may cost up to 0, but most people get by fine with model.

Other than the two major types of rice steamers, there isn't an awful lot to differentiate the models. Higher capacity models cost more. Programmable models with settings for brown rice and porridge, and reheat cycles, cost more.

Tips:

Washing rice beforehand is a matter of personal preference, but if you don't then your rice will be full of starch and a little crunchier. Washing results in fluffy rice, and will prevent a build up of starchy white skin in the bowl of your rice cooker.

1 cup of uncooked rice will give you 2-3 cups of cooked rice. When measuring for a recipe, bear in mind that a rice cup size and typical American cup sized used in cooking is different.

What To Look for in a Rice Steamer or Rice Cooker

Find the best rice steamers here, or try other forms other pressure cooking with these great pressure cooker.

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