When the light showed that the rice was ready to eat, I could still picture the rice cooker on the kitchen counter in my family’s house and my mouth watering.
You have a variety of cooking alternatives if you serve rice frequently.
Although some people adore rice cookers, are you willing to spend money on a new device for your home?
Do you also have space to keep it?
Most rice cookers cost less than $100, with several going for as little as $50.
We list ten justifications for why a rice cooker is cost-effective.
10 Reasons You Should Consider this Purchase
The average household already has too much clutter in its kitchen.
Do you need to purchase a new appliance?
Well, it most definitely does if you regularly make rice.
Here are ten justifications for buying a rice cooker.
1. Rice Promotes Weight Maintenance
In the US, French fries are frequently served as a side dish.
It’s one of the first things international visitors to America learn about American cuisine.
Why are French fries always included as a side dish?
French fries are typically included with meals since they are inexpensive for restaurants to prepare, taste fantastic, and are popular with customers.
However, French fries are high in fat and salt, which can cause high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for adults worldwide.
Unfortunately, many individuals wait until it’s too late before acting.
Additionally, eating french fries makes you gain weight.
Recent surveys indicate that 42.4% of adults in the US are considered to be “obese.”
Many people, especially those who rely on fast food for most meals, even blame our nation’s obesity problem on how many French fries we consume.
Rice is a considerably healthier alternative to French fries as a side dish for your meal, although still being very high in starch.
Despite the wide variety of available rice, brown rice generally has a better health profile than white rice.
But that depends on your dietary requirements.
Some people desire to put on weight while maintaining their health, while others prefer to shed pounds.
The nutritional information for one-third cup of cooked white rice is as follows:
- 68 Calories
- 1.42g of Protein
- 0.03g of Sugar
- 5mg of Calcium
- 1mg of Sodium
Here is the nutritional information for brown rice as a comparison:
- 82 Calories
- 1.83g of Protein
- 0.16g of Sugar
- 2mg of Calcium
- 3mg of Sodium
In contrast to French fries, which are empty calories with no advantages, the calories in rice come with nourishment.
McDonald’s medium-sized orders of French fries provide just 4 grams of protein and only 378 calories.
If you want to lose weight, try serving rice with veggies and a lean protein, such as chicken or shrimp.
These dishes are not only delectable but also simple to prepare.
2. Rice Is A Source Of Protein & Energy
Everyone must eat to provide their bodies with the energy they need to go through the day.
People should consume 0.36 grams of protein for every pound of body weight per day.
Protein requirements for athletes and those with physically demanding employment are higher than average.
People can quickly and affordably get their protein and energy needs met by eating rice.
For those who consume rice specifically for this purpose, brown rice offers more calories and protein.
Protein helps proper cell regeneration in addition to giving off energy.
Pregnant women and developing adolescents should pay particular attention to this.
Lack of protein causes people to lose muscular mass.
Lack of protein can throw off your metabolism, leading to weight gain and making maintaining your weight more difficult than helping you lose weight.
Anaemia, a condition in which your cells don’t receive enough oxygen, can also be brought on by a protein deficiency.
You may experience fatigue and a lack of energy without enough oxygen.
A chronic protein deficiency can eventually result in severe malnutrition and demand medical care.
3. Rice Supports a Healthy Digestive System
High quantities of fibre are found in rice.
Again, brown rice has a higher fibre content than white rice.
Fibre aids in a normal, healthy digestive process.
Doctors frequently advise patients who experience both constipation and diarrhoea to consume more fibre.
However, fibre also offers a wide range of other advantages.
Additional justifications for including fibre (and rice) in your diet include:
- Promote beneficial gut flora.
- Reduced risk of heart disease.
- Control the level of blood sugar.
- Reduced cholesterol
- Feel full
Don’t act late on consuming more fibre once you start experiencing stomach issues.
Start right away to avoid a crisis.
There are other sources of natural fibre besides rice.
Yoghurt, whole grains, beans, nuts, oats, and vegetables are other sources of fibre.
4. Usability
Almost anyone can use a rice cooker.
The amount of rice you wish to cook is first measured.
The amount of water to add to the pot is then measured.
These are the most typical amounts of water to use for a cup of rice, although other recipes may vary:
- 1 1/2 cups of white rice, short grain:
- 1 1/2 cups of white rice with medium grains
- 1 3/4 cups of long-grained white rice
- 2 1/4 cups of long-grain brown rice
- 1 cup of parboiled rice
- 1 1/2 cups of basmati or jasmine rice
According to several chefs, the rice should be rinsed before being placed in the rice cooker.
Rinsing rice entails sprinkling it with water until it appears crystal clear.
Once you’ve inserted the ingredients, you can start cooking your rice using the simple-to-read digital display.
The rice cooker starts cooking as soon as you turn it on and takes care of the rest.
You can concentrate on preparing the remainder of your meal without having to keep an eye on the rice cooker.
When using a pot on the stove, keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t overflow.
Additionally, you should understand when to keep the pot’s lid on and when to remove it to let the bank breathe.
5. Ensure Perfection of Rice
The most common error while cooking rice is to overcook it, often to the point of burning.
The rice won’t taste good if it’s burned.
That won’t just sabotage the food; it can also make you choose a less healthy option.
