We’ve reviewed dozens or rice cookers and listed our 10 best options for you
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Perfecting rice for each meal can become a tiresome task and one that is difficult to get right. But you don’t have to stick to expensive boil in the bag or microwave pouches.
The rice cookers are revolutionising the way in which we cook this grain. Luckily, there are dozens available, as well as appliances such as slow cookers, pressure cookers and multi-cookers with dedicated rice settings.
Read more on how rice cookers work, the best for your needs and also the pros and cons on the best 10 rice cookers available to purchase online.
Crock-Pot are pioneers when it comes to innovative appliances and this multi-cooker demonstrates exactly that. Don’t worry though – despite the fact it does an awful lot, it still deserves its place on our best rice cookers run down.
This is a fantastic rice cooker that can be used to make the perfect grains for your meal each and every day. You will no longer need to endure the taxing task of getting boiled rice right, or using boil in the bag/microwave pouch options.
What’s more, you can cook alternatives such as rice pudding, paella and risottos, as well as fish, curries, soup, casseroles and much more thanks to the intelligent features and multiple pre-set options.
It has received a host of 5* reviews across the board, which is unsurprising given it is a Crock-Pot but is still welcomed. The non-stick coating isn’t quite as non-stick as others we reviewed, so you will have to be more on the experienced side to ensure you know what you’re doing and don’t burn anything.
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An 8-in-1 multicooker which doesn’t just cook perfect rice to a tee, but also helps you with casseroles, soups, stews, and porridge.
Although it is apt for curries, chili con carne and other meals you may want to slow cook, it comes with a specific setting in order to cook the best rice. It is designed to do this in the fastest possible time too, so your meal can be on the table ASAP.
There is both a white rice and brown rice setting, as each requires slightly different times and temperatures. Both come out perfect, so if you’re on a health kick or your recipe simply requires brown rice, you don’t have to manually adapt the white rice setting.
It comes complete with an easy-to-use electronic control panel, a removable bowl that is simple to clean and also has a keep warm function ensuring that your meal is ready to serve. There is even a setting for desserts, and one for steaming. If you’re after a unit which is versatile yet still cooks rice perfectly, then this is a great pick at a fab price for what you get.
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This is a well-priced and well designed rice cooker, which is simple to use yet gives great results.
It will hold around 1.5L in all, which is enough to make eight cups of rice so is perfect for the whole family. Straightforward to use, simple measure up, turn it on and leave it to boil away. When done, you can either serve straight away or make use of the keep warm function. This dedicated setting will stop the rice from cooking further and going mushy, yet will keep it at perfect serving temperature.
There is a clear lid so you can check on the progress without taking the lid off and allowing the heat to escape. The outer of the unit is also cool touch, so even when the contents are at their optimum temperature, there is a reduced risk of accidents.
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A versatile rice cooker and steamer combo, this is a nice little unit for any curry, Mexican or rice dish enthusiasts. A 10 cup, 1.8L capacity gives you plenty of space to cook a large batch at one time, and it will switch off when ready to keep it all hot to serve.
A special tray is included so you can steam cook fish and vegetables with the heat. This can either be done at the same time as the rice or separately. Technically, you could make an entire meal at the same time if you get the timings correct.
It is on the more compact side which is good if you’re stuck for space. You also don’t have to fill it up for it to work; smaller amounts of rice can be cooked, in case you’re cooking for yourself.
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Not only does this Breville deliver the perfect rice for your meal, but it can also be used as a slow cooker. You can enjoy curries, casseroles, homemade soups and more all in one unit, making it an ideal multi-tasker if you’re short on space.
The compact rice cooker can easily be based on the kitchen counter or be packed away after use. Two handles either side make it simple to carry, and it is a nice weight to be lifting too.
It is simple to use, and it’s the perfect rice cooker to use for anyone purchasing their first ever slow cooker combo. There is a simple dial to change the heat and it is powerful enough to tenderise meat, so it is no surprise it can give perfect results when it comes to the rice.
The inner ceramic bowl is removable which is great if you like to serve everything at the table, and both the bowl and lid are dishwasher safe. It is perfect for making meals for one or two people, or rice and pulses as a side for a small family. Unfortunately, the outer casing does get very hot when the unit is in use, so be aware if there are little ones about.
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This great little rice cooker might be small on size, but actually offers a fair amount of volume. Reportedly able to cook for up to six people, you can fit in around 1.2 litres of rice, which works out at around seven cups. This means that whether you are planning to cook big dishes or want to make sure you have plenty of rice to go around, this is a mighty powerful rice master to shop for.
