How do IH rice cookers work?
IH rice cookers use coils around the pot that produce a magnetic field when an electric current passes through it. From this, the pot heats up incredibly fast, cooking the rice evenly.
What is a Fuzzy logic rice cooker?
Fuzzy logic technology found in recent electric rice cookers has a computer chip (also called a microchip, microcomputer or micom) that directs it to make adjustments to cooking time and temperature based on a variety of factors.
For example, it takes longer to cook brown rice, so rice cookers that are equipped with Fuzzy logic technology will react by reducing the temperature and cooking brown rice for longer.
What are the best rice cookers to buy in Australia?
Restaurant-quality rice is just one click (and one button) away. Read on for our top picks of the best electric rice cookers at varying price points that will make your next dinner prep easier than ever.
1. Breville The Rice Box cooker, $139, Myer
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Fluffy rice, every time. The Rice Box cooker features an embedded element on the lid which reduces condensation while still keeping the rice nice and moist. Further, its handy precision timer senses when the rice is cooked and automatically switches to the ‘Keep Warm’ setting so your rice is never burnt or soggy.
2. Joyoung mini rice cooker, $195, Kogan
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Perfect for small households of 1-3 people, this Joyoung mini rice cooker has nine automatic cooking settings ranging from rice and congee to cakes and more. Uniform heating is enabled with its innovative IH electromagnetic heating technology, this small but mighty rice cooker is incredibly sleek - claiming counter space, respectfully, in your kitchen.
3. Tatung multi-functional rice cooker, $279, Kogan
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When we think of rice cookers, we think of the iconic Tatung multi-functional rice cooker. A household classic, this rice cooker steams the rice indirectly by heating up the inner stainless steel pot with water - by indirectly heating the rice it ensures it is cooked evenly.
If you have a big family to feed, this is the perfect heavy duty rice cooker. Designed to not only cook up to six cups of uncooked rice, you can also use the rice cooker to steam vegetables, seafood, and other steamed dishes with ease. In a cute sage green colourway, this is the crème de la crème of multi-purpose rice cookers.
4. Japan Zojirushi Micom rice cooker, $308.84, Amazon
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With cult status amongst rice cooker fanatics, the Zojirushi rice cooker is praised for its ability to cook a variety of rice - white rice, brown rice, sushi rice and more. While other rice cookers may struggle to perfect brown rice, the Zojirushi rice cooker uses microchip Fuzzy logic technology to determine the amount of time needed to cook the fluffiest bowl of rice - say hello to restaurant-quality rice, every time.
With a higher price tag than its competitors, the Zojirushi rice cooker is definitely an investment. If you cook small batches of rice often, or you just want to enjoy restaurant-quality rice at home, this rice cooker should definitely be on your wish-list.
5. Russell Hobbs family rice cooker, $49, Catch.com.au
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Made for big families and those who love to host, this mega ten cup rice cooker by Russell Hobbs is your no-frills large capacity choice. It features a glass jar-style locking lid so you can easily track the progress of your rice as it cooks. Plus, its no-brainer ‘keep warm’ setting ensures your rice is nice and warm when served.
6. Anko 7-cup rice cooker, $13, Catch.com.au
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If you’re only the occasional rice cooker user, then opting for an affordable option is probably at the top of your agenda. For under $15, this Anko rice cooker can cook up to seven cups of rice and features all the basic rice cooker functions such as the vital ‘keep-warm’ function and a non-stick removable bowl.
7. Tiger 5.5 cup JAX-S microcomputer controlled rice cooker, $349, Amazon
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Tiger is known for making accessible yet high quality household products. Their rice cookers have always been highly regarded with an array of models at different price points. The JAS-X microcomputer controlled rice cooker by Tiger is multifunctional allowing you to prepare two dishes while cooking your rice - saving time, energy and effort when making meals for the family.
With ten computerised cooking menus and microcomputer technology to sense, adjust and actively monitor the temperature of your rice and dish of choice - you’ll have perfectly fluffy rice paired with a perfectly cooked dish to complement it.
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Lead photo: Getty
