Ever stared at the wall of rice bags in the grocery store, feeling a little lost? You just want fluffy, perfect rice every time from your trusty rice cooker, but which bag do you grab? It’s a simple request, but the sheer number of choices can feel overwhelming. Do you need long grain, short grain, or something else entirely?
Choosing the wrong rice can lead to mushy messes or hard, undercooked grains, and nobody wants that after a long day. We’ve all been there, hoping for delicious side dish success but ending up with a disappointing pot. It’s frustrating when your appliance is supposed to do the hard work!
But don’t worry! This post is here to clear up the confusion. We’re diving deep into the world of rice cooker-friendly grains. You will learn exactly which types work best for your machine and how to get that perfect texture, every single time. Get ready to say goodbye to rice guesswork!
Top Rice Cooker Rice Recommendations
- Store rice in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to preserve freshness and prevent moisture or pests
- One 2 pound bag of jasmine long grain rice
- Some of your favorite Amazon Fresh products are now part of the Amazon Grocery brand! Although packaging may vary during the transition, the ingredients and product remain the same. Thank you for your continued trust in our brands
- Premium quality jasmine rice that cooks up light and fluffy
- Amazon Grocery has all the favorites you love for less. You’ll find everything you need for great-tasting meals in one shopping trip.
- Feed your every day with Amazon Grocery
- REIMAGINE TRADITIONAL: Craft your favorite recipes in a whole new way with Mahatma Extra-Long-Grain Rice. This long-grain white rice works with any flavor combination and always turns out light and fluffy!
- EASY RICE: Prepare rice according to package directions. On a stovetop, add 1 cup rice to 2 cups boiling water for 20 minutes or until water absorbs. Alternatively, microwave the above measurements on HIGH for 5 minutes, for 15 minutes at 50% power, then let stand for 5 minutes.
- TRUSTED VEGAN FOOD: Our bulk white rice is 100% vegan and vegetarian, but that's not all. It's free from gluten, MSG, and preservatives and verified by the Non-GMO Project. It's even kosher, so you can gather everyone you love around your table!
- REWRITE RECIPES: Start your day with cheesy rice omelets. Try a rice salad, soup, or veggie burrito bowl for lunch. Build dinner with our rice and a protein like chicken. You can even craft dessert—pudding, pie, or a traditional Latin-American arroz con leche!
- HEART & SOUL OF THE FAMILY TABLE: Mahatma rice is for all who give so much of themselves to provide their families with the best life possible. For close to 100 years, we’ve poured our heart and soul into every bag of quality rice and grains—so you can enjoy it with those you love.
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- An array of preset functions for every kind of meal: White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, Flash Rice
- Steam meat, vegetables and more with the provided Steam Tray all while rice cooks below
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 8 cups of any variety of cooked rice or grains
- Sensor Logic Technology for delicious, fluffy rice and grains every time - automatically controls the internal temperature throughout the cooking cycle for optimal texture and flavor
- Botan
- Hearty meal foundation composed of medium grain milled rice
- One 5 lb. Bag of botan calrose rice
- We use specially selected u.s. No. 1 extra fancy
- ENRICH YOUR KITCHEN: Use RiceSelect’s Signature Jasmati white rice to liven up your favorite rice-based recipe with unforgettable flavors. Similar to our proprietary Texmati white rice, Jasmati is a RiceSelect-exclusive, American-style hybrid of Jasmine and long-grain rice, cooking up in 15 minutes.
- QUALITY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: From our exclusive rice varieties and rigid “inspect each grain” quality to our unique, innovative packaging, RiceSelect products are one of a kind. Each product we develop provides premium quality, taste, and texture that home cooks and the whole family will love!
- ALL ABOUT NUTRITION: Our Jasmati long-grain white rice has no other ingredients, so it’s low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium! It is Non-GMO Project Verified, Star-K Kosher, and Certified Gluten-Free as well as free of preservatives and additives, so even loved ones with dietary restrictions can enjoy it.
- PAIR WITH OTHER FOODS: Raise your kitchen game with fried rice dishes, rice puddings, cold rice salads, or a braised short-rib rice bowl. Enhance homemade supreme pizza crust, or upgrade an outdoor BBQ meal like Vietnamese lemongrass chicken skewers with Jasmati white rice and nuoc cham.
- SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING: We package all of our award-winning products—Texmati, Jasmati, Royal Blend, Couscous, Quinoa, and more—in our iconic BPA-free, fully recyclable jar. Check out the back of the Jasmati jar for complete cooking directions.
- Store rice in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to preserve freshness and prevent moisture or pests
- PREMIUM ORGANIC TEXMATI RICE: RiceSelect’s Organic Texmati White Rice is a hybrid American-style basmati rice that features a captivating aroma, an unexpected texture, and a welcoming nutty flavor. Texmati is made from an agricultural hybridization of long-grain white rice and basmati rice that cooks in only 15 minutes.
- VERSATILE ORGANIC WHITE RICE: Raise your kitchen game with our organic basmati rice variety that can be used for any meal. Try it for an indulgent dessert like rice pudding or sticky rice, or use it for a comforting soup, fresh rice salad, or savory dish like our Filipino pork sisig with garlic kimchi fried rice.
- NON-GMO & GLUTEN-FREE: Low in fat, sodium, and cholesterol, this premium organic rice has no additives or preservatives and is even suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets. It’s also Non-GMO Project Verified, Star-K Kosher, Certified Gluten-Free, and Certified Organic by the USDA, so anyone can enjoy it!
- SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING: We package all of our premium products—Texmati rice, Jasmati rice, Arborio rice, couscous, quinoa, orzo, and more—in our iconic BPA-free, fully recyclable jar. Check the back of the organic rice jar for cooking directions, and enjoy a soup, side dish, or savory rice pilaf recipe.
- QUALITY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: From our exclusive rice varieties and rigid “inspect each grain” quality to our unique, innovative packaging, RiceSelect products are truly one of a kind. Each product we develop provides premium quality, taste, and texture that home cooks and the whole family will love!
The Essential Guide to Buying Your Perfect Rice Cooker
Cooking rice perfectly every time might seem like magic, but it’s actually easy with the right rice cooker. This guide helps you choose the best one for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at what the cooker can do. These features make cooking simpler and your rice tastier.
1. Capacity Matters
- Small Families (1-3 people): Look for 3-cup or 5-cup models. These use less energy.
- Large Families (4+ people): Choose 8-cup or 10-cup cookers. Bigger pots mean you cook rice just once for everyone.
2. Cooking Functions
Basic cookers just cook white rice. Better models offer more options:
- White Rice/Quick Cook: The standard setting.
- Brown Rice/Grains: These need longer cooking times and more water. A dedicated setting handles this well.
- Keep Warm: This feature holds the rice at a safe, ready-to-eat temperature without drying it out.
- Steam Function: Some cookers include a tray to steam vegetables or fish while the rice cooks below.
3. Control Type
- Simple Switches (Mechanical): These are cheap and easy to use. They usually only have “Cook” and “Warm.”
- Digital/Microcomputer: These use a small computer to adjust heat perfectly. They offer precise timing and many preset programs.
Important Materials in Rice Cookers
The inside pot is the most important part. What it’s made of affects how the rice cooks and how long the cooker lasts.
The Inner Pot
Most inner pots are aluminum or stainless steel. However, the coating matters most.
- Non-Stick Coating: This is common. It makes cleaning very easy. Be careful not to scratch this surface with metal spoons.
- Thick Material (Stainless Steel/Thick Aluminum): Thicker pots distribute heat more evenly. This prevents hot spots where rice might burn.
The Outer Body
Look for durable plastic or stainless steel for the outside casing. Stainless steel looks nicer and resists stains better than plastic.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Rice Quality
The cooker’s technology directly impacts the final texture of your rice.
Improving Quality: Induction Heating (IH)
Induction Heating is the best technology available. Instead of heating the bottom element, IH heats the entire pot evenly using magnetic energy. This cooks the grains uniformly, leading to fluffier, perfectly cooked rice. IH cookers cost more, but they make a big difference in quality.
Reducing Quality: Thin Pots and Simple Switches
If the inner pot is very thin, the heat won’t spread well. The bottom layer of rice might become mushy or stick badly. Simple switch cookers often stop cooking too early or too late, resulting in rice that is sometimes undercooked or too dry.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how often you will use your cooker and what else you want to do with it.
- Daily Cook: If you eat rice every day, invest in an IH or digital model for the best results and consistency.
- Occasional Use: A simple, inexpensive mechanical cooker works fine if you only make rice once a week.
- Meal Prepping: Choose a large capacity cooker with a reliable “Keep Warm” function. You can cook a big batch on Sunday and eat it throughout the week.
- One-Pot Meals: If you like cooking stews or oatmeal, make sure your model has a good steaming basket or a dedicated “Porridge” setting.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Rice Cookers
Q: Can I cook things other than rice in a rice cooker?
A: Yes! Many people cook oatmeal, quinoa, hard-boil eggs, or even steam vegetables using the included basket. Always check the manual first.
Q: How do I stop the rice from sticking to the bottom?
A: Ensure you use the correct water-to-rice ratio. Also, gently fluff the rice with a plastic paddle right after the “Keep Warm” cycle starts. This releases steam.
Q: What does “Fuzzy Logic” mean on a digital cooker?
A: Fuzzy Logic is a type of smart programming. The cooker uses sensors to sense the temperature and moisture, adjusting the cooking time automatically for perfect results.
Q: Should I wash the inner pot before every use?
A: Absolutely. Rinse the inner pot and gently wipe it dry. Never put the main cooker unit near water.
Q: How long can I safely keep rice on the “Keep Warm” setting?
A: Most manufacturers suggest keeping rice warm for up to 12 to 24 hours. After that, the quality drops, and the rice can dry out or change texture.
Q: Why does my rice cooker sometimes spit water out the vent?
A: This usually happens if you added too much water or if you are cooking a very starchy rice type. Make sure the vent on the lid is clean.
Q: Are stainless steel pots better than non-stick?
A: Stainless steel lasts longer and doesn’t wear out, but rice sticks more easily. Non-stick is easier to clean but might wear off over time.
Q: Is it okay to use regular tap water for cooking rice?
A: Yes, tap water is fine for most home cooking. If your tap water has a very strong taste or smell, filtered water might give you slightly better-tasting rice.
Q: What is the difference between a basic cooker and an IH cooker?
A: A basic cooker uses a simple heating plate at the bottom. An IH cooker uses magnetic fields to heat the entire pot evenly, leading to much better texture.
Q: How do I clean the lid and gasket?
A: The inner lid (often removable) and the rubber gasket should be cleaned after every use. Gently wipe them down to prevent old rice starch from building up.