Rice. It’s cheap, filling, and it goes well with plenty of foods. There’s a reason that people from around the world love their rice. However, cooking it can be a pain. When you use your ordinary stovetop pot, it can end up being undercooked or overcooked, and it can take a long time.
That’s why rice cookers are here. A good healthy rice cooker with a stainless steel inner pot can make cooking white rice or brown rice a cinch. You can get that rice cooked to just the right amount every time. But which rice cookers are good? In this post, we’ll list some rice cookers that you’re going to love.
- What Should I Look for When Buying a Healthy Rice Cooker with Stainless Steel Pot?
- Here's How We've Determined the Best Healthy Rice Cooker with Stainless Steel Pot
- On a Budget? Try These:
- Is a Stainless Steel Rice Cooker Safe?
- Does Rice Stick to Stainless Steel?
- Verdict: Your Best Healthy Rice Cooker with Stainless Steel Pot
What Should I Look for When Buying a Healthy Rice Cooker with Stainless Steel Pot?
Searching for a stainless steel inner rice cooker seems like an easy task, but there are several factors you need to think of before you purchase one. Here are some features you should be on the lookout for when buying one of these rice cookers.
The Right Capacity
The first thing you should look for in a stainless steel inner pot rice cooker is how big it is. If you have a large family (or a large stomach), you may want to buy one with a larger capacity. Who wants to cook multiple batches just to feed a family? On the other hand, if you live in a small apartment by yourself, one that is excessively large may take up too much space. But generally, it’s better for the cooker to be a little too big than too small.
The Inner Pot Is Non Stick and Easy to Wash
When you have the cooked rice ready to eat, it should come out of the inner pot with ease. There should not be any rice that sticks to the pot. You shouldn’t have to spray the stainless steel inner pot with cooking spray beforehand, either.
A Keep Warm Mode
Something that every stainless steel inner pot rice cooker should have is a keep warm mode. This keeps the rice warm after it’s done cooking so you don’t have to take the cooked rice out of the inner pot ASAP. It’s also good if you need to reheat already cooked rice.
Easy Controls
A stainless steel inner pot rice cooker should have intuitive controls. You can be able to select whether you are cooking white or brown rice, or you can select “quick cook” if you just need some cooked rice ASAP. Some rice cookers, especially the Instant Pot variety, will have more options. It may have the ability to simmer foods in the inner pot or slow cook. It may allow you to adjust how you like your cooked rice according to your preference. However, if you are looking for a rice cooker that is simpler, that’s valid as well.
Light Indicators
Light indicators can tell you if the food is done or if there’s a problem with your rice cooker without you having to do too much research. They are quite convenient to have.
A Good Lid
A rice cooker should have an easy to use lid that you can take off or put on without worrying about getting burned. Some rice cookers will have a glass lid. The glass lid lets you see inside to see how the rice is cooked. Some stainless rice cookers, like the Instant Pot, will have a non-glass lid.
A Measuring Cup
Many stainless steel rice cookers will come with their own measuring cup. A measuring cup will allow you to adjust how much rice you want to have in your meal. While you may own a measuring cup already, having one just for your stainless rice cooker can be convenient.
Other Accessories
The stainless steel inner pot rice cooker may come with several other accessories, such as a rice paddle or ladle, to allow you to serve the rice with ease.
Dishwasher Safe
Another feature you should look for in a stainless steel inner pot rice cooker is a pot or other part that is dishwasher safe. Having to scrub your inner pot in your rice cooker is just a chore. That’s why a good stainless steel inner pot rice cooker is dishwasher safe. Just pop it in the dishwasher, and you’re good to go. Having to spend a long time cleaning the inner pot is the opposite of what a you should have to do with a good rice cooker.
It Should Fit Your Budget
Finally, pick a stainless steel pot rice cooker that fits well with your budget. There are cheaper cookers out there, but there are some more luxury ones if you want the highest quality rice possible. Figure out your budget and find the best stainless rice cooker for your situation.
Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Healthy Rice Cooker with Stainless Steel Pot
We looked at several factors. We tried to pick from five stainless steel inner pot rice cookers that offered something unique, and we picked rice cookers for several budgets. Besides that, we read what the reviews said. How well did the cooked rice taste? Were there any problems with the stainless steel rice cookers?
#1: Nutriware (Best Value – All-Purpose)
The best value on our lists is for the product that combines value and quality. The Nutriware is a nice, mid-range rice cooker that has an inner pot made of pure non-stick stainless steel. It can hold 14 cups and has several buttons to make it easy to cook white or brown rice, saute liquids, or steam vegetables, and it has a warm mode as well.
This stainless steel rice cooker comes with several accessories, including a rice paddle and measuring cup, making it quite convenient for those who don’t want to buy this equipment separately.
Besides that, this stainless steel rice cooker has positive reviews. Most people say this stainless steel rice cooker is good for the money and can cook white or brown rice with ease. Some criticisms include the rice cooker splattering water, but some commenters did point out that you have to wash the rice first to keep that from happening.
