If you want to add a wider variety of rice and other grains into your diet, but you don’t want to babysit a pot on the stove, then a rice cooker is just the kitchen appliance you need. You can get perfect rice and other grains at the push of a button with a rice cooker. No more staring at a pot, wondering if the rice absorbed all the water or if there was enough water, so you don’t end up with crunchy rice.
In this review, we focused on finding the best rice cooker with a stainless steel inner pot. While most rice cookers have a non-stick coating which makes them easy to clean, health concerns about using Teflon in cooking and the deterioration of non-stick surfaces over time lead many people to choose stainless steel instead.
When you look for the perfect rice cooker, you should consider the kinds of rice and other grains you intend to cook in it. Washing up after a meal is no one’s favorite chore, so evaluate how easy it is to wash the rice cooker — and we aren’t just talking about the bowl on the inside, but the steamer lid as well. Finally, think about where this appliance will live in your kitchen. Will it be out on the counter all the time? Will you be getting it out and putting it away frequently? Do you want a portable cooker you can take to get-togethers and parties? We have all the answers you need.
After extensive testing and research, we chose the Buffalo White Induction Heating Smart Cooker as our top choice. This model has a stainless steel inner pot so we don’t have any worries about cooking with non-stick surfaces.
It has 11 different functions on the menu to make cooking up to 5 cups of any kind of rice or grain perfect every time. You can also cook full meals and soups in this rice cooker. The cooker uses fuzzy logic to determine the appropriate temperature, time, and pressure for whatever you are cooking. If you don’t measure perfectly, it will accommodate your errors.
Finally, it is a sleek design that will complement the look of your kitchen and will store easily. These features add up to an investment of over $300, but we believe you will use this appliance every day making it well worth the money.
Top Stainless Steel Pot Rice Cookers
| Item | Capacity | Size |
| Buffalo White IH SMART COOKER, Rice Cooker and Warmer (5 Cups) | 5 cups cooked rice | 15.5 x 13.5 x 10.5 inches |
| Toshiba Low Carb Digital Programmable Multi-functional Rice Cooker | 10 cups cooked rice | 11 x 10 x 8 inches |
| Aroma Housewares Select Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer | 6 cups cooked rice | 8.2 x 8.1 x 10.3 inches |
1.Buffalo White IH SMART COOKER, Rice Cooker and Warmer – (5 Cups) Best for All Kinds of Rice and Meals
The induction heating allows for the rice to cook all the way around the inner bowl rather than only up from the bottom. This ensures that all the rice is cooked evenly and completely with no wet spots or crunchy bits in the middle.
This smart rice cooker has 11 programs for cooking different kinds of rice and grains and for using the cooker as a claypot. The fuzzy logic will sense and make adjustments to time and temperature to ensure that the rice is cooked properly each time even if your measurements were a little off. The smart computer also prevents overflowing and leaks.
The stainless steel inner bowl is designed to resist sticking and staining. You also won’t have to worry about any health implications with Teflon or other non-stick surfaces.
Making Rice in the Buffalo IH Rice Cooker
It really couldn’t be easier to make rice in this cooker. Use the included measuring cup to measure your rice into the inner bowl. Wash the rice until the water is clear then wipe off the outside of the bowl. Use the same measuring cup that came with the unit to measure water and add to the rice. You will use equal parts rice and water.
Next, close the lid and push the menu button. Select rice and push start. It will be begging to heat and you can get on with whatever else you have to do. When there are 10 minutes left, a countdown will appear on the screen. It will play a tone when the rice is done and will switch to the keep warm function. You can open and close the lid and it will still be in the keep warm mode.
You can cook other foods in this as well, simply choose the appropriate setting from the menu and push start.
Cleaning the Rice Cooker
The inner bowl is easy to lift out and wash, and the induction heating system inside is a smooth surface that is easy to wipe clean. You should not submerge the unit in water. The whole lid doesn’t come off, however, the steam lid and valve are easy to remove, wash, and put back by pushing a couple of latches. You should also wipe the inside of the lid after you remove the stainless steel steamer top.
