The 6 Best 3-Cup Rice Cookers

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Zojirushi NP-GBC05XT Rice Cooker

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Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker

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Tiger JNP-S55U-HU 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer

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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

KEY FEATURES

  • 700-watt 3-cup rice cooker and warmer with Induction Heating technology.
  • Menu settings include
  • Accessories include rice spatula, spatula holder and rice measuring cups
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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.

Pros

  • This device can be fully programmed to fit your needs, with preset options for temperature and cooking times.
  • The display screen is backed with a blue LED screen that’s easy to read from a distance.
  • The controls are touchscreen and easy to use. There is even a voice activation feature.
  • The interior base is lined with a nonstick coating.
  • This rice cooker features an automatic steam and pressure release system, which will ensure safety when used.
  • There is a built-in alarm that will go off when the device is overheated.

Cons

  • This rice cooker is more expensive compared to other 3-cup options on the market.

2. Cuckoo 3-Cup Pressure Rice Cooker

KEY FEATURES

  • Faster, Smarter Cooking
  • Time-Saving Convenience
  • Designed for Safety
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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.

Pros

  • It has a clear coat, stainless steel exterior that’s able to maintain heat well. It’s also easy to wipe down and clean.
  • The inner lid can be removed and placed in the dishwasher.
  • There is a feature that automatically turns on after cooking to keep the food warm.
  • It has a delayed start timer.

Cons

  • The lined coating may warp overtime.

3. Tiger 3-Cup Microcomputer Rice Cooker and Warmer

KEY FEATURES

  • Synchro-Cooking function using “tacook” cooking plate to prepare two dishes at the same time
  • 8 computerized cooking menus
  • 2 preset cooking timers
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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.

Pros

  • This item comes in a stainless-steel material that contains heat well.
  • It has a sleek beige finish that will look great on any kitchen countertop.
  • The inner pan is 2.5-mm thick, helping to evenly distribute heat throughout.
  • The pan is scratch-resistant and has a nonstick coating.

Cons

  • Some plastic is used in the design, along with stainless steel.

4. Zojirushi 3-Cup Micom Rice Cooker

KEY FEATURES

  • Multi-menu cooking functions
  • Easy to store retractable cord
  • Removable steam vent cap allows for high-temperature cooking
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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.

Pros

  • It is made from stainless steel and has a nonstick finish.
  • There is a large LCD display, making programming easy.
  • It has a triple heater on the side, bottom, and lid.
  • There is a removable steam and ventilation lid.
  • It has a retractable cord which will make this item easy to store.

Cons

  • This device must be hand washed.

5. Cuckoo 3-Cup Electric Rice Cooker

KEY FEATURES

  • Electric Rice Cooker
  • 3 Cups Uncooked 
  • Non-Stick Coating Inner Pot.
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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.

Pros

  • The inner pot has a nonstick finish, which will help avoid any burning or overcooking.
  • There is a turbo cooking option that can speed up the process.
  • The steam cap is removable.
  • There are reheating functions.
  • It uses an intelligent cooking algorithm to distinguish temperature settings.

Cons

  • There is no steam lid included, which can be an issue in terms of circulation.

6. Tiger 3-Cup Conventional Rice Cooker

KEY FEATURES

  • Stainless Steel
  • speed brew coffee makers
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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.

Pros

  • There is a nonstick inner pan and retractable power cord.
  • When purchased, there is a measuring cup and spatula included in the package.
  • There is a removable steam vent cap and dew collector, which will ensure safety with every use.
  • There is a handle on the lid, which will help to avoid any burns and ensure safety.

Cons

  • There are no other additional features, like the ability to slow cook, steam, or even cook brown rice specifically. Its main function is to cook white rice.
Conclusion

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.