RICE RICE BABY! - Part ][ : (what's your favorite rice cooker?)

[dante]

In part 1 I tried to get a good idea of what rice everyone enjoyed.

In part ][ of this thread I'd like to get an idea of what folks are using for rice cookers.

Specifically: Model / What you like about it / Is there a rice cooker on the market you have your eye on?

[SpAmRaY]

A lot of people I've talked to recommend lots of practice and a really good pot.

[Gaspar]

I've always wanted a rice cooker, I might get one based on the recommandations i get here.

[trizkut]

Zojirushi.  The elephant will never let you down.

[tjcaustin]

http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-NP-HBC10-Uncooked-Induction-Stainless/dp/B000MAKVLQ

[sorijealut]

Zojirushi or Cuckoo rice cookers. Pressure cooker

I would avoid Tiger brand from my experience.

[tp4tissue]

Haz ya'll tried steaming rice in a "small" clay pot

Making small amounts at one time more precisely preserves the ideal hydration ratio..

[byker]

Rice noob here. Does a $250 rice cooker make a big difference from the $20 one that I have?

[sethk_]

Rice noob here. Does a $250 rice cooker make a big difference from the $20 one that I have?

We have one, not sure how much it cost, but ours also makes yogurt and other things besides rice

[nubbinator]

Rice noob here. Does a $250 rice cooker make a big difference from the $20 one that I have?

If I'm going to buy a rice cooker or drop big bucks on one, it's going to be a Persian rice cooker so I can get a nice crust on the rice.  Normal rice is nice and easy to make at home, so why would I buy a cooker unless I was going to make sushi.

Now if there was such a thing as a risotto cooker, that I would do.

[unipsykal]

Rice noob here. Does a $250 rice cooker make a big difference from the $20 one that I have?

I've had $20 cookers that made perfectly edible rice, but a high end cooker has always yielded better quality rice. Cheap cookers can't keep fresh long enough before it starts to smell bad and the inner pot wears out real fast. The Zojirushi I use has been in my family for over 20 years and still makes awesome rice, the inner pot hardly shows signs of wear.

[tbc]

A lot of people I've talked to recommend lots of practice and a really good pot.

white people or asian people?

[unipsykal]

Rice noob here. Does a $250 rice cooker make a big difference from the $20 one that I have?

If I'm going to buy a rice cooker or drop big bucks on one, it's going to be a Persian rice cooker so I can get a nice crust on the rice.  Normal rice is nice and easy to make at home, so why would I buy a cooker unless I was going to make sushi.

Now if there was such a thing as a risotto cooker, that I would do.

I hate rice crust, but that's just my opinion. My mom liked to make it that way when I was younger and she would always do it stove top style to get that crispy undercrust. I prefer the thick mashed potato consistency.

[tbc]

Rice noob here. Does a $250 rice cooker make a big difference from the $20 one that I have?

If I'm going to buy a rice cooker or drop big bucks on one, it's going to be a Persian rice cooker so I can get a nice crust on the rice.  Normal rice is nice and easy to make at home, so why would I buy a cooker unless I was going to make sushi.

Now if there was such a thing as a risotto cooker, that I would do.

I hate rice crust, but that's just my opinion. My mom liked to make it that way when I was younger and she would always do it stove top style to get that crispy undercrust. I prefer the thick mashed potato consistency.

yep.

you actually get to season it that way; not quite the same as a rice cooker

[nubbinator]

Rice noob here. Does a $250 rice cooker make a big difference from the $20 one that I have?

If I'm going to buy a rice cooker or drop big bucks on one, it's going to be a Persian rice cooker so I can get a nice crust on the rice.  Normal rice is nice and easy to make at home, so why would I buy a cooker unless I was going to make sushi.

Now if there was such a thing as a risotto cooker, that I would do.

I hate rice crust, but that's just my opinion. My mom liked to make it that way when I was younger and she would always do it stove top style to get that crispy undercrust. I prefer the thick mashed potato consistency.

If it's done wrong, the crust is nasty, but if it's done right, it's nice.  Sticky, mushy rice like I've had out of too many rice cookers is nasty.

[byker]

Rice noob here. Does a $250 rice cooker make a big difference from the $20 one that I have?

I've had $20 cookers that made perfectly edible rice, but a high end cooker has always yielded better quality rice. Cheap cookers can't keep fresh long enough before it starts to smell bad and the inner pot wears out real fast. The Zojirushi I use has been in my family for over 20 years and still makes awesome rice, the inner pot hardly shows signs of wear.

Good to know. Mine is only a few weeks old so it is still working well.

[dante]

My wife and I received a Black & Decker rice cooker as a gift some time ago.  We've had OK results with it but the teflon coated pot is starting to get easily scratched so it's making us weary.

In an effort to avoid teflon coating / aluminum I think the safest may be stainless steel so I've been looking at these:

Miracle Exclusives ME81
Tatung TAC-06KN(UL)

We have a preference for very simple [ie: push 1 button - doesn't even need a warmer function] - yet still premium quality to last a long time.

What do you guys think of these;  And am I missing any competitors?

Edit: And another thing ...

Is there such a thing as "safe" rice cooker pots?  There seems to be health issues with scratched Teflon, Aluminum, and ... maybe stainless steel.  I found a couple folks suggesting that the Chinese like to recycle steel used in medical applications so they may contain some radiation in them.... Makes me think a safer option would be to use a 20+ year old stainless steel pot made in the US. 

[tp4tissue]

If you're in it for the tech-shopping..  Look no further than those $300 zoji..

If you're Rich, and you want to shop..  They make the $5000 japanese rice cookers with "clay" pots.


If you're Poor like Tp4,  try Making Rice in traditional clay pots..  the Japanese ones with round bottoms..  or any clay pot really..

it's easier to manage the small ones.

[Jokrik]

I know a rice cooker would make a difference,  but  IMO Ifrom my experience it's only minor

You've to come up with a good rice and water to begin with, and that makes 90% of the process, 9% is the washing and water ratio (different rice requires different water quantity and washing techniques)

And lastly the cooker, unless you cook manually with pot which needs special attention