Looks to be a well reviewed model with 4.6 stars on Amazon. Nice to see the price come back down below pre-covid prices, even in only briefly.
Don't forget to attempt cashback.
Currently $239 at Good Guys
Model number SR-CN188WST
Matches the historical low Amazon price according to 3Camels.
CamelCamelCamel.
This one costs $20 more
I have the breville and it's absolutely terrible, it never cooks it correctly. We have gone back to cooking rice on the stove. The only reason it isn't in the bin is because we use it for steaming frozen dumplings which it handles ok.
i have the Breville and not had any issues with it. The ONLY issue I have with it, is i wish it had the countdown from the start and not with 15mins remaining
I have that one and it's superb. Just use a bit less water than recommended and the rice is perfect.
yeah agree - i use breville as per settings and the rice is great
Ditto. Have the breville, best rice cooker I’ve ever had (so far) have had for 4-5 months; use it 1-3 times a week
Someone salty for not buying the breville lol
Looks to be a well reviewed model
Lillian L. 3.0 out of 5 stars Slow in cooking rice
Reviewed in Australia on 25 October 2020
This rice cooker is ok but does take around 50 minutes to cook the rice. It otherwise does what it’s meant to do.
Luke
5.0 out of 5 stars Great quality rice cooker, cheaper than more expensive Japanese brands.
Reviewed in Australia on 28 September 2020
Style Name: 5 cupVerified Purchase
Great rice every time, timer function is especially useful so you can prepare the rice for cooking and have it ready for your meal. I find that the keep warm function works particularly well, I've had rice out of this cooker that was finished 8 hours ago and it still tastes great. Ideal if want to make enough rice for lunch and dinner and have it keep nice.I've also experimented a little with the cake function, as I was curious and sceptical. Actually wasnt bad at all, I got a really nice banana cake following the recipe and instructions in the booklet provided. So I have no doubts that the other functions work well too.
One thing I would highly suggest when first using this appliance is to give all parts of it a good wipe down, and run it once with the steamer function to give it a good clean. The very first batch of rice had a slight taste of new plastics as I neglected to give it a good steam out first.
You'd hope that after waiting an hour for the rice to cook that it would keep it warm for a decent amount of time for you…
Obviously, the person whose review you quoted doesn't know how to use the cooker. There is a quick mode on these which cooks the rice in ~25 mins.
@jv: I have this model. 50 min mode cooks the rice slowly and it comes out perfect - very fluffy. The slower mode is also better for other types of rice that need a longer cooking time (i.e. brown rice, basmati, etc.). Good if you are able to plan ahead…pop the rice in then do something else for 50 mins. Quick mode is good when you need rice fast and also does a very good job.
@RSmith: I have owned this for 18 months and never noticed that option. For anyone else, it's the 4th option quick/quinoa.
Sounds like I'm having some rice tonight
As someone else said there's a quick mode that does it much quicker. The standard modes are aimed at "perfect" rice, which is nice, but if you aren't a rice connoisseur the quick mode is absolutely fine and still of a better standard/reliability than a $15 KMart model or w/e.
I believe this in made in China not Japan?
Also, looks like this is not a IH Rice cooker or IH Pressure Rice cooker (Induction Heating)
you pay 3 times at least for IH and 4 times to include made in Japan. Get what you pay for
Isn't the Xiaomi one IH? Was $139 last deal too, so not exactly 3x the price…
I take your point but a global version with official Australian warranty is around $300 (10 cup = 4L/5L) I believe, not so much as to 3 times - $420 but I was commenting based on the same or similar brand. ie Panasonic or Tiger etc.
What makes it better?
The price.
It also includes a bonus 10kg rice…
I did a lot of research into these models a couple months ago and the only difference I could find besides the more "premium" look metal chassis is that the cooking bowl is a couple millimetres thicker. I have no idea if that actually meaningfully impacts the cooking or longevity of the product or whatever.
Oh also it's only 5 cups, so half the capacity of the one in OP's post.
+1
We've been using the premium almost daily for two years now. The thicker pan felt nice and I reckon does make a difference the way that dutch oven on casseroles. The kids are growing so we might need a ten cup model very soon :-(
How does this compare to established brands like Tiger etc?
