Why are Some Rice Cookers So Expensive?
Rice cookers have made the task of cooking rice easier. You do not have to worry about the rice sticking to the pot, for it will come out smoothly when you use a rice cooker. It is also very labor-saving.
Some of the more expensive rice cookers can cost up to $350 while some of the cheapest ones are under $50. What makes the high-end ones so expensive?
Because of how difficult it is to cook rice correctly, some higher quality rice cookers are expensive because they have several built-in features that help users cook the perfect rice. Some of the more advanced rice cookers can automatically adjust how much water is added to the rice and how much time it needs to cook. These machines have many different cooking styles using a built-in sensor that gauges what type of rice is being cooked and adjusts accordingly. Cheaper rice cookers, especially the ones under $50, will almost always perform the most basic functions.
There are many types of rice cookers available in the market, and they come with very different features, sizes, materials used, and price tags. However, the type of rice cooker that you’ll need all boils down to your preference.
Why are Japanese rice cookers so expensive?
The Japanese rice cookers are designed in a way that makes them easy to use. They have features such as the multi-functional timer, which means that you can make rice and cook other foods at the same time. If you are looking for a cooker with a lot of features, then these would be great choices.
Japanese rice cookers are available in the market today. You can tell how far advanced they seem just by browsing the site (Zojirushi) for all the different models available. You can choose from different types and even colors depending on your preference. You can get some with a timer function, with auto warm settings, and even some that have a steam function.
This is why they are so expensive; because the machine contains more features than the basic ones.
You will not need to worry about the rice becoming overcooked because of the automated shutoff feature or if you would like to use it for other things, it has an automatic switch-off or keeps warm feature.
These rice cookers are built like smartphones that autocorrect your messages. They can make amazing rice and with all the other functionalities, they can do even more.
How much does a good rice cooker cost?
A good rice cooker will usually cost between $150 and $300. There are some great multi-cooker machines out there that are relatively cheap ($100 – $150) but most of them will cost around $200 or more.
It depends on how convenient you want your rice cooker to be. You do not want to buy a cheap one that makes the rice stick together all the time and you do not want a $250 machine that cannot make an omelet; you will just end up wasting your money.
What features do expensive rice cookers have?
An expensive rice cooker is going to have quite a few different features. These features can range from things like an automatic keep warm, pressure cooking, digital timers, and even allowing you to program your recipes.
1. Quality materials
If the quality of the materials is important to you as a consumer, then a more expensive rice cooker is going to cost more. Even the more expensive rice cookers have their brand names to further boost the quality of their materials and construction.
The higher the quality of material, the longer it is going to last. The more expensive rice cookers are going to have a lot more features for you to try out. These features, however, will range from aesthetic stuff like steam vents and beautiful finishes that will come in colors such as silver or white.
There are a lot of parts that come with any rice cooker and normally t, those rice cookers that are more expensive will likely have better material. You might find these machines built using metal instead of plastic. You might find the non-stick coating in the inner rice pot to not get stretched so easily.
There is a multitude of things that separate a cheaper rice cooker from an expensive one.
2. Reliability
Some people buy the cheapest rice cookers available because it is easier to throw out and just buy another one. A $25-30 rice cooker might not be made very well or might not have the features that you care about.
A good quality machine will last for years. When you use one, you’ll notice a big difference in the quality of the rice. If you are buying a cheap machine, you will likely find that it takes longer to cook, and it might not be cooked properly.
You might find that these cheaper rice cookers tend to fail in some way or form. It might burn your rice due to a faulty temperature sensor unit or it might not cook your rice enough.
I’ve personally had a $45 rice cooker fail on me due to the electrical cable. Since I’ve only had it for about 3 months, I’m still waiting for the repair company to ship it back to me.
3. Extra built-in safety features
A lot of the expensive rice cookers also have extra safety features built-in. This includes things like cool-touch handles and locking lids. The more safety features, the simpler and easier it is to use.
The main safety feature (out of many) is probably going to be the ability to set a timer. Setting a timer allows you to control the limits of how much your rice is cooked in case you want it cooked longer or shorter.
This would allow you more confidence and help ease the stress of whether the rice cooker is properly doing what it should do.
4. Advanced functionality
Expensive rice cookers use a lot of really useful technology and settings that help you better cook your rice and spend more time doing other things.
There are rice cookers that actually decide how to cook your rice and you don’t even need to worry about how much water and rice you put in. Just let the rice cooker think for you and each time it cooks, it will produce perfectly cooked rice.
It doesn’t even matter if you are switching between white rice, brown rice, and even quinoa, there’s a pre-set button ready for you to use. It can even slow cook.
These types of rice cookers can’t only cook rice. They also have buttons to control steaming foods like vegetables, meat, boil eggs, and everything else.
Are expensive rice cookers worth it?
It depends on you as the user. You have to decide if it’s worth $150 or more to have one of these instead of just buying a cheap rice cooker.
A lot of the best models cost over $100 and they are built to last, making them perfect for an everyday family kitchen. I’ve been without my cheap rice cooker for a long time and I’ve since had friends and family who swear upon the quality of a good, made-to-last modern rice cooker.
The whole notion to “set it and forget it” is something that applies here in this sense. I’ve since ordered myself an expensive $175 rice cooker that’s been nothing short of convenient and time-saving for me.
If you’re like me and often cooks rice inconsistently every time, why not just let the rice cooker decide for you? I simply have to put as much water into the rice as I can without overdoing it. Every time, my rice comes out exactly the way I like it.
Are cheap rice cookers good?
Cheap rice cookers are here to stay because they fulfill the very basic problems when making rice. That reason is that cheaper rice cookers require more manual steps. You have to initially prepare your water to rice mixture before cooking them.
However, if you purchase a higher-end rice cooker, you might find that you don’t need to do such a thing. Just add rice and pour just enough water so that it was about an inch above the rice. That’s the best advice I can give you.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work, different rice and even similar rice with different brands will require different ratios of water to rice.
When someone owns a cheap rice cooker, chances are, they will have to experiment with getting the rice to water ratio just right so that they can get the perfect rice. If you find that perfect mixture and you don’t plan on changing up rice brands, then you’re good to go.
Cheaper rice cookers are good for college students, people on a budget, or people who just don’t want to be confused by all the options an expensive one offers.
What are the basic features of a rice cooker?
A metal non-stick inner pot
The pots are usually made from aluminum. Both stainless steel and ceramic are used sometimes.
The non-stick inner pot is usually made of stainless steel, which makes it easy to clean. Ceramic is a more durable option and can withstand temperatures higher temperatures, which makes the rice cooker ideal for high altitude cooking.
A temperature sensor
This is more of a basic built-in safety feature for generally all-electric rice cookers. Its job is to monitor the temperature of the rice once it’s been heated by the rice cooker. When the rice is done cooking, the sensor will signal to the rice cooker to shut off before it burns the rice.
An option to cook and another to keep warm
There are pretty much 2 heat options in a plain rice cooker. The main one you’ll be using is usually labeled cook. This setting does what it’s called. It cooks the rice.
The other setting labeled keep warm is activated after cook, which keeps the rice warm.
A heating element
The heating element sits inside the rice cooker and as you place your inner rice pot inside, you’ll be placing this pot right. on top of the heating element. The heating element also works by basically heating the entire inner rice
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