Best Rice Cooker Recommendations (Newest 2021)

 As an Indonesian whose carbohydrate source is rice, of course a rice cooker is a must-have item . Not only for cooking rice, rice cookers can also be used for cooking porridge, steaming, and cooking various other types of food .. 

In this article, we will introduce recommendations for rice cooker products ,  such as Cosmos, Panasonic, and Philips. Before that, we will also tell you how to choose the right rice cooker for your needs. Please make this article your reference, yes!

How to choose a rice cooker

Rice cooker  determines whether or not the rice we eat is delicious. By paying attention to the points below, choose a rice cooker that can cook plain rice better!

Pay attention to the heating method for good quality rice

Basically, rice cookers are divided into four types, namely IH type,  pressure IH, gas, and microcomputer type .  Each type offers different rice quality and prices depending on the heating method.

Type IH: increases heat convection for even ripeness

For those of you who like dry rice that still feels fluffier, we recommend the induction heating (IH) type rice cooker . IH technology is able to heat the inside of the pan as a whole so that the rice can be cooked perfectly. The heat level is not too high, so the rice will cook with a slightly smelly texture, but still taste fluffier.

Currently, many types of IH products are sold at affordable prices. If you are confused about which product to choose, you can choose this type. Affordable, easy to clean, too! This type is suitable for making dishes that require slightly hard textured rice such as fried rice, curry, stews, and rendang.

IH pressure type: brings out the delicious and sweet taste of rice

IH pressure type rice cooker is suitable for you who are fans of fluffier and soft rice. Pressure IH is a further development of IH technology by adding a pressure feature . The high level of heat is able to reach deep into the rice so that the delicious and sweet taste of the rice can be released. In the inner lid, in the pressure type IH, there is a pressure ball which functions to shorten the cooking time of the rice.

Currently, several well-known manufacturers such as Tiger, Zojirushi, and Panasonic issue more IH pressure type rice cooke than other types. This type is considered the best type, but that doesn't mean other types are not good to choose from. Choose the type based on your favorite texture and the most comfortable way to use it.

Gas type: the rice tastes like cooking on the stove!

In addition to the three types that we have recommended above, you can also make gas type rice cookers . You can cook rice directly on the gas stove with this type. The taste of the rice is similar to when you cook rice traditionally using the stove. Because the rice is very delicious, the gas type is perfect for you culinary lovers.

The texture of the rice produced by the gas type rice cooker is stickier with optimal sweet and delicious taste. This advantage is not shared by other types. No wonder many people choose the gas type as a weapon for cooking rice! Maintenance is also hassle-free and easy to clean. You can use LPG or city ​​gas to be able to cook with this type.

Microcomputer type: for those who prioritize price

Microcomputer type rice cookers are usually  sold at affordable prices. This type is very popular among people who live alone and who don't want to spend a big budget for a rice cooker .

However, because the heat is only generated from the bottom, sometimes the rice is not evenly cooked. In addition, this type also has a weakness in the thin pan. If you want a microcomputer type , choose a product with a pot that is thick enough.

You also cannot expect much for the quality of the rice produced. Rice will harden easily when heated continuously for 3 hours with this type. The rice will turn yellow and dry after 8 hours.

Choose based on the ingredients of the pan

Whether the rice is delicious or not, it is also determined by the ingredients used in the inner pot. Materials that are often used in rice cookers are steel, copper, and ceramics. What are the differences? Check out the explanation below.

Steel material that retains heat to enjoy deliciousness and nutrition in rice

Steel material that easily conducts heat is very suitable for rice cookers with high heat levels such as the IH pressure type . Apart from shorter cooking times, this ingredient can also preserve the delicacy and nutrition of rice. 

Steel products are available in various prices, ranging from cheap to expensive. If you want optimal delicacy, of course we recommend a high-priced product. The quality of products sold at low prices is usually not guaranteed, even the nonstick surface tends to peel easily. 

Pans made of steel have an average weight. If you are unsure of the treatment, you should go straight to the store to try to remove it. Products that are difficult to wash because they are too heavy will definitely bother you.

Copper material to prevent rice from cooking unevenly

Copper material has a high thermal conductivity or heat conductor so it can transfer heat faster than steel. Thanks to this, you can enjoy delicious and sweet rice with even doneness.

Several well-known manufacturers apply multi-layer materials to their products by mixing copper with other materials so that the layer is thicker. Toshiba and Panasonic are well-known for their quality rice cooker products with copper pans.

Ceramic material for best heating feature

If you frequently use the heating feature on a rice cooker , a ceramic pot is perfect. Ceramic materials can store heat well so that the temperature will not easily drop after heating. Electricity bills are even more economical! Although it takes longer to heat up, the heat stored by this ingredient is more evenly distributed throughout the rice. So, the texture and sweetness of the rice can also be felt optimally.

However, a pot with a ceramic material tends to make the rice crust easily. In addition, you also need to be more careful when washing them because they tend to break easily compared to other materials.

Even inexpensive ceramic pans are able to keep the starch content in the rice from disappearing. Most rice cookers with ceramic pots are usually affordable. No wonder this material is loved by all people!

Choose the capacity according to your needs and lifestyle

Before buying, determine the capacity of the rice cooker according to your needs. For those of you who live alone, choose a product with a capacity of 3 cups of rice (0.5 liters). However, for a family of 3 or more, use a rice cooker with a minimum capacity of 5 cups (1 liter). Meanwhile, if you have more than 5 family members, choose a product with a capacity of 8.5 cups (1.8 liters).

In order to get delicious rice, avoid cooking rice to its maximum capacity. For example, cook 0.5-2 cups in a rice cooker with a 0.5 liter capacity, 1-4.5 cups for a 1 liter capacity, and 2-8 cups for a 1.8 liter capacity. Rice that is filled too little can make the rice burn easily. On the other hand, rice cannot cook evenly if you put too much in the rice cooker .

Determining the capacity of a rice cooker is not only based on the number of family members, but also the quantity of daily rice consumption. It's a good idea to buy a rice cooker whose capacity is one level higher than recommended. For example, buy  a 1 liter capacity rice cooker even if you only live alone with your partner. A 0.5 liter rice cooker is sufficient for one meal, but you need to cook twice for meals a day.

Pay attention to additional features to make it more practical

Make sure the product you choose has features that can support your daily lifestyle. Make no mistake, nowadays rice cookers have many features, you know! From various cooking modes to smartphone controlled features to control rice cooking via a smartphone , all you have to do is choose the one that suits your needs.

In addition, there is also a timer feature so that the rice cooker cooks at the specified time. Suitable for those of you who are busy. Those of you who have children will also be helped if there is a steam feature for cooking steamed cakes in a rice cooker .

In general, dirt on the rice will come out along with water vapor. The trapped dirt and moisture will affect the deliciousness of the rice. Therefore, if you want really good rice , choose a rice cooker that has a steam vent. 

Choose one that is easy to clean

We recommend that you choose products that are easy to clean because rice cookers are products that are used every day. First, choose a product with an inner lid that can be removed so you can wash it off with water. Then, choose one that isn't too complicated so you can easily clean it between the sidelines.

A rice cooker that has a few spare parts will also  help you in your daily maintenance. The more spare parts , the more troublesome you will be washing them.

Conclusion

After reading our article, do you have an idea which product to choose? Customize the product according to your needs. You can consider it from the type, features, capacity, as well as the material of the pot.

Getting the right product will certainly make your days more enjoyable because you can enjoy quality dishes. So, be careful in choosing, yes!