Do you often dine at top-class restaurants? Did you notice the signature stainless steel kitchenware dotting their lavish kitchens? Stainless steel is easy to clean, rust-resistant, and retains the food’s moisture and aroma. Above all, this fashion statement keeps the food from sticking to the bottom or sides of the pan. Now, consider a rice cooker with a stainless steel inner pot in your kitchen. These simple gadgets bring this exotic experience to you.
But how do you choose the best rice cooker? What about the pros and cons of such appliances? Find all the answers in this buyer’s guide.
Instant Pot DUO60 – Versatile 7-In-1 Cooker
What we like: The Instant Pot DUO6O is one of the leading rice cooker in the US, thanks to its versatile features. Apart from a rice cooker and a steamer, this gadget serves as a slow cooker, a warmer, pressure cooker, sautés, and yogurt maker. Then rice cooker comes loaded with 14 cooking settings. With a cookbook in hand, you can experiment on different dishes simultaneously. This rice cooker has two pressure settings to ensure the food cooks just right. It is also energy saving, and consumes only one third of the energy compared to similar rice cookers. It’s no wonder then that it is often called the kitchen magician.
All you need to know: The Instant Pot uses a stainless steel inner pot that is easy to clean. It is non-stick and redistributes heat throughout the food. Also, you can delay your cooking for up to 24 hours. Other features include ten safety features to prevent accidents and spills. A handy steam rack with handles, measuring cup, serving spoon, and a soup spoon is also in the package. Choose between three sizes to match your family size.
Specifications:
- 7 in 1 multipurpose rice cooker
- 10 Safety features
- 14 Built-in programs
- 24 hours delayed timer
- 3 prong plug
Instant Pot LUX Mini – Compact Yet Good Rice Cooker
What we like: The Instant Pot LUX Mini is like the DUO60 model, but with fewer features. Hence, it is an ideal rice cooker for the minimalist kitchen or a person running a busy lifestyle. Key features include a slow cooker, a pressure cooker, a rice cooker, a steamer, sauté, and a warmer. There is a delay timer to suspend cooking for up to 24 hours. This way, you can program your rice cooker to start cooking food hours later when you are not around. Then, its warming settings will keep it hot for up to 10 hours. You’ll come back from a busy schedule to find food hot and ready for you to eat.
All you need to know: The Instant Pot LUX Mini is an affordable model. The exterior is of a sturdy and aesthetic, brushed stainless steel. A corresponding stainless steel inner pot and steam rack make up the inner section. Plus, a 3-ply bottom ensures the heat redistributes to all parts of the food. Finally, safety features include a steam release, a lid detector, and a burn protector. But, the steam rack and lid have no handles or holders. Also, it works best in a spacious kitchen.
Specifications:
- 6 in 1 multipurpose rice cooker
- 10 Safety features
- 10 Built-in programs
- 24 hours delayed timer
Aroma ARC-753SG – Basic Cooker with a Stainless Steel Inner Pot
What we like: Are you looking for a rice cooker ideal in health care or another sterile setup? Consider the Aroma ARC-73SG rice cooker. This rice cooker uses a surgical-grade 304 stainless steel for its inner pot. Unlike other rice cookers, it does not use the non-stick coating avoided by most health institutions. Also, it makes one-pot dishes enough for a large family or residents. Once the food is ready, you can switch to the keep-warm mode.
All you need to know: This rice cooker uses the traditional conventional heating system. Here, it heats water at the base of the pot, then the steam that results from it cooks the rice. Once all the water dries up, the handy sensors switch from cooking to keep-warm settings.
To cook rice or soups, measure the food and add the water as per the clear markings on the pot. Then, use the one touch switch to kick off your cooking. Once done, being a stainless steel pot, it is quite easy to clean.
Other features of this stainless rice cooker include a 30-inches power cord, which is longer than other brands. Accessories include a measuring cup and a spatula. Even though the 3 cups size has no LCD controls, its 14 cups variation is available in both digital and non-digital styles.
