A rice cooker, otherwise known as a rice steamer, is a kitchen appliance accessory that is designed to cook rice with steam and high-temperature heat. Rice cookers can be bought in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some of the more popular devices can cook around 6-10 cups of rice at a time.
1. Zojirushi 3-Cup Induction Rice Cooker
Cuckoo is well-known, trusted brand in the rice cooker industry. They have a full lineup of quality rice cookers that range from high-capacity cooking abilities to something designed to cook much smaller sized meals.
This cooker, in particular, has a full stainless-steel interior that does a great job of containing heat. Cuckoo makes use of induction heat to generate high-quality rice-based dishes. This rice cooker is even powdered by advanced technology that can detect the exact grain type and what temperature and time corresponds with that.
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2. Cuckoo 3-Cup Pressure Rice Cooker
This rice cooker uses induction heating to cook the food inside. Rather than using more traditional methods of building heat, this rice cooker will use magnetic coils at the bottom of the device to distribute heat at high levels. This enables the rice cooker to heat up quickly and ultimately prepare quality rice.
With a 3-cup capacity limit, it’s perfect for smaller families and kitchens. In fact, it can even cook as little as a half a cup of rice.
Although the body is quite bulky, the overall size is very small and will not take up much countertop space. The product dimensions are 11 x 9 x 7 inches.
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3. Tiger 3-Cup Microcomputer Rice Cooker and Warmer
This 3-cup rice cooker by Tiger is the perfect small household item. Many rice cookers operate with a one-touch on/off system, and while that is quite easy to use, the Tiger rice cooker features several preset functions, as well as a separated “keep warm” button. This will allow the user to personally adjust the overall settings during the cooking process. If you prefer your rice a little more crunchy or soft, this is a great option.
This rice cooker works with microcomputer technology, which allows the machine to heat up through an interior micom chip. It’s a very unique way of producing heat. This micom chip can power the entire device, including the menu settings, cooking functions, temperature, time, and the overall power.
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4. Zojirushi 3-Cup Micom Rice Cooker
Here’s another option that uses micom technology instead of induction heat. This rice cooker was designed and developed in Japan. It has a microchip that helps to control the proper time and temperature needed for fluffy, cooked rice.
It features many cooking options, including specific settings for white rice, brown rice, Gaba rice, sushi, oatmeal, and a quick-cooking function. The display also has a timer and a clock.
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5. Cuckoo 3-Cup Electric Rice Cooker
Cuckoo also offers a 3-cup electric cooker, in addition to their induction-based option. This rice maker can make anywhere from 1-3 cups of rice, depending on what the recipe calls for. Not only that, it can cook rice in 20 minutes or less. It’s a convenient cooking aid, that can make high-quality rice in a short amount of time.
It’s able to distinguish between different rice grains and cook them accordingly. For example, white rice requires different temperature and time settings compared to brown rice. This machine can accommodate scenarios like that.
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6. Tiger 3-Cup Conventional Rice Cooker
This 3-cup rice cooker is made in Japan and part of a series of conventional machines. This option is available in either an urban satin finish or a white floral design. Additionally, it can be purchased in different sizes, including 3-cup, 4-cup, 5.5-cup, 8-cup, and 10-cup options. Overall, this lineup of different-sized options should be available to fit any kitchen’s needs.
The 3-cup maker is great for cooking white rice in a short amount of time. It uses conventional heat to create steam within the interior. Once the steaming process has been completed, the device will automatically switch to the “keep warm” function, keeping contents hot for up to 12 hours.
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These size options make sense for kitchens with limited space. They’re compact in size and can be easily stored in a drawer or set aside on a countertop.
Since 3-cup rice cookers are smaller, they can fully cook rice grains in a short time. This will add convenience to the overall cooking process. They make a perfect amount of food for around 2 to 3 people max.
For petite kitchens, a smaller rice cooker will allow you to cook white and brown rice, as well as soups, pasta, stews, without sacrificing a significant amount of space.