Rice cookers - yes or no

Nix143

Thanks for the feedback

I'm just wondering, I haven't used my steamer to cook rice yet but if it does it ok would there be any point buying the rice cooker as well? Are the benefits of it worth the tenner its going to cost me?

meanmarie

Nix,

If you can get your steamer to cook rice, keep your tenner! I have a rice cooker which came from Japan and I love it...you can set a timer for I think 12 hours ahead and all your have to do is measure 1,2 or 3 cups rice into nonstick 'pot', add water to whichever measure on inside of pot, close and turn on...will automatically keep warm if you are late! My only problem is that it only does enough for 4/5 people at most so not great when my whole tribe descend.-

I also have an electric steamer and have been unable to make head or tail of it, stuff didn't cook, water boiled off and rice stayed hard, its probably just me, but if yours works it should be enough

Marie

natzini

I have a Tefal all in one. Cooks rice, steams and is a slow cooker. The one they have in Lakeland at the moment also does porridge, but mine hasn't got that function-hoped someone could figure out how to do it soon though.

jennet1

I'd say a waste of money, I do it the delia way and its foolproof get a measuring jug and fill to 4oz (for 2 people) and then measure the water to double the quantity ie 8oz, put in a pan stir once put a lid on and dont touch for 20 mins or until looks done!

blue_sushi_cat

I have a combined rice cooker and slow cooker (Tefal). It does a quick and easy job of cooking rice but I don't know that it's worth buying a separate one unless you eat a LOT of rice! DH's method of perfect rice cooking... measure rice into dish, add water to a thumb joint above the rice, put lid on and put in oven until all water gone.
Natzini - I've cooked porridge overnight in my slow cooker - took a bit of trial and error to get the proportions right though.

Lemon_Tree

my mum insisted on buying me one, i don't use it daily but when i do use it's it's fab, the rice is perfect and i've found that almost impossible to do with just a saucepan. I'm glad now that my mum insisted.

nick_b

We have a rice cooker but only use it if we're making rice for a whole load of people. Normally we use the pressure cooker, as it takes minutes to cook and is much more energy efficient..

champys

jennet1 wrote: »

I'd say a waste of money, I do it the delia way and its foolproof get a measuring jug and fill to 4oz (for 2 people) and then measure the water to double the quantity ie 8oz, put in a pan stir once put a lid on and dont touch for 20 mins or until looks done!

Yes - my OH (who does not cook unless in fear of starving) can cook rice and does it using the above method. I prefer the steaming method myself: boil the rice in the bottom of the steamer for 3 or 4 minutes, then drain it into the perforated top of the steamer. Add a little more water in the bottom part, put it back on the hob and leave to steam until done - about 15 mins but you don't need to be very precise. This always gives beautiful, dry rice. If you start your rice first, it doesn't matter if the rest of the meal takes longer than intended - just turn the heat off when the rice is done and steam it up again just before you are ready to eat. Not worth getting another gadget taking up space.

absfabs

Cooking rice is both quick and easy, really!

Medium - large saucepan with lots of water, add a little salt if you like, when water starts boiling, chuck in 1 cup of rice for 2 people (use a mug if you are ravenous or else for 3 portions), stir, leave to simmer for 10 min for easy cook white rice or basmati rice - stirring once or twice, not essential as long as there is lots of water - drain into a sieve and it is done.

Same method about 20 min for brown rice.

Really just the same as cooking pasta, IYKWIM

All these cookery writers who tell you to measure out small amounts of water and wait for it to be absorbed just make an easy job complicated.

amyparr

Hi I have the rice cooker from Argos and love it! Soooo easy and tasty!