We all know that rice is not only easy to cook, but also very healthy and nutritious.
Although each of its types has a different cooking time, it usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to cook it on a stovetop.
Despite the fact that the process of cooking rice on the stove doesn’t require too much time and can be done by almost everybody no matter their level of experience, those who consume this type of food often will find a rice cooker very useful in the long run.
Because of this, we thought that it’s quite necessary to write an article where we try five brands of rice cookers in order to see how long it will take for each one of them to cook different types of rice.
1. Zojirushi NS-TSC18 Micom Rice Cooker
First, we’ll take a look at Zojirushi NS-TSC18.
If you consider yourself to be a true rice fan, then you’ll find this model a lifesaver.
Its capacity (1.8 liters) makes it capable of holding up to ten cups.
This device offers you the possibility to choose between two rice settings, depending on what you desire to eat: one for white rice and the other for brown.
Now you can enjoy fluffy, flawless meals by simply touching a few buttons on the digital display.
According to the user manual, white rice takes approximately 45 – 1 hour to cook.
Mixed rice is ready in about 55 minutes – 1 hour 5 minutes, sweet rice – roughly 45- 50 minutes, and brown rice – generally 1 hour 25 minutes – 1 hour 50 minutes.
These numbers generally apply to the following conditions: starting water temperature of 64.4 Fahrenheit degrees, room temperature of 68 Fahrenheit degrees, and a 120-Volt voltage.
As a result, cooking times can slightly differ for you.
Besides the menu settings mentioned earlier, there are several additional ones: Quick Cooking (which significantly decreases the length of the cooking time), Mixed, Sweet, Porridge, Steam, and Cake.
The last two make this model a multifunctional appliance that can be used for baking cakes, cooking seafood, vegetables, and many other meals.
On top of that, the rice cooker is equipped with Reheat, Keep Warm, and Extended Keep Warm functions.
Keep Warm turns on at the end of the cooking cycle by itself.
As for Extended Keep Warm, it can be used when you desire to maintain the warmth of rice for longer.
Reheat makes rice perfect to eat, as it changes its temperature to the right one for consumption.
As a bonus, Zojirushi NS-TSC18 comes with the following accessories: a steaming basket, a spatula holder, a 180-ml measuring cup, and a spatula.
The estimated cooking time for different types of rice:
Menu Selections |
Length of Cooking Time |
|---|---|
White Rice / Sushi Rice |
Approx. 45 minutes – 1 hour |
Quick Cooking |
Approx. 30 minutes – 45 minutes |
Mixed Rice |
Approx. 55 minutes – 1 hour 5 minutes |
Porridge |
Approx. 50 minutes – 1 hour 5 minutes |
Sweet Rice |
Approx. 45 minutes – 50 minutes |
Brown Rice |
Approx. 1 hour 25 minutes – 1 hour 50 minutes |
2. Aroma Housewares ARC-5200SB
Aroma ARC-5200SB is a 5-Quart rice cooker that can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as it features a wide range of functions.
Its spacious interior makes this device great for cooking up to ten cups of uncooked rice at once.
To be more precise, this appliance features 15 functions, including Multigrain, Cake, Steam, Quick Rice, Keep Warm, Delay Timer, Slow Cook, White Rice, Sauté, Eggs, Risotto, Brown Rice, Soup, Oatmeal, and Reheat.
This astonishing variety guarantees that you can use Aroma ARC-5200SB every single day, to cook both rice and any other meals you want.
According to the manufacturer, it can take 40 to 45 minutes for ten cups of white rice to be ready.
As for brown rice, it can take 60 to 66 minutes.
With Quick Rice, your meals can be cooked way faster than you’d think.
This is due to the fact that this function foregoes the Sensor Logic of the rice cooker.
As a result, it can take 4/5 minutes less to cook ten cups of white rice.
Note that Aroma ARC-5200SB includes some accessories that you may find very useful, such as a removable steam tray, a non-stick inner pot, a soup ladle, a plastic serving spatula, and a rice measuring cup.
