Cooking rice can sometimes be a daunting task, but fear not! We’re here to lend a hand. In this post, we’ll explore two of the most popular rice cookers on the market: the Aroma Select Stainless® Rice & Grain Cooker and the Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker.
The Two Types of Aroma Rice Cookers We’ll Cover in This Post
The Aroma Select Stainless® Rice & Grain Cooker is a simple yet efficient rice cooker. Equipped with a 100% food-grade 304 stainless steel pot, it can effortlessly cook rice and various grains. With its single-button system, cooking rice has never been easier. Available in white, red, and black, as well as a larger 14-cup size, this cooker is perfect for those who value simplicity in their rice-cooking process.
On the other hand, the Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker offers more versatility. Not only can it cook rice to perfection, but it can also prepare oatmeal, other grains, chili, and steam vegetables. Featuring a digital screen and a delay timer for planned meals, this multicooker takes rice cooking to the next level. With its ceramic non-stick coating and an eight-cup capacity, the Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker provides consistent and plump rice grains.
Between these two machines, our preference leans towards the Aroma Digital. It boasts even rice consistency, thanks to its induction heating element, which ensures even cooking throughout the chamber. In comparison, the Aroma Select Stainless, with its single hot plate heating, may result in unevenly cooked or slightly hard rice grains. Additionally, the Aroma Digital’s loud beep notification when the rice is finished is more reliable than the Aroma Select Stainless, which only switches from “on” to “warm.”
The Aroma Rice Cooker Manuals
Each Aroma rice cooker comes with a detailed manual that provides instructions on the rice-to-water ratio and cooking guidelines. These manuals also include specific rice measuring cups to ensure accurate measurements. It’s important to note that one rice measuring cup is equivalent to ¾ of a traditional measuring cup. While both models share similar measurements for cooking white rice, the instructions are presented differently in each manual.
The Aroma Digital recommends a 1:1.33 ratio of rice to water, meaning for every 1 cup of rice, add 1 ⅓ cups of water. On the other hand, the Aroma Select Stainless suggests using 2 cups of rice and filling the water up to line 2 inside the pot, which roughly amounts to 16 fluid ounces (480 ml) or two traditional liquid measuring cups. This ratio leans towards a 1:1 proportion, similar to our recipe for the National brand rice cooker.
If you need additional guidance, you can find the manuals for the Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker here and the Select Stainless® Rice & Grain Cooker here.
How Much Rice Should You Use?
When using these rice cookers, it is essential to know the maximum amount of rice each cooker can handle. The Aroma Digital can cook between two to eight cups of cooked rice per batch, while the Aroma Select Stainless accommodates two to six cups. It’s important to refer to the rice measuring scoop provided with each rice cooker, as it differs from traditional measuring cups.
Do You Need to Wash the Rice?
Absolutely! Washing rice is crucial, as it helps remove any excess dirt, debris, and starch left over from processing. By doing so, you prevent your rice from turning mushy. However, it’s worth noting that washing rice may remove some nutrients present in enriched rice.
Rice-to-Water Ratio for Aroma Rice Cookers
In my experience, the ideal rice-to-water ratio for the Aroma Select Stainless is 1:1, while for the Aroma Digital, it’s 1:1.33. It’s important to remember that each cooker comes with its own measuring scoop, which measures about ¾ cup. When using a traditional dry measuring cup, be sure to use the ¾ cup scoop instead of a full one-cup measure. It’s also essential to follow the correct table provided in each manual, as they have different instructions for brown rice and grains.
For more rice recipes, check out the links below:
- Jasmine rice in an Instant Pot
- White rice in a rice cooker
- Brown rice in a rice cooker
- White rice in a microwave
- Brown rice in a microwave
- White rice in an Instant Pot
- Brown rice in an Instant Pot
- How to cook sticky rice
- How to make sushi rice
- Instant Pot Basmati rice
How to Troubleshoot Your Rice and Recipe
Sometimes, we encounter hiccups while cooking rice. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- If your rice turns out too hard, it means you need more water. To fix this, place the rice in a microwave-safe bowl and add approximately two tablespoons of water over the rice. Cover the bowl with a towel and microwave it in 30-second increments until the rice becomes soft and tender. If necessary, gradually add more water and continue microwaving.
- If your rice becomes too wet and mushy, it means you used too much water. Unfortunately, you cannot remove excess water from cooked rice. To prevent this in the future, be sure to reduce the water amount in the ratio when cooking rice. If you don’t want to waste the rice, consider repurposing it to make cháo gà (Vietnamese chicken rice porridge / congee).
How to Clean Your Rice Cookers
When it comes to cleaning your rice cookers, make sure to wait until the rice pot has fully cooled. For the Aroma Select Stainless, you can use soapy water to clean the inner chamber and glass lid in the sink. Ensure that everything is dry before using the cooker again.
Cleaning the Aroma Digital involves washing the inner rice pot, any unattached accessories (rice paddle, rice cup), the inner lid, and the condensation collector. Rinse them with soapy water to remove any debris and then dry thoroughly on a dish rack or with a towel. Avoid using hard metal sponges, as they may damage the non-stick ceramic coating. Remember to dry all parts completely before using the rice cooker again.
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