The Best Rice Washers
Table of Contents
Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Rice Washers
Cooking rice doesn’t only involve getting cups of grains from your rice dispenser, tossing them in a pot, and adding the ideal amount of water. To ensure the cleanliness and good quality of rice, it’s recommended to rinse the grains first as a preparatory step before the actual rice cooking. This is done by filling the pot with enough water to submerge the grains, stirring the grains to remove impurities and debris, and draining the water out.
Those who eat rice on a daily basis would know washing rice can be difficult. No matter how many times you repeat the method, the water’s still cloudy, indicating that the rice is not yet clean. So you have to wash it over and over again until the rinsing water is all clear. But throughout the process, you’re wasting perfectly good grains of rice as some pieces spill out while draining. Not to mention that you’re spending a lot of time and energy on the cleaning process. That’s exactly why you need a rice washer bowl.
A rice cleaner or washer, which can be made of durable plastic or fine mesh and stainless steel, makes the rice-washing process a world easier, while also making sure that you’re saving each precious grain or small food! Additionally, rice washers can also be used for efficiently cleaning vegetables, fruits, and other food, and most of these models are dishwasher-safe. Check out this guide for the list of the best rice washers or strainers to include in your kitchen accessories!
Which is the Best Rice Washer?
Editor's Choice  Best Overall |  Best Quick and Easy Washing |  Most Versatile |
Kotobuki Japanese Rice Bowl Washer with Double DrainThe Japanese rice washing bowl Kotobuki showcases a unique and functional rice washing feature thanks to its dual strainers at the sides and bottom to achieve thoroughly drained and cleaned rice. | Everyfit Rice Wash SieveWith its small drainage pores, this rice washer bowl was created specifically to filter water with ease. You don't have to worry about spilling any grains when you tilt the rice washing bowl. | Joseph Joseph 40065 Prep & Serve BowlAn all-in-one rice washer, this multifunction bowl can be used beyond washing rice only. It serves as a preparation bowl, colander, and serving bowl—truly a must-have in your kitchen cabinetry. |
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Watch Our Best Rice Washers Video Review
Let’s Go Over Each Strainer Basket
#1: Kotobuki Japanese Bowl With Dual Drain
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Japan is widely known for its specialty rice. It has been a staple food in the country for centuries and is a big part of their history. Whether it be regular Japanese rice for their bento meals or more seasoned sushi rice, they are known to cook it to perfection. How?
Well, aside from the use of their sushi machines and kitchen tools, they put a great deal of importance into washing rice and other foods thoroughly before the actual cooking. They make use of handy rice washers to help them with the preparation.
The best rice washer loved by customers is the Japanese rice washing bowl Kotobuki. It is a multipurpose and durable plastic rice washer bowl with a fine mesh and a footed bottom for easy placement and use, especially when holding several heavy cups of rice grains.
Apart from being a rice washer quinoa strainer, this rice washer bowl is also made for washing fruits, vegetables, and other goods.
The main selling point of this rice washer is its draining system. Unlike most rice washers that only have drainage holes near the mouth of the bowl, the Kotobuki rice washer has rice washer strainers on the bottom and sides to ensure that the dirty rinsing water is thoroughly drained after cleaning.
For further drainage, the washer incorporates a built-in pour spout. In order to see when the water is finally clear, it lets the water pool inside.
Complementing Asian rice cooker brands, this washing bowl with side and bottom holes is the one thing you need in your kitchen to make your rice tastier and cooked to perfection.
Pros and Cons of the Kotobuki Japanese Rice Washing Bowl
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Easy to use ✔️ Can be used as a rinsing bowl ✔️ Has a dual draining system ✔️ Dishwasher-safe | ✖️ Bowl may not be deep enough for others |
#2: Everyfit Rice Wash Sieve
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The Everyfit Rice Wash Sieve is deemed to be a favorite for anyone who constantly eats rice as part of their daily meals. This rice washer strainer was manufactured with the goal of making the rice cleaning process easier and more convenient for its users.
This rice washer bowl was specifically designed to easily filter water with fine drainage holes. You can simply tilt the rice washing bowl by holding the easy-to-hold edge and drain the cloudy water thoroughly.
The form is made to clean rice properly so that it may be cooked into tasty rice while also preventing wasted rice spills during the draining process.
The Everyfit kitchen strainer is the most durable and practical tool for your kitchen, made with high-quality and environmentally friendly material. The thick design of this rice washer makes it long-lasting and suitable for any purpose—whether it be for cleaning rice, fruits, or vegetables, or simply as a fruit bowl, fruit basket, or a kitchen gadget for other goods.
Pros and Cons of the Everyfit Rice Washing Sieve
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Convenient ✔️ Has fine holes ✔️ Dishwasher-safe ✔️ Environmentally-friendly material | ✖️ May be small in size for some |
#3: Joseph Joseph 40065 Prep & Serve Multi-Function Bowl
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The Joseph Joseph brand has been known to manufacture high-quality home kitchen appliances — from rice cookers to utensils and dishes. Among their most sought-after products is the Joseph Joseph 40065 Prep & Serve Multifunction Bowl.
All-in-one convenient design, the multifunction basin is a must-have in your kitchen cabinetry. You get all the perks and functions of an Asian kitchen rice washing bowl as a preparation bowl, colander, and serving bowl.
