We also tested the quality and ease of cleaning the inner pot, assembly of the cooker and the ease of packing it away. The cooker had to be easy to understand and use. Multi-cookers: rice cooking and the finished quality was our primary concern, including any specific functions for rice cooking, such as risotto. Safety: we looked at how hot the cooker got while cooking, the amount of steam or spluttering from the lid and the cooker's stability on the worktop, including non-slip feet. Where available, we used the 'keep-warm' function to assess whether this was detrimental to the finished rice in any way.

We looked for precise cooking that resulted in fluffy, clump-free white rice and al dente brown. Quality of cooked rice: each cooker was tested with white and brown rice. Fuzzy logic cookers are better at cooking different rices, but they have a higher price tag. Basic rice cookers are cheaper and produce good results, particularly if you tend to cook the same type of rice. Each program will have a unique heating/soaking cycle and temperature range for optimum cooking. In the same way that a chef would lower the heat under a vigorously boiling pan, a fuzzy processor will lower the temperature of the rice cooker's heating element if the rice is cooking too quickly on a hot day.įuzzy logic cookers often have different programmes for different types of rice. For example, the ambient temperature in a kitchen can affect how fast a rice cooker works. Top-of-the-range cookers use 'fuzzy logic' processors, which are programmed to make precise adjustments to cooking time and temperature in response to sensors in the cooker. When the contents of the pan go above a fixed temperature, the machine either turns off or switches to a 'keep warm' mode. What is ‘fuzzy logic’ on a rice cooker?īasic rice cookers use a thermal sensor to determine when the rice is done. Therefore, rice purists may prefer a single-purpose cooker. However, when the multi-cooker is used consistently to cook strong-flavoured foods like curries and stews, or for air- or deep-frying, it will eventually taint the flavour of rice. With many functions in one machine, it may at first seem complicated, but this tends to get easier with use. Multi-cookers are more expensive, but offer greater flexibility than just cooking rice. If you cook rice often and have room to store a machine, this option could be for you.Ī multi-cooker can be a tremendous space-saving machine as it rolls several functions – steaming, slow or pressure cooking and more – into one machine. Single-purpose rice cookers should come with instructions for cooking different rice types and usually include a measuring cup for the rice and water as well as a rice paddle. These machines are dedicated to cooking rice only, with a few offering vegetable steaming and porridge functions. Sealed lids are often only on more expensive rice and multi-cookers and usually have a vent, making them safer and far less messy. However, as rice cooking is quite vigorous, the lids tend to spit out water and steam at the edges, which can be dangerous. This means you can watch the rice cooking, which is missing on sealed models.

Rice cookers can be bulky, so consider the available space in your kitchen before buying.Ī 500ml cooker will produce up to two portions, while the largest on test (6 litres) will make eight portions.Ī glass lid is usually found on simpler, cheaper models. There are several factors to consider when purchasing a rice cooker:īefore looking at what's available, know what size you need to help steer your choice. The best rice cookers 2022 Bamboo IH ceramic rice cooker YUM-IH15 Best rice cooker for simplicity and price: Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine microwave rice cooker, £22.

Best rice cooker for large numbers: Russell Hobbs 27040 large rice cooker, £31.99.Best microwavable rice cooker: Lékué microwaveable rice cooker, £17.99.Best rice cooker for intelligent cooking: Lakeland two-portion mini electric rice cooker, £37.99.Best small rice cooker: Lakeland mini multi-cooker, £54.99 and Judge JEA63 small electric rice cooker, £21.19.Best multi-cooker rice cooker: Tefal all-in-one CY505 pressure cooker 6 litre, £71.22.Best single-function rice cooker: Cuckoo automatic rice cooker CR-0331, £74.99.Best rice cooker for top-end multi-cookers: Sage the Fast Slow Go, £169.95.Best all-rounder and our star buy: Bamboo IH ceramic rice cooker YUM-IH15, £189.What is ‘fuzzy logic’ on a rice cooker?.For more unbiased expert buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section to find 200+ round-ups of everything from the best food processors and best slow cookers, to the best coffee machines. So, which is the best rice cooker for you? Read on to discover our top buys.

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