Rice Cooker or Steamer ?

tsstss7

Not sure where to post this so please move if there is a more appropriate forum.

My steamer finally died on me a few weeks ago and I am really missing it - the thing is I only ever used it to cook rice or veggies - it was rarely used to full capacity and tbh the one time I used 3 tiers I could just have easily squeezed everything onto one or two tiers.

I've seen a rice cooker in lidl that seems good value (about 20 quid or so) but the most important thing is I only have space in my kitchen for one and I fancy a rice cooker.....but will I regret buying it and always wish I had bought another steamer.

So lovely people can I have your opinions please.

Quasar

I have a Tefal slow cooker that is also a steamer and rice cooker. Works well and I highly recommend it but it's not the cheapest around - I think it cost me £30 for the smallest size.

LJM

Quasar wrote: »

I have a Tefal slow cooker that is also a steamer and rice cooker. Works well and I highly recommend it but it's not the cheapest around - I think it cost me £30 for the smallest size.

that sounds good 3 in1

Quasar

LJM wrote: »

that sounds good 3 in1

Yes and I find the slow cooker function to be excellent. I make stews over 8 hours and they're delicious. The other two functions are good too, although I've cooked rice in it only a couple of times but have done a lot of steamed vegs. I bought it in John Lewis a couple of years ago, so it may have gone up in price a bit, but I think this is a case where cheapest is not necessarily best in the long run.

Butterfly_Brain

I have an old fashioned steamer ( The one you put on top of a pan of boiling water) It has never broken down

Money_saving_Diva_2

I have a three tier Tefal steamer but never bothered to cook rice in it. Rice I just put the rice in a pan with double the amount of water to rice. Then I bring it to the boil and let it gently boil for about 10 mins. Job done. I use my streamer all the time for veg and fish etc though.

Diva.x

tsstss7

Quasar wrote: »

Yes and I find the slow cooker function to be excellent. I make stews over 8 hours and they're delicious. The other two functions are good too, although I've cooked rice in it only a couple of times but have done a lot of steamed vegs. I bought it in John Lewis a couple of years ago, so it may have gone up in price a bit, but I think this is a case where cheapest is not necessarily best in the long run.

This one sounds intersting I will look into it - I already have a slow cooker so that would cleaer up some more space in my tiny kitchen :j.

tsstss7

Money_saving_Diva wrote: »

I have a three tier Tefal steamer but never bothered to cook rice in it. Rice I just put the rice in a pan with double the amount of water to rice. Then I bring it to the boil and let it gently boil for about 10 mins. Job done. I use my streamer all the time for veg and fish etc though.

Diva.x

Try rice in it just once and you'll never go back though - it takes longer to cook but is perfect every time, and you don't have to worry about it boiling over or overcooking (if you are like me and like to multitask).

Quasar

tsstss7 wrote: »

This one sounds intersting I will look into it - I already have a slow cooker so that would cleaer up some more space in my tiny kitchen :j.

It's very easy to use. Four settings: slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and "keep warm". There is also the timer of course, but none of high or low temperature settings I keep reading about. However it seems to cook to perfection, imho.

As said, I bought it a while back so I have no idea if that model has been superseded or what, but it's worth keeping an eye out for it because it is a very versatile piece of equipment. l have some yummy broccoli being steamed right now as I type, on a 20 minute timer setting.

Pitlanepiglet

I just steam rice in a pan. Cup of rice in, two cups of cold water, bring to the boil, bung tight fitting lid on, turn off and leave for 15 minutes or so. No hassle, no over cooking and no need for extra gadgets.

septemberblues

How do you cook rice in a steamer? Ive got an electric steamer (the three tiered one), I never use it as I think it takes too long to cook, so I steam with a colondar over a pan of boiling water.

I cook rice in a normal pan, but the non-stick coating has gone so it sticks to the pan!

So if I could cook rice in a steamer that I already own that would be great, instructions please