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How To
Select A Rice Cooker
A rice
cooker and be a very useful and versatile kitchen appliance. In addition
to being one of our favorite household pieces of equipment it is one of
our top 10 must have appliances for dorm room cooking.
Rice Cooker
Uses
A rice cooker can be used to cook rice, hot cereal,
desserts and even steam vegetables and cook soups and stews. Not every rice
cooker can perform every task so make sure you to select the right cooker
for your needs.
Brands and
Features
The best quality rice cookers are still made in Japan. You
can purchase less expensive machines made in other countries but you
won't get the same amount of use out of them.
Basic
Rice Cooker Features
Rice
Cooker Size
Rice cookers measure capacity by the cup and range
from 3 cups to 10 cups. Don't buy a large unit than you need because the
rice cooker is designed to operate properly with a specific amount of rice
and water. You also want to avoid overfilling your cooker because it
will cause it to boil over which is quite messy.
Japanese vs US Cup Size - When you buy a rice cooker
by Japanese manufactures, be aware that one Japanese cup is 200 ml in
compared to one American cup is 240 ml. Save the plastic
measure cup that comes with your rice cooker. If you use recipes that don't
state if they are referring to "rice cooker cups", then you may need to
adjust your recipes.
The average Japanese household uses a 5-cup capacity rice cooker.
Yields - One cup of uncooked rice yields to
about 1 1/2 cup of cooked rice.
Small 3 - 4 cup
Medium 5 - 6 cup
Large 8 - 10 cup
Larger - Jumbo 14+ cups
Types of Rice Cookers
Although there seem to be many options out there there are only a few basic
types of cookers:
On/Off Cookers
Cook and turn off - The rice cooks and the unit shuts off
automatically. This is the least expensive yet highly flexible machine.
There is no light that indicates the rice is done. The on/off switch flips
to the "off" position when the rice is done. These basic cookers don't
normally offer non-stick pans or steamer units but if all you want is "rice"
they do a very good job. You can find these cookers for as little as $20.00.
Cook and keep warm - The rice cooks, reduces the heat when the rice
is done then maintains it at a "warm" temperature (duration varies).
The way you shut these off is to unplug it. We find these cookers to be some
of the most flexible at a reasonable price. Shop to find special
features like non-stick pan, steamer baskets. Plan to spend $40 to $70.00.
Electronic Cook and Keep Warm - A sensor in the unit keeps rice warm
for up to 12 hours. These machines are more expensive but if your
household eats a lot of rice all day long it is a worthwhile investment.
Priced at $100 and up.
Fuzzy Logic
Cookers
Basic Fuzzy Logic - A very sophisticated machine with some great
features like settings for soup or porridge, brown rice, rice texture (hard
or soft) and even a sushi rice setting. These machines are great but
very pricey and way more machine than the average US household would use. If
you have a small budget then this is not the machine for you but if money is
no object, get one! The least expensive model is about $170.00
Induction Heating - The most state of the art machine available. The
induction system can actually compensate for you measuring errors and still
deliver evenly, properly cooked rice. These are the best cookers do the best
job with types of rice other than standard white rice. Prices start around
$200.00
Pan
Choose one with a non-stick pan. My theory is if you
don't like to take a lot of time to cook then I really doubt if you want
to take a lot of time to clean.
Lid
If you don't have to pay a lot extra for it get
a clear glass or clear plastic lid.
Basic models come with a metal lid.
Steamer Trays
Some rice cookers are designed specifically for steaming
vegetables. Steaming can either be done as the rice finishes, or you can use
the pan in the steamer to do only vegetables. Depending on the model you may
find units with multiple steamer baskets or perforated metal tray that sits
above the rice so you can steam as the rice cooks. Other versions have a
small tray that sits at the bottom of the rice cooker right about the
cooking element. Although there units cost more than the very basic
models if you are looking for a highly flexible, safe machine this is a good
feature to look for.
Electronic Features
Fuzzy Logic Advantage
Just one press of the Menu Select key gets you started. Multiple cooking
menu available such as white rice, mixed rice, glutinous rice, brown rice,
and non-sticky rice, etc…
Porridge Cycle
This was designed for making a popular Asian breakfast
rice. You can use for breakfast cereals and other slow cooking recipes.
Reheat Function
The reheat feature warms rice back to proper temperature
in about 5 to 10 minutes and then maintains the heat.
Quick Cook Function
This function bypasses the soak time and goes right to
the cook cycle. It's a good advanced feature if you find yourself always
having to cook in a hurry.
Texture Setting
The more sophisticated machines allow you to select the
rice texture you prefer such as regular, softer or firmer.
Basic
Safety Features
Fuse protector - the fuse will trip and prevent
possible fires. This is important for an appliance you may leave on
unattended.
Auto cord reel - keeps the cord out of the way so you or your pet or
child does not accidentally
yank the unit off the counter.
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Rice Cooker Recipes
Click to view all
Rice Cooker Recipes
Rice Cooker Cookbook
Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann have written a "must have" cookbook if you
have a rice cooker or are contemplating purchasing a rice cooker. The book
has an invaluable section on the development of the rice cooker and 250
simple to follow recipes.
Read our complete The Ultimate Rice Cooker
Cookbook review
$15.95
Rice Cooker Manufacturers
Links to web sites of most major rice cooker manufacturing companies and
customer service phone numbers where available.
Hitachi - Distributed by
American Appliance Group
P.O. Box 185
Old Westbury, NY 11568
Tel: 1-800-829-0382
danny@appliancesource.com
Panasonic/National
800-211-PANA (7262)
Sanyo
Sanyo Service Website
Tel: (800) 421-5013
8:30am- 5:00pm PST Mon.-Fri.
Toshiba
This site provides an overview of some of the Toshiba Rice Cookers. These
have become hard to find in the U.S.
Zojirushi
USA Service Centers
Rice Cooker Recipes
These recipes are all designed specifically for
your rice cooker.
Arroz
con Pollo
Dahl (Lentils) -
India
Mexican
Rice
Nasi Lemak
Oatmeal
Spicy Roast Potatoes
Steamed Vegetables
Tapioca
Pudding
Vegetable Biryani
Vegetable Paella
Vegetarian Rice
Click to view all
Rice Cooker Recipes
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