Rice, for all you solo flyers out there, is pretty much the staple of staples. It’s easy, it’s filling, and it makes for a quick, no-fuss dinner – just what you need after a long day of doing your own thing. But whipping up a tasty rice bowl night after night can get old without the right equipment. This is where a trusty rice cooker comes in handy.
Choosing the perfect rice cooker when you’re cooking for one can be a challenge though. You want something compact but versatile, simple but high performing. Well, fluff no more my independent friends! In this post, I’ll walk through the key factors to consider when picking a rice cooker as a solo diner. I’ve got recommendations for small but mighty models that will have you eating perfect rice anytime you please. Let’s dig in!
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB is my top pick for singles who are serious about getting perfect rice every time. This Japanese rice cooker uses advanced Micom technology with fuzzy logic to make flavorful, fluffy rice with precision.
The 3-cup capacity is ideal for individual servings. Despite the small size, the cooker can make up to 6 cups of cooked rice, so you can meal prep a few portions at once. It has a compact, space saving design with retractable power cord for tidy storage. The LCD control panel is straightforward to use. Settings include white, mixed, porridge, brown, and quick cooking options.
Zojirushi is renowned for making high-quality, durable rice cookers that consistently produce restaurant-quality results. The nonstick inner pan releases rice easily for cleaning. For singles who eat a lot of rice, the Zojirushi is a justifiable splurge.
The Aroma Housewares MI is an affordable, compact option perfect for rice-loving singles. With a 3-cup inner pot, it cooks 1-3 cups of rice at a time, ideal for solo meals and leftovers. Despite the small size, the cooker includes a steaming tray for simultaneously cooking proteins or veggies.
The digital control panel is straightforward, with options for white and brown rice, steam, and extended keep warm. The cooker automatically switches to keep warm when done cooking. It has a tempered glass lid and cool-touch exterior for safety and easy handling. Durable construction gives it longevity with everyday use. Overall, great value for money.
For those seeking a very inexpensive rice cooker, the Hamilton Beach Mini model is your best bet. It can cook up to 6 cups of cooked rice at once in the removable nonstick pot. The included steaming tray lets you steam veggies and proteins.
Simple one-touch operation makes this very easy to use. Just add your ingredients, press the button, and it handles the rest. The keep warm function kicks in automatically for fluffy rice that’s ready when you are. Easy to clean and super affordable, it’s a great basic cooker for single cooks on a budget.
The Dash mini rice cooker is ultra compact and perfect for small kitchens or traveling. It cooks up to 2 cups of rice or grains at once. The included steaming tray lets you steam veggies, proteins, eggs or dumplings.
Despite the tiny size, this cooker packs a punch with foolproof cooking and keep warm functions. The auto shut off kicks in when done to prevent overcooking. It’s lightweight and easy to clean too. With its low price tag, the Dash is ideal for students, small families, and solo eaters.
On the larger end, the Cuckoo CR-0655F is ideal for singles who frequently cook for others or make big meal batches. The 6-cup capacity enables cooking 2-6 servings of rice. It uses intelligent cooking algorithms to achieve perfect rice texture tailored to your preferences.
The CR-0655F can make a variety of rice types including white, brown, glutinous, and mixed. The inner lid detaches for easy cleaning. It also plays a tune when cooking is complete. With delayed timer, reheating functions, and keep warm mode, it’s a multifunctional cooker. The Cuckoo allows flexibility to cook small or larger batches.
There you have it – my picks for the creme de la creme of rice cookers for the independent minded. Having one of these appliances on your countertop will take the hassle out of prepping solo rice dishes. You’ll be able to customize the texture you like and experiment with different grains and meals. With your new favorite kitchen sidekick, boring old rice will be a thing of the past. It’s time to start cooking up easy, delicious bowls that satisfy your cravings any day of the week. So go ahead and invest in yourself and your health with one of these trusty single serving rice cookers. Your stomach and wallet will thank you later. Now stop reading and start cooking!
