You probably know someone who owns a rice cooker and loves it. Maybe, like many of us, you even cook rice once or twice a week. But unless you’re buying pre-cooked and frozen packages for $0.50 each, chances are you don’t have much use for another appliance that can only do one thing. These appliances are often strange for Americans because most of us do not cook rice as frequently as other cultures. However, the popularity of Japanese and Chinese cuisine has brought rice back into our kitchens in a big way. Many people love their rice cookers so much that they might think about buying another one with different features. But how do you know if you need another appliance? And what should you look for when deciding on the perfect model?
What to Look for When Buying a Rice Cooker
Before you even think and purchase a stainless steel rice cooker in Australia, you’ll want to collect some basic information about your needs and expectations. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when buying a rice cooker: – What kind of meal do you want to prepare with your rice cooker? – How many people are you cooking for? – How much time are you willing to spend on it? – What is your budget? These questions will help you narrow your search and make buying a lot easier. The first thing you should consider when buying a rice cooker is the type of rice you want. Several options include white, brown, jasmine, whole grain, and more. If you’re cooking for a large family, try whole grain rice, which cooks faster and has a higher nutritional value than white rice. For smaller households, jasmine rice is a great option because it makes a beautiful, fragrant bowl of rice when cooked correctly.
How to Find the Right Size
The first thing you should do is decide how many people you are planning to cook for. The rule of thumb is that you should use 1 cup of rice for each person. There are several rice cooker size options available on the market, depending on how many people you want to cook for: – Small (1 – 2 people): 1 cup rice capacity – Compact, 3 cup cooker – Great for single-person households, people who travel a lot, dorm students and more. – Medium (3 – 6 people): 3 cup rice capacity – Perfect for family gatherings and larger households, people who want more leftovers. – Large (6 – 10 people): 6 cup rice capacity – For large families, parties and events.
Automatic or Manual?
Next, you’ll have to decide if you want to buy an automatic or manual model of the rice cooker as they are available on the market in both options. Automatic rice cookers are super convenient and easy to use because of their simple functionality, but they also come with a price tag. You may want to consider manual models if you’re on a budget or don’t need a lot of extra features. Automatic models have sensors that monitor the cooking process; some will switch to a warming mode if the rice is not finished after the timer goes off. Manual models require you to stay near your rice cooker until it’s done, but they also cost less.
Easy Cooking, Reheating and Holding Features
If you want to cook more than just rice, you may want to consider a multi-cooker. These models can also reheat and even hold your food warm for hours beyond the cooking time. Some multi-cookers even have a pressure cooker mode and programmable settings. Multi-cookers are slightly more expensive than single-cookers, but they can save you money in the long run because they make great rice, beans, soups and more. They are also very versatile and can take the place of your slow cooker or pressure cooker if you need it to. If you’re cooking for a large family or entertaining guests, you may want to invest in a rice cooker that has a large capacity. Check the rice cooker’s capacity before you buy it.
Pro-Tip: Secret to Cooking Perfect Rice Every Time
Most people prefer their rice a little bit on the chewy side. But if you want sticky rice that can be used to make a variety of Asian dishes, you’ll want to make a few simple adjustments. If you’re making sticky rice, you’ll want to: – Use less water – Add more water to the cooking process – Use a shorter cooking time – Keep the lid on during the cooking process These simple adjustments can make a huge difference in homemade sticky rice.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know what to look for when buying a rice cooker and have a few helpful tips for cooking perfect rice, you’re ready to start shopping. Whether you’re looking for a single or multi-cooker, an automatic or manual model, or something in between, there’s a model out there that’s perfect for your needs.
