Rice Cooker Buying Guide: What Size Rice Cooker Do You Need?
Cooking rice should be simple, but getting the texture just right can sometimes be tricky. Too much water can leave rice sticky, while too little can result in undercooked grains or a scorched saucepan. An electric rice cooker takes the guesswork out of cooking, making it easy to prepare fluffy rice with minimal effort.
At Cooks Professional, our rice cooker range includes four sizes: 0.6L, 1L, 1.5L and 1.8L. All four models feature one-touch cooking, an automatic keep-warm function, a removable non-stick cooking pot and a tempered glass lid. The main difference is how much rice each can prepare. This rice cooker buying guide compares our four models, explains their benefits and helps you choose the best rice cooker for your household.
Why Buy a Rice Cooker?
A rice cooker is a practical kitchen appliance that makes preparing rice easier and more consistent. Instead of keeping an eye on a saucepan, simply add your rice and water, press Cook and let the appliance handle the cooking process.
There are several benefits to using an electric rice cooker:
- Easy one-touch cooking: A simple Cook setting starts the cooking process without complicated controls or timers.
- Consistent results: Automatic temperature control helps rice cook evenly, reducing the risk of burning or undercooking.
- Automatic keep-warm function: Once the rice is cooked, the appliance switches to its keep-warm setting until you're ready to serve.
- Less time at the hob: No need to constantly monitor a saucepan, giving you more time to prepare the rest of your meal.
- Versatile cooking: The non-stick cooking pot can also be used for suitable grains, pulses and steam-based dishes.
- Easy cleaning: The removable non-stick pot and tempered glass lid can be washed in warm, soapy water.
For households that regularly eat rice, a dedicated rice cooker can make everyday mealtimes considerably easier.
What Size Rice Cooker Do I Need?
Choosing the right rice cooker capacity depends on how many people you're cooking for and how much rice you typically prepare.
Our range includes four sizes, each suited to different households and cooking requirements:
- 0.6L Rice Cooker: Cooks up to 725g of rice, approximately five 145g portions. Ideal for individuals, couples and smaller meals.
- 1L Rice Cooker: Cooks up to 1.1kg of rice, approximately eight portions. A practical choice for couples and smaller families.
- 1.5L Rice Cooker: Cooks up to 1.7kg of rice, approximately twelve portions. Ideal for family meals and batch cooking.
- 1.8L Rice Cooker: Cooks up to 2kg of rice, approximately fourteen portions. Best suited to larger households, entertaining and preparing generous quantities.
These portion estimates are based on approximately 145g of cooked rice per serving. Actual serving sizes will depend on your appetite and whether rice is being served as a side dish or the main part of a meal. If you're unsure which capacity to choose, consider how often you cook for guests or prepare extra portions for later. A slightly larger model can offer greater flexibility, while a compact rice cooker is more practical if you regularly cook smaller meals.
Cooks Professional 0.6L Rice Cooker: Best for Individuals and Couples
The Cooks Professional 0.6L Rice Cooker is the smallest model in our range, making it a great option for individuals, couples and anyone with limited kitchen space. Despite its compact size, it can cook up to 725g of rice, equivalent to five 145g portions. This provides plenty of capacity for everyday meals without needing a larger appliance taking up valuable worktop space.
Its simple one-touch operation makes cooking straightforward. Add the rice and water, press Cook and the machine takes care of the rest. Once cooking is complete, it automatically switches to the keep-warm function. The removable non-stick cooking pot helps prevent rice sticking, while the tempered glass lid allows you to see inside without lifting it and releasing steam. The 0.6L model is particularly useful for smaller households that want freshly cooked rice without preparing unnecessarily large batches.
Cooks Professional 1L Rice Cooker: Best for Everyday Cooking
The Cooks Professional 1L Rice Cooker offers a little more capacity while remaining compact enough for everyday kitchen use. Capable of preparing up to 1.1kg of rice, or approximately eight portions, it's an excellent choice for couples, smaller families and households that regularly enjoy rice-based meals.
Its additional capacity makes it particularly useful when preparing dishes such as curries, stir-fries, chilli con carne and rice bowls, especially if you want enough rice for an extra serving. Like the rest of our range, it features a simple one-touch Cook control and automatically switches to keep-warm once the cooking cycle finishes.
The removable non-stick pot and tempered glass lid also make cleaning straightforward, with both components washable in warm, soapy water. For households looking for a practical everyday rice cooker with room for additional portions, the 1L model offers a useful balance between size and capacity.
