Rice Cookers and Grain Cookers

Uncooked cups, not cooked cups

Rice cooker capacity is listed in cups of uncooked rice, and the cup is the small measuring cup supplied with the cooker, about 180 milliliters, smaller than a US cup. A 3-cup model cooks three of those cups of dry rice, which swells to roughly twice that volume, enough for two or three people; 5 or 6 cups suits a family; and a 10-cup unit serves a gathering. Larger capacities are also listed in quarts or liters.

Rice is only the start. Many cookers also have settings for brown rice, porridge, steaming and keep-warm; a steam tray lets you cook vegetables or fish above the rice. Advanced microcomputer models adjust time and temperature to the rice type, while basic models have a single switch that clicks off when the water has boiled away. Brown rice needs longer and more water than white.

Inner pot, lid and microwave versions

The inner pot decides cleanup and longevity. Non-stick pots release rice easily but scratch with metal utensils, while ceramic and stainless pots are tougher; the pot should lift out for washing. Lids come in glass, which lets you watch, or in metal and plastic, and a removable steam vent or inner lid is easier to clean. Microwave rice cookers are simple plastic vessels with a vented lid; they need no power cord, but the microwave's wattage affects the cooking time.

Questions about Rice Cookers and Grain Cookers

Why is a rice cooker's cup smaller than a standard cup?

The cup supplied with the cooker is a traditional measure of about 180 milliliters, not a US cup of 240. Use that cup for dry rice and fill water to the matching line inside the pot. Mixing measuring cups gives mushy or hard rice.

Is a microcomputer rice cooker worth having over a basic one?

A basic cooker is fine for white rice and is simple to use. Microcomputer models adjust heating through the cycle and offer settings for brown rice, porridge and sushi rice, giving more consistent results across grains. If you cook mostly white rice, you may not need the extra features.

Can I steam vegetables or cook oatmeal in a rice cooker?

Usually yes. A steam tray cooks vegetables, dumplings or fish above the rice, and many cookers have a porridge setting that suits oatmeal. Keep the water level within the markings, and clean the lid vent afterward because starchy foam can clog it.