Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1
Cooking rice perfectly has never been easier than with a rice cooker and an instant pot. To the delight of cooking enthusiasts, they are now available in different models. But which one is actually better for your kitchen?
Both the appliances are getting love for their technology, ease of use, and time-saving properties. That's why it's important to know all the similarities and differences to choose the right one.
Find in our buying guide the secrets of Instant Pot vs Rice Cooker as well as some tips that will help you choose your appliance.
Before getting further along, why not check out the comparative tables of our top picks:
Table of Contents
Top 3 Instant pots
What is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is nothing but an electric pressure cooker or a multi-cooker by which one can cook rice more precisely in a modern way. There are different types of instant pot designs having their own unique set of features.
The modern instant pot features many new technologies such as air frying and Wi-Fi connectivity that make it different from old-style pressure cookers.
As it’s a multifunctional pressure cooker, so it can cook anything such as roasts, desserts, etc. It takes much less time for cooking. So, one can cook easily as well as comfortably without facing any kind of problem. An instant pot is an all in one package.
How to Cook Rice in an Instant Pot?
Some steps should be followed to cook rice in an instant pot. The key steps for cooking rice in an instant pot are -
Rinse the rice before cooking
The first step for cooking rice is rinsing the rice before cooking. It will remove the dirt from the rice grain and get rid of starch from the rice to make it sticky. It is necessary to make sure that it drains completely.
Keep the right ratio of rice to water
As per the manual, it is suggested that one can cook any rice with a one-to-one rice-to-water ratio in an instant pot. Yet, it's not universally true for instant pot as well as other multi-cookers. It needs slightly more water for cooking brown rice and wild rice. It will help to prevent not only undercooking but also scorching.
Pressure cooks the rice
Now it's time to pressure cook the rice. So, the pot's lid has to lock and set it to cook the rice at high pressure. It needs to set the cooking time depending on the grain for the following times:
White rice (basmati, jasmine): 5 minutes
Brown rice (long/short): 22-28 minutes
Wild rice: 15 minutes
Wild rice mix: 25-30 minutes
Fluff and serve
Wait for the natural release of the rice for at least 10 minutes. It will help yield fluffy results and help prevent sticking or burn at the bottom of the pot. After that, serve the fluffy warm rice with a fork and enjoy the meal.
The Benefits of Cooking Rice with an Instant Pot
The benefits of cooking rice with an Instant Pot are the following-
The Cons of Cooking Rice with an Instant Pot
The cons of cooking with an instant pot include
3 Best Instant Pot Reviews
Like we said before, the wide varieties and features make it difficult to find the right instant pot. So, here are the top 3 we think worth a try!
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1
Versatile, this product works in 7 different modes, including a slow cooker, rice cooker, sauté, and yogurt maker. And it is also equipped with 14 integrated programs for different types of food, which therefore make it multifunctional, as well as extremely efficient.
This instant pot cooker also allows you to set the cooking duration up to 24 hours. Also equipped with additional accessories in the package such as a spatula and ladle, it is also very beautiful to look at!
What I Like
What I Didn’t Like
Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1
This one on our list is one of the most popular instant pots among users. The most basic and budget-friendly available in the market.
With the capacity of 6 quarts, this one is perfect for any family of 4-5 members. Also, its compact design gives it greater portability. Its 12 pre-programmed features help you cook easily with saving time. The 6 in one pot reduces the use of other cookware in your kitchen.
It also comes with durable and long-lasting construction along with modern technology.
What I Like
What I Didn’t Like
Instant Pot Duo Nova Pressure Cooker 7 in 1
Our final showcase will be Instant Pot Duo Nova, which is a modified and upgraded version of IP Duo. The manufacturers took all the goodness of the previous version and added more features to make this wonderful.
The mini 3 QT pot may seem smaller but not in function. Suitable for cooking on the go, this instant pot can serve up to 3 people.
It combines 7 cookware into one to save space in the kitchen. 13 pre-programmed features allow you to make food faster. Don't let the look deceive you since this is one of the best instant pots on the market.
What I Like
What I Didn’t Like
Top 5 Rice Cooker
What is a rice cooker?
As its name suggests, a rice cooker is an electrical appliance that is intended for cooking rice. In existence since 1945, it has been modernized over time. And now, it has multiple functions, such as automatic shutdown or keeping warm.
It is mainly composed of a shell, a removable bowl, a lid, and sometimes a steam basket. The capacity, power, and price vary depending on the model.
Cooking Rice with a Rice Cooker
Step 1
The rice cooker is not a complicated device to use. In addition, it comes with a manual in which you will find the ideal dosages for the preparation.
The first step is to insert the rice and add the necessary amount of water. Likewise, if your appliance allows you to steam other foods. You just have to respect the proportion indicated in the instructions, and you will obtain perfect cooking.
2nd step
After placing the ingredients in the bowl, you can proceed to cook. Make sure the cover is securely closed before switching on the appliance.
