Page: 5 of 5
In this report

See Also

Rice Cookers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 13 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Oct. 2007
Rice Cookers
by Editors of Cook's Illustrated
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Editors at Cook's Illustrated rate eight rice cookers for quality of the cooked rice, efficiency, ease of use and features. Because all models performed well in tests, editors focus on price, which is… strongly linked to cooking time. In short, fancier models take longer to cook (up to 110 minutes) due to their automatic adjusting cycles. Cheaper, no-frills models take 30 to 50 minutes. They conclude that most Americans (who aren't accustomed to rice cooking as a protracted event) can get by with a basic model.

expand

collapse

2. Fine Cooking
Jan. 2007
Equipment Review: High-Tech Rice Cookers
by Maryellen Driscoll
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Fine Cooking editors test five pricey fuzzy logic rice cookers, cooking a full pot and a single cup of long-grain white rice, as well as 3 cups of brown rice. They test quick-cooking cycles and modes for… sushi and sweet rice. The quality of the rice was their only criterion. Editors call the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer NS-ZCC10 the best all-around model, while the Sanyo Micro-Computerized Rice Cooker/Steamer is named a best buy. The Tiger Electric Rice Cooker AG-B10U is the only model that offers a "scorch it" option, which allows you to toast the bottom layer of the rice. Editors do not rate the Aroma Sensor-Logic Rice Cooker ARC-896 or the Elite Pro Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker B601T, presumably because of inadequate performance.

expand

collapse

3. The Washington Post
Oct. 22, 2008
Who Needs a Rice Cooker?
by Bonnie S. Benwick and Joe Yonan
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The authors of this article are skeptical of the need for a rice cooker but change their mind after testing several models. The tested rice cookers do especially well with brown rice, which is more difficult to cook. The Oster Deluxe Multi-Use gets the highest marks for mastering brown rice, even though it doesn't perform as well with other types of rice.
4. MetaEfficient.com
March 5, 2009
The Best Rice Cookers
by "Siel"
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

The anonymous author of this article recommends six rice cookers, each the best in their class, and says users should opt for the lowest-priced model that meets their needs. The Panasonic SR-G06FG is the… least expensive but it isn't recommended for brown rice and it doesn't have a keep-warm function. Other models, from Panasonic, Sanyo and Zojirushi have more options, but cost more. The author says that expensive fuzzy-logic cookers are best suited for people who eat rice every day.

expand

collapse

5. Los Angeles Times
July 27, 2005
For Every Kitchen, a Rice Cooker
by Judy Yao
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Judy Yao and her colleagues test six rice cookers, three of which use fuzzy logic. Two Zojirushi models tie for first place. Each produces perfectly tender, moist rice that is slightly sweet. The Sanyo ECJ-D100S is the first runner-up. The Breville Gourmet failed to cook brown and white rice completely and was judged the worst of the lot.
6. Food & Wine Magazine
March 2008
The Best Rice Cookers
by Kristen Donnelly
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

After testing 76 countertop appliances, Food & Wine magazine lists winners, runners-up and honorable mentions in several categories, including rice cookers. However, not much is said about testing methods,… and we don't know how many models were considered before editors chose the winners. Rice cookers from Zojirushi, Panasonic, Proctor Silex and Krups make the list. A brief description of each is included.

expand

collapse

7. Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2009
Steamers and Rice Cookers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Zojirushi rice cookers lead the ratings at Amazon.com with hundred of reviews. Two Sanyo models also get high scores overall. On the budget side, the Panasonic SR-G06FG 3.3-Cup Rice Cooker/Steamer gets higher ratings than most in its price range. On the whole, user ratings here back up what the professional testers say: most rice cookers perform well.
8. Cooking.com
As of Oct. 2009
Rice Cookers
by Contributors to Cooking.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This retail site offers over 60 rice cookers, many with dozens of reviews. It also has handy sorting features, revealing the best-selling and highest-rated models. Cuisinart's Four-Cup Rice Cooker CRC-400 is reviewed more often than any other top-rated model. Other popular models include the Sanyo Micom ECJ-D55S, 5-Cup Sanyo Micom ECJ-F50S and 10-cup Krups FDH212-76.
9. Choice magazine
Feb. 2008
Test: Rice Cookers
by Editors of Choice magazine
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This respected consumer magazine from Australia tests nine rice cookers and fails to find a bad one. Editors note that all but one produced some browning in the bottom of the cooker, with the exception… being the Toshiba Electric Rice Cooker/Warmer RC-18LMI. However, the Toshiba isn't sold in the United States -- a common problem with the models in this write-up. Still, this review has a very helpful buying tips section.

expand

collapse

10. About.com
Not Dated
Japanese Rice Cookers
by Setsuko Yoshizuka
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Setsuko Yoshizuka, About.com's guide to Japanese food, recommends five rice cookers but it isn't clear whether she has personally used or tested any of them. She includes a brief paragraph for each rice cooker, explaining its features. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but they don't share an editorial affiliation.)
11. Walmart.com
As of Oct. 2009
Rice Cookers
by Contributors to Walmart.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Walmart.com does not offer many high-end rice cookers, and most of the models they do sell are not reviewed often. But if you're looking for an inexpensive model, this site serves as a great backup to other review sources. Top-rated models with the most reviews include the Aroma 8-cup Digital, Aroma 3-cup and Oster 4722.
12. Sally's Kitchen
Not Dated
Rice Cooker Reviews
by Sally Strackbein
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Sally Strackbein provides brief reviews of seven rice cookers, but she does not describe her testing methodology. She likes the Aroma rice cooker, which she says is convenient for one-pot meals, but this model receives consistently poor consumer reviews. Oddly, several of the write-ups say nothing about rice quality and focus instead on features such as cord storage and steamer racks.
13. ConsumerGuide.com
Not Dated
How Rice Cookers Work
by Jessica Toothman
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article goes into great detail about how rice cookers work and describes the differences between standard, fuzzy-logic and induction rice cookers. Tips for purchasing a rice cooker are included, but specific models are not discussed.

Useful Links

     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  

Back to top