Is it worth getting a nice cooker i’ll use frequently or should I save money from buying one and the giant bags of rice and stick with the easy to use one? I heard they taste better and keeps it warm longer etc. i would have to drop close to $100 but should last average three months? I go through about two to three a week of the meal ready ones.
I would also like easy prepare and clean up. Whats everyone experiences like?
Should I get a rice cooker instead of meal ready packets?
byu/dragonskintext inFrugal
Posted by dragonskintext
15 Comments
It shouldn’t cost $100 for a basic rice cooker and a bag of rice.
I would recommend getting one – you can use it for more than just rice, you can flavor the rice however you want, and it makes more than those ready-made packets, so you’d have leftovers. Also, it’s definitely more frugal.
Can you not just make rice in a pot on the stovetop? If money is an issue.
I personally LOVE my rice cooker. You can get new ones for $20-30 and even higher for the “nice ones” but I just go to goodwill and there are almost always 2 or 3 for under $10 and I just use those
I will say the zojirushi one I got second hand from the Korean shop up the street does seem to do a “little better” but not if money is tight or you can’t afford it but if you are gonna be using it as much as you say and can afford it, might be worth the little extra
I usually grab something like this to hold the rice cuz I do like yourself and just by the 20-50lb bag depending on what’s on sale at the shop I go to
https://preview.redd.it/lq2cxba1hrbg1.png?width=555&format=png&auto=webp&s=414c42a30e6c0de69fa094e764ecb981016501ce
If you cook rice more than once a month, I’d say it worth it. Definitely get a high rated brand and not the cheapest one. There is a pronounced difference between a cheap cooker and a more expensive one especially if you cook different types of rice.
It is so easy to use a rice cooker. You’ll save so much money in the long-term, and it’s better for the environment than single-use packages.
i honestly dont think price matters unless you are looking at brand. I got one from walmart a couple years ago and its lasted me so far. i use it for a 2 person meal but look to see if you have any Asian markets near you they always have cheaper cookers than online.
You can get a cheaper rice cooker and then upgrade if you want/need to. I got the dash mini rice cooker and then a few years later upgraded.
You can also just make rice on the stove. There’s no reason to buy the premade bags
I love my rice cooker, $15 and it’s lasted me 7+ years now. Amazing rice each time
You don’t need to spend $100 on a rice cooker; for simple preparation, a model for $20-$30 will suffice.
Do you use rice often enough to justify a 50 pound bag? Rice does not last forever unless frozen or otherwise stored properly.
Something like an Aroma 4 or 6 cup simple rice cooker is good enough. I make the max amount in mine and freeze any leftover rice to reheat and eat later.
I buy my rice at Costco. It takes my family several months to go through a 20$ bag.
I bought one of those rice cookers with a steaming basket on top. It’s saved me so much time on cooking good fresh meals and in turn saved me more money using fresh raw ingredients for cooking.
I think I spent maybe $20 on it.
spend a bit more on a zojirishu it’s worth it
Check out rice cookers at Asian markets – I got one 11 years ago and it’s still going strong. It’s so convenient – just put in the right amount of water and rice and go. That saves a lot of mental energy. Buying rice at one of those Asian markets is generally cheaper as well. They have bulk bags for cheap.
Checkout slick deals or any app/website like it. They always have deals on rice cookers. I got my cuckoo rice cooker for 70 bucks on Amazon and it’s usually 120.