Anyone who has shopped around for a stainless steel rice cooker will tell you that there is a plethora of choices in size and shape. Rice cookers come with varying functions and features, capabilities and capacities. They vary in price too. Before deciding on which cooker to get, you should first assess how much counter space you have for it. You should also think about what you would like it to do and what kinds of rice you plan to cook most.
Rice is pressure cooked in a cooker. As it is pressure cooked, the unit is sealed so that no air or water can seep out. This way, the cooking temperature can be higher and will alter the starch of the rice. This makes fluffier and softer rice, which is easier to digest. It will usually stay softer longer than traditionally cooked rice.
Health reasons are the most common motivators for folks to buy rice cookers. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) brown rice is becoming very popular among those trying to improve their diets. GABA is an amino acid that is believed to offer numerous health benefits including improved function of the kidneys and a lowering of blood pressure. GABA is not a type of rice but rather a method of preparing it so that GABA is released. Soaking rice for 2 hours before cooking at 104 degrees will activate the GABA.
There are many things that rice cookers can do besides just cook plain rice. You can cook up other tasty dishes too. For example, healthy steel cut oats can be put in your cooker and turned into a yummy dish of oatmeal. Sushi rice and saffron dishes are also easy to make with the right cooker. Angel food and sesame cake batters can become a healthy dessert in certain cookers.
As already mentioned, there are many optional features to consider. One nice feature is a timer that can be set to begin cooking at a certain time. This is particularly handy for people who would like their rice ready when they get home from the office. Sizes can range from 3 to 10 cups. A smaller one is ideal for someone with limited counter space or who does not need to cook much right at a time.
Good cookers are not only easy and beneficial to health, they are also fun to use and can make meal preparation a more enjoyable task. Other neat features to look into are warming functions, reheating cycles, non stick interiors, stay cool handles, and retractable cords.
It may at first seem overwhelming to go through all the choices and make a selection. But simply going over your needs and comparing them to the specifics of particular models will help you make a wise purchase.
