Rice cookers have been around a while but it's only been recently that they've gained such a huge fan base in the west. Many people still don't see a benefit to buying a rice cooker and are happy with the 'pot on the stove' technique. However, I've never met anybody who, after trying a rice cooker, didn't immediately fall in love with it.



With ever-rising fuel costs equating to rising costs of food, and with healthier eating habits becoming a larger part of many households these days, rice is rapidly becoming a larger part of many people's diets. Using a rice cooker makes the act of cooking rice incredibly simple, easy and practically mistake-proof.

In addition to their simplicity, rice cookers make near-perfect rice, every single time, all you have to do is put in the correct amount of water. For those individuals and families that make rice a regular part of their meals, buying a rice cooker will save you an incredible amount of time and hassle.

There are a number of important things to consider when searching around for that perfect rice cooker:

1) The rice cooker's price tag

There is a huge difference in price between the low-end, basic rice cookers and the premium ones. In fact the cheaper rice cookers tend to cost right around $15-$30 whereas the high-end cookers will run you $150-$200 or even more. For those who are simply interested in cooking plain rice and that's it, generally speaking the less expensive rice cookers will suffice. But for those who need to be able to cook a wide variety of types of rice, and cook them well, and who want all the different options available, only the higher priced ones will do.

Cheaper rice cookers can't always cook brown rice with the quality that many would like, nor do they have options such as a warmer that will keep the rice warm for hours after it's finished without drying it out. Another option that's very nice but not usually available on the cheap rice cookers is the timer. The timer will allow you to have your rice perfectly cooked right when you get home from work or when you wake up in the morning, allowing you to enjoy rice with your meals no matter how busy your schedule is.

2) How much rice you're planning on cooking

Rice cookers' prices vary as much as their prices, from small bowls that can cook up to 3 cups of rice at a time all the way up to the largest commercial bowls that can cook 50 cups or more.

For a single person I normally recommend a rice cooker that holds 3-5 cups, 5 cups is great in case of company or if you want to make a lot extra for fried rice or other dishes that call for day-old rice. Small families shouldn't go smaller than 5 cups and the 10 cup sizes are great for larger families.

3) Miscellaneous options

Some other options that you might want to consider when buying a rice cooker include:

A removable inner-lid for sanitation purposes

A non-stick bowl (very important)

Support for different types of rice, including brown, mixed, sushi, etc...

Measuring lines on the inside of the cooking bowl, this allows you to always add the perfect amount of water, even after having washed or rinsed your rice

Rice cookers make a wonderful addition to any kitchen that rice is cooked in. Definitely pick one up if you don't already own one, it'll be one of the best kitchen item purchases you'll ever make.