Size and Storage
The Buffalo rice cooker is 15.5 x 13.5 x 10.5 inches. The steam vent is located on the top of the lid at the back and the digital touch screen is on the lid at the front. When you use it, you will need it to be low enough to read the lid.
The lid is not removable, so you’ll also need clearance to have the lid open and attached to the bottom. This unit weighs about 10 pounds, so it is easy to move around. However, it doesn’t have a handle for carrying to dinner parties. There are handholds on the sides at the bottom for portability. The cord is removable for storage and portability.
Pros
- Cooks multiple types of rice and other foods
- Sleek look and small footprint
- Easy to use
Cons
- No carrying handle
- Touch screen control panel may not work if your hands are wet
2.Toshiba Low Carb Digital Programmable Multi-functional Rice Cooker – Best for Carb-Conscious Rice
This rice cooker gives users the option to steam rice in a basket separate from the water so that some of the starches drain into the water leaving rice that will digest more slowly and therefore reduce blood glucose spikes. (We are not medical professionals. Please consult with your doctor about managing your blood glucose)
The Toshiba Low Carb Rice Cooker has a nonstick inner bowl with a stainless steel steamer basket. If you want to steam the rice for the low carb option, you can only cook 2 cups at a time. If you don’t use the steamer basket, you can cook 5 cups at a time. This rice cooker retails for under $200.
This rice cooker has a delay timer, uses induction heating for even cooking all around the bowl, and uses fuzzy logic to adapt to temperature and pressure for perfect rice every time. The cooker has preset menu functions for white and brown rice, quinoa, mixed grains, oatmeal, and soups/stews.
The digital readout and control buttons are on the lid, which is easy to clean by simply wiping it down with a damp cloth.
Making Rice in the Toshiba Low Carb Rice Cooker
Cooking low-carb rice in this cooker is easy. Use the included measuring cup to place 2 cups of rice in the stainless steel steamer basket. Rinse the rice in the basket until the water runs clear. Place the basket in the larger cooking bowl in the rice cooker. Add 2 cups of water from the included measuring cup. Close the lid and choose the appropriate setting from the digital menu. Then wait and enjoy your rice.
You can cook larger amounts of rice and other meals in this cooker by changing the settings on the digital menu.
Cleaning the Rice Cooker
You should clean the rice cooker completely to ensure that it continues performing correctly and doesn’t develop any mildew or bad odors. It is easy to pop the steam valve out and clean the parts. You can also remove the inner stainless steel steaming lid and clean it completely. Wash the steaming basket and interior bowl by hand. And use a soft cloth to clean the inside heating unit if there is any condensation from the steam.
Size and Storage
The Toshiba Low Carb rice cooker is 11 x 10 x 8 inches. It’s smaller size makes it convenient, even for smaller kitchens. The steam valve is located on the top of the lid near the back and the digital controls are on the front of the lid. You’ll need to keep this machine low enough to easily read and control the menu buttons. The lid itself is not removable, so you’ll need clearance for the lid to open when serving rice.
The cord is not retractable or removable, so you’ll have to arrange it when you carry the rice cooker to get-togethers or to the kitchen table.
This machine comes with a non-stick inner bowl, a stainless steel steaming basket, a measuring cup, a spatula and a spoon.
Pros
- Steams rice and other foods in a stainless steel basket
- Reduces blood sugar spikes from white rice by reducing digestible carbs
- Multiple settings for many foods
Cons
- Cord can be in the way
- Only makes 2 cups on the low carb setting
3.Aroma Housewares Select Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer – Best for Affordability
This is a simple, no-frills rice cooker. It has a smart sensor for knowing when the rice is finished cooking and switches itself to keep warm. Otherwise, it has an “on” button. There are no fancy menus or lots of settings to use.
Even though it is a simple appliance, you can still use it to cook omelets, soup, oatmeal, and pasta in this flexible and affordable appliance. The included spatula fits neatly into the handle for storage. The tempered glass lid is completely removable and easy to clean. You can also see through it for a peek at the meal you are cooking.
