Cooking rice can be a tough task for beginners. Sometimes regular cooks can also find it monotonous. Rice cookers ease the process by eliminating the need for monitoring the process and regulating the temperature. You simply need to add the right amount of rice and water and switch it on. Once the rice is cooked, it will automatically switch off, thus there are no chances of burnt rice or uncooked rice with this appliance. Let us see some of the best rice cookers that are available for online purchase.
Table of Contents
How Does a Rice Cooker Work?
The Rice cooker has a heating element that gets heated up when the appliance is switched on. The pan has to be filled with the right amount of water for the amount of rice grains you have added, for better outcomes.
When the maximum temperature is reached after 15-20 minutes, the electricity supply will be cut off from the heating element and the cooker will turn off.
Best Electric Rice Cookers in India 2022:
1. Bajaj RCX 5 1.8-Litre Rice Cooker
Bajaj RCX rice cooker can be used for cooking 1 Kg raw rice at one go.
It automatically turns off once the rice is cooked.
It has heat-proof handles on two sides for holding the rice cooker safely.
Features:
- Brand: Bajaj
- Color: White
- Material: Plastic and stainless steel
- Capacity: 1.8 litres
- Wattage: 550 Watts
- Product Dimensions: 29.21 x 29.59 x 24.51 cm; 2.39 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 2 kg 390 g
- Warranty: 2 years on product
- Power: 550 watts;
- Operating voltage: 230 volts
2. Panasonic SR-WA18 E 4.4-Litre Automatic Rice Cooker
Panasonic SR-WA18 E rice cooker has 4.4 lt capacity and can cook up to 0.6 g rice in one batch.
It cooks rice automatically, i.e you don’t have to monitor the process.
The body is made up of ROHS Compliant Material.
Features:
- Brand: Panasonic
- Color: White
- Material: Anodized Aluminium
- Capacity: 1.8 litres
- Wattage: 660 Watts
- Warranty: 2 years on product and 5 years on heater
- Product Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 23.5 cm; 2.67 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 2 kg 670 g
3. Prestige PRWO 1.8-2 700-Watts Delight Electric Rice Cooker with 2 Aluminium Cooking Pans
Prestige PRWO rice cooker can cook 1 kg of rice in one batch.
You can also use it for making soup, porridge, pulao, idlis, steamed veggies, and stew.
Features:
- Model Name: PRWO 1.8-2
- Brand: Prestige
- Color: WHITE
- Material: Aluminium, Stainless Steel
- Capacity: 1 litres
- Voltage: 230 V; Wattage: 700 W, Color: White
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Product Dimensions: 31 x 31 x 27 cm; 2.66 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 2 kg 660 g
4. Pigeon by Stovekraft Joy Rice Cooker 1.8L
Pigeon by Stovekraft rice cooker comes with an auto shut-off feature and hence you don’t have to monitor the process.
It has a high-quality aluminum cooking bowl that lasts long.
Features:
- Model Name: Joy Electric Rice Cooker
- Brand: Pigeon
- Color: White
- Material: Aluminum
- Capacity: 1.8 litres
- Warranty: 1 years on product
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 8 cm; 3 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 3 kg
5. KENT Electric Rice Cooker
Kent Electric Rice Cooker comes with a nonstick ceramic coated inner pan for even heat distribution.
A perfect temperature is maintained, ensuring that all the flavors come up perfectly.
Features:
- Brand: KENT
- Color: Silver
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Capacity: 5 litres
- Wattage: 700 Watts
- Warranty: 1 year warranty provided by the manufacturer from date of purchase
- Product Dimensions: 29 x 28 x 29 cm; 3 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 3 kg
6. Butterfly Wave Electric Rice Cooker
Butterfly Wave Electric Rice Cooker has 1.8 lt capacity and is suitable for bachelors or families where rice is not eaten often.
It has an ergonomic handle.
Features:
- Model Name: Butterfly Wave Electric Rice Cooker (1.8 L) – Gold
- Brand: Butterfly
- Color: Gold
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Capacity: 1.8 litres
- Product Dimensions: 28 x 31.5 x 27.5 cm; 3.2 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 3 kg 200 g
7. Brayden Rizo Rice Cooker
Brayden Rizo Rice Cooker is available in beautiful red color and has 1.8 lt capacity which is perfect for small families.
