The Best Commercial Rice Cookers
Your Ultimate Guide to Commercial Rice Cookers
Cooking rice with the use of a rice cooker in a household is an easy feat, whether it’s a basic cooker or a digital, technologically advanced one. But what happens when you need to cook large quantities of rice at once and numerous times throughout the day? Not to mention, you also need to keep the rice warm for several hours. This is where commercial cookers come in.
The best commercial cooker can yield numerous cups of rice beyond the capacity of the regular household cooker. They also have certain features and functions that set them apart from a normal cooker and mostly come in a set with a rice measuring cup, rice spatula, and scoop.
Writing reviews of the most exceptional commercial rice cookers isn’t the only thing that we do here at We Know Rice, but we also whip up guides on various items that make your life easier in the kitchen. Discover the great benefits and features of the top commercial cookers have to offer in your food business. Check them out!
Which Commercial Rice Cooker Is Best?
- 5 rice cookers compared on the same points
- No brand pays to appear or to rank higher
- Updated when models change or are discontinued
Our top picks
Editor’s choice
Best Overall
Hamilton Beach Proctor-Silex 37560R 60 Cup Rice Cooker
The Hamilton Beach 37560R is arguably the top commercial cooker in the kitchen thanks to its amazing features and high level of durability.
Largest Capacity
Hamilton Beach 90 Cup 37590 Rice Cooker
The Hamilton Beach 37590 is worth the look of every busy establishment owner who needs an enormous cooker to produce large quantities of fresh and hot rice.
Most Durable
Hamilton Beach 40 Cup 37540 Rice Cooker
Smooth and sturdy, the Hamilton Beach 37540 can weather constant use in a high-demand food business and serve fresh warm rice quickly.
Compared at a glance
| Photo | Model | Best for | Highlights | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach Proctor-Silex 37560R 60 Cup Rice Cooker | Best Overall | 60 cups cooked rice capacity |
Check price
$399.00 |
|
| Hamilton Beach 90 Cup 37590 Rice Cooker | Largest Capacity | — | Check price | |
| Hamilton Beach 40 Cup 37540 Rice Cooker | Most Durable | Large capacity suitable for high-volume service |
Check price
$329.00 |
|
| Rinnai 55 Cup Natural Gas Rice Cooker RER55ASN | — | 55 cups uncooked, 110 cups cooked |
Check price
$973.99 |
|
| Panasonic SR-42HZP 23-Cup | — | — |
Check price
$229.49 |
Every pick reviewed
#1 Best Overall
Hamilton Beach Proctor-Silex 37560R 60 Cup Rice Cooker
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Commercial rice cookers are built to last and Hamilton Beach has made certain that its products deliver for a long time.
The Hamilton Beach Proctor-Silex 37560R is one that’s highly durable and comes with a great set of features, making it the best one for any commercial kitchen. It has a cooked capacity of 60 cups (30 cups of uncooked rice), making it ideal in a restaurant setting.
It has a non-stick aluminum pot that is removable and easy to clean. With its visible water line markings, you’ll have an accurate liquid measurement reading every time.
The 37560R has a stainless steel exterior, making it sturdy for continuous use. The 37560R also has a hinged lid, allowing it to open and close easily.
It can cook different rice varieties such as white, brown rice, jasmine, and basmati. Beyond that, this cooker can also help you make grits, oatmeal, yellow rice or sticky rice recipes, and even macaroni and cheese.
The 37560R automatically switches to the warm mode once it’s done, keeping your rice warm for hours.
Read our full Hamilton Beach Proctor-Silex 37560R 60 Cup Rice Cooker review
What we like
- 60 cups cooked rice capacity
- One-touch operation
- Automatic Keep Warm mode
- Insulated double-wall stainless steel construction
- Nonstick aluminum inner pot
- Can also be used for pasta, soups, and stews
What we don’t
- Not for household use
$399.00
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#2 Largest Capacity
Hamilton Beach 90 Cup 37590 Rice Cooker
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
As one of the best home and kitchen brands, Hamilton Beach is unbeatable when it comes to producing a premium, top-grade commercial electric cooker. It comes in different sizes, and this one is no exception.
If you have an insanely busy diner in your hands and something that can make a massive batch of perfectly cooked rice, the Hamilton Beach 37590 is certainly one of the best commercial rice cookers in the market today.
Yes, you read that right. This beast is capable of making up to 90 cups of rice, and you’ll be able to produce rice evenly and provide food for every single customer in your restaurant without any worries!
Boasting 2500W of power, the 37590 can also make other foods such as oats, soups, stews, and even pasta. It has a user-friendly digital control on the front, allowing you to program functions with just a touch of a button. It also has a non-stick removable inner pan that ensures the rice is even on all sides.
It features a durable insulated, double-wall stainless steel construction, offering long-lasting durability and easy cleaning. Moreover, this commercial kitchen appliance has a condensation water catcher that collects water released during the cooking cycle.
The 35790 also automatically switches to the warming function once the rice is done, keeping it at the optimal temperature for extended periods.
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#3 Most Durable
Hamilton Beach 40 Cup 37540 Rice Cooker
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Durability and versatility are highly important when buying kitchen appliances, especially when choosing one for commercial use. Since these cookers are to be used in a high-demand environment, they must be sturdy and run smoothly. One of the most durable commercial cookers that we know of is the Hamilton Beach 37540.