Making Rice in the Aroma Housewares Select
If all you want to make is plain white rice or brown rice, and you don’t want fancy programming, this is a dream. First, measure up to 3 cups of uncooked rice with the included measuring cup into the inner bowl. Rinse the rice until the water is clear and drain. Then use the same measuring cup to add an equal amount of water to the rice. Put on the lid and press the lever to start. The rice cooker will stop and switch to keep warm when the rice is done.
Cleaning the Rice Cooker
This rice cooker doesn’t have a tightly sealing lid, so cleanup is a breeze. The tempered glass lid and stainless steel inner bowl are dishwasher safe. Use a soft damp cloth to wipe down the unit itself.
Size and Storage
The small size makes this rice cooker easy to store and carry. The lid removes completely for easy access, and the on button is located on the front of the machine. This round rice cooker is 10.5 inches tall with the lid on and 8.75 wide including the handles. The power cord is not removable or retractable, so you will have to manage it if you move it around a lot.
Pros
- Affordable
- Cooks many kinds of food
- Easy to use
Cons
- You have to unplug it to turn it off
- There is no way to change the settings – it is on and off.
Other Stainless Steel Interior Rice Cookers to Consider
Most rice cookers have interior non-stick pots. There are only a few that have completely stainless steel interiors. These two rice cookers have stainless steel inner bowls and worth considering.
- New Buffalo Classic Rice Cooker 5 cup
- Oyama CNS-A15U (16 cups)
- Elite Gourmet Electric Rice Cooker 20 cups
- Tayama Stainless Steel Rice Cooker and Steamer 10 Cups
- Narita 10 cup Rice Cooker
- Oyama CFS-F10B 5 cup Rice Cooker with steamer basket
- Instant Pot Ultra 60 6 quart 10 in 1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker / Rice Cooker
- Electric Mini Rice Cooker / Personal Lunch Box holds 4 – half-liter bowls
- Mr. Rice 3 cup Stainless Steel Inner Pot Rice Cooker
- Electric Lunch Box 3 Layers Mini Rice Cooker
Buyers Guide for Rice Cookers
Capacity and Versatility
If all you ever use is plain white rice, you can use a basic single-function rice cooker. However, we believe that when you realize how good your white rice comes out in a rice cooker, you will be interested in trying other varieties of rice and exploring new grains. Some kinds of rice are fussy to cook, so being able to have a machine tend to the temperature and pressure while you read a magazine is a real benefit.
We looked for rice cookers that would cook various kinds of rice so you could enjoy all the different tastes and textures in your meals.
We find that once we get a slow-cooker, a pressure cooker, a drip coffee maker, an espresso machine, a stand mixer, an air fryer, and a toaster on the counter, there is no room for a rice cooker. Do we really need ALL of these different appliances?
If your kitchen is appliance-heavy, but you really want a rice cooker, consider one that does more than just rice. You can use a rice cooker for full meals, steamed vegetables, soups, and even cakes. Choosing a multi-function rice cooker can make your life easier and the kitchen less cluttered.
Easy to Clean
Cleaning the rice cooker should be as easy as using it. We all know that rice can make a sticky mess that is hard to clean. Obviously, you can’t dunk a whole electric cooker in a sink full of water. Look for a rice cooker that is easy to take apart to clean and just as easy to put back together. And remember to pop that top steamer lid off and clean under it. Mold and mildew can collect between it and the lid if you don’t keep that clean.
Weight and Size
Finding the right size rice cooker is part of the struggle. You want one that cooks the amount of rice you need and also takes up the counter space or storage space you have available. You have to think about where the buttons are on the rice cooker, (top or front), where the steam valve is located, whether the lid is a pop-up and stays attached, or is removable for serving, how much it weighs, and whether or not it is portable.
Final Considerations
When you choose a new rice cooker for your kitchen, you have almost endless options to choose from. You can avoid any worries about cooking with non-stick surfaces by choosing a cooker with a stainless steel inner pot.
Consider how many different functions you want your rice cooker to perform. You can get a simple cooker that makes rice or a multi-function unit that you can pre-program for an assortment of grains, soup, and even cake. Finally, consider your budget and storage space in your kitchen. We are sure you can find the perfect rice cooker for your family.