It has indicator lights to show if the food is being cooked or just kept warm.
Features:
- Brand: Brayden
- Color: Crimson Red
- Material: Hard-Anodized Aluminum
- Capacity: 1.5 litres
- Wattage: 500 Watts
- Package Dimensions: 26.8 x 26.3 x 23.3 cm; 1.91 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 1 kg 910 g
8. AGARO – 33307 Supreme 1-Litre Rice Cooker with Steam Pot
AGARO – 33307 Supreme rice cooker can be used for cooking 400 grams of rice at one go.
Cleaning it is hassle-free.
It has detachable power cords.
Features:
- Brand: AGARO
- Color: White
- Material: Plastic and stainless steel
- Capacity: 1 litres
- Wattage: 400 Watts
- Warranty: 3 Years warranty on heating Plate
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 25 cm; 1.82 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 1 kg 820 g
9. Philips HL1663/00 1.8-Litre Electric Rice Cooker
Philips HL1663/00 electric rice cooker is perfect for cooking any variant of rice.
You get a starch separator plate, measuring cup, and ladle with the device.
There are indicators to show if the food is cooking or just warm.
Features:
- Brand: PHILIPS
- Color: White and Red
- Material: Aluminium
- Capacity: 1.8 litres
- Wattage: 660 Watts
- Warranty: 5 years warranty on coil and 2 years on overall product
- Package Dimensions: 27.6 x 27.4 x 24 cm; 1.75 Kilograms
- Item Weight: 1 kg 750 g
10. Preethi Primo RC 311 P18 Flora 1.8-Litre 700-Watts Rice Cooker
Preethi Primo RC 311 P18 rice cooker comes with an elegant floral design that complements any modern kitchen decor.
Its body has heavy gauge double walls.
Features:
- Brand: Preethi
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Capacity: 1.8 litres
- Wattage: 700 Watts
- Operating voltage: 230 volts
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 29 x 29 x 30.5 Centimetres
- Warranty: 1 year
- Item Weight: 3 kg 760 g
Best Electric Rice Cookers in India Buying Guide & Tips:
Here are some important aspects to look for, while purchasing a rice cooker:
1. Rice Cooker Capacity:
You can decide the capacity needed to be based on the number of family members you have. There is a wide range of capacities available from 0.5 lt to 4.2 lt capacity. The capacity of the rice cooker along with the compatible dry rice weight has been tabulated below:
Capacity of Rice Cooker & Compatible Weight of Dry Rice:
Here is the list of rice cooker’s capacity and corresponding weight of dry rice:
| Capacity of Rice Cooker (lt) | Dry Rice Weight (gram) |
| 0-0.5 | 250 |
| 0.6-1 | 500 |
| 1.1-1.2 | 600 |
| 1.3-1.5 | 750 |
| 1.6-1.8 | 1000 |
| 1.9-2.2 | 1100 |
| 2.3-2.8 | 1700 |
| 2.9-3.5 | 1900 |
| 3.6-4.2 | 2000 |
2. Electricity consumption:
Rice cookers generally do not use a huge amount of electricity. The power consumption varies with the capacity of the rice cooker, as mentioned in the following table:
Capacity of Rice Cooker & Energy Consumption:
| Capacity of rice cooker (lt) | Energy consumption (Watt) |
| 0-0.5 | 200 |
| 0.6-1 | 300 |
| 1.1-1.5 | 500 |
| 1.6-2.2 | 700 |
| 2.3-2.8 | 1000 |
| 2.9-3.5 | 1400 |
| 3.6-4.5 | 1650 |
3. Ease of Use:
The controls in a rice cooker should be simple to use so that persons of any age group can operate it without much effort. You can have a one-touch control in the basic models but there are digital displays in the advanced models. Check if a manual is provided with the advanced models so that you can use them easily.
4. Digital Timer for Controlling the time When the Rice Cooker Should be Turned Off:
The latest models don’t have manual timer knobs but they come with digital timer knobs so that it is easy to turn them off at a specific time. It also helps the user know when the meal is ready to be served.
5. Ease of Cleaning:
The container in the rice cooker should be dishwasher friendly to eliminate the hassle of cleaning it by hand.