That means you can save yourself the hassle of transferring ingredients onto several plates, significantly reducing the number of dishes you have to clean up after the cooking cycle.
With the Joseph Joseph 40065, you can rinse, drain (using the easy-tip edge), mix, and even serve an entire dish using a single appliance. Talk about making the rice washing process easy!
Pros and Cons of the Joseph Joseph Prep & Serve Multi-Function Bowl
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Can also be used as a preparation bowl ✔️ Can be used as a serving dish for salad ✔️ Dishwasher-safe ✔️ Has an easy-tip edge | ✖️ Some grains can get stuck in the holes |
#4: Helen’s Asian Kitchen 97123
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If you’re looking for a highly functional yet easy-to-use stainless steel rice washer, the Helen’s Asian Kitchen Rice Washing Bowl 97123 is your ideal choice. This rice washer has a vast range of seemingly minor, but actually very useful features that help make rice washing much easier for you.
This stainless steel washer has a 3-quart washing capacity, which means it economically washes rice in one go. It is equipped with a flat solid base to stabilize the basin and an angled side coupled with a lightweight design that enables you to drain with a simple tip.
The perforated stainless steel strainer can drain excess water quickly while keeping smaller food pieces in so you don’t waste a single grain.
The Helen’s Asian Kitchen rice washing bowl is made with a simple, stainless steel design that makes it a seamless addition to any countertop. Stainless steel is highly durable, ensuring that you enjoy the process of washing rice easily for a long time.
Pros and Cons of the Helen’s Asian Kitchen 97123
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Stainless Steel ✔️ 3-quart washing capacity ✔️ Has a solid base ✔️ Dishwasher-safe | ✖️ Perforations can be too big for long grain rice |
#5: Agatige Rice Washer
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Before you cook your rice, it’s important to remove the dust and tiny debris that accumulated on the surface of the grains. To do that, you’ll need a reliable washer.
Compared to the rest of the washers in this article, the Agatige Rice Washer isn’t shaped like a bowl. Instead, it looks like a water jug.
Specially designed to make rice rinsing easier, this tool from Agatige can cut down significant time and energy during rice preparation. The handle makes it easy to lift and hold when pouring water, and the fine mesh filter on the cover allows for quick drainage while keeping the food in the container at the same time.
Using this is highly convenient and any home cook or professional can use it easily and safely.
Pros and Cons of the Agatige Rice Cleaner
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Made with quality materials ✔️ Quick filtering ✔️ Has handles on top and on the side ✔️ Practical design ✔️ Dishwasher-safe | ✖️ May be small for some users |
#6: OXO Good Grips Rice & Small Grains Washing Colander
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Washing rice is easier when you use an item specially designed to drain only the water and not the grains. This OXO Good Grips Rice & Small Grains Washing Colander pools the water before it drains, allowing you to see when the rice is clean.
The bottom has square drain holes that keep the grains in the bowl while washing all the dirt and impurities away. Aside from the holes at the bottom, the Good Grips colander also features extra drain holes on the side and a built-in pour spout to make rice washing even more convenient.
You won’t have to worry about this colander slipping off your hands as you drain rice. As implied in the name, the Good Grips colander has comfortable non-slip handles on both sides for a better grip while you clean the rice.
Easily shake the water out and pour the grains into pots or bowls as you hold onto the soft and comfortable handles.
Best of all, this colander can be used to wash other foods like quinoa, buckwheat, and barley. You can also use it to wash and strain berries, vegetables, pasta, and more, making it a handy item in the kitchen.
Pros and Cons of the OXO Good Grips Colander
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Has soft, comfortable non-slip handles ✔️ Small square drain holes at the bottom ✔️ Pour spout with extra drain holes ✔️ Great for rinsing rice, grains, and other food | ✖️ Quinoa grains can get stuck in the bottom holes |
What is a Rice Washer?
A rice washer is a product that targets the common pains involved in cleaning rice grains—wasting grains and time. Equipped with easy draining mechanisms, rice washers make it easier for you to rinse and drain the dirty, milky water that comes from cleaning or washing grains like rice, lentils, beans, and even legumes from impurities.
Not only does a rice washer help save you time and energy, but a good rice washer also makes the cleaning process way quicker, while reducing the tendency of wasting water and spilling grains. Rice washers come in different sizes and are usually made of durable yet easy-to-lift materials, with food-grade stainless steel and BPA-free plastic being the best rice washer choices.
Why Do You Need a Strainer in Washing Rice?
At this point, you might be thinking you don’t need another appliance in your kitchen like rice washers or strainers for the mere purpose of washing rice effectively. After all, you can do it manually. But imagine how much time you’re spending on the cleaning process. That just won’t do for busy individuals who only have a few minutes to spare to put food on the table.
There are several benefits to having a rice washer in the whole rice cooking endeavor. With a rice washer, you have a companion helping you with the preparatory steps involved in making your complete meal. Additionally, a rice washer, stainless steel or plastic-made, helps you save more time and energy compared to manually rinsing the rice grains with your hands multiple times. More importantly, you’re ensuring the cleanliness and quality of the rice you’re consuming, making it tastier and softer. This is the reason Japanese rice tastes so good.
If you’re aware of the way grains are taken from the field to the grocery store, you’ll know that cleanliness isn’t always observed. Store-bought grains are filled with chemicals, pesticides, and unpalatable debris and particles. If you don’t wash the rice using a rice washer, kitchen strainer, or