If your rice cooker is not equipped with an automatic shut-off function, you will have to turn it off. Once the cooking time indicated in the instructions has been reached, switch it off.
For models with pre-programmed cooking, all you have to do is choose the cooking mode, and the appliance will stop automatically.
The Benefits of Cooking Rice with a Rice Cooker
Practicality
The practical side is undoubtedly the main advantage of the rice cooker. The latter will allow you to always obtain perfect rice cooking while retaining its nutrients, texture, and flavor.
It suffices to introduce the rice into the tank, pour the corresponding quantity of water, then close the lid before starting the machine. In addition, this type of device is easy to clean because the container is non-stick and removable.
Saving time
By using a rice cooker, you will no longer have to watch your preparation by worrying that it is undercooked or scorched.
Just press the on / off button. And the appliance will automatically turn off or switch to a keep-warm function when the rice is well cooked. This will save you time to make other preparations. or you can devote yourself to other occupations throughout the cooking process.
The Cons of Cooking Rice with an Instant Pot
Difficult manuals
Rice cookers, even though they are cooking appliances, are also sophisticated pieces of technology. They can have many different functions. A rice cooker has a difficult manual to understand and get all the functions to work if you want. These types of rice cookers can take a good amount of time to learn to use properly.
Counter space
Rice cookers are designed to connect to electrical outlets in the kitchen. Hence, they take up counter space. Depending on your point of view, this can be an advantage or a disadvantage. The rice cooker leaves an open stove burner for other pots and pans, but you won't have as much room to prepare your food.
5 Best Rice Cooker Reviews
We now give you a list of the best electric rice cookers that we have analyzed in the market. So that you can buy the best one within your budget.
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1
If you eat rice between 1 and 3 people at home, this is the ideal electric rice cooker, with its 680 watts power and 1 L capacity.
I liked the most about its design: small, compact, and minimalist, white in color with digital controls.
It is complete since it has 8 stages of cooking. It also includes a container that collects the condensation water, also removable. In conclusion: very easy to clean.
What I Like
What I Didn’t Like
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker
It is one of the best quality-price rice cookers on the market, with a power of 700 watts. And due to its stainless steel technology, you will not be able to feel the temperature from the outside. Its black design blends with most kitchens.
It is compact and lightweight for the large capacity it can cook. You can cook and keep food hot with its double function. The bowl is non-stick and easy to clean.
7-liter rice cooker, with which you will be able to make rice for a few diners. Simple and easy to use.
What I Like
What I Didn’t Like
Tiger JNP-S10U-HU
If you are looking for one of the best price-quality electric rice cookers, this rice cooker is ideal for you. It is perfect for those who do not have much time but still love to eat well-done rice. It makes your rice or any other preparation perfectly and in little time.
It has an automatic function that keeps the rice at the ideal temperature after it is cooked.
What I Like
What I Didn’t Like
Aroma Housewares rice cooker
It is one of the most popular electric rice cookers on the market, and with its stainless steel body, it is difficult to go unnoticed.
You can cook rice up to 20 cups, and due to its large capacity, it is ideal for any family function
Its power and hot function indicators make it easier to use.
This rice cooker includes the tray for steaming other foods. The tray is lightweight and easy to install and remove for cleaning. Aroma Housewares produces the best rice cookers' best brand, but you can see its pros and cons so you can decide.
What I Like
What I Didn’t Like
Cuckoo CR-0631F Multifunctional Rice Cooker
If you are looking for one of the best rice cookers, this pot will stand out in your kitchen. It is a vibrant pink color and white details, which make it look much updated.
This rice cooker is capable of cooking 6 cups of rice in a short time with a power of 400-600 w. It automatically starts to warm once the process is finished. Moreover, it maintains the heat of the food until its consumption. You will be able to prepare much more than rice since, due to its spacious interior, everyone feels adventurous in the kitchen.
What I Like
What I Didn’t Like
Instant Pot vs Rice Cooker Differences
The main differences between an instant pot and a rice cooker are breakdown below-
Instant Pot vs Rice Cooker Which Is Better
When it comes to choosing Instant Pot vs Rice Cooker, which one is better to buy for use? It mainly depends on the cooking purposes. If anyone wants to buy for cooking many recipes as a multi-cooker with many cooking functions, then he/she should buy the instant pot. As it works as a multifunctional cooker, but the rice cooker is used for cooking rice only.
An instant pot can cook rice more accurately, along with many dishes than one meal. It is also more energy-efficient and takes less time for cooking than a rice cooker.
But, if the purpose is only cooking the rice and wants to save the money as well as having safe cooking appliances, then the rice cooker should be the first choice to buy.
Conclusion
Said and repeated a thousand times, cooking and eating are the pleasures of life. And it is even more enjoyable when they are simple to do. The cooking methods are varied, so do the appliances, just like the ones we described. So, there is no such thing as Instant Pot vs rice cooker. Because they serve different purposes to make life easier.
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