Rice cooker. Do I need one?

[Longdistance]

A boring one, sorry.
If you have a rice cooker, is it any good? How long does it take? Is it easy to use? Does it stick to the pot? (I can get distracted cooking rice and occasionally it’ll stick to the pan).
Thanks

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I bought one. The rice isn't as good as if I cook it in a pan. I'm not sold on it. Mine was £15 from Tesco so not a big purchase but still disappointed.

A friend at uni had a microwave rice cooker. It did make perfect rice but I've still never bought one as it's just another thing to clutter the kitchen when a saucepan will do the job.

I have an instant pot and like to use the rice cooker option on it because I can throw everything in as I am starting to make the main part of the meal and forget about it. The rice is always perfectly cooked and stays warm until it’s needed.

I did years ago have a cheaper rice cooker and the rice always stuck to the bottom of that and came out slightly crunchy so I didn’t really use it much!

I make perfect rice in a plastic jug in the microwave with boiled water.
I prefer brown rice so it takes 30 minutes but it's perfect every time.

I have a microwave one - we eat rice most days so it was worth every penny

My OH said he did and I bought him one in 2017. It remains in the box, never opened.

Have one and rarely use it so no.

I can never get the timing right for rice so it's been a good buy for me

My friend was married to an Iranian 50 years ago, rice a huge staple in that culture. We were talking about rice cookers the other day, she's had two in that 50 years, she absolutely swears by it!

I adore my rice cooker. If it broke I would replace it immediately. Rice in, water in, press button: perfect rice in 20 minutes (time depends on how much you’re cooking) keeps hot for up to an hour. I put it on at the start of cooking dinner then forget about it until it’s time to serve up. Use ours 3-4 times a week.

No it’s a faff and the rice is sticky.

No. I cook rice just fine. Need to tweak based on the type of rice.

Ours was £10 from Asda, great rice every time. Would instantly replace if it broke.

The absorption method of cooking rice in a pan works brilliantly, perfect fluffy rice but I pretty much stick to basmati so couldn't say for other types of rice.

I can do perfect rice in a pan.

Trick is to have it on a high heat and use a diffuser to protect the bottom of your non stick pan.

I think the rice cooker is great if you are cooking rice for a larger number.
It cooks it perfectly for a large number of people.

I used to have an electric one but now I use a microwave rice cooker instead. So much easier!

Ah the microwave rice cooker. It is brilliant.

I have looked and looked for a rice cooker for 1 person, and never found one. The microwave one is excellent and about £8 from Sistema.

And no more burnt saucepans

I have an Asda one. I replaced mine after years. I find it much easier wash rice bun hit in and forget about it till it clicks.

@YNK

I make perfect rice in a plastic jug in the microwave with boiled water. I prefer brown rice so it takes 30 minutes but it's perfect every time.

Same. Other than the brown rice bit. I tried and failed with a pan many times. Then went back to the jug in the microwave and wondered why I'd ever stopped.

I also have an Asda rice cooker! I haven’t mastered it properly yet I sometimes still get a crunchy layer of rice on the bottom, not sure why. I have never successfully made rice in a pan but rice in my slow cooker is 10x better than the microwave rice I’ve used for years even with the slightly crunchy bottom!

rice cooker not slow cooker.

My rice was never perfect until my partner showed me his method for white rice.

Measure rice into pan (we have a small cup.
Rinse rice at least 5 times
Drain water
For every cup of rice, put 1 and half cups of cold water in.
Bring to boil.
Once boiling, turn to lowest setting with kid on. Set times for 10 mins.
At end of timer, turn hea t off. Put tea towel folded up on top to keep heat in and reset timer for 10 mins.
Enjoy.

I cannot make rice in a pan, so yes, I'd recommend a rice cooker. We have a Black and Decker one, had it ten plus years, invaluable. Cost about a tenner I think.

No, I wouldn't bother. I can make good rice in a pan so it'd be just another gadget I don't need.