Do you typically add water and rice to a pan, bring it to a boil covered, reduce heat, and wait 20 minutes? A rice cooker could be easier and produce better quality rice. A rice cooker is an appliance that can boil or steam rice. All rice cookers have a heat source, a cooking bowl, and a thermometer. The first successful electric rice cooker was launched in Japan in 1955. Rice cookers can be found in sizes from 3 cups to 100 cups. Many even have sensors to detect when the water is gone and holding temperature abilities. Typically it takes about 30-60 minutes for the rice to be fully cooked.
Rice cookers can be used for much more than just rice. Try cooking quinoa, millet, breads, or even puddings. If you want to try beans or coarse grains, such as steel cut oats, be sure to soak before cooking in the rice cooker. Get creative and enjoy!