Since we have been cooking Chinese food more rice is needed. We had used mostly the 90-second variety before. Actually having to cook the rice seemed to be a hassle even though not that difficult. But having to watch the pot to assure proper cooking took up time we could have used for the heavy prep work required for stir fry.  When we saw a Rice Cooker at the local Costco for $30.00 we decided to try it out. It helped that the box also claimed capability to steam and slow cook.

Aroma Housewares Professional Rice Cooker/Food Steamer/Slow Cooker ARC2000A
 
What kind of cookware can one get for $30.00 these days? We expected a no frills product that was flimsily built. What we got in the well packed box, however, was a quality product with exceptional (for the price) functionality. In addition to the rice cooker and its non-stick removable cooking pot, the package include a plastic steaming basket, a one cup measure, and two plastic utensils, one a rice paddle and the other a dipping/stirring spoon. The cooker body is mostly plastic. The lid is well fixed at its hinge and closes cleanly and securely. A steam release vent is in the lid. It is removable for cleaning. At the side just below the lid hinge is a removable clear condensate receiver. Also included is a cookbook with recipes for rice, steaming/cooking, or slow cooking. Many more recipes are available on the Aroma Housewares web site. Everything works as intended.

All of the functions are available on the pressure sensitive pad just below the LCD readout.  The power/keep warm button is just to the right of the digital display and to its left is a light to indicate power on The functions available are white rice, brown rice, Quick rice (faster cooking with more chance for the bottom browning), Smart Steam (waits until water boils to begin the programmed countdown time in minutes), low slow cook, high slow cook, and Delay timer (to set a delay in hours up to 15 before the cooking starts.)

Rice Cooking

All of the functions of this professional tool are simple to do. We often have fried rice so we make the rice ahead and refrigerate it over night to let some of the moisture escape. We use two cups of raw rice that we measure into a strainer basket using the included measuring cup (the included cup is really ¾ cup). We wash the rice to remove the excess starch to make the rice less sticky then put it into the removed non-stick cooking pot. We fill the pot to its well marked 2 cup line with cold water and place it into the rice cooker. Turning the cooker on with its power switch and then pressing the white rice button is all that is left until you wish to remove the rice. In the white or brown rice mode the cooker computer control allows a pre-soak before rapidly heating the water to cook the rice. When all the water is absorbed the rice cooker beeps and switches to keep warm. The display first shows a racing pattern to signify it is cooking. When switched to keep warm it counts up in one hour increments to show how long the keep warm function has been operating. The manual suggests not letting the food remain in the keep warm mode for more than 12 hours.

 Delayed start can also be used to start the cooking process. Delayed start is programmable in one hour increments up to 15 hours. The quick rice function cooks the rice at a higher temperature and more quickly. It can be used when the rice is needed in a hurry at a cost of lower quality in the cooked rice.

Steaming

Steaming is controlled by a selection for steaming time. When steaming starts the cooker waits for the water to boil before starting the countdown, in minutes. The maximum steaming time is 30 minutes. When the selected time is over the cooker switches to the keep warm mode as in rice cooking above. Many of the steaming recipes suggest using s plate a little (1/2 inch) smaller than the steaming basket and covering the food with plastic or aluminum foil while steaming.

It is feasible to both cook rice and steam something at the same time. This is done by setting the cooker up for cooking the rice and then placing the steam basket in the cooker after the water is boiling. When the steamed food is done, it must be removed and then the rice allowed to finish cooking. No automation is available for the steaming, but it can be a time saver.

The steam button is also labeled cook. For example you might want to brown meat before slow cooking. With the cooking pan in and dry the manual suggestes a 10 minute pre-heat then use of a plastic or wooden long handled spoon to stir the meat as it browns. 

Slow Cooking

The slow cooker function is quite similar to using a dedicated slow cooker. A low temperature choice is available as well as a faster higher temperature option. The high mode cooks in about half the time of the low mode. Cook time is selected in one hour increments by successive presses of the low or high button. Low choices are six to ten hours. High ranges between 2 and five hours. The digital display shows the selected time and then counts down in one hour increments until the time is complete. The cooker then switches to the keep warm mode.

Cleaning

All removable parts of the cooker are dishwasher safe. They are also easily cleaned by hand. It is important to assure the outside of the removable cooking pot is very dry. This is always true, particularly when starting to cook, as water on the outside of the pot or in the main cooker body can seriously damage the cooker. The two year warranty does not cover damage due to misuse/accident. The main body should never be put in water. The outside can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth and a little mild soap. Cleanup is quite easy.

General Thoughts

Every time we use this little cooker we are amazed at what we got for the price. Rice comes out fluffy and fully cooked every time. Steaming is simple and the time suggested in the included manual works well for us. We have only rarely tried making rice and steaming at the same time, but it does work if you have an outside timer to remind you to check for doneness. We only used the quick rice function once, but it does cut several minutes from the cooking time. The rice is of lower quality and the bottom layer is sometimes browned.Slow cooking is just as flavorful and convenient as with a dedicated slow cooker. We, so far, have no complaints. We have kept the receipt which, would be needed if we have to exercise the warranty.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 30