How to Choose a Rice Cooker

General buying advice. Always check current specifications, prices and reviews with the retailer before you buy.

If rice is on your table several times a week, a rice cooker takes the guesswork out of it. The right one gives you fluffy rice without watching the pan. Here is what to look at before you buy.

Capacity

Rice cooker sizes are usually given in cups of uncooked rice, and the cup supplied in the box is often smaller than a standard measuring cup. Check the manual for how much water to add per cup. A small cooker suits one or two people, while a larger one is better for families or when you like to cook extra.

The inner pot

The removable inner pot matters most for cleaning and durability. Non-stick pots are easy to wash but can scratch, so use a plastic or wooden spoon. Stainless steel is tougher but rice can stick more. Make sure the pot is easy to lift out and, if you care about convenience, check whether it can go in the dishwasher.

Settings and controls

The simplest models have one switch and keep the rice warm when it is done. Digital models add settings for white rice, brown rice, quick cook and porridge, and sometimes a timer. If you cook only white rice, a basic model is usually enough. If you cook different grains, extra settings are worth having.

Extra features

Many cookers come with a steaming tray so you can cook vegetables or fish above the rice. A delay timer lets you load the cooker in the morning and have rice ready in the evening, though raw rice and water should not sit for too long in warm weather.

Cleaning

Wash the inner pot gently after each use and wipe the lid and steam vent regularly, because starch can build up. Never immerse the base or the electrical parts in water.

Food safety

Rice that is left sitting warm or at room temperature for too long can cause food poisoning. Serve it soon after cooking, cool any leftovers quickly, keep them in the fridge and eat them within a day. Reheat until it is steaming hot all the way through.