Rice Cooker vs. Instant Pot®
Learn the difference between a rice cooker and Instant Pot®—and why you might want one or the other, or both!
First, let’s talk about ricer cookers. If you are busy (who isn’t?), you might be tempted to avoid brown rice because it takes longer to cook than the stripped-down white stuff. Enter the rice cooker—preferably a model with a brown rice setting and a delay time option. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to fix it, forget it, and get perfect rice that’s ready when you need it.
Not Just for Rice!
I’ve grown very fond of my rice cooker—and not just for rice! I use it to make:
- Polenta (no stirring!)
- Lentil bolognese
- and even a complete pasta dinner!
Choosing a Rice Cooker
There are many different models to choose from. I started with a basic Aroma model with a delay timer and a keep warm option. However, cooking anything beyond white rice was a guessing game. I upgraded to an Aroma model with additional settings—including a distinction between white and brown rice—and I have been very happy with the results.
There are a ton of different models. Many of them include different functions like steaming and slow cooking. But if you want to keep things simple, this one by Aroma should do the trick.
Rice Cooker vs. Instant Pot®
What is the difference between a rice cooker and Instant Pot®?
A rice cooker allows steam to escape during the cooking process. It’s similar to cooking rice on a stove.
An Instant Pot® is a pressure cooker that does not allow steam to escape during cooking. Pressure cookers have been around for a long time. My grandmother used one to can vegetables from her garden. But back in the day, they were kinda dangerous because they could explode if you allowed the pressure to get too high. (My grandmother made me stay out of the kitchen when she was canning.)
Instant Pot® is the brand name for a new kind of pressure cooker. It’s designed with safety in mind, so you get the benefits (like faster cooking time, nutrient retention, and less heat in the kitchen) without the worry.
If You Have an Instant Pot®, Do You Need a Rice Cooker?
The short answer to this question is probably not. I prefer to cook rice in my Instant Pot®.
However, some recipes (like those shared above) work better in a rice cooker. And sometimes I want to cook rice while I have something else in the Instant Pot®, like my Spinach Dal recipe. In these situations, it’s handy to have both! So if you have the room and the budget, there’s no need to choose!
But if space and money are factors, you’ll get more bang for your buck with an Instant Pot®.
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