If your diner doesn’t have any downtime, having rice done quickly and staying warm in a pan is essential. Speed is critical too, and that’s what the Hamilton Beach 37540 is good at.
With its insulated dual-wall stainless construction, the 37540 can deliver fresh rice in a flash and keep it warmed at a perfect temperature. It is also perfect for a family party or company catering if you’re looking to produce rice in large quantities.
It’s equipped with a non-stick pot and has a press-button trigger handle function for easy scooping. Similar to other Hamilton Beach models, this machine includes a rice measuring cup, paddle or rice spatula, and a moisture collector in the box to complete it all up.
Read our full Hamilton Beach 40 Cup 37540 Rice Cooker review
What we like
- Large capacity suitable for high-volume service
- Automatic keep-warm mode
- Hinged lid saves space and keeps heat in
- Durable double-wall construction
- Easy to clean and maintain
- ETL certified for commercial use
What we don’t
- Bulky size may not fit small kitchens
- No digital controls or timer
- Basic functionality (no multi-cook modes)
$329.00
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#4
Rinnai 55 Cup Natural Gas Rice Cooker RER55ASN
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The majority of food establishments most likely use an electric cooker in their kitchens, but a lot of people prefer the use of gas cookers.
Commercial cookers powered by gas save establishments when it comes to their electric consumption. Moreover, they can also elevate the quality and taste of the rice.
The Rinnai RER55ASN is a commercial gas cooker that uses natural gas for more efficient cooking. It features an accurate and dependable thermostat, delivering consistent results and ensuring that you won’t end up overcooking or burning your rice. This unit is equipped with an enamel outer casing with an aluminum pot and yields up to 55 cups of rice.
If you’re worried about safety while using this device, fret not for the RER55ASN comes with a flame failure safety device. It is also certified by the Canadian Standards Association and by the National Sanitation Foundation.
Read our full Rinnai 55 Cup Natural Gas Rice Cooker RER55ASN review
What we like
- 55 cups uncooked, 110 cups cooked
- Gas-operated rice cooker
- Automatic two-stage burner and automatic simmer function with accurate thermostat
- Aluminum inner pot
- Enamel casing
What we don’t
- Can only be used with natural gas
- Pipes have to be cleaned regularly
$973.99
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#5
Panasonic SR-42HZP 23-Cup
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
When it comes to restaurants, safety is an utmost priority, not only for you but for your customers as well. Therefore, it’s important to use a reliable appliance that won’t cause any harm to you and your establishment.
The Panasonic SR-42HZP provides that reliability, and since this NSF-approved Panasonic commercial cooker has the complete necessary features of its kind, it’s also a great value for your money.
The unit has a built-in thermal safety fuse that provides protection from overheating, making this unit safe to use throughout the day. It comes with a stainless cover and a removable and easy-to-clean pan liner.
With its 23 servings of uncooked rice or 46 servings of fresh and hot rice, this is a great option for food establishments that have a more rice-centered menu. Not only does it cook perfect rice, but it can also keep the fluffy grains warm for up to two hours.
$229.49
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So, which one should you buy?
Conclusion
With some of the best commercial cookers out there in the market, your food establishment won’t have a difficult time anymore when it comes to bigger rice cooking capacity and serving your customers! We made sure to only list the items with high ratings and reviews as they’re the best of the best, after all. We hope that this guide has been helpful and that you’ll find the best for your dining establishment.
Interested in other brands of cookers? Check out our rice cooker reviews. If you’re looking for one to use at home on a regular basis, perhaps a small rice cooker will be more suited to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Company Rice Cooker Is Best?
There is no singular answer to this question as the best may vary according to one’s preferences. However, several brands stand out from the rest. These are Zojirushi, Tiger, Hamilton Beach, Aroma, and Cuckoo. All these brands offer cookers that have the complete package, from aesthetics to features.
What do restaurants use to cook rice?
Professional kitchens almost always serve multitudes of customers daily. Making rice in small batches and on the stove is not an ideal option for them as that method is time-consuming, energy-consuming, and does not ensure consistency.
Restaurants use a commercial cooker to produce rice as it allows them to make big batches, guaranteeing that the rice cooks evenly at the right temperature. Some establishments opt for ones that have a stainless steel inner pot as they are robust while some choose materials such as aluminum, copper, or ceramic. Some also use these appliances to make oats, soups, stews, or pasta.
What is the no. 1 rice cooker?
There are cookers out there and they all vary in capacity, features, looks, materials, and more. The best one for a person may not be the best choice for another, which is why there is no single answer to this question.
However, if you want to ensure that you’re using a high-quality cooker that not only makes rice but also cooks other foods like soups, stews, oats, noodles, pasta, and the like, you can check out brands such as Zojirushi, Tiger, Cuckoo, Hamilton Beach, and Aroma.
Do pro chefs use rice cookers?
Yes, they do. Many pro chefs use rice cookers to produce rice that has consistent quality, taste, and texture. Producing fresh and hot rice in large batches is much easier with a cooker than doing so in a small pan over the stove.
What rice cooker do Japanese use?
Many Japanese households use Japan-made cookers like Zojirushi, Tiger, and Panasonic. These brands offer dependable kitchen appliances that can make rice, oats, porridge, soups, stews, or even bake bread and cakes.