6. Insulating Body:
This is important to avoid chances of your hands getting burnt in case you touch the rice cooker accidentally. It should have insulating handles too for conveniently carrying it from the kitchen countertop to the table for serving.
7. Setting for Keeping Food Warm:
This is an inbuilt function of the rice cookers so that the rice remains warm even when the process is completed. This makes the rice appear fluffy by absorption of all the water.
8. Settings for Quick-Cooking:
This option can be found in advanced rice cookers and is useful especially when you are in a hurry.
9. Preparing Different Dishes:
Certain models have a setting for making Pongal, Pulao, or Biriyani or other variants of rice. The texture of the rice is controlled by each mode. So if you have any such requirement, you can check for these options in the model.
10. Add Ons:
You get some add ons with the rice cooker such as a measuring cup for accurately measuring the amount of rice and a spatula. Good brands come with a wooden spatula to ensure that the surface of the pan doesn’t get scratched by using the regular metallic spatulas.
11. Rice Cooking Frequency:
There are basic and advanced models of rice cookers. If you have rice occasionally, a basic model would suffice but if you often have various variants of rice then an advanced model is needed as it comes with various cooking options.
12. Space Occupied by the Rice Cooker:
This is a concern if you have a small kitchen countertop. Opt for compact models if you use them occasionally. Alternatively, you can also opt for a multi-purpose cooker which can be used as a steamer or slow cooker.
How is a Pressure Cooker Different From a Rice Cooker?
| Pressure Cooker | Rice Cooker |
| It takes less time to cook rice. | Duration for cooking rice in this appliance is more than that of the rice cooker. |
| These are cheaper. | The advanced models of rice cookers are expensive. |
| Rice cooked in it might become sticky and dries up quickly. | Rice doesn’t get sticky in this if the ratio of water and rice grains are used in the perfect measurement. |
| It is used for boiling rice, and veggies. | You can make various items in it such as momos, idli, biriyani, pulao, and many more. |
| You need to monitor the cooking process to avoid any unwanted outcomes. | Process need not be monitored as it turns off automatically. |
Types of Rice Cookers:
Here are the different types of available rice cookers:
1. On/Off Cookers:
These models switch off as soon as the rice is cooked. They don’t have any indicator light for the on and off position. There is just a flip switch that changes the state in the 2 stages of cooking.
2. Keep Warm Cookers:
If you need to keep your food warm for some time after the cooking is done, this type is perfect for you.
3. Electronic Cook and keep Warm:
They are the most expensive model among all the types. They have a sensor that keeps food warm for about 12 hrs and is fit for larger families
Benefits and Drawbacks of Rice Cookers:
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
| They can be conveniently used with respect to the microwave ovens. | You can’t cook brown rice efficiently in all the models. |
| There are no chances of spillage while cooking. | Not all rice cookers are compact, which makes it difficult to store in a small kitchen countertop. |
| Rice doesn’t get overcooked or undercooked with it. | If you don’t use the right ratio of rice and water, then the rice won’t come out to be perfect. |
| You can cook various variants of rice in the advanced models. | |
| It keeps the rice warm for a longer duration even after cooking. | |
| No no need to monitor the rice when it is getting cooked. |
We have covered all the aspects of a rice cooker in this article to make the decision-making process of purchasing it easier. Follow our buying guide and the products we have listed out to get the best deal for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Q. Is cooking in a rice cooker harmful?
Ans: No, it is healthy to use a rice cooker. The high temperature kills all the microorganisms. Also, the rice doesn’t remain uncooked with the right amount of water used.
Q. Can we cook anything else except rice in a rice cooker?
Ans: Yes, you can boil eggs, steam veggies, boil noodles, pasta, and prepare other similar items in the rice cooker.
Q. Are rice cooker pans oven friendly?
Ans: No, since they are made up of metals, you should not use them in the oven.
Q. What is the frequency of cleaning a rice cooker?
Ans: You must clean a rice cooker after cooking in it every time, just like you do other utensils.
Q. How to clean a rice cooker?
Ans: In case of any spillage, you can use a soft moist cloth to wipe the areas, and then soak the pan in soapy water for some time before scrubbing the remnants off using a soft dish scrubber.
Q. Are rice cookers safe to use?
Ans: Yes, it has a value for releasing steam while cooking, and from an electrical perspective, it has an earthing arrangement to avoid any electrical hazards.
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