Rice Cookers

We've all done it. You get distracted from minding the pot on the stove, only to return to find rice burned to the bottom. A good rice cooker and food steamer can help avoid these dinnertime mishaps and prepare great tasting side-dish staples and main courses. 

How to Use a Rice Cooker

When you use a rice cooker or food steamer, it allows you to prepare the rest of your meal or tackle other things on your to-do-list while the cooker takes care of the rest. Simply add water, press the button and the steamer cooks your rice to perfection with no burned pans or soggy, overdone rice. Most rice cookers on the market, from Aroma to BLACK+DECKER to Zojirushi, also have a cool-touch exterior for easy transport. Additionally, many models have a "switch to warm" function that automatically changes the setting when the rice is done to prevent overcooking.

More Than Just Rice

Keep your eye out for rice cookers that double as food steamers and slow cookers. These countertop appliances allow you to cook meals from steamed fish and vegetables to soups and stews without managing multiple stovetop pots and struggling to coordinate cooking times. Whether it's a small steamer for a couple or small family, or a larger model with multiple features and capabilities, the best rice cooker for you is an essential kitchen staple sure to make mealtime a little easier.