While most people think that cooking rice is an easy process that anyone can do, it’s actually hard to perfect and no one wants to eat an underdone or overdone batch. But with a good rice cooker, you can get perfect rice with the push of a button, giving you time to work on the rest of your meal. Electric rice cookers offer ease of use, easy cleaning, and perfect results every single time; here are the 6 best rice cookers for Basmati rice.
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What is a Rice Cooker?
Rice cookers are plain and simple kitchen appliances that make the cooking process of rice so much easier. With it, home cooks and college students enjoy the best results without worrying about burning it, getting excess starch, using high pressure, or eating mushy rice. A rice cooker is made specifically to make delicious rice and will come with great features like a keep-warm function and many different settings.
Why You Should Use a Rice Cooker
You might think that it’s quick and easy to prepare rice; a lot of times, this is true. All you need to do is take a few cups of rice and clean it with water, then add the rinsed rice to your rice cooker. Next, add cups of water according to the type of rice you’re working with then allow it to simmer for around ½ an hour, and then you’re finished.
Even so, a surprising number of cooks will often find that the end product they come up with is disappointing when working using a pot on their stovetop. When prepared incorrectly, rice can have the following problems:
- Too mushy as a result of using more water than needed
- Packed and dense when it’s undercooked because it didn’t get enough water
- Hard to scrape off the bottom of your pot when it’s left to cook for longer than it should
Luckily, there’s a simple and dedicated solution to combat these common human errors when it comes to cooking rice; the rice cooker.
The 6 Best Rice Cookers for Basmati Rice
According to many reviews and ratings, below is a selection of the very best rice cookers available in the market if you want to make the perfect Basmati rice.
1. Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker
Highlights:
- Comes with an LCD control panel that’s user friendly
- Has an intuitive menu with settings for white rice, brown rice, Jasmine rice, and more
- With additional quick-cooking and rinse-free settings that allow for an easier process
- Includes a rice holder and spatula and two measuring cups
Of all the rice cookers here, the Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker is the very best rice cooker for cooking different types of rice. This model comes with fuzzy logic; advanced technology that uses Artificial Intelligence that allows it to continuously learn and adjust the cooking style needed to give you perfect rice each time it’s in use. As such, rice from the Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB always comes out delicious and fluffy and is known as the best rice cooker in Japan.
Moreover, this pressure induction rice cooker uses an intuitive way of cooking to determine the exact pressure cooking level it needs to cook a particular type of rice. Many users also love the nonstick bowl which allows for effortless cleaning, while it’s also a favorite option for making long-grain and short-grain rice. While it may be more expensive than others in this list, it gives plenty of value for money thanks to its many cooking functions.
2. CUCKOO CR-0655F Micom Rice Cooker
Highlights:
- With 11 menu options that allow you to cook glutinous rice and porridge
- Provides the ideal capacity of 6 cups of uncooked rice for a total of 12 cups of cooked rice
- Uses a smart cooking algorithm designed to cook rice flawlessly every time
- Can cook a wide variety of rice such as soft, sticky, sweet, and savory
Using the Cuckoo rice cooker, you’ll enjoy the 16 unique texture options and rice flavor options offered through the “My Mode” setting. This model comes with a simple control panel, that can be easily utilized by anyone who wants to get started with making rice. It comes with pre-programmed settings that will help you make brown rice, glutinous rice, and long-grain rice; it can produce fluffy Basmati and Jasmine rice with ease.
The CUCKOO CR-0655F Micom Rice Cooker comes with many features such as a slow cooker, baby food function, steaming function, and a cleaning function. It can make as many as 12 cups of white rice and up to 8 cups of brown rice, which is ideal for big families. If you’re looking for a mid-range rice cooker, this is the best option for you — for the price point it comes in, it produces great Basmati rice and costs just a fraction of the other options here.
3. Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
Highlights:
- This Zojirushi model comes in a larger 10-cup capacity or a smaller 5.5-cup capacity
- Comes with a nonstick inner pot that lives up to its name
- Has many additional settings such as reheat, extended keep-warm, and more
- With an LCD clock, a timer, and a retractable cord
The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker offers all the features you might need and only comes in at half the price of the first unit in this list. With 9 cooking options, you can prepare all kinds of rice dishes with highly consistent results, delivering fluffy rice all the time. This model has been designed to be efficient; its nonstick pot indicates clear watermarks and is easy to clean — it only requires hot water and a paper towel.
Furthermore, this rice cooker has a holder for the rice paddle that’s attached to the side of the rice cooker to keep your countertops clean. Once you’ve finished your supper, any residue that becomes stuck after cooking brown basmati rice and any other kind of rice will quickly come off. With so many features available for half the price of a more expensive model that produces the same results, this is easily one of the best rice cookers to use around your home.
4. Dash Mini Rice Cooker
Highlights:
- This mini rice cooker is the top pick for those new to making rice or living in smaller spaces
- Has a small footprint and measures just 8.5 inches in diameter and 6.5 inches in height
- Comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty despite its very modest price tag
- With a quick and easy one-touch operation that’s straightforward
It’s a good idea to get this mini rice cooker if you don’t need to cook much rice or if you’re after an option with a compact design for a smaller space. With the one-touch operation feature, you can expect a quick and easy process along with great results for sushi rice and brown rice. With a maximum space of just 2 cups of cooked rice, it leaves an extremely small footprint and is the ideal choice for college students living in a dorm.