Cooks Professional 1.5L Rice Cooker: Best for Families
The Cooks Professional 1.5L Rice Cooker is designed for larger portions and busy family mealtimes. With the capacity to prepare up to 1.7kg of rice, equivalent to approximately twelve servings, it allows you to cook enough for several people in one cycle. This makes it particularly convenient for family dinners, preparing rice alongside larger dishes and cooking extra portions to enjoy later.
The automatic keep-warm function is useful when preparing several parts of a meal, allowing you to focus on your other dishes once the rice has finished cooking. Its straightforward one-touch operation also makes it easy for different members of the household to use, without complicated programmes or settings.
The 1.5L rice cooker is a sensible choice for families that regularly prepare rice and want a generous cooking capacity without choosing the largest appliance in the range.
Cooks Professional 1.8L Rice Cooker: Best for Large Families and Batch Cooking
The Cooks Professional 1.8L Rice Cooker is the largest model in our collection, designed for households that need to prepare substantial quantities of rice. With a maximum cooking capacity of 2kg, or approximately fourteen 145g portions, it's particularly useful for larger families, entertaining guests and batch cooking. Rather than preparing rice in several smaller batches, you can cook a generous quantity in one cycle, making it easier to organise meals for multiple people.
The 1.8L model is also ideal for meal preparation. Cook a large batch, serve what you need and safely portion and freeze the remaining rice for future meals. Despite its greater capacity, operation remains straightforward. Press Cook to start, and the machine automatically switches to keep-warm once the rice is ready. For larger households and anyone who frequently prepares rice in generous quantities, the 1.8L rice cooker offers the most flexibility in our range.
What Features Do All Cooks Professional Rice Cookers Have?
Although the four models differ in capacity, they share several convenient features designed to make rice cooking as straightforward as possible.
- One-touch operation: A simple control starts the cooking process, with no complicated menus or programme selection.
- Automatic keep-warm: The machine switches to its keep-warm function once cooking is complete.
- Removable non-stick cooking pot: Helps reduce sticking and makes serving and cleaning easier.
- Tempered glass lid: Allows you to monitor cooking without repeatedly lifting the lid.
- Versatile cooking: Suitable for rice, other compatible grains, certain pulses and appropriate steam-based dishes.
- Easy maintenance: The removable pot and glass lid can be washed in warm, soapy water after use.
With these features included across the range, choosing your rice cooker is mainly a matter of selecting the right capacity for your household.
What Can You Cook in a Rice Cooker?
Although rice cookers are primarily designed for preparing rice, they can also be useful for other dishes. Different varieties of rice require slightly different cooking methods and water quantities. A rice cooker can simplify the process by maintaining a consistent cooking environment.
Some popular options include:
- Basmati rice: A fragrant long-grain rice that's particularly suited to curries, pilafs and Indian-inspired meals.
- Jasmine rice: A soft, aromatic variety commonly served alongside Thai dishes and stir-fries.
- Long-grain white rice: A versatile choice for everyday meals, side dishes and rice bowls.
- Brown rice: A wholegrain alternative that generally requires a longer cooking time and more water than white rice.
- Sushi rice: A short-grain variety with a naturally sticky texture, ideal for Japanese-inspired dishes.
Our rice cookers can also be used for suitable grains, pulses and steam-based recipes. Always follow the relevant food preparation guidance, particularly for dried pulses that require specific cooking methods.
Rice Cooker vs Saucepan: Which Is Better?
Both rice cookers and saucepans can produce excellent rice, but they offer different cooking experiences. Cooking rice in a saucepan requires careful control of the water quantity, heat and cooking time. If the temperature is too high, the water can evaporate before the rice has finished cooking, potentially leaving the bottom of the pan scorched. An electric rice cooker automatically manages the heating process. Simply add your ingredients and select Cook, without needing to regularly adjust the temperature.
Another advantage is that a rice cooker frees up space on the hob. This is particularly useful when preparing curries, stir-fries or other dishes that require several pans. Our rice cookers also feature an automatic keep-warm function, offering additional convenience when other parts of your meal aren't quite ready. For households that cook rice regularly, a dedicated rice cooker makes the process simpler and requires less attention.
How to Cook Perfect Rice in a Rice Cooker
A rice cooker makes preparation easy, but the correct amount of water is still important for achieving the best results. Follow these simple steps:
1. Measure your rice: Use the appropriate quantity for your household, making sure not to exceed the cooker's maximum capacity.
2. Rinse if necessary: Rinsing certain rice varieties helps remove excess surface starch, which can improve the finished texture.
3. Add the water: Follow the recommended rice-to-water ratio for your appliance and chosen variety of rice.
4. Press Cook: Switch on the rice cooker and allow it to complete the cooking cycle.
5. Allow the rice to rest: Once cooked, leave the rice covered briefly so the remaining moisture can distribute evenly.
6. Fluff and serve: Gently separate the grains with a suitable rice paddle before serving.
Avoid regularly lifting the glass lid during cooking, as this releases steam and can affect the moisture balance inside the appliance.