In conclusion, this rice cooker works for most people. It’s a mid-range unit that has a lot to offer, and it should be good for most of your rice cooking needs. When you’re looking for a rice cooker, this is one you should check out immediately.
#2: Tiger JNP (Best Rice Cooker)
If you’re looking for a pure steel rice cooker to give you the best white rice or brown rice possible, this is one of the best you can buy. We’d recommend this stainless rice cooker if you plan on cooking rice often and need the toughest cooker around. It’s also good for restaurant use. While it’s more expensive than other stainless steel rice cookers on this list, there’s a reason why it costs so much. It’s also a Japanese-made rice cooker, meaning it has higher quality than most pots.
You can buy these from 3-10 cups, allowing you to purchase a stainless steel rice cooker for your family size. In addition, you can pick from a steel rice cooker design or something that’s a little more white and flowery.
This rice cooker has several nice features, such as a warm mode that lasts 12 hours. It has a steel inner pan that’s non-stick and can allow for the perfect rice every time. In addition, the power cord is retractable, and the steam vent is removable and able to be washed.
Reviews have been quite positive. Most people say that the rice made in this stain steel inner pot rice cooker is tastier and has a better texture. Others say that it’s a durable unit that’s built to last. Some people had duds as products, but that was the minority.
Overall, this is a great rice cooker if you want the best of the best. It’s Japanese-made, and it’s ready to cook some of the best rice you’ve ever tasted. If you only cook rice occasionally, you may want to go with something cheaper, but rice enthusiasts will love what this one has to offer.
#3: Oyama (Best Cooker with Steamer Tray)
This is a great little mid-range rice cooker with a stainless steel inner pot. It allows you to cook up to 8 cups of rice, with simple controls. Sometimes, you don’t need 10 options to cook rice. This rice cooker comes with a glass lid as well, but what interests us is the steamer tray.
Simply put, you can put several foods on it and steam it while you cook rice. This allows you to do some multitasking, which is what other rice cookers don’t allow you to do quite so well. For those who want to multitask, we recommend this stainless rice cooker.
Reviews are quite positive. Most people say this stainless steel rice cooker can cook rice quite well. Most people have no problem cleaning the stainless steel inner pot, either. However, some reviewers did say that this rice cooker could be a little more durable.
Overall, this is a rice cooker that’s good for multitasking. It cooks rice well, and it can allow you to steam some foods along the way. It’s a great mid-range unit.
#4: Aroma Housewares (Best Low Cost)
We love rice, but we admit that it can be a bit of a “struggle food”. Whether you’re a broke college student or just someone who has hit a low point, you need a quality cooker that can work within your budget. That’s why the Aroma Housewares is here for you. It’s a stainless steel rice cooker that is under $30.
For that price, you can do a lot. It has buttons for white and brown rice, and you can make cake and steamed veggies in it as well. It even comes with a steam tray, though it’s not as high quality as cooker #3. It should cook around 2-8 cups, which is quite good for how small it is.
Oh, and it has a delay timer too, which is quite convenient.
Reviews of this stainless steel rice cooker are positive, but a little lower than others on this list. Many people found that this stainless steel rice cooker was quite good, providing quality rice for a cheap price. However, other reviewers had a problem with the stainless steel rice cooker breaking down early on, or there were difficulties with how easy it was to wash.
Overall, this is a pretty good deal. While there are some aspects of this rice cooker that are a little cheap, this is a great one if your budget is a little low. We say to try it out and see if it works well for you.
#5: Instant Pot Duo (Best All-In-One)
Finally, we can’t talk about stainless steel rice cookers without mentioning the Instant Pot. Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past few years, you are probably familiar with what it does. This is a cooker with a steel inner pot that has multiple functions. This particular model has seven functions. It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, saute pan, yogurt maker, steamer, warmer, and, of course, a rice cooker. It can cook delicious meals at a fast rate, with several buttons that make it easy to do. Its stainless steel inner pot is easy to clean, and it’s quite easy to find recipes for it.
Plus, it’s a safe device, with several safety and locking features. This particular model holds 6 quarts, which should be plenty for rice, but you can buy it bigger as well.
This is a stainless steel cooker that is quite popular and has positive reviews. Most people say that it’s an amazing stainless steel cooker, especially if you live in smaller homes and don’t have much space for seven similar devices. And of course, the rice cooker function is easy, be it for brown rice or white rice. Most people who give it negative reviews just got duds.
Overall, this is good if you want it all. The Instant Pot can cook rice decently and do a whole lot more. However, it’s #5 on this list because it wasn’t specifically made for rice, and some people may want something a little more intuitive than what this has to offer.
On a Budget? Try These:
Are you eating a diet of rice and beans, and you can’t even afford to cook the rice? Luckily, there’s a rice cooker out there for those on a lower budget. Let’s take a look at three of them.
