Rice is such an essential ingredient in so many people’s diets that preparing it properly is very important these days. Rice that has stuck to the bottom of a pan and burned is inedible, as is rice that is undercooked and tough. Of course, more water can be added to the cook to counteract the second problem, but the rice may end up burning anyway. All this can be solved with a rice cooker, but do you know how to choose the right rice cooker?
The other problem facing time-pressed chefs these days is that rice cooked in the traditional method, not only takes a considerable amount of time but also, requires a great deal of care and constant attention. The heat from the fire will fluctuate, causing the water in the pot to burn too quickly. Or, if too much water has been added, the rice will take longer to cook and may end up sticky. Either way, rice cooked using the traditional method requires a lot of effort.
However, rice that has stuck to the bottom of a pan and burned is inedible, as is rice that is undercooked and tough. While more water can be added in an attempt to counteract the second problem, the rice may end up burning anyway. But it does not have to be like that. Comes in the form of a friendly and convenient rice cooker to help you
Choosing the Right Size for Your Rice Cooker
The first thing to consider when planning to buy a rice cooker is, how big you’ll need it. There is no point in buying a rice cooker that produces 3 cups of rice if you need to feed a family of seven or eight people.
However, it would be a good idea to purchase a larger rice cooker if parties or family gatherings are planned. In general, the smallest rice cooker will make about 6 cups of cooked rice, while a medium-sized pot will make 10 cups, and the largest models will deliver 20 cups of ready-to-serve rice.
Features to look for when buying a rice cooker
Features are very important in rice cookers. so be sure to check what features are available before you buy. A very inexpensive rice cooker will usually just cook the rice and turn it off. There probably won’t even be an indicator light to let you know the rice is done.
However, more sophisticated rice cookers will provide features that make rice preparation quicker and easier. in many cases, help to achieve better and more consistent results. For example, some rice cookers come with a steaming tray, which allows you to cook the vegetables at the same time as the rice. Rice cookers that keep rice warm after cooking will keep rice fresh and edible for hours after it’s ready.
To help keep the rice from boiling over, the best rice cookers will feature a steam vent. Another great feature is a transparent lid, so you can see the progress of the rice visually. Some rice cookers even offer a separate setting for different types of rice.
Cleaning and maintenance
One last thing to consider is how easy it will be to keep your rice cooker clean. A pan without a non-stick coating can be difficult to clean, especially if rice is left to sit in it for a long time. A non-stick coating or clay pot is usually the easiest to maintain, and a removable inner lid is highly desirable.
Warm and fuzzy
One of the most recommended rice cookers is the Zojirushi rice cooker. This brand of rice cooker has an advanced feature: fuzzy logic! That means it can adjust cooking times and temperatures automatically, to suit the type of rice you’re cooking. It’s like having an intelligent thinking apparatus.
Most Zojirushi Rice Cookers have a timer function, which is great for when you want to cook cereal for breakfast. Just set the timer the night before, and your breakfast will be ready and waiting for you when you wake up. Similarly, you can set the rice to be ready, when you get home in the evening!
Conclusion
With just a little research, by reading some rice cooker reviews, for example, understanding which cookers fit your requirements, you can easily make a great investment that will last you for years.
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