Do you have a rice cooker and can you recommend getting one

[Rice cook]

I've never had one, and I'm wondering if they are all they're cracked up to be. I'm not sure what the advantages are?
For a family of 3, would it be worthwhile getting one?

[PaddyFields]

Yes, I love my rice cooker. It makes cooking rice foolproof.

Of course, I've never had much success cooking rice any other way. Whenever I try the saucepan route, I end up with soupy or scorched rice.

[kd]

I don't know how people live without them!  Highly recommend getting one!

[scarymoo]

can you explain how they work.  My service apt has one (no instructions though) and my results haven't been too great - says alot for my culinary skill obviously!

[Ken Hom]

Put a small cup of rice in the cooker. Just cover it with water (about depth to the first knuckle of your little finger). Switch on. Wait. Eat.

[Depends]

On the rice.  Thin varieties like long grain Indian rice will need less water than the fat sticky rice varieties like Japanese rice.

It also depends whether you rinse the rice first.  Some argue rinsing the rice washes away some of the starch and flavor.  Others wash away.  I rinse the rice a couple of times. i.e. rice in the cooker bowl, cover with water, slosh and drain. repeat.

I do Japanese rice at two 1/2 cups water to one cup rice. Of course this considers the fact that the rice is already wet from the rinsing.  May need a half cup extra if you don't rinse.

You'll need to experiment a little with your cooker.  If it is a little wet don't worry.  Just make the rice early and let it cook out the water.  Rice will stay in the cooker for a couple of hours before serving.

[microwave]

I have a microwave one, it takes 10 minutes for enough rice for 3 (one cup of dry rice) and is brilliant (I used to always overcook rice but not anymore)

it cost me about $6 from carrefour

you could try one of those for cheapness, and if you are happy with it and use it you could progress to an electric one (some people don't like using plastic in the microwave)

[Karen E]

Rice also freezes well.  I usually do a big batch in the rice cooker, then freeze in single or double portions.  You can then just defrost and reheat in the microwave.  Freezing also seems to "dry out" the rice, if you don't like your rice sticky.

[RiceLover]

If your rice comes from anywhere other than Aust, you should wash it first. You'd be surprised at the creatures than can get to it.

[doloras]

I've been using rice cooker for a very long time and it is the most used appliance in the house. The Japanese brand for rice cooker are good. There are plenty of people who can help if you don't know how. Almost every household in Singapore uses rice cooker. Just as anyone of the ladies in the shops or at the market. Even the checkout cashiers will know.

Rice cookers are like washing machine put content add water and leave alone, once it is done the cooker switches off. There is no need to watch the pot. It takes 20mins to cook.

[No need]

I have a foolproof way of cooking rice in a saucepan - it works everytime.  I use basmati rice.

Heat a teeny weeny bit of oil in the pan, add one cup washed rice, give it a quick stir then add two cups boiled water.  Bring to boil, turn down heat, cover and let it steam away.  Your rice should be cooked once the water has evaporated.  If not, leave the lid on, turn off heat and the steam in the pan will cook it further.

Easy peasy.  No need to clutter your kitchen with yet another gadget.

[flightless bird]

I don't have one. I make perfect rice:

1 cup rice in a microwaveable dish (I use a ceramic casserole dish)
1 and half cups boiling water
salt

Cover the dish. Cook 12 mins for white rice, 14 mins for mixed rice etc.

When cooked, fluff it up with a fork.

Washing up is so much easier than when you use a pot.

[to depends]

isn't two half cups of water the same as one cup of water to one cup of rice?! ie equal proportions?!