Like any kitchen kit, getting any new rice cooker is a cost and bears worth thinking about. One thing to consider is whether the new rice cooker will solve a problem you have. For most, a rice cooker is a wise investment – Here are some pros and cons to consider before you buy a new rice cooker!
| Rice Cooker Pros | Rice Cooker Cons |
| Inexpensive | They take up space |
| Can cook various meals | Appliances need replacing after time |
| Keeps food warm | Other appliances offer more functionality |
| Easy to operate | Uses electricity |
| Easy to clean | Get very hot |
Buying a rice cooker (as with most kitchen appliances) is a personal requirement, and the end user (you) will get your money’s worth. I couldn’t lie without a rice cooker. If given one kitchen appliance to keep, I would choose a rice cooker over even my toaster!
If you are still on the fence, let’s dive a little more and (hopefully) help you make up your mind!
Rice cookers are no longer the appliance for the middle class. Since the electronics boom, especially kitchen appliances – Rice cookers have become increasingly inexpensive. Walmart now sells a great rice cooker that will cook, steam, and hold foot hot – for under $30.
The downside is that Ricecookers are considered uneconomical to repair, so if anything goes wrong with your rice cooker (which they rarely do), You will buy a new unit rather than replace parts.
Our Pick For The Most INEXPENSIVE RICE COOKER
That’s right! A rice cooker isn’t just for rice! Many use a rice cooker as an alternative to a slow cooker or an instant pot. Rice cookers can cook curries, soups, stews, and even cakes! Unlike most kitchen “hacks,” which have you cook subpar food with different kitchen appliances for novelty factors. Rice cookers are frequently used as one-pot meal makers.
To learn more about the different meals rice cooks can make – Check HERE – Can you cook meals in a rice cooker?
When rice cookers have run a “cook cycle” they automatically flip to a keep warm setting. Which will keep your nice bowl of fluffy rice (or soup) warm until you are ready to cook. This can be a real time saver and help enormously when meal planning. You no longer have to worry about timing your rice to be cooked simultaneously with the other ingredients.
The keep-warm function stays on for hours, and it works! Your rice will be just as fresh and fluffy three hours after it has cooked!
Rice cookers are easy. Much like a microwave – there are many functions you can play with (if you want to put the time into learning), but there is the one “cook” function you will use every time. It is one button, “set and forget.” Once your rice has run a cook cycle, your rice cooker will make a beep (or several) to let you know your rice has finished cooking. Then move automatically to “keep warm,” and that’s it! A real no-fuss, set, and forget appliance!
Sometimes, I will use my rice cooker for cooking a one-pot meal to avoid dirtying lots of pots and pans.
Rice cooker bowls are made from Teflon, or a similar non-stick material, making them a super easy-to-clean appliance. Once you have taken the rice bowl out, rice cookers are designed to be wiped down easily. Unlike most kitchen appliances, I have never complained about cleaning the rice cooker.
So rice cookers may not be perfect – They come with a couple of cons that should be considered before purchasing!
That’s right. There are no escaping rice cookers aren’t the smallest of appliances unless you plan on using them every day. You will have to find somewhere to store your rice cooker. If you live in a house with a big pantry, this should be an issue. Living in an apartment may be a little more challenging.
(Although, there are some great choices for MINI RICE COOKERS – Such as)
Any kitchen appliance has a “shelf life,” as parts inevitably wear out, and things break. How long, is anyone guess? Well looked after kitchen appliances can last for years. Most of us have something from the ’90s knocking around the kitchen somewhere (for me, it’s a toasted sandwich maker).
Other times, appliances that are maybe a little too well used can burn out a little faster. Although, It’s worth noting that most people will find their rice cooker is one of their most vital pieces of kitchen kit.
Rice cookers can cook rice well. They also can cook one-pot meals great. However- there is no denying that the rice cooker’s fiercest opponent is the instapot.
Instapots – or other electric pressure cookers, also function as a rice cookers but can also pressure cook, steam, and cook one-pot meals instantly.
Rice cookers are the cheaper alternative, but if you have an electric pressure cooker or an instapot. I would find it hard selling you a rice cooker as well.
It’s an obvious point, but one nevertheless. Many overlook or forget that their kitchen appliances use electricity when everyone faces a cost of living crisis with soaring energy prices. You may want to be mindful of how many appliances you run.
According to kitchen snitches.com, rice cookers cost $0.07 per hour to run. That won’t break the bank by any stretch of the imagination. However, it’s already great to be mindful of your power usage!
For those who are safety conscious, or those accident prone, before going in – know that rice cookers get very hot.
Rice cookers work on steam and a little pressure, meaning rice cooker bowls need oven mitts to handle safely when initially cooked. After your rice is cooked and the rice cooker turns to “keep warm,” the bowl will be heated from below, meaning – A hot bowl!
Either way, there is no getting past the fact that rice cookers get hot and will need keeping out of arms reach from little fingers and paws!
Like all investments, rice cookers have pros and cons.
Rice cookers are easy to use, inexpensive, and versatile appliances.
You should also know that rice cookers will need replacing if they break or fail. They also get very hot, so they can pose a risk when in use. When not in use, they will need to be stored away or on the kitchen counter somewhere.
If you want to read more about rice cookers. And find you our tested models We have all the tips, tricks, and advice HERE.
