Whether cooking different types of rice in large batches for a busy restaurant or preparing smaller portions for a cozy cafe, selecting the right rice cooker can streamline your kitchen operations. Rice cookers efficiently cook different types of rice and keep them warm until ready to be served, ensuring consistent quality and taste. With many types of rice cookers available, it's crucial to make an informed purchase based on your specific needs. To assist you in making the best choice for your establishment, we've compiled a list of the top rice cookers recommended by industry experts and backed by extensive research.
Shop All Commercial Rice Cookers
When selecting the best rice cooker for your commercial kitchen, versatility, efficiency, and ease of use are key factors. Given the diverse forms and types of rice available, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution that works for every establishment. Our curated list of the best rice cookers accounts for a variety of criteria to ensure that you find the perfect match for your business.
- Best Best Rice Cooker Overall: Hamilton Beach 37590
- Best Small Rice Cooker Town 56816
- Best Electric Rice Cooker: Zojirushi NYC-36
- Best High Output Rice Cooker: Town RM-55P-R
- Best Budget Rice Cooker: Galaxy 177RGC3060
Note: All prices are current to time of publication. See product page for updated pricing.
The Hamilton Beach 37590 can prepare up to 90 cups of cooked rice in one go. It has settings to cook short-grain and long-grain rice and excels in preparing other dishes such as grits, oatmeal, and mac and cheese. With heat/simmer and keep warm features, you can trust that your rice will be perfectly cooked and maintained at the ideal temperature until serving time. The user-friendly controls make operation a breeze, and cleaning up after a busy service is easier with the non-stick inner pot and removable lid.
Price: $493.00
- Insulated, double-wall, stainless steel construction
- Digital control panel offers multiple cooking settings and timer
- Heat / simmer feature keeps rice warm up to 8 hours
- Heated and lined lid ensures even cooking from all sides
- High power requirements
The Town 56816 offers a small footprint, making it ideal for condensed kitchen spaces while delivering exceptional performance. It cooks up to 10 cups of raw rice, yielding 20 cups of cooked rice. Equipped with automatic cook and hold features, this rice cooker takes the guesswork out of achieving the perfect rice consistency. Its user-friendly controls include an automatic sensor that detects when to switch from cooking to holding mode. It also features a removable stainless steel lid, an aluminum pot, a measuring cup, and a rice paddle.
Price: $58.99
Runner up: Avantco RCB46
- Uncoated aluminum pot ensures evenly cooked rice
- Removable stainless steel lid retains heat for maximum cooking efficiency
- Automatically switches from cooking to holding mode
- Includes measuring cup and rice paddle
- Warmer can be inefficient
- Pot isn't non-stick
The Zojirushi NYC-36 accommodates up to 20 cups of uncooked rice, yielding 40 cups of cooked rice in just 30 minutes. Equipped with an automatic warm mode, the unit ensures that your rice stays at the perfect serving temperature. Its non-stick inner pot prevents rice from sticking, and the detachable side condensation collector prevents water droplets from running down the unit. The inner pot also features measurements for precise filling and prepping, allowing for accurate portion control and consistent results.
Price: $329.99
Runner up: Avantco RCSB40
- Automatic warm mode keeps rice fresh and ready to serve after cooking
- Inner pan is non-stick and includes measurement lines
- Equipped with an easy-to-open latch and side condensation collector
- Features a detachable and washable inner lid
- Rice consistency can vary
The Town RM-55P-R prepares up to 55 cups of uncooked rice in just 27 minutes, yielding 110 cooked cups. It can also handle grits, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, and other menu items with ease. A reinforced body ensures the unit withstands the rigors of a bustling kitchen environment, and its extra-thick walls are designed for durability and heat retention. This rice cooker is user-friendly, featuring simple controls for staff members with varying experience levels. Equipped with bimetallic temperature sensors, the Town RM-55P-R can automatically detect when to switch from cooking to holding mode.
Price: $586.00
Runner up: Avantco GRCLP
- Cooks up to 110 cups of rice in just 27 minutes
- Simple pilot ignition; bimetallic temperature sensor automatically switches to warming mode
- Removable cast aluminum pot ensures evenly cooked rice; measuring cup included for added convenience
- Stainless steel cover with durable bakelite handle
- Temperature sensor can switch prematurely
- Temperatures can get too high
The Galaxy 177RGC3060 prepares up to 30 cups of raw rice in 35 minutes for 60 cups of cooked rice. Its automatic switch function seamlessly transitions the cooker to warming mode once the rice is ready. Designed for maximum convenience, this rice cooker is equipped with sturdy handles that make it easy to transport from the kitchen to the serving area. The non-stick aluminum interior pot is not only easy to remove for cleaning but also ensures that your rice doesn't stick or burn during the cooking process. To further streamline your rice cooking experience, each unit comes with handy accessories such as rice paddles and a measuring cup.
Price: $72.99
Runner up: Galaxy 177RCSG60
- Non-stick aluminum inner pot is removable for easy cleaning
- Cooks rice in 35 minutes
- Measuring cup and rice paddle included
- Automatically switches to "keep warm" mode after cooking
- Longer cook time than comparable units with similar size
How to Choose Rice Cookers
The way your rice cooker operates, the features it includes, the output it is capable of, and the power type it uses are significant influences that should affect what model you buy. We'll outline each of these factors below:
Operation
The best rice cooker for your business should offer optionality while remaining easy to use. Look for models with simple controls and clear instructions from the manufacturer. A user-friendly interface and intuitive settings can make cooking large batches of rice a breeze, saving you time and effort in a busy kitchen environment and simplifying the employee training process.
Features
Consider the rice cooker features that will best suit your needs. The features below will enhance your rice cooking experience and streamline workflow in your kitchen:
- Removable pot: A removable pot makes your unit easy to clean and maintain.
- Automatic warmer: An automatic warmer keeps your rice ready to serve without overcooking it.
- Measuring cups and rice paddles: Cups and paddles measure the perfect amount of rice and water for consistent results and make serving and fluffing rice easier.
- Steamer baskets: Some rice cookers come with steamer baskets, allowing you to steam vegetables, seafood, or other ingredients while your rice cooks.
- Built-in timer: This allows you to set a specific cooking time for your rice, freeing up your attention for other tasks.
Output
The output of a rice cooker refers to the amount of cooked rice it can produce at a time. For restaurants that serve rice in bulk quantities throughout the day, investing in several large-capacity rice cookers is essential. On the other hand, an establishment that only occasionally serves rice may find that a smaller unit with a lower output capacity is sufficient for their needs.
Power
In general, rice cookers use three different power types: electric, liquid propane, and natural gas. Each fuel type has its own set of advantages and considerations to keep in mind.
- Electricity: Electric power is typically the most efficient option, providing consistent heat for even cooking results.
- Natural gas: Natural gas is known for being a cost-effective fuel choice, making it a budget-friendly option for businesses looking to save on operating costs.
- Propane: Propane is more energy-efficient compared to natural gas, providing a quick and efficient cooking process.
Investing in a high-quality rice cooker will save you time and effort and guarantee perfectly cooked rice every time. Consider the needs of your menu, the output required for your kitchen, and your own preferences before making a purchase.
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