Best rice cookers
If you like to eat rice, a rice cooker is a great product to own. Whether you are a student who needs a compact cooker for a small dorm room, a parent who needs a heavy duty fancy rice cooker for a family with several functions, or simply need an occasional cooker, there is a best rice cooker for you. The difficult question is often, which one to get. Below you will find what you should look in a rice cooker, and some of the best ones that will be suitable for your needs.
Featured product
Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer, Stainless Steel, a nearly perfect product that will cook enough food for up to 3 people, with a keep-warm function, an LCD display, a timer, a nonstick inner cooking pan, a wide selection menu (white, sushi, porridge, brown, quick cooking) and a great micro-computerized fuzzy logic technology which will make you perfect rice every time!
1. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-cup Best overall
2. Zojirushi Micom 3-cup stainless steel Best for small families
3. Aroma ARC-856 12-cup with food steamer Best value
4. Sanyo ECJ-F50S 5-cup with steamer
5. Aroma ARC-838TC 8-cup with food steamer
6. Panasonic SRG06FG 3-cup Best for occasional use
7. Aroma ARC-733G 3-cup with food steamer Best for small budgets
Features vs Price of best rice cooker
First, you need to determine what features are important to you. Remember that the more features a best rice cooker come with, the more expensive the appliance will be.
Is the ability to make quality steamed rice the only great feature the only important feature for you and all you need can be summarized by simplicity? Then go cheap with the Panasonic SRG06FG 3-Cup Automatic Rice Cooker. This great small appliance is the preferred brand of many rice lovers, because of its quality and look. If look is not an issue with you and are looking to add a "keep warm" feature to you best rice cooker, opt for the Aroma ARC-733G 3-Cup Pot-Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer, a compact appliance which also include a food steamer many students just love.
But if you are in the look for a higher-end model with all the bells and whistles, including a warmer, advanced programmable features, quick cooking, reheat function and much more, you may want to consider the cream of the crop, the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer or the Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer, Stainless Steel for smaller families. If you are on budget, Aroma ARC-856 12-Cup Sensor Logic Digital Cool-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer offers fun features at an affordable cost.
Size of your best rice steamer
When choosing your appliance, you also need to consider how much food you are planning to prepare. If you plan to make food for one or two people, buying a large capacity product may result in your wasting space on your kitchen counter as well as uneaten food.
Nonstick rice cooker
It is preferable to purchase a rice steamer that will cook your food and not stick for easy clean-up.
Other features
An other interesting feature you may want to look is a see-through lid. This will allow you to check on your food as it is cooking. Also, look for a steam vent in the lid which allows the steam to come out therefore preventing bubbling over. Make sure your appliance comes with measuring lines, which will make your life a lot easier when measuring the water levels. Finally, if you are also wanted to prepare other food with you favorite cereal, look for best rice cookers that come with a steaming tray (or steamer) allowing you to load it with veggies. While cooking, the steam released from the rice will cook the vegetables.
For more information, visit Best Rice Cooker.
photo credit visualpanic of flickr
Why we love Zojirushi rice cookers
Zojirushi : the best rice cooker ever!
Get your Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker here.
After you try this best rice cooker, chances are that you will spread the word and love around for that amazing rice maker. You will simply love the Zojirushi rice cookers! If you are not a regular consumer of this popular cereal, this may not be the gadget for you. But if you love this fluffy or sticky cereal, in all forms, always warm and easy to eat, have a look at the Zojirushi now.
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Types, varieties and forms of rice
There are over 40,000 different varieties of world around the world. Needless to say that we can't name them all. We will discuss below some of the most popular varieties, types and forms of rice.
In the U.S., like in many western countries, this popular cereal can be subdivided into long, medium or short grain. The difference between the different varieties of rice is their subtle flavors and often their difference in texture. But on a nutritional point of view, most types of this popular cereal have the same nutritional values.
1-Long grain 2-Medium grain 3-Wild 4-Short grain
The long grain rice type
This type of cereal has a long and slender kernel (4-5x the width). The grains cook separate, has a hard consistency and feel light and fluffy. Best rice cooker : Yes
The medium grain rice type
This type of cereal is shorter than the long grain rice type. The kernel is also wider (2-3x the width). When cooked, this kind of rice feels more moist and tender than the long grain type. The grains have the tendency to stick slightly together, unlike the long grain type. Rice cooker : Yes, except for the arborio.