Specifications:
- Surgical grade 304 stainless steel inner pot
- BPA free materials
- 120V/60Hz
OYAMA CNS-A15U – Stainless Steel Inner Pot and Steamer
OYAMA CNS-A15U
- Aluminum steaming basket included
- Glass lid included
- Simple to use
What we like: The OYAMA CNS-A15U is a sleek rice cooker using a surgical grade 304 stainless steel pot. It has a tampered glass lid and a non-reactive aluminum steam tray. All these features are safe for acidic or alkaline food. It neither peels, rusts nor, brings out unwanted odors. Instead, it preserves the nutritional value and flavor of food. This device has a simple one-touch switch for cooking, steaming, or warming the food. It prepares all types of food including meats, dumplings, and veggies.
All you need to know: The rice cooker retails with a useful rice paddle, measuring cup, and an aluminum steam tray. The detachable power cord saves on space in small countertops. The convenient glass lid allows you to track your food without opening the lid. But, this model is larger and more expensive than other similar rice cookers.
Specifications:
- Surgical grade 304 stainless steel
- One touch button
- Keep-warm settings for up to 24 hours
White Tiger Hypoglycemic Rice Cooker
White Tiger Rice Cooker
- Enjoy meals low on sugar
- Multiple features
- Easy to use
What we like: Are you a diabetic, weight watcher, fitness fanatic, or want to control your sugar intake? The White Tiger Hypoglycemic Rice Cooker lets you enjoy a low sugar rice meal at the comfort of your home. This rice cooker uses a hypoglycemic technique in its cooking. It drains the rice of all soup, removes most of the starch content, ending up a de-sugar rice dish. The cooking options include low-starch cooking, re-heating, and steaming.
All you need to know: The White Tiger rice cooker uses easy to follow digital display options. There is a surgical-grade 304 stainless steel inner pot with no coating. You won’t have to worry about carcinogens or any unknown chemicals mixing with your food. This material is easy to clean, rust, and corrosion-resistant. The rice cooker retails with a rice scoop, measuring cup, and an easy to follow manual. All these parts are light and portable, ideal for a healthy picnic or traveling. But, you can only prepare small quantities of food at a time.
Specifications:
- Uses advanced hypoglycemic technology
- Surgical grade 304 stainless steel with no coating
Advantages of Rice Cookers with Stainless Steel Inner Pots
Here are some major benefits that come with rice cookers that have a stainless steel inner pot
Excellent Heat Conductor
Stainless steel pots cook food in a fast and even way. This aspect is especially crucial for rice cookers that rely on the inner pot as the heating element.
Versatile, Rust and Corrosion Resistant
Stainless inner pots work well with other sharp spoons and utensils. Hence, they will resist dents and scratches. Also, the pot’s material will not react with acidic or alkaline food. Neither will it rust over time. The steel has molybdenum, nitrogen, and other non-corrosive materials for reinforcement.
Preserves Flavors
Since your food does not react with the inner pot’s material, its natural aromas remain intact. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any harmful carcinogens or chemicals leaking to the food.
Easy To Handle, Clean and Store
Most times, all you have to do to get your stainless steel inner pot clean is a splash of water to its surface. Still, they are easy to wash by hand and in a dishwasher.
Durable Construction
Stainless steel is one of the most durable materials known to man. The pure material’s strength to weight ratio gives you a lifetime service.
Timeless Fashion Statement and Commercial Appliance
For decades, stainless steel pots and pans’ silver sparkle marks a kitchen’s elegance. Indeed, it’s the first kitchenware choice by most top chefs. Plus, the products are easy to sterilize when used in a healthcare setup.
Eco-Friendly
Stainless steel used in most rice cookers originates from recycled metal. Hence, such gadgets help in keeping our environment clean.
Disadvantages of Rice Cookers with Stainless Steel Inner Pots
While this Rice cookers with stainless inner ports have multiple advantages, they can be a bit disappointing and here is why;
Expensive
Most stainless steel rice cookers are expensive than aluminum, copper, cast iron ones. Furthermore, the price rises further depending on the grade of stainless steel in use.
May Discolor
Excessive heat can cause a stainless steel rice cooker to discolor.
Not Ideal for Zero-fat Meals
Stainless steel rice cookers are not ideal for zero fat foods. For, when heated, such pans expand and stick to the dish. Hence, unless it’s boiling water, you have to add oil or butter to the food.