Just like with many budget appliances, there are a few things you’ll need to know about since the Dash Mini Rice Cooker doesn’t have the same features as high-end rice cookers. For instance, you’ll need to pay attention to your rice and water ratio. With the rice amount of water, you’ll be able to enjoy light and fluffy rice but if you use too much, you’ll end up with sticky and lumpy cooked rice.
Because it’s so affordable, expect to see some inconsistent results — for example, some people found that Jasmine rice came out too sticky with many grains getting stuck together. Basmati rice would also become stuck in big clumps at the bottom, and the cooking process would take as long as 40 minutes to an hour no matter what kind of rice is used. But for those who don’t mind a few hiccups, this is a great rice cooker that’s a space saver and comes in plenty of cute colors.
5. Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker
Highlights:
- Can keep your rice warm for as long as 5 hours
- With a simple and easy-to-use design that’s also small and compact for easy storage
- Comes with a rubber grip as well as a knob that stays cool to the touch
- Once the rice is finished cooking, it will automatically go into the keep-warm mode
Couples, college students, and any individual will have a great time with this option because it’s so easy to operate with a simple design. If you’re only looking to make a cup of rice or small batches, this small rice cooker can hold up to 3 cups and comes with only a 9-inch footprint in diameter so it won’t take up much space. Despite being smaller and lacking features compared to other options included here, the Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker comes with sturdy construction.
Moreover, it uses a clear glass and a lid that can be cleaned easily while the cooking pot will also be safe to use in your dishwasher. You should also remember that it only comes with 1 setting; this can be a good or bad thing depending on what you need from a rice cooker.
6. Zojirushi NS-TSC10 Micom Rice Cooker And Warmer
Highlights:
- The best option for consistently cooked rice and for different kinds of grains
- Comes in various settings such as cake, brown, white, steam, porridge, and more
- Offers quick and straightforward setup along with ease of use
- With accessories such as a rice paddle, steamer basket, and measuring cup
We already know that this brand is among the best rice cooker brands in the market, and the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 Micom Rice Cooker is definitely at the top of its game. It produces fragrant white Basmati rice, light and tender long grain rice, and results in fluffy grains that can exceed all expectations. Most rice grains also come out loose and are low in moisture, while offering a larger capacity of up to 11 cups of cooked rice.
This rice cooker is user-friendly and comes with a steamer basket marked with an accurate water level for various kinds of rice and their cooking styles. You’ll also find an instruction manual and a simple panel display where you can quickly switch between the settings available. Finally, users will love how its fuzzy logic technology calibrates an individual cooking time for every batch of rice which means that each grain of rice will be perfectly cooked without any guesswork.
Things to Look for in a Rice Cooker
When you’re looking for the right rice cooker for home use, there are a few things that you should consider apart from a good heating element. Not all rice cookers were made equal, so you’ll want to keep in mind a few features to guarantee that you take home a model that’s worth every penny.
Ease of Use
A great rice cooker will be able to make the whole process effortless with little need for human intervention. The models curated in this list come with manuals that clearly outline how it’s operated, and are easy to use. Some will include details on how to use the soak method, the right amount of water to use, and which buttons to use.
Many will also come with a warm setting, so be sure to press the button as soon as your rice is finished cooking if it doesn’t already do this automatically.
Cook Time
Cooking times will vary greatly depending on the type of machine used; while it’s always tempting to get a rice cooker with fast cook times, the best rice is actually produced by those that take a long time. Zojirushi models with a large capacity will usually take around an hour to cook long-grain rice and 1 ½ hours for brown rice, resulting in aromatic rice. However, instant rice cookers will take around 20 minutes but will only give you mediocre results.
Additional Features
All rice cookers will come with key accessories such as a rice paddle and a measuring cup. Other features may include a paddle holder, steamer baskets, and even a sieve for cleaning your rice properly. You can also look for technical features such as a timer or warmer, which can make an already convenient machine even easier to use.
Easy Cleaning
Most rice cookers will come with an inner pot with a nonstick coating, which is vital for quick and easy cleaning. If a model can be cleaned easily, you will be able to use a paddle or spatula to scoop out the rice without leaving any residue or getting bits of rice stuck at the bottom. The lids on some models will also be washable which is an added bonus for many home cooks, especially if you don’t think that wiping down the lid will cut it.
It’s also important to note that most rice cookers aren’t safe to use in dishwashers.
Size
Every rice cooker will leave a different footprint on your countertop — most models above come in at under one foot in diameter so they won’t take up too much space. While having a smaller rice cooker may be great for a small kitchen, it’s still important to look for an option that delivers quality rice. It’s also helpful to look for a cooker that’s not too small but can help you with cooking basmati perfectly.
Value for Money
Prices will vary depending on the rice cooker you choose and prices will range from $25 to $750. However, the best rice cooker doesn’t have to be the most expensive one in the market. Models such as the Zojirushi 3-Cup and Cuckoo can perform well beyond our expectations without the hefty price tag.
The Best Rice Cooker for Basmati Rice
Whether you choose a big rice cooker or a small rice cooker, the main difference will come down to how much rice you want to make. Depending on whether you need a lot of rice, you can take home the best rice cooker at home as long as you check for the features you need. Whether you use cold water or olive oil to make rice, you’ll be happy to know that the selection of rice cookers above can help you make the perfect rice for your meal or side dish.
Sources
- Kitchen Accessory Buying Guides
- Kitchen Appliance Buying Guides
- Kitchen Cookbook Buying Guides
- Kitchen Cookware Buying Guides
- Kitchen Pantry Food Buying Guides
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- How To Soak Food Articles
- Popular Foods Articles
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