Can You Batch Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker?
Yes. A larger rice cooker is especially useful for preparing several portions of rice at once, making it a practical appliance for meal planning. Our 1.5L and 1.8L models can prepare up to approximately twelve and fourteen portions respectively, allowing you to cook a generous batch without needing multiple pans.
This is ideal for preparing family meals or getting ahead with packed lunches and dinners. However, cooked rice must be cooled and stored correctly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
For safe batch cooking:
- Cool rice quickly: Transfer leftover rice out of the cooker and cool it as quickly as possible, ideally within one hour.
- Divide into portions: Smaller containers help rice cool more quickly and make future meals easier to organise.
- Refrigerate promptly: Keep cooked rice refrigerated and consume it within 24 hours.
- Freeze additional portions: Freeze rice promptly in suitable containers if you want to store it for longer.
- Reheat thoroughly: Ensure rice is steaming hot throughout and never reheat it more than once.
For added convenience, label your portions before freezing so you can easily identify them when planning meals.
How to Clean a Rice Cooker
Keeping your rice cooker clean helps maintain its performance and ensures it's ready for your next meal. All Cooks Professional rice cookers feature a removable non-stick cooking pot and tempered glass lid, making everyday cleaning straightforward. Once the appliance has cooled and been disconnected from the mains, remove the cooking pot and lid and wash them in warm, soapy water. Use a soft sponge or cloth to protect the non-stick surface, and avoid abrasive scourers that could damage the coating. Wipe the exterior of the appliance with a damp cloth, taking care not to immerse the electrical base in water. Allow all components to dry thoroughly before reassembling or storing the rice cooker.
Rice Cooker FAQs
What size rice cooker do I need for two people?
A 0.6L or 1L rice cooker is generally a good choice for two people. Our 0.6L model prepares up to 725g of rice, while the 1L model offers additional capacity for larger meals or extra portions.
How many portions does a 1L rice cooker make?
The Cooks Professional 1L Rice Cooker can prepare up to approximately eight portions, with a maximum cooked rice capacity of around 1.1kg. Portion sizes will depend on the meal and individual appetite.
What is the best rice cooker size for a family of four?
A 1L or 1.5L rice cooker is a practical choice for a family of four. The 1.5L model provides greater flexibility for larger portions, guests and batch cooking, with a capacity of up to 1.7kg of rice.
What is the largest Cooks Professional rice cooker?
The 1.8L Rice Cooker is the largest model in the Cooks Professional range. It can prepare up to 2kg of rice, equivalent to approximately fourteen portions, making it ideal for larger households and entertaining.
Do rice cookers automatically turn off?
Cooks Professional rice cookers automatically switch from the Cook setting to the keep-warm function when the rice is ready. They do not fully power off at the end of the cooking cycle, so the appliance should be switched off and unplugged when no longer required.
Can you cook basmati rice in a rice cooker?
Yes. Basmati rice is well suited to rice cooker preparation. Rinsing the grains before cooking and using the recommended water quantity can help achieve a light, fluffy texture.
Do you need to stir rice in a rice cooker?
No. Rice cookers are designed to cook rice without regular stirring. Opening the lid unnecessarily can release steam and affect cooking results.
Can you cook other foods in a rice cooker?
Yes. Cooks Professional rice cookers can also prepare suitable grains, pulses and steam-based dishes. Always check the manufacturer's instructions and follow appropriate preparation guidance for the ingredients you're cooking.
Are rice cookers easy to clean?
Yes. All four Cooks Professional models feature removable non-stick cooking pots and tempered glass lids, which can be washed in warm, soapy water.
Are rice cookers worth buying?
If you cook rice regularly, an electric rice cooker offers considerable convenience. One-touch cooking, automatic keep-warm functionality and consistent heating make it easier to prepare rice while focusing on the rest of your meal.
Shop Cooks Professional Rice Cookers
A good rice cooker makes everyday meals easier, helping you prepare delicious, fluffy rice without constantly monitoring the hob. Our collection includes four capacities to suit different households and cooking habits. The compact 0.6L and 1L models are ideal for smaller portions and everyday cooking, while the 1.5L and 1.8L rice cookers offer generous capacity for families, entertaining and batch preparation.
With simple one-touch controls, automatic keep-warm functionality and easy-clean non-stick cooking pots included across the range, choosing the right rice cooker is all about finding the capacity that suits your kitchen.
Explore our Cooks Professional Rice Cooker Collection and find the perfect size for your household.