#1 Budget: Aroma
The Aroma is a rice cooker that is easy to use, and it has a steaming option as well. This isn’t the fanciest rice cooker out there, but for that price, and for the fact that it has decent reviews, you can’t go wrong with what it has to offer.
#2 Budget: 
The Black and Decker is a cheapie stainless steel rice cooker that doesn’t have anything fancy. It just has a cook and a keep warm mode. The keep warm mode is automatic, too. It’s also a little smaller at a three cup capacity. However, if you’re looking for a stainless steel rice cooker, you can’t go wrong for that price.
#3 Budget: Oster
Is a Stainless Steel Rice Cooker Safe?
Like most any cooking appliance, the stainless steel pot rice cooker is safe for use. However, there are some precautions that you should take if you want to ensure maximum safety. Let’s look at some of them.
Fill It Right
Fill the rice cooker with the right amount of water. Too much water and it can end up overflowing, damaging the stainless steel pot rice cooker and possibly burning someone. Too little and it can burn the rice. Add the right amount of water according to how much you’re cooking.
Also, when you are pouring the water, pour the water slowly. The water could end up splashing on the power cord if you are not careful. Only wash the pot with water as well. Do not wash the outside of the rice cooker with water.
Don’t Leave It On Too Long
With the keep warm option, you can let the rice stay warm after you cook it. However, there is a limit to how long you should use the keep warm option. If you leave it on too long, especially unattended, you could be at risk.
Turn It Off Before Cleaning
As mentioned before, you should never pour water over the outside of the rice cooker. However, you can wipe it down. When you do so, turn it off and unplug it before wiping it down or dismantling it. Wait until the appliance is completely dry before you use it again. It’s always important to turn it off before use as well.
Read the Manual
Different rice cookers may have different safety precautions. Therefore, you should read the manual before using the rice cooker.
By following these safety precautions, you can stay safe while making some rice.
Does Rice Stick to Stainless Steel?
When you have a stainless steel pot rice cooker, you want it to be non-stick. You don’t want rice sticking to the pot after every use. However, if you buy a stainless steel rice pot, you may find that it’s sticking. What gives? Well, you have to cook the rice in a proper way if you want it to be non-stick. Let’s look at some ways to do so.
Cook above the Minimum
There’s a minimum amount of rice you need to cook. Otherwise, the rice may keep sticking to the bottom. A good rule of thumb is that the minimum is 1/5 of what the maximum is. If you have a 10 cup cooker, the minimum is 2 cups. Just divide the maximum by five if you want a good idea.
Rinse the Rice
Rinse your rice with water and then drain before you use it. This can prevent the water from sloshing, and it can keep the rice as non-stick as possible. This can allow you to have the best quality of rice as well.
An Even Cup for White Rice
If you’re cooking white rice, have a cup of water per cup of rice. Simple as that. For other kinds of rice, it can vary. If it’s brown, you may need an extra half cup of water. Be mindful of the type of rice, then measure cups of water accordingly.
Cool a Bit Before Serving
When it’s cooked, the cooker will go to “keep warm” mode. “Keep warm” can let the rice stay warm until you’re ready to serve it. However, one idea is to turn it off once you see it’s on “keep warm”, then wait around 10 minutes before you serve. Doing this can reduce your chances of the rice sticking to the bottom.
Also, make sure that the pot is truly non-stick. A non-stick pot can certainly help in the battle of rice sticking to the bottom of the pot. No one likes rice that’s stuck to the pot, so prepare your food and your pot beforehand, and you should be good to go.
Verdict: Your Best Healthy Rice Cooker with Stainless Steel Pot
After writing about stainless steel cookers for a long time, our brain does feel like some rice that’s been cooked for a little too long. In case you were having a meal while reading and got distracted, here are the top five stainless steel cookers again.
First, we have the Nutriware. It’s a mid-range rice cooker with intuitive controls, a stainless steel pot, and it provides a heaping helping of rice. It should be the first one to check out when looking for a stainless steel cooker.
The second is the Tiger JNP. This is a Japanese-made stainless cooker, and you have to pay more to get quality. However, the result is a rice cooker that may make you never want to buy a cheaper stainless cooker ever again.
The third on this list? The Oyama. This is a nice little mid-range stainless rice cooker that has a little tray that lets you cook other foods as well. It’s great if you want to multitask.
Fourth goes to Aroma Housewares. This is a budget cooker, but it has quite a lot of options and ways to cook the rice. If you’re looking for a stainless cooker on a budget, this is one to look for.
Finally, we have the Instant Pot Duo. This is something for those who want an all-in-one. If you’re looking for an appliance that cannot just cook rice, but do so much more, the Instant Pot is your best option.
And there we go. These are the best rice cookers money can buy. Having a good rice cooker can make all the difference. It saves you time, money, and possibly your sanity. If you’re looking for a rice cooker, these should satisfy most rice lovers. Anyway, we hope this was a helpful article. Good luck on your rice cooking journey.