Ideally, if you are looking for a rice cooker, you may want one that not only makes rice, but cooks it evenly, quickly - and possibly several varieties, too.
If you plan to make rice for a larger number of guests, also check the model you buy has sufficient capacity, says German consumer advisors TÜV Süd. That means capacity of at least 3 litres.
But if you only wish to cook one or two portions of rice, 1 litre is sufficient. And for families, consider rice cookers with a capacity of 1.5 to two litres.
Then there is power. Most households are fine with an appliance with a power rating of between 400 and 700 watts, says TÜV Süd. While appliances with higher power ratings have the advantage of cooking faster, they also consume more energy.
Then there are those with fuzzy logic which can be practical. They can automatically adjust the cooking time to suit different types of rice.
A further handy feature is a clear fill-level scale and a removable inner pot with a non-stick coating. The former makes it easier to measure out the correct portion of rice. The latter makes cleaning the rice cooker – and serving the rice – easier.
Do check the non-stick coating is free from harmful substances such as BPA or PTFE.
Want to make more than just rice? Pick a model that has additional programmes for quinoa, millet, soup or porridge.
If you get a steamer insert, you can also cook vegetables or fish in your rice cooker.
In any case, you should ensure that the rice cooker has non-slip feet, heat-resistant handles and a lid that locks securely.
And if you have kids in the house, pick one that has a cool-touch casing to prevent burns or accidents if someone touches the appliance while it is in use, says TÜV Süd. – dpa
