There is no doubt that a perfect bowl of steaming, tasty brown rice can make any meal complete. But making that perfect bowl of brown rice has long been a challenge—until now. With the right rice cooker, you can have perfectly cooked brown rice every time! In this article, we’ll look at what makes a good rice cooker and compare different types of rice cookers. We’ll also let you in on some tips for cooking perfect brown rice and troubleshooting common problems.
What Makes a Good Rice Cooker?
When looking for a good rice cooker, the most important thing to consider is the type of rice being cooked. Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice and needs different levels of moisture and heat. Different types of rice cookers will provide different levels of control over those factors, typically offering settings for different types of rice. For brown rice, a cooker with adjustable settings and temperature controls will give you the best results.
In addition to adjustable settings and temperature controls, a good rice cooker should also have a timer and a keep-warm function. The timer will allow you to set the cooker to start cooking at a certain time, so you can have freshly cooked rice ready when you need it. The keep-warm function will keep the rice warm until you are ready to serve it, so you don’t have to worry about it getting cold.
Comparison of Different Types of Rice Cookers
When choosing a good rice cooker, it’s important to understand the different types available. The most common style is the simple electric pot-style cooker, which works by boiling the rice in a pressurized pot. These cookers provide a degree of temperature control, but don’t allow for much adjustment in terms of moisture or other factors. A step up from these are multifunction cookers, which provide more margin for error and can control both temperature and moisture. They can usually handle other grains like quinoa and oats, as well as making sushi and other dishes. Finally, there are electric pressure cookers, which are more expensive but offer ultimate precision. These offer adjustable temperatures, as well as variable moisture levels, allowing for precision cooking.
Pros and Cons of Each Rice Cooker
The most basic pot style cookers are inexpensive and offer basic control over temperature and pressure. However, they are prone to inconsistency in the heating and can be difficult to clean. Multifunction cookers have more adjustable functions, allowing for better control over moisture, some texture control, and they are also easier to clean. However, they are quite expensive, and do not offer any better consistency than the basic electric pots. As mentioned above, electric pressure cookers offer even greater control, though they cost very much.
Key Features to Look for in a Rice Cooker
When selecting a rice cooker there are three key features to look for. The first is temperature control; this will ensure you get even cooking without burning the outside and leaving the center undercooked. The second is pressure control; this will let you adjust the pressure and steam level to ensure the grain is cooked evenly and to your desired texture. Finally, make sure your cooker has some kind of timer, so you can get busy with other things while your dinner cooks.
Tips for Cooking Perfect Brown Rice
The first step for perfect brown rice is to rinse it before cooking. This will remove any dirt or debris that may have been stuck in the grains during production. Next, use enough liquid when cooking. Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice and needs more liquid to prevent burning or sticking to the bottom of the pot. Adding 1 cup of liquid per cup of brown rice should do the trick. Additionally, when fluffing the cooked rice with a fork or spoon be sure not to smash it—just gently move it around so as to not break up or damage the grains.
Troubleshooting Tips for Common Problems with Brown Rice
If you find your rice coming out gummy or sticking together when cooked, you may need to add slightly more liquid or a little more cooking time. If you find it is still very hard, you may need more liquid or additional cooking time as well. Finally, if your rice smells sour or has a strange aftertaste even after removing from heat, it could be due to either old grain/rice or too much heat used during cooking.
Conclusion
Cooking perfect brown rice consistently can be a challenge; however, with the right tools and knowledge you can easily achieve perfect results every time. There are multiple types of rice cookers available on the market, so be sure to pick one that fits your cooking needs and is within your budget. Additionally, following these tips and troubleshooting techniques should help you achieve beautiful fluffy grains every time!