We, Filipinos, are a rice-loving bunch. How can you possibly eat that flavorful adobo or that mouthwatering Sinigang without our favorite type of grain? It just doesn't feel right to eat most of the dishes of our Filipino fare without rice. It's not the same at all.
What can you read in this article?
- Why do you need a rice cooker
- What you should look for in a rice cooker
- 7 rice cookers that you should consider
In the past, our moms would have their own pots or kaldero where they would cook rice. They had to watch the kaldero like a hawk so the rice won't burn.
Fortunately, these days, cooking rice is just as easy as a touch of a button. This is thanks to rice cookers. You wash the grains, put the right amount of water, and simply walk away and come back to perfectly cooked rice.
Why do you need a rice cooker
A rice cooker can make your life so much easier. It makes whipping up this meal staple a cinch. But aside from this a person needs a rice cooker in his or her life if you meet any of the following criteria according to Simply Recipes:
- Rice is a must-have in your meals or you make rice more than once a week.
- You haven't mastered cooking rice over the stove.
- If you want to free up the time you spend watching rice cook on a regular pot.
- You have limited space in your kitchen and you want to free up your stove top for cooking other dishes.
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Best rice cooker you can choose from. | Image from Shutterstock[/caption]
What you should look for in a rice cooker
Ready to shop for your very own rice cooker? Before you do, here are some characteristics you should look into before you commit to purchasing one:
- capacity - How much rice can it cook? Consider your rice-eating habits as a family. You'll want to be able to cook rice in one go that's enough for your brood.
- features - Most rice cookers have a keep-warm function. But some have more nifty features like fuzzy logic, steamer function, and more.
- price - How much are you comfortable spending on a kitchen appliance like this? Rice cookers start as low as a few hundred pesos to as much as thousands. Know your budget.
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[product-comparison-table title="7 rice cookers that you should consider"]
7 rice cookers that you should consider
Hanabishi Rice Cooker HHRCSS Silver Series
Let's begin this list with a classic and popular rice cooker brand, Hanabishi. This one looks like your traditional rice cooker. You can simply operate with a touch of a button. It features a sleek silver finish that won't clash with your kitchen.
What we like about it
- capacity
- Choose among the following: 1L or 5 cups, 1.4L or 7 cups, and 1.8L for 10 cups
- features
- Has a steamer
- Also comes with a measuring cup and a spatula
- conventional (removable lid)
- 1-year warranty on system parts
- price
Kyowa KW-2044 Rice Cooker 1.8L
This product from Kyowa looks similar to the one from Hanabishi with its silver finish. It also comes with a steamer, which is a plus. Kyowa is also known for its reasonably priced products and this one is not an exception. You can get it for a little over P1,000.
What we like about it
- capacity
- features
- non-stick inner pot
- glass cover so you can see what you're cooking
- comes with a steamer tray
- price
Gaabor Multi-function Cooker
Gaabor is not as popular as the first two brands we've featured here, but this seems promising with 4.7 stars and over 859 ratings in this listing alone on Lazada.
It will complement a modern, minimalist kitchen or any kitchen for that matter with its sleek look. It's a bit smaller than the other rice cookers here but it will do if your family doesn't eat a lot of rice. It's also perfect for small condos.
What we like about it
- capacity
- features
- 600W
- can cook rice, fry, and stew
- price
Baumann Automatic Rice Cooker
Baumann is something you typically see in S&R, but now you can buy it online, too. The brand focuses on kitchenware and appliances like coffee makers, blenders, rotisseries, bread makers, and as you already know, rice cookers. This good-looking rice cooker right here features a see-through tempered glass lid and your standard rice cooker.
What we like about it
- capacity
- features
- Keep warm function
- non-stick aluminum inner pot
- see-through tempered glass lide
- comes with measuring cup and rice paddle
- price
Imarflex IRJ-60T/WH
If you have a penchant for white, this one will make you swoon. Unlike typical rice cookers, the Imarflex IRJ-60T/WH is almost square. Also, it gets plus points also for its portability. It even has a handle so you can easily bring it around. It also has a cool-touch cover so no accidental burns here!
What we like about it
- capacity
- features
- cool-touch cover
- cook/warm light indicator
- carry handle
- non-stick coating
- price
Philips HD4515/68 Rice Cooker
This is the most expensive one of the lot at over P4,000. It may be a bit steep compared to the rest of the products here, but let us tell you why. It's packed with awesome features including eight dedicated cooking menus, the ability to keep rice fresh for 12 hours, and a 24-hour preset timer if you want to get your meals ready on time. Also, it has a "tornado cooking" function, which accelerates the cooking time.
What we like about it
- capacity
- features
- smart and automatic cooking
- automatic keep warm to keep rice fresh for up to 12 hours
- 24-hour preset timer
- 8 cooking menus
- detachable lid for easy cleaning
- tornado cooking, which accelerates the cooking time
- controls temperature accuracy at every stage of cooking
- price
Mitsushi JWS-8882A
If you're looking for something a bit different than your usual rice cookers, this Mitsushi may fit the bill. It can come in red or brown, which is something you don't see in most rice cookers from different brands.
What's more is that it uses fuzzy logic to adjust the temperature and cooking time so you can have great rice every single time. It may just be a bit smaller than the others so this is perfect for solo living or those with small families.
What we like about it
- capacity
- features
- fuzzy logic
- non-stick coating
- keep warm
- preset timer
- can cook rice, congee, and soup
- price
