Rice cookers

I don’t have a rice cooker as such, but do have a steamer which cooks rice really well, but has the advantage of steaming other foods too. It’s a Russell Hobbs.
I’ve not used one for the microwave, though. I’m assuming they will cook rice much more quickly than a general steamer. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. I’m sure someone will be along with better advice. ?

I've not used one myself but I know plenty that do and they would never go back to a pan and water. I don't use rice enough to warrant buying one even though you can get some cheaper ones .

I used to have a rice cooker when we lived in Hongkong, as everyone did.

When it conked out, I simply used the same method (basically steaming) as the rice cooker does.

1. Measure your rice in a little cup - 3/4 per person as a rule.
2. Wash your rice really really thoroughly. At least 6 changes of water, and I often leave it soaking for a while. This removes the excess starch & makes the rice less fattening as well as less likely to be sticky when you’ve cooked it.
3. Put rice in a wide-based saucepan & add water - slightly more water than rice. So just over 3/4 cup per measure of rice.
4. Put lid on saucepan & bring to the boil.
5. As soon as rice boils, if using electric hob, turn off. With a gas hob , keep on lowest setting possible.
6. In 15 minutes your rice will be done. Just fluff it up with a fork.
7. If it isn’t quite done or seems a bit hard, just add a little more water and heat for a bit longer.
8. You can keep it hot either on the hob or transfer to serving dish, cover with foil & keep in a warm oven.

Advantage of this method is that you don’t have a big rice cooker taking up space in your kitchen cupboards!

Yes Jane, my mum always had a rice cooker so I started married life with one too. Brilliant.
Unfortunately it hasn’t lasted as long as my marriage so I got a new one here, not as good but does the job. No worries about when the rice is ready and it keeps it hot.

I have got two plastic microwave rice cookers. I have had them years and they probably came from Lakeland, Neither was expensive. One has an inner strainer you put the rice in, the other the rice goes in the container directly. Put the lid on, add a measured amount of water. Put the micro-wave on for about 10 minutes, although I do 2 x 5 minutes - and perfectly cooked rice.

I got my first rice cooker about 25 years ago I have had one different one since then I would never be without it it cooks perfectly , quickly and with no attention
I ve never used a microwave one mine is electric and I wouldn’t change as I m very happy it was under £15 easy to clean and all done in 10 mins or less No particular make but works like a dream I m a great fan

I don't have a rice cooker, but my rice turns out perfect every time.
I do as janeainsworth does set to finding the rice thoroughly. I use 2-3 ozs rice per person, depending on appetite, and twice the amount of water. If I've got 6 ozs of rice, I use 12 fluid ozs of water, and salt to taste. Bring the water to the boil, add the rice, and cover with a tight fitting lid. One rice begins to boil reduce the heat until the rice is just simmering and leave it alone until all the water has been absorbed. It usually takes about 12 - 15 minutes. I buy basmati rice as I really like the flavour.

Set to finding??? As to rinsing.

After many years of only buying basmati rice, I recently switched back to long grain rice (about 40p per kg in Lidl's, about a quarter of the price of basmati).

I boil it in plenty of water for eight minutes, rinse in cold water then put in a microwaveable bowl. Just before serving I microwave it for three minutes. Stir with a fork. Perfectly cooked fluffy rice,.

I'm aiming for a simpler life!

for White rice, I use the same method as Jane ainsworth. Brown rice takes longer, half an hour or so.

I use to have a microwave one, but when microwave died I didn’t bother replacing it, back to a pan for me. We eat a lot of rice, I do it the Jamie Oliver way, twice cold water to rice (. Basmati) plus salt, bring to boil simmer uncovered until water gone, turn off heat and cover with lid for few minutes fluff up. Perfect every time

There is a rule about buying kitchen gadgets that only do one job. Do you cook rice often enough to justify the space a rice cooker will take up in your kitchen?

I do cook rice fairly often so I think it would be justified.

I use like M0nica a Lakeland steamer for the microwave. I found two better than one as I steam nearly all vegetables as I leave the rice to steam dry itself when it's cooked. Haven't explained that well have I?