Need a new rice cooker!

[HappydaysArehere]

My rice cooker has developed several scratches over the non stick bowl. As I don't fancy using this now I have been looking to buy another. I looked in Peter Jones (John Lewis)when I was up in London today. They had rice cookers combined with slow cookers. One was a Tefal and another a Sage. I have read reviews and saw one complained of scratches on three of the Sage models. The Sage is £99 so thought the non stick surface might last longer.. So was surprised to see that complaint. The Tefal is half that price but also was multifunctional but am wondering again about the non stick covering lasting longer than the one I have at the moment. I always use a plastic spoon to take rice out so don't know what else I can do except buy a more expensive product. Would be grateful if anyone has any ideas about possible good buys.

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

If you're looking to spend the best part of a hundred quid get an instant pot.

But for rice but it frozen in pouches and microwave. So much easier!

[MargotLovedTom]

We have a Jamie Oliver rice pot which was expensive (though cheaper than prices mentioned) - it's really good though.

[MargotLovedTom]

Extra 'though'

[MargotLovedTom]

www.amazon.co.uk/Jamie-Oliver-Ceramic-Rice-Cooking/dp/B00TW6SAE6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465512872&sr=8-1&keywords=jamie%20oliver%20rice%20pot&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Only 25 quid now, I'm sure I paid a lot more than that!

[user1464934899]

I brought this one online and it's fantastic. For the price you can't go wrong.

[icklekid]

Ohh margot I clicked on the thread as have wanted a jamie oliver one for ages and wondered if anyone had used one! At that price that is being purchased now!

[Sgtmajormummy]

The Sistema microwave rice cooker does a good job too. Rinse, double water to rice and cook for 14 mins at 900watts. About £12 I think.

[Sgtmajormummy]

Less t'han £7 on Amazon today. Sorry can't link on my mobile.

[VoleSnuffle]

We also have the Sistema microwave red plastic bowl. Perfect rice in 15 mins.

linky

Bargain.

[HappydaysArehere]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I cook brown basmati and Thai jasmine rices in the main. I haven't tried the microwave for these. Has the Jamie Oliver stood up to use without losing any non stick. The one I am using is a Breville, works fine but is showing a lot of scratch type .losses of non stick. It only cost £20 from Argos about 18 months ago so was looking for something robust. Thinking of the microwave - does it do larger amounts if I have the family around?
I am looking into the Sistema and the Jamie Oliver. I have a couple of Jamie Oliver non stick frying pans and they have never scratched, so thank you.

[BananaL0af]

If you're in London, then I would suggest you go to Chinatown, many of the grocery shops also sell rice cookers.

Are you using a plastic paddle in the bowl? To minimise scratches?

[MargotLovedTom]

The Jamie Oliver one is ceramic so doesn't have any non stick coating (nothing sticks though and you can put it in the dishwasher). Dh has done fancy tricolour rice in it and I was worried it would stain but it comes up looking as new every time. It's also attractive to go straight to the table as a serving pot, and I think you can do other things in it (someone mentioned cake or pudding to me once but I haven't ivestigated). There's recipes on Google. It's actually a really nice kitchen item, and I'm sure I paid a small fortune for it when I was drunk tipsy at a Jamie At Home party thing.

icklekid hope you like it!

[MargotLovedTom]

Also you can cook a good amount of rice in it. Sorry couldn't tell you the amounts but it may on the link.

[HappydaysArehere]

Thank you Margot, I have looked at the reviews and utube links about Jamie's rice cooker. It looks pretty good. Great for everyday. My only problem might occur when I have the family around and I am doing a curry. However, that doesn't occur too often. Banal, thanks for the China Town shop suggestion. It gave me an idea, there is a Wing Yip a not too long a drive away which my daughter uses quite regularly.
Meanwhile, while researching discovered that the Sage multicooker is really a Breville but marketed in UK as Sage which is endorsed by Heston Blumenthal! Identical utube demos only Sage name is replaced by Breville. Checked it out on the Internet. Thanks again.

[NicknameUsed]

How does a rice cooker differ from just using a saucepan?

I manage to cook rice perfectly well in a saucepan - just as well because I don't have room for any more kitchen gadgets.

[hotdiggedy]

I was wondering the same thing. How does it differ from a normal pan?

[Sgtmajormummy]

It takes the guesswork out of cooking rice.
At least in the case of the Sistema you can just stick it in the microwave and as long as you follow the times and weights it's ready whenever you feel like coming back to iit.
I suppose it's the venting or the shape of the lid that's been specifically designed to cook rice.
Nothing wrong with a pan, for sure, but I prefer to concentrate on the fun part of the meal and leave the rice to get along by itself.

[Marilynsbigsister]

After living in Thailand for 15 yrs and married to a Thai for 18 - I am the road tester of all road testers with rice cookers ! I use mine pretty much 3/4 times a week. Used to use it everyday when married to Thai husband. I can say without shadow of a doubt having had every type from Harrods (Christmas pressie) to Lidl (emergency) that Argos's 'Cookworks' is head and shoulders above all others and lasts for ever. (My ex- even gets me to send him them out to Thailand) - coals to Newcastle or what !

[Marilynsbigsister]

....as for 'frozen rice in microwave'... I'm just having to have a lie down in a darkened room while my Ex MIL rotates in her grave..at the very thought...

[NicknameUsed]

"It takes the guesswork out of cooking rice."

But there is no guesswork.

Basmati rice - twice the volume of water to rice. Bring to the boil, lid on, cook for exactly 15 minutes. Leave the lid on the pan and allow to steam for 5 minutes. Done.

Easy peasy. No need for an expensive space greedy gadget.

I have been cooking rice this way for many many years and it always works.

I don't have to concentrate on the rice either.

[wowfudge]

Me too

[HappydaysArehere]

The advantage is that you can be attending to other cooking while the rice takes care of itself. My daughter never thought she needed one until a Thai friend, who is a brilliant cook, taught her to create Malaysian dishes. He took her shopping and said the first thing you need is a rice cooker. She has been using one ever since and the cooking is great. Marilyn, that is so interesting about the cook works from Argos.

[Alanna1]

You can get replacement bowls - contact the supplier.

[flossyfloo]

I use one of these to cook my rice.....
www.steamer.co.uk/m/cookware/accessories_other/judge_stainless_steel_13cm_rice_ball.htm
My MIL bought me one for xmas years ago and I was sceptical but it cooks rice perfectly.

[NicknameUsed]

But when I cook rice in a pan it does take care of itself. It doesn't need any attention, and cooks rice as well as any rice I have had from a rice cooker.

It is a complete myth (perhaps perpetrated by rice cooker sales people) that cooking rice in a pan is difficult.