Approximate rice cooking time:
Uncooked Rice Cups |
Rice Water Line (inside pot) |
Approx. Cooked Rice Yield |
Cooking times |
|---|---|---|---|
2 cups |
Line 2 |
4 cups |
White Rice: 27-32 Min. Brown Rice: 36-41 Min. |
3 cups |
Line 3 |
6 cups |
White Rice: 28-33 Min. Brown Rice: 39-45 Min. |
4 cups |
Line 4 |
8 cups |
White Rice: 29-34 Min. Brown Rice: 42-48 Min. |
5 cups |
Line 5 |
10 cups |
White Rice: 31-36 Min. Brown Rice: 45-51 Min. |
6 cups |
Line 6 |
12 cups |
White Rice: 33-38 Min. Brown Rice: 48-54 Min. |
7 cups |
Line 7 |
14 cups |
White Rice: 34-39 Min. Brown Rice: 51-57 Min. |
8 cups |
Line 8 |
16 cups |
White Rice: 36-41 Min. Brown Rice: 54-60 Min. |
9 cups |
Line 9 |
18 cups |
White Rice: 38-43 Min. Brown Rice: 57-63 Min. |
10 cups |
Line 10 |
20 cups |
White Rice: 40-45 Min. Brown Rice: 60-66 Min. |
3. BLACK+DECKER RC436
BLACK+DECKER RC436 is another example of a great rice cooker.
Its interior makes it possible to cook up to seven cups of uncooked rice.
This model has a minimalistic design, which makes it easy to use.
On its front, you’ll find a Cook and a Warm indicator light.
These two keep you updated regarding the cooking process.
For instance, the Cook indicator comes on while the rice is being cooked.
After the cycle is over, the device switches by itself to the Keep Warm function.
As a result, the Warm indicator comes on, which means that your food is maintaining a warm temperature.
Another great feature that makes it easier for you to keep an eye on the rice is the see-through glass lid.
To improve the food results, there is a condensation catcher that helps to collect more moisture.
As usual, cooking times vary depending on one type of rice to another.
For example, while two cups of white rice take around 23 – 26 minutes to be ready, brown rice takes almost twice more (38 – 42 minutes).
In addition, it is always recommended to keep rice in the pot on Warm function for a minimum of 15 minutes before eating it.
Small grain (or pearl) rice takes the least amount of time to get ready (18 – 22 minutes is enough for two cups).
However, you’ll need more patience if you want to use this device to cook wild rice (2 cups require 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours and 20 minutes).
Rice cooking guide:
| For white long grain, jasmine, basmati, yellow or medium grain rice | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount of rice | Amount of water | Approx. cooking time | Yield in 8 oz. measures |
| 2 rice measures | To 2 mark | 23 to 26 minutes | 4 to 5 cups |
| 3 rice measures | To 3 mark | 24 to 26 minutes | 5 to 6 cups |
| 4 rice measures | To 4 mark | 25 to 27 minutes | 7 to 10 cups |
| 5 rice measures | To 5 mark | 29 to 32 minutes | 10 to 12 cups |
| 6 rice measures | To 6 mark | 35 to 40 minutes | 12 to 14 cups |
| 7 rice measures | To 7 mark | 37 to 41 minutes | 14 to 16 cups |
| For brown rice | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount of rice | Amount of water | Approx. cooking time | Yield in 8 oz. measures |
| 2 rice measures | To 2 mark | 38 to 42 minutes | 2 to 2 ½ cups |
| 3 rice measures | To 3 mark | 40 to 42 minutes | 4 ½ to 5 ½ cups |
| 4 rice measures | To 4 mark | 40 to 45 minutes | 9 to 10 cups |
| 5 rice measures | To 5 mark | 42 to 46 minutes | 10 to 11 cups |
| 6 rice measures | To 6 mark | 44 to 48 minutes | 13 to 14 ½ cups |
| 7 rice measures | To 7 mark | 48 to 60 minutes | 14 to 16 cups |
| For white parboiled (or converted) rice | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount of rice | Amount of water | Approx. cooking time | Yield in 8 oz. measures |
| 2 rice measures | To 2 mark | 20 to 30 minutes | 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups |
| 3 rice measures | To 3 mark | 25 to 27 minutes | 5 to 6 cups |
| 4 rice measures | To 4 mark | 26 to 30 minutes | 8 ½ to 9 ½ cups |
| 5 rice measures | To 5 mark | 28 to 36 minutes | 10 to 11 cups |
| 6 rice measures | To 6 mark | 30 to 38 minutes | 12 to 14 cups |
| 7 rice measures | To 7 mark | 38 to 42 minutes | 15 to 16 cups |
| For small grain (or pearl) rice | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount of rice | Amount of water | Approx. cooking time | Yield in 8 oz. measures |
| 2 rice measures | To 2 mark | 18 to 22 minutes | 3 ½ to 4 ½ cups |
| 3 rice measures | To 3 mark | 22 to 24 minutes | 5 to 6 cups |
| 4 rice measures | To 4 mark | 23 to 24 minutes | 6 ½ to 7 ½ cups |
| 5 rice measures | To 5 mark | 24 to 26 minutes | 10 to 11 cups |
| 6 rice measures | To 6 mark | 28 to 31 minutes | 12 to 13 cups |
| 7 rice measures | To 7 mark | 31 to 34 minutes | 14 to 15 cups |
| For wild rice | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount of rice | Amount of water | Approx. cooking time | Yield in 8 oz. measures |
| 2 rice measures | 7 cups | 1 hr. 40 minutes to 2 hrs. 20 minutes | 5 to 6 cups |
| 4 rice measures | 9 cups | 2 hrs. 2 minutes to 2 hrs. 8 minutes | 7 to 8 cups |
4. Instant Zest 8 Cup Rice Cooker
Instant Zest is an 8-Cup rice cooker with an elegant, minimalistic display.
However, you shouldn’t let its appearance trick you into thinking that this is a single-function kitchen appliance.
As a matter of fact, this appliance allows you to choose between four functions: two for rice (white, brown), and two for grains (quinoa, oatmeal).
Additionally, there’s a Steam program.
You can make fluffy, delicious rice by simply touching a few buttons.
On top of that, the durable inner pot is non-stick, so you won’t have to worry about the rice being stuck.
Instant Zest’s programs are called “smart programs”, and this is a well-deserved name.
Their cooking times and temperatures are controlled automatically, and they vary depending on the amount of food you intend to add to the rice cooker.
The chart below shows the cooking time of both white and brown rice.
| Smart Program | Grain to Liquid Ratios | Cooking Time | Cooking Time Adjustment | Cooking Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Rice | 1:1.5 | Automatic 25 – 60 min per vol | N/A | 212°F / 100 °C Not user-adjustable |
| Brown Rice | 1:2 | Automatic 40 – 90 min per vol |
5. Hamilton Beach Rice Cooker
This Hamilton Beach model is a convenient appliance that can cook up to 4 cups of rice (uncooked) at once.
It features several preset settings that are great to use for many other things, besides rice, such as grains or steaming poultry and seafood.
The preset functions include the following: Steam, Whole Grains, White Rice, and Hot Cereal.
You can see the remaining cooking time on the digital screen.
After the cycle is over, the Warm function will turn on by itself and will keep your food at a perfect temperature.
Something special about this device is the rice rinser that can be used as a steam basket as well.
Thanks to it, problems such as clumping will never occur. Moreover, the measuring cup makes it significantly easier for you to add the right amount of water or rice.
The cooking time required for rice depends on such things as type and amount.
For example, four cups of long-grain white rice take approximately 44 – 46 minutes to get ready.
Type of rice |
Rice cooker setting |
Maximum amount of rice |
Maximum amount of water in pot |
Approx. cooking time |
Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Long grain white |
White Rice |
4 cups (710 ml) |
Fill to 4 line |
44 – 46 min |
6 ¾ cups (1.6 L) |
Long grain brown |
Whole Grain |
3 cups (532 ml) |
Fill to 4 line |
66 – 68 min |
6 ½ cups (1.5 L) |
Arborio |
White Rice |
2 1/2 cups (444 ml) |
Fill to 4 line |
36 – 38 min |
6 cups (1.4 L) |
Basmati |
White Rice |
2 1/2 cups (444 ml) |
Fill to 4 line |
37 – 39 min |
6 cups (1.4 L) |
Jasmine |
White Rice |
2 1/2 cups (444 ml) |
Fill to 4 line |
48 – 50 min |
6 cups (1.4 L) |
Sushi rice |
White Rice |
2 1/2 cups (444 ml) |
Fill to 4 line |
39 – 41 min |
6 ½ cups (1.5 L) |
6. Conclusion
After analyzing these five rice cookers, we’ve concluded that BLACK+DECKER RC436 and Instant Zest 8 Cup Rice Cooker are the ones that take the least amount of time to cook rice.
Although the cooking time is not significantly shorter in comparison to when you use a stovetop, a rice cooker implies fewer steps and less effort.
For most of the models, the cooking time is already calculated, and you won’t have to worry about over or undercooking the rice.
This is the main reason why we would use a rice cooker instead.
If there is an opportunity to make cooking easier, then we will definitely take it.