Tiger is always no. 1 lol
If it goes in sale again… Rather buy that for life
Only the expensive $600+ models are good and anything below that are overpriced.
Edit: Tiger $229 vs Panasonic $249.
For anyone considering a rice cooker you might as well get a instant pot or pressure cooker with a rice function. You get more functionality for what I'd consider to be a comparable price. The instant pot you just put the rice + water in the right ratio, press a button and it takes around 10-15 minutes to cook and you've got perfect rice.
I have a pressure /mult-cooker, but if I cook a curry in that it's difficult to also make rice in it.
I'll give you that, I actually have 2 pressure cooker/combo cookers so I can negate this but yeah if you've only got one and you do cook a lot of rice then yeah this might be the device for you.
And this is how I ended up with two rice cookers… after learning at an expo you can cook Japanese curry in rice cookers.
Got a nice recipe to share?
I agree.
We had a breville Ricebox that had been our trusty rice cooker for ~5-6 years. We recently got a Ninja Foodi (an Instant Pot+Air fryer combo) and Mrs was insistent on giving away our rice cooker. I didn't realise why until I saw how quickly it cooked perfect rice. Took 6 mins in the Foodi vs 25-30 mins in the Ricebox.
Really no reason to keep the rice cooker since it's an absolute waste of counter space.
Completely agree - a rice cooker can cook rice, but a pressure cooker can cook an entire meal, with less water, less fuss, less labour time.
I'd recommend getting a pressure cooker with a nonstick surface though, if its 5L you can match the recipes from Instant Pots.
You just need to get the water levels and cooking times right, and make sure debris is always cleaned from the rim, the silicon gasket, the lid.
And it's gone.
In all seriousness though, how does one know if it's a good rice cooker? I have been using basic ones all my life but Youtube videos (eg Uncle Roger) make me think I'm missing out without a fancier model.
if you eat rice more than say once a week, and can afford it, it's certainly worth investing in both a good rice cooker AND good rice - my favourite is this (found in most Asian grocers) https://cdn.store-factory.com/www.satsuki.fr/content/product…
Thats Japanese rice…you'd hope it is grown nowhere near Fukushima - Tokyo side of the country. I use the Pakistani Basmati rice in Woolies, more fragrant than anything out in the market.
https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/16119/rivi…
What's wrong with Fukushima?
@RSmith: Not sure if you're being seriously.
Maybe you should watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG-nwQBBfmc
Would you eat rice planted in nearby towns to Chernobyl?
Sorry, but Japanese rice vs Riviana is a no contest.
Depending on the preparation, golden sella basmati may be perfect (pilafs/biriyanis etc) but for general purpose I'm going to have to say Japanese is an absolute 10/10.
Our family (and friends we've introduced to it) have a special fondness for Shinmei Koshihikari Rice. It is more expensive, but given it makes everything better (a lovely beef curry or a simple congee) its worth every cent.
Riviana is pretty mediocre basmati IMHO. Daawat, Indiagate and Pride of India are much, much better brands and the former two can be found in Woolies/Coles as well.
If when you open the lid and the steam hits your face with that beautiful fragrance of cooked rice you say: "fuiyoh!", then you know you have a good rice cooker.
Is it a good rice cooker if you scream "Argh! Third degree burns!" when the steam hits your face 😤
No, then you (profanity) up. Weak boy. Do you have peanut allergy too?
I think you jest … there is no comparison - and yes, I have both the MW Sistema rice steamer and the Panasonic rice cooker shown in this post so I speak from experience. I guess the Sistema does OK for the price but if you eat a lot of rice the Panasonic will do a much better job.
I also have both and i'll tell you what, the sistema rice cooker is more consistent, especially when doing small batches. It comes out perfect everytime. If im cooking for one i use the sistema, 2 cups of water, 1 cup of rice 14minutes and it comes out perfect. If your cooking big batches then sure a proper rice cooker makes sense.
Yup - cooking for a whole family. And the Sistema is not great for brown rice, Japanese rice, basmatic, etc… but if cooking for one I certainly would not bother with the Panasonic!
ALDI have a 10 cup rice cooker on sale starting today.
I went to check for that this morning but there was none. After asking at the cashier they said there was a distribution problem which was affecting other stores as well. Not sure how widespread this is (I'm in Sydney) but pretty annoying given that they have these sales on particular days only and I don't want to keep going back other days just to check if something has come in.
