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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@Whatwouldscullydo my family makes rice like that: melt some samna (clarified butter, i.e. ghee - but you can also use butter or oil) in a heavy-bottomed pan, add long-grain rice and some crushed vermicelli, fry them for a bit so the pasta goes a bit (but not too) brown, then add boiling water and salt to cover plus a bit. Sorry about the vagueness - all middle eastern recipes are a bit like that but in the pan I use it's about 1.5cm above the level of the rice. Put the lid on and cook it over a low heat for about 10-12 minutes until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is cooked when you try a bit. Turn the heat off and leave the pan to sit with the lid on for another 10-15 minutes (this makes the rice more fluffy and also helps it release from the bottom of the pan).

Mine is a Yum Asia as well - the small version. There's only 3 in our house. It's brilliant. I can do a small portion just for me, or enough for all of us. Brown rice takes a while - about 45 minutes - but no need to keep checking or anything. It beeps when it's done, & I go to scoop it out when I'm ready for it. Perfect every time. Even my DH (not a rice fan!) say the rice is very good.

Id recommend the pressure cooker too.

I use boil in the bag. It's my dirty secret. The Indian side of my family would disown me if they knew.

Sorry about the vagueness - all middle eastern recipes are a bit like that

I found that out when I asked how to make a few things...

I also had to leave sideways most days , seems making guests welcome involves food. Alot

@AngieBolen

I use boil in the bag. It's my dirty secret. The Indian side of my family would disown me if they knew.

I occasionally used boil in the bag until the day I served up a boiled rice moth🤢

@Whatwouldscullydo

Do u still add the oil/salt?

You add oil when you’re cooking rice?

I have a microwave rice cooker which I love. I also have a rice cooker which has been in my attic for years now

Another zojirushi owner here. Was expensive but used every day for about 10 years now. Makes family meals much easier and perfect rice every time

I have the Tefal 8 in 1, and it is brilliant for rice, especially sushi rice, and I like that it can be put on and you don't have to think about timings as it will just stay warm. No crunchy layer

I have a steamer that has a rice section you can add in, I use it loads for veg but have been impressed by how the rice comes out!

We would declare An Emergency in our household if our rice cooker broke. Luckily I have a microwave one and access to several electronic ones, should mine fail.

I have always owned a rice cooker. We use it at least every other day. It has a non-stick pan so the rice never sticks and a fast cook setting which takes about 25 mins to cook enough for 4 people.

I wouldn't be without mine. I think rice is too soggy cooked in a saucepan, and we eat a lot of rice. I use less water than the instructions say to, but leave it for an extra 10 minutes on the keep warm setting. I agree with a previous poster who says they are even better if you are cooking large quantities, but we just save some for egg fried rice the next day. Delicious.

Depends on your cooking style. I always burn rice due to nappy changes and general incompetence

I have a slow cooker with a rice function. I use both equally.

I use mine quite a lot, Argos had a '3 for 2' on appliances and I needed a kettle and toaster so it was just to make up the amount.

If you get distracted it might be worth it, after it cooks the rice it goes into 'keep warm' mode that lasts for hours so distraction is not a problem and could be useful if you have people coming home at different times.

You can cook other things in it but I've only done rice or meals with rice, because it steams and doesn't stir I often cook salmon on top of the rice - just put the rice and liquid in then put the salmon on top.

This is mine

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I was offered a new one by a gadget-mad friend, but declined because I don’t have much worktop space. Also I’ve never had a problem cooking rice in a pan and don’t understand why anyone would. There’s no great mystique to it.

The one time I could really have done with one was at a relative’s huge holiday home, when it was my turn to cook - for 16! There was a rice cooker but it did a max of 10 portions. So I cooked it in a massive stockpot-type pan, and it was fine.

No

We have the Joseph Joseph microwave rice cooker and it’s great. Ours gets used loads.