Let’s face it. A bowl of fluffy rice goes well with steamed veggies, fish, beans, carrots, or eggs. Or do you prefer porridge, slow cooking soups, or risotto without stirring? Then, you need a rice cooker that can do more than make the perfect rice. You want a rice cooker that can double up as a steamer. You are not alone.
Most reviews of rice cookers praise the multipurpose nature of these gadgets. Then, let’s explore 6 of the best rice cooker and steamer combos below:
Instant Pot DUO60 – Great 7-In-1 Multi Purpose Cooker
What we like: It’s voted America’s Most Loved Multicooker. The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 is a kitchen magician. For, it doubles up as a rice cooker, warmer, yogurt maker, pressure cooker, sautés, slow cooker, and steamer. These versatile features enable you to simmer and sauté many dishes in one pot. Besides, the two pressure settings ensure you neither overcook nor undercook your meals. Instead, it delivers your meals 2-3 times faster, using 70% less energy than other rice cookers. Hence, you have up to 14 built-in programs that allow you to prepare most of the staple foods.
All you need to know: The Instant Pot comes in three distinct models. Each of these models has an easy to clean stainless steel inner pot. The pot has convenient markings at the 2/3 and ¾ levels so that you don’t over-fill or under-fill it. Then, there is a 3-ply bottom, a pressure and heat control, and a 24-hour timer for delayed cooking. Its accessories include a serving spoon, steam rack with handles, a soup spoon, and a measuring cup. Its safety indicators comprise of the electrical and thermal fuse, automatic temperature and pressure controls, and lid locks. The ten safety features safeguard against accidents and food spoils.
Specifications:
- 6-QT size
- Seven appliances in one
- 10 Safety features
- 12 Temperature settings
Aroma Housewares ARC-150SB – Large Rice Cooker and Steamer Combo
What we like: The Aroma Housewares ARC-150SB is a steamer, rice cooker, and a slow cooker. It prepares all types of rice and while steaming veggies and meat for a large family in less than half an hour. The rice cooker uses digital controls that keep your cooked food warm or delays cooking for up to 15 hours. Hence, you can prepare all your meals at once, and then leave them warm the entire day. This way, you are free to cook many meals as per your schedule.
All you need to know: The rice cooker uses a steam basket above the pot. Use it to steam your veggies, meats, and poultry. Its slow cooker functions are ideal for one-pot meals. Its beeper goes off to alert you when the food is ready. It also has a rice spatula, measuring cup, and a soup spoon for accurate measurement. All these parts are BPA free, easy to clean, and store. Yet, this rice cooker has no retractable cord or a detachable lid.
Specifications:
- Stainless steel inner pot
- 15 hours delayed timer
- LCD display for menu selection
- Dishwasher safe
Instant Pot UP-LUX60 v2 – Versatile and Modern Cooker
What we like: The Instant Pot Up-LUX60 v2 presents six kitchen gadgets in one machine. It interchanges as a pressure cooker, steamer, rice cooker, sauté, slow cooker, and a warmer. It even retails with a convenient recipe book to guide put all these functionalities to most use. Use the three temperature settings to make your dishes to suit your busy schedule. You can prepare all your meals in the morning and eat them fresh at any time of the day.
All you need to know: The rice cooker has digital inputs that cook soup, poultry, grains, rice, among others. It comes with a steam rack, measuring cup, soup spoon, paddle, recipes, and cooking time tables. Safety features include an automatic pressure release valve and a lid-close detector. With over ten safety features, you can rest at ease with your rice cooker running unattended.
Specifications:
- 6 in 1 Multipurpose rice cooker
- Stainless steel inner pot
- 3 Temperature settings
Tiger JBV-A10U-W – Automatic Rice Cooker with Steamer Basket
What we like: Tiger JBV-A10U-W is a small multipurpose rice cooker that prepares at two dishes at a go. This Syncro-cooking function works at the touch of a button. There is a BPA free plate separating the two dishes, ensuring that your flavors stay intact. As the food cooks, the rice cooker’s automatic logic system monitors the heat for perfect results. Then, the food stays warm for up to 12 hours. Other functions include a slow cooker and four menu settings.
All you need to know: The rice cooker uses a durable non-stick inner plate that is easy to clean. Its detachable steam cap directs excess heat out in a safe way. Plus, there is a convenient non-stick spatula, measuring cup, cooking plate, and cookbook. This sleek design with a useful handle retails at a bargain price. Use it to prepare your meats, veggies, oatmeal, and all varieties of rice. When set to slow cooking, it will bring out the rich flavors of your soups and casseroles. Yet, it has no timer, and the lid is not removable.
Specifications:
- 4 preset cooking settings
- BPA free cooking plate
- Has a slow cooker
- Warms food for up to 12 hours
Zojirushi NS-TSC10 – Micom Rice Cooker and Steamer
What we like: The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 combines an induction heating system with microcomputer controls. In turn, it delivers the perfect meal the way you want. First, the inner pot acts as the heating element. It cooks food in an even and consistent way, retaining all the flavors and moisture. Second, being a micom rice cooker, it uses an intuitive control interface. There is an LCD control panel for the menu settings, a timer, and warmer functions. These capabilities ensure you can automate your cooking in a clean, affordable way.
All you need to know: Do your fancy restaurant-quality meals but want to skip the labor that goes with it? This rice cooker cooks fluffy rice, steams veggies, and bakes cakes. It also has settings for porridge, oatmeal, and quick cooking. Then, it keeps the food moist and crusty for up to 12 hours. A convenient beep and melody signal are alerting you the food is ready.
Specifications:
- Versatile cooking functions
- LCD controls
- Steam, pressure, and Umami settings
- Retractable power cord
Aroma Housewares ARC-363-1NGB – Affordable Little Cooker and Steamer
What we like: The Aroma Housewares is a household name for high-quality kitchen appliances. Plus, its ARC-363-1NGB model is no exception. The rice cooker features a minimalist pot design that is so easy to operate. It cooks, steams, bakes, and warms rice cuisines, veggies, and cakes. Besides, its sleek aluminum tray accentuates any modern kitchen countertop.
All you need to know: The lid, insert, and steamer are detachable from the central equipment. Hence, it is easy to wash and store after use. This lightweight yet compact rice cooker retails at an affordable price. Its tempered glass lid and outer insulation make it last for longer. Simplistic features that include a one-touch analog switch are ideal for a beginner.
Specifications:
- 2 years warranty
- Non-stick inner pot with glass lid
- One touch operation