Same thing happened once with a soundbar they had, it wasn't delivered to the store yet so I got told to put my name on a list in front and they would call when it came in. After checking back a few days later they said it was sold out. I said my name was on a list and they replied, oh only the first few people are called on that list and the rest is sold instore. Well what's the point of getting my name if you're not going to call me?
My local didn't get any. (or staff bought them all before opening)
Finally found one at Bondi Junction. They had plenty.
16.02.21
how do you set the time on that aldi rice cooker?
I have one of these, I paid 137 + shipping back in 2019. It's held up well, a bit slow but the rice is great and the bowl is easy to clean, even if you're only cooking a little bit (e.g. one cup). A tiger is a bit better, I'd say the rice is the same quality but the tiger is quicker.
Yep the Tiger brand is the best, mine still working after 10yrs.
Ive had my Panasonic since 11 years ago with fuzzy logic. I almost dont want to replace it with another Panasonic in case it is inferior to the older model but i do need a new bowl soon
The older model was better with 6-Layer Diamond Coating Inner Pan. I bought one 7 years ago and used it daily still looks brand new without a scratch.
All gone :(
Haiyaaaaa!
If you gonna spend so this money on rice cooker, better off spend on Tiger, Zojirushi and cuckoo..
Sure, better point out where to buy a Tiger for $139 delivered.
This one looks like the Tiger cooker (JAXS18A) I bought last year.
Well, most people who doesn't spend more than $100 on rice cookers, probably quite happy with Kmart $20 brand. Pretty sure I saw fairly basic Tiger at Asian Grocer for $199 before
I just got a cheap Russel Hobbs on Amazon yesterday for $39 to replace my 12 yo Tefal (the pot is all scratched otherwise it's still working). Let's see how it'll perform.
For the record, I got the 5 cup version for $118 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/541428 and it's fantastic, and turns out much better rice than an Instant Pot. Would definitely recommend, it's better than the DF101WST/DF181WST in every way (had one of those for years before upgrading), I think it cooks more like a Tiger/Zojirushi than a cheap rice cooker and it's way cheaper. This was a great deal
paid $219 ridiculous
So colander and pot is out of the question?
Can't make pilaf. Hard pass for Balkans/ Middle Easterners/ Siberian Asians.
Why can't it? Just mix everything in a pot and transfer to rice cooker.
Pilaf requires that you first brown the rice in oil before adding the water / stock. Don't know where a rice cooker fits into this equation. If I 'brown' it in the pot until it clumps (we add water when it clumps together, brown in this case is a relative term) then I would just add the liquid in the same pot and continue.
No one that has a rice cooker that I know of makes pilaf so I can't guage the success rate of the rice. I've asked around and apparently making rice in a saucepan is "complicated".
Anyways, this seems to be geared towards on type of rice and would just end up taking up space.
You're looking for the Philips All in One that can do both browning and pressure rice cooking among many other things.
https://www.philips.com.au/c-m-ho/cooking/all-in-one-cooker/…
https://www.amazon.com.au/Collection-Anti-Scratch-ProCeramic…
Hainanese chicken rice is similar to pilaf. The rice has to be browned first then transfered to the rice cooker with less water than usual.
I've asked around and apparently making rice in a saucepan is "complicated".
It's only complicated if you haven't made it before.
When you buy a rice cooker consider to buy pressure rice cooker. The taste of the rice completely differently. Of course it is more expansive but you use it maybe ten years. To me no pressure cooker means no thanks.
How much you paid for the pressure rice cooker and what type of rice you used?
I paid between $400 and $500 (bought years ago) for 10 cups pressure cooker in a Korean grocery shop and use medium, long or mixed rice. All great. Also I use it for other food like dimsum, sweet potato, sweet corns, dumpling and etc. It has many functions for various cook.
Back again at $139
Just noticed it and ordered one! 7% cashreward as well!
Double check the fine print on Cashrewards. They say "Up to 7%" but the electronics category is only 4%.
Thanks for the checking. 4% - better than nothing :)
How is this compared to breville fuzzy logic? https://beauviewbbq.com.au/the-smart-rice-box/?setCurrencyId…