3 Cup Rice Cookers – Tips and Recommendations

A “3 cup rice cooker” refers to the number of cups of dry, uncooked rice can be cooked–not the amount of rice you will end up with. Because rice expands while cooking, 3 cups of uncooked rice will yield approximately 6 cups of cooked rice, dependent on the type of rice. Another important factor is that the “cup” being referred to here is a Japanese cup, which is 6oz rather than the traditional 8oz of an American cup. The small measuring cup included with most rice cookers holds this 6oz amount.

Although a serving size of cooked rice is approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of an American, 8oz, cup, most people eat a cup or more in one sitting. Therefore, 3 cup rice cookers are likely best for singles, couples, or small families. These machines tend to have a small counter footprint, and are therefore also favored by anyone with limited kitchen space.

There are many opinions on which manufacturer sells the best 3 cup rice cooker. 3 cup rice cooker reviews vary widely, but several brands have an edge on the market and are generally recognized as selling the best 3 cup rice cookers: Aroma, Panasonic, Tiger, and Zojirushi.

The Aroma 3 cup rice cooker ARC-733G is a budget model retailing for under $20. Favorable reviews of this product often mention how inexpensive it is, while an often-mentioned negative point is that because there is no non-stick coating on the inner pan, rice may stick at the bottom and burn slightly in the machine. As with most conventional, inexpensive rice cookers, this machine has a basic design and simple interface with only two settings: Cook and Warm, which keeps the rice warm after cooking. The Aroma is a good choice for those looking for a utilitarian model that will produce good rice for a very low cost.

The best-selling Panasonic 3 cup rice cooker SRG06FG, with an uncooked capacity of 3.3 cups, or a 6.6 cup yield. It retails for approximately $30, features a non-stick inner pan, but does not have a warming feature. The Panasonic machine is thus another somewhat utilitarian model that delivers good rice with little fuss. Several users have, however, mentioned that the non-stick coating is delicate and may eventually chip off.

The Tiger 3 cup rice cooker JNP-0550, enjoys excellent reviews in all categories except price. Many reviews note they have been using this machine for many years–up to a decade–and it continues to produce perfect rice. Although the price point on the Tiger rice cooker of approximately $105 is close to the Zojirushi machines, the Tiger JNP-0550 does not have an LCD screen. Tiger models also feature a heavy duty handle, allowing you to transport a fresh pot of rice with ease.

Zojirushi is one of the premier brands of rice cooker, offering several models of Zojirushi 3 cup rice cooker. Zojirushi cookers can initially be separated into two categories: 1) conventional cookers and 2) the micom line, featuring cookers with a computer chip that enables auto-adjustment based on readings from an internal thermal calculator. The Zojirushi micom 3-cup rice cooker models are considerably more expensive, but rice aficionados swear by them for authentic Japanese-style rice.

Zojirushi’s conventional 3 cup cooker is model NHS-06, retailing for approximately $50. It features a non-stick pan, and is complimented for cooking “perfect rice” without fuss or expense. There are three Zojirushi 3 cup rice cookers in the company’s micom line: NS-LAC05, NS-VGC05, and NS-XAC05/NS-XBC05. These models retail for $100 and up. The Zojirushi NS-LAC05 features a stainless steel body with an LCD display. Preset cooking modes for various types of rice are programmed in. The Zojirushi NS-VGC05 adds a layer of versatility: it can also bake cakes. Finally, NX-XAC05/NS-XBC05 machines were designed by a Japanese interior designer for a stylish body, and include a risotto setting. Reviews are extremely favorable in all categories except price, and some complain of the added complexity.