(We don’t demand this technology in budget picks.) Most rice cookers over $100 have fuzzy logic, though some work better than others. In contrast, basic rice cookers work mechanically and have no idea when you’ve added, say, too much or too little water.

Fuzzy logic: This term generally refers to a type of mathematical logic, but in talking about rice cookers, it means the machine is equipped with a computer chip that can adjust cooking parameters to account for human error (such as adding too much water) or environmental factors like humidity and heat.And although we didn’t test quinoa, millet, and other fancier grains in these machines, the models we chose all claim to handle a range of grains beyond rice. Multiple grain settings: Any rice cooker can make white rice, but a great one can also handle most of the popular varieties, such as brown rice, long-grain white rice (including jasmine), or even basmati, with aplomb.A quick-cook function is great when you need to make rice in a pinch, though using it usually means compromising a bit on texture. Keep-warm and quick-cook settings: The option to keep your rice warm for hours is useful if the machine finishes cooking before you’re done with the rest of your meal, or if you want to keep rice warm for someone coming home later.You should also be able to make the same fluffy rice whether you cook a single cup or fill the cooker to its maximum capacity. An unevenly cooked pot of rice can have crispy edges and a mushy center or undercooked grains on top and soggy grains on the bottom. Even and consistent cooking: The rice cooker should turn out an even batch of fluffy rice.No matter what, it’s important to confirm whether a cooker manufacturer is referring to cooked or uncooked rice in order to buy the size you expect. In this guide we default to uncooked-rice measurements but point out discrepancies when necessary. Note that most manufacturers use uncooked-rice cup measurements to identify the maximum capacity of their machines, but some, such as Instant Pot and Hamilton Beach, use cooked-rice measurements to indicate their models’ capacity. If you have a big family or love to entertain, a 10-cup cooker may be the best choice. Anything smaller than that is nice for dorm rooms or people who live alone but isn’t as useful for most people. If you don’t frequently cook rice for large groups, you (and your kitchen counter) will be better off with a 6-cup cooker. Capacity: Most rice cookers have a capacity ranging from 3 to 10 cups of rice (uncooked), but we focused on models that could make around 6 cups and appreciated cookers that came in two sizes.

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