The short grain rice type
This type of grain can easily be recognized for its almost round kernel. When cooked, the grain are very soft and cling together. Best rice cooker : Yes
The waxy rice (also known as sweet, glutinous or sticky rice)
The waxy rice is a type of short grain rice. It has a very short and plump kernel, with a chalky white and opaque color. Unlike the other varieties of this popular cereal, the waxy or glutinous rice loses its shape when cooked and becomes very sticky or glutinous. In many Asian cultures, the waxy rice is eaten as is, often steamed in banana leaves, or ground into rice flour. Best rice cooker : Yes, but often also wrapped and steamed
The Aromatic rice
In all varieties, there is a natural compound that gives this popular cereal a nice aroma. However, in some varieties, this compound is found in much higher concentrations, giving the rice a strong scent and aroma. Aromatic rice is part of the medium to long grain type group and is one of the major types of rice available on the market. Some of the most popular varieties include : basmati (usually used in Indian cuisine), jasmine (usually used in Thai-Khmer-Vietnamese cuisine and perfect for your best rice cooker) and other US grown rice such as Texmati, Wehani and pecan rice. Best rice cooker : Yes
Arborio rice
The arborio rice is easily recognizable for the white dot at the center of the large grain. This cereal can be classified under medium grain rice and is primarily used in risotto. When cooked, this rice tends to develop a creamy texture and to asborb flavors. The arborio is usually not use in a best rice cooker, but is cooked over the stove, to allow the cereal to develop its creamy texture.
Wild rice
Wild rice is almost always sold as a dried whole grain. This variety of rice is very high in protein, in amino acid lysine and dietary fiber, and like all varieties of rice, low in fat. Wild rice is also a good source of minerals (potassium, phosphorus), and vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin). Because of its nutritional value and taste, wild rice has increased in popularity during the 20th century.
For more information, visit Best Rice Cooker.
How to use your best rice cooker
When making rice, you can decide to steam your favorite cereal using a pot over the stove. But making it over the stove can be tedious, especially if you've never made rice. This type of grain can easily burn if the stove is set too high. Also, when the temperature is too high or the food is cooked for too long, it can build a hard crust which over time can ruin your pot.
The beauty of rice cookers is that they always cook your rice perfectly and often have the feature of keeping your food warm after you cooked it. You never have to watch it since they are automatic, so no chance of burnt rice or ruined pot. The click of your best rice cooker will tell you when the food is ready, for a nice and warm meal.
How to use your best rice cooker
So how do you use this appliance? The steps are very easy, follow this, and you will become a best rice cooker pro in no time!
1) Make sure you have all the parts of the right cooker ready to go. There should be the electric part of rice cooker itself, which contains of a heating element, but also a big bowl that goes inside the cooker, so the water doesn't come in direct contact with the element. The cooker should have a lid that fits (attached or not to the kitchen appliance). Make sure the cord is in working condition, and that you have an available outlet nearby. Best rice cookers use a lot of electric and power when working, so make sure you are not using an oven or an electric kettle while using your favorite kitchen appliance. You should use one or to other to prevent the chance of blowing up a fuse.
2) Use a cup to measure your rice. Often,bags or boxes come with their own cups. If not, simply use your own. Remember that by the industry standards, a cup of uncooked grains equals ¾ of a standard cup (about 180ml). One cup of grains will make you between 1 ½ and 2 cups of cooked rice. Put your rice in the cooking bowl.
3) Time to rinse the rice. Before you go ahead, read the packaging. If you bought a more expensive brand, it may not require any rinse as it was previously rinsed and enriched with vitamins and minerals (you might lose them during the rising process). However, most likely, you will need to rinse your rice to make sure you are getting rid of possible residues of pesticides, herbicides or any contaminants. Also, the process of rinsing your grains will remove some of the starch, making your rice fluffier and easier to use if you are planning on using it in other recipes (e.g. for stir fry).
To rinse your favorite cereal, run tap water in the bowl and stir the grains with your hands. When the pot is full or there is more than enough water to submerge the rice, tip the pot at an angle that will allow you to drain the excess water. Use your hand as a filter to grab any grain that may fall off the pot with the water.
Repeat this step one more time if you think it is necessary.
Note : You can use the starchy white water from the rinsing to use to water household plants or out in the garden. As a matter of fact, this starchy water is full of goodies for your house plants.
4) Measure the water for cooking. You can simply use cold water to add to your rice. While there are slight differences between different kind of grains or your personal preference taste, you can use those two tips as a thumb of rule.
first tip : For every cup of rice, add one cup of water and an extra ½ cup of water. So for one cup of rice, add 1 ½ cups of water, for 2 cups of grains, add 2 ½ cups of water.
second tip: not scientifically proven, but works at all times : no matter what amount of grains you put in the rice cooker, fill the bowl with enough water until it riches the first tops of the top of the first bone of your index finger (the tip of your finger should be on top of the submerged rice).
You can make use of those tips and change them accordingly to your needs and likes (variety or your preference for how moist your like your rice).
5) Add some flavors if desired (salt, butter, oil, etc)
6) Put the bowl back in the best rice cooker and cover it. Plug in the appliance. The light should turn on. Press the switch to turn on the rice cooker and start the cooking process. Let your small kitchen appliance do its job. When it will be finished, it will click back in place, just like a toaster. Many models and brands of rice cookers also have the very convenient feature of keeping your meal moist and warm until you unplug your new kitchen device.
7) The rice cooker may be really hot, so be careful when scooping out your food. Enjoy!
If you need more tips, check out our video on how to use a rice cooker!
For more information, visit Best Rice Cooker.
picture credit : Francesca Nocella
How to use a rice cooker
A video on how to use your best rice cooker.
For more information, visit http://www.best-rice-cooker.com/.
