If you are one of the people who always ask if buying fancy things is worth it, then the answer is yes. This is especially true if the fancy stuff that you are referring to is a rice cooker or rice maker. You can know more about this in here. But perfectly cooking the grains is just the beginning. In fact, with the right appliance, you can do more!
Most college students save a lot when they have a rice cooker inside their dorms. These are just a few must-haves that can keep students eating healthily. In addition to this, they can save a lot on their allowance or part-time job wages. This is one of the basics that also include heaters, mini-fridge, and coffeemakers. Everything else can be considered a luxury or prohibited because rumor has it that the fire insurance may not cover those stuff.
For a couple of years, these kitchen essentials are used for cooking ramen soup and for making sure that the owner gets enough carbohydrates. But most of them prefer cooking rice on the stovetop, which they say makes things quicker.
But you may want to change your perspective if you have a fancy appliance that has a futuristic look. There are brands that have half a dozen buttons on it, plays a sweet song when turned on, and looks sleek. Sounds intimidating? It should not be!
If you don’t eat much rice, that’s fine. If you discover all the things that your cooker could do, you can be more productive inside the kitchen. Other brands may only handle white rice, but they are not good with different kinds of food.
Fortunately, there are list of the top 5 rice cookers today which can do more. They can quickly cook brown rice grains, which take about four times longer than when you prepare them into stovetops. Regardless of the grains’ sizes, or if you are doing sushi, expect that with the right appliance, you can make everything perfect.
The Timer Function
If you like making porridge, you can set the timer and go about your business. Even if you have steel-cut oats, the result of a functional appliance will be just as good as it would have on a stovetop. The good news is that the timer will handle everything in advance.
You can even set up a 24-hour timer so that by the time that you will wake up, you have porridge ready-made from steel-cut oats. If you are tired of oats, then you can cook quinoa, fries, and other grains. What’s more, you can keep them warm for a few hours if you want. The following are the best reasons why you should own a rice cooker
Why Get the Best Rice Cooker?
-
Cook Quality Grains
The best rice cookers can make meals a hundred times better. The grains are cooked just right. You have the option to soak quinoa to soften them, the temperature automatically monitors the dish and control the cooking time. When you compared the results of the best ones in the market to the basic ones, you may see a significant difference. The flavor of rice in sushi for example, as well as its overall quality, and the texture are much better with high-quality cookers. Know more about sushi here: https://www.thekitchn.com/what-exactly-is-sushi-103062.
-
Eat Diverse Menu
The best brands can cook almost anything. If you are not into white rice, you can instead get the brown varieties, quinoa, grains that are part of sushi, mixed seeds, risotto, and a lot more. The advanced appliances have timer and controls for each one since they have different cooking times. They can be programmed to a soaking time, depending on your preference.
You Might Like:
Tomato and Spice Rice
Chinese Noodle in Electric Kettle
Bengali Payesh – Rice Kheer Recipe
-
Steaming Functions
One of the best reasons to invest in a rice cooker is that you can make other dishes such as flans, strews, and puddings. The meals are perfect for the holidays, especially if they were seamed at the right temperature and at the right time. There are slow cooking functions that enable you to make stew on a cold winter night. You can also make slow cooker recipes such as soups that are great starters in any meal.
-
Low Energy Consumption
Some appliances consume less electricity and are energy-savers. In some brands, the appliance can pay for itself by consuming less energy in the process. There can also be the process of eliminating extra pans and saving on gas and electric stove since you can steam so many dishes on your rice cooker. Furthermore, the non-stick varieties are easier to clean, which can save you more energy on dishwashers.
Choosing the Right Rice Cooker for your Home
Choose ones that have non-stick coatings. This way, you can remove oils from food. You can easily clean the inside pot when you buy the stainless variety. Most of the inner containers are made with Teflon, which prevents the cooked grains from sticking to the bottom part. However, if the Teflon is scratched, the materials that the Teflon is covering can be considered toxic. This can be a problem if the inner part is exposed to higher temperatures.
On the other hand, some varieties are made from the ceramic coating. These are not made with Teflon, and the steel is easily scratched. The nanoparticles are made from aluminum and can be toxic if it enters the body.
You can instead get a safe alternative by choosing an inner pot made with uncoated stainless steel. This is not a very reactive material. Although it can leak tiny amounts of materials such as iron, chromium, or nickel, this is only the case when you cook acidic food such as tomato sauce.
A Final Word
Cooking rice should not be complicated. You also deserve to have a variety of food for dinner. You can make your life easier with the right rice cooker. Your kitchen is the most important part of the house where you may spend a lot of time preparing meals for the whole family every single day. You should invest in an appliance that will make your food safer and healthier. You can shop around for the best appliances that are good for you.
15 comments
Just in time. I was actually planning to buy a rice cooker and your post came in. Thanks for the useful tips. Will go for steel one.
This Diwali I wish to invest in a good rice cooker. Will go through yr top 5 recommendations for sure before deciding.
I remember one of my room members had rice cooker, it’s a good investment, convinitent and time saving
Great post with useful info..I am planning to buy a new rice cooker but had few questions and confusion. after reading your post, feeling sorted. will keep your points in mind while buying. thanks for sharing. #MBUmomswhoblog
I had a rice cooker during hostel days. And now we are looking one for my cousin staying in a hostel, going to keep your points while getting one.
for all the working woman this is a helpful post thank for sharing … sure will be checking out the rice cooker.
I have been using a rice cooker since the last 10 years and I love using it to make regular rice, khichdi, pulao, oats and soups. I have been meaning to use it to make a cake in too, as a friend recommended it. Agree, with you, it adds so much ease and convenience.
Yes, you are right. Rice cooker can be used multipurposelly. One of my neighbour always use the rice cooker for cooking rice.
Rice is a staple and having easy methods of cooking it always helps in many ways .The rice cooker is especially helpful for busy moms and working professionals wiyj 101 jobs to finish.
After reading your experience and various uses of rice cooker I want to give it a try
Nicely explained points on why we should look for a good quality cooker. I usually check and buy a non-stick coating cooker. Feels like its time to buy a new cooker for this festival.
I’ve never used a rice cooker but it is indeed very convenient. Cooking rice perfectly in different ways becomes quite easy with it.
Rice cookers are an integral part of my kitchen. They are a boon for busy moms like us. It is a right decision to invest in a rice cooker.
It is necessary to invest in a good electronic cooker and grab amazing offer around diwali.
That’s so true, a good kitchen appliances can definitely help in improving a cooking experience and rice cooker looks like a must have addition in every Indian kitcheno