You’ll also find that this great rice cooker also offers you ceramic coating on the inner, meaning that it’s not only easy to clean, it’s also likely to reduce burning to an incredible degree. We’ve all had trouble with burning rice at one point or another – another great reason to invest in this tech.
It’s very affordable and is levelled at rice enthusiasts who are new to using standalone cookers. This means that it is very easy to use and manage, meaning there are no confusing instructions to follow. It’s likely to appeal to anyone who is tired of using the same old pan cooking methods.
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This compact appliance is super-stylish and simple to use. Cool touch technology makes it a safe unit to have in your kitchen, in case this is a particular worry for your lifestyle.
A non-stick removable bowl will make it easier to wash and clean up, but you can also take this straight to the table to serve if you wish. With just two functions, a cooking button and a keep warm option, it isn’t difficult or complicated to use, which is ideal for anyone who wants to just set their cooking appliances to work and make the most of the assistance.
It will automatically switch to keep warm too, so you don’t have to rush to the unit when time is up. The coolwall body makes it safe to use, and the glass lid is also cooltouch to prevent accidents when going to serve.
There is a little bit of water spitting out of the top when it is working, and you have to cook a minimum of six servings at any one time, so it isn’t a model for just one or two people (unless you really really like rice, of course).
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Cooking a delicious batch of rice has never been easier thanks to this VonShef rice cooker. It comes in stainless steel and has two easy carry handles to make it easier to bring in and out of the cupboard.
A 1.8L capacity can make up to 8 cups of rice at any one time, approximately enough to make a serving for six people. You can cook various forms of rice in it, such as arborio, jasmine, white, basmati, long grain and more.
A simple one-touch button can start the process, and from there you can let it work its magic. When the cooking is done, the keep warm function will kick in, so even if you can’t get there straight away your dinner won’t spoil.
There is a measuring cup included so you can get the perfect rice to water ratio, and also a serving spoon when it comes to dishing up.
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One of the best options for under £40, this basic yet effective dedicated rice cooker is also perfect for those who need to cook huge batches of rice at once.
With a 5L capacity, there is enough room to make 14 servings of rice at any one time, which is great for anyone who likes to bulk cook or has a large hungry family.
The stainless steel cooker has two cool to touch handles, a single on/off button and the ability to switch off automatically when done to keep the rice warm. A clear glass lid will allow you to check on the progress without releasing any heat, in case it needs a bit more water or you think it is ready early.
It comes with an additional basket that can be used for steam cooking, as well as a spatula and measuring cup. It is also easy to clean thanks to its removable non-stick coated bowl. Even if the rice burns, it will come off easily when the unit is cooled, and the bowl can even be taken to the table.
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This 400W rice steamer and cooker is built to take the hassle of rice cooking via hob off your hands. Offering a generous litre in volume, this is a very reasonable priced model which is easy to use from the get-go. You’ll get measuring units and spoons along with the main steamer, too, so you can hit the ground running with some great rice dishes.
This is an impressively durable unit, and unlike some cookers, it has handles which cool down quickly so you don’t have to scald youself while serving up. It also offers three main functions including cook and keep warm. Of course, it also has a steamer built-in, making it a fantastic multi-purpose device for anyone likely to get into their rice dishes.
Thanks to its non-stick pot, this rice cooker also offers an easy to clean inner, meaning that there’s less hassle for you at the sink once you’re served up and good to go.
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Rice cookers are a fairly new contraption that have revolutionised the way in which we cook our meals. They help us concentrate on the meal in hand whilst the cooker itself takes care of the rice. They are easy to use and give perfect results time after time.
There are a number of products on our list that can double up as a slow cooker/pressure cooker and rice cooker, which are still simple to use.
If you are wondering how to use a rice cooker then follow these steps:
When looking for the best rice cooker in the UK there are a few things that you should take into account before making a purchase. Luckily, our team have closely examined a number of appliances and provided the top-rated rice cookers on our list.
If you want to make sure you are getting the best appliance for the money then follow some of the things we look out for when picking our favourites:
I had the idea for Which Kitchen Appliance? In 2016 when a friend was planning a new kitchen and asked me to help her choose her new kitchen appliances. She knew that I had trained as a chef, had a passion for cooking and an interest in interior design.
After hours and hours of trawling websites looking for a double oven, built-in microwave, hob & extractor fan the excitement that was soon waned…we were bored and frazzled. But finally, we succeeded and she got her new kitchen.
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