Even inexperienced cooks won’t burn their rice because rice cookers are made exclusively for cooking rice.
Rice can lose its flavour in various ways, not just through burning.
In a saucepan used a lot, rice might pick up taste from prior meals.
Additionally, cooking some rice in a pot that is too large or too small will make it taste less delicious.
Finally, if the rice is cooked at too high a temperature, it may also come out dry.
Use a rice cooker to produce excellent rice every time.
Of course, you can add whatever you like to the rice.
Some people cook their rice with herbs.
Others opt to cook the rice in stock rather than water.
Finally, a wide range of other spices, such as cumin or garlic powder, will be used.
After the rice is cooked, one can add soy sauce or salsa.
6. Safe
A rice cooker is a safer kitchen tool than cooking rice on the stove.
You cannot leave the stovetop pot of rice unattended while cooking.
The kitchen is where most house fires are started.
The risks rise if you use a dirty pot or have a dirty stove.
Additionally, most rice cookers have several safety measures, such as:
- In case of overheating, an automatic shutoff switch.
- Electrical surge risk is eliminated using an RCD.
- Lids that lock.
- To avoid burning, cool the handles.
As safety features differ from product to product, it is always a good idea to look at the exact model in question to learn about its safety features.
Although very secure, it’s crucial to understand how to use a rice cooker properly.
To begin, perform a brief visual examination of the item to ensure no visible signs of wear or frayed wires.
Refrain from filling the rice cooker to the brim.
Use it by the guidelines provided.
Ensure that no water or flammable materials will contact the rice cooker once it is in use.
You must maintain the gadget on a solid surface to prevent it from falling or tipping over.
7. Maintain the Warmth of the Rice
When you cook rice in a saucepan, it will rapidly become cold after you remove it from the heat.
People who want to return for seconds might be dissatisfied with how cold the rice got so quickly.
Additionally, only some meals have a set meal time.
At a BBQ or potluck, guests can eat whenever they like.
Moreover, some visitors can show up later than anticipated.
Until you decide you don’t need the rice to be warm any longer, a rice cooker keeps the rice warm for hours.
If you still have some rice, put it in a refrigerator-safe container if you do.
Up to five days may pass before it ends.
8. Easy to Maintain/Clean
Some folks want to avoid investing in a rice cooker because it adds another thing to clean up after supper.
However, compared to a saucepan, rice cookers are significantly simpler to clean.
The non-stick substance found in most rice cookers is one of the main factors contributing to how simple it is to clean a rice cooker.
Unlike when you use a pan, the rice won’t burn or adhere to the rice cooker’s bottom or sides.
A rice cooker’s components—aside from the electrical cord—should be washed in hot, soapy water for cleaning.
It’s crucial to store the rice cooker carefully after usage.
You shouldn’t put the cord inside the rice cooker because it could scratch the pot’s interior.
Additionally, twisting them together could harm the cord.
Some rice cookers are made of ceramic or stainless steel.
Cleaning ceramic is also simple.
However, cleaning stainless steel could call for some effort.
However, stainless steel is resistant to scratches and has a long lifespan.
Additionally, it is dishwasher safe, so the cleaning challenge is irrelevant if you have a dependable dishwasher.
9. Multifunctional
Several different types of rice and other grains, including quinoa, can be cooked perfectly in rice cookers using various settings.
With the ability to cook much more than just rice, modern multi-purpose cookers are even more helpful.
You can use this Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, for instance, in the methods listed below:
- Pressure cooker
- Slow cooker
- Cooking rice
- Steamer
- Frying pan
- Producer of yoghurt
- Warmer
There are various variations available with an air fryer built into the design.
However, that feature is unavailable in the model we used as an example.
Because they can be used for many different purposes, these multifunctional; cookers offer tremendous value even though they take more practice to master than traditional rice cookers.
Having such a valuable tool on your counter can even improve your cooking abilities!
10. Cultural Links to Rice-Based Dishes
Worldwide, rice is a common ingredient in many different cuisines.
In many nations, rice is deeply ingrained in the culture, serving as more than just food to the populace.
It stands for both job and survival.
Many people relied on rice to live during difficult historical periods because of its low cost and high nutritional content.
Many individuals still get 50% of their calories from rice now.
Making the ideal rice can contribute to maintaining ethnic traditions through your cooking.
Depending on the individual Asian cuisine, many types of rice are used:
- China: long-grain rice
- Japan and Korea: short-grain rice
- Southeast Asia: Jasmine rice
- India: Basmati rice
The flavour of the rice influences each style of cuisine’s distinctive characteristics.
The incorrect rice may make the entire dish taste terrible.
Almost all Latin cultures also include rice in their diets.
We still anticipate rice to be served with tacos or paella, though the practice isn’t as strong as in old Asian civilizations.
Rice from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain have highly different tastes based on the spices used.
Final Thoughts
In the end, a rice cooker is worth the small initial cost.
You can use the appliance for many other purposes besides making the ideal rice (depending on the model you buy).
Using your rice cooker to host a meal honouring the culture and bringing people together is invaluable.
Additionally, if you only put it on the counter for daily use, you don’t need to bother about storage.
If you have any further enquiries about which type of rice cooker to purchase for your establishment or daily needs, don’t hesitate to contact Continental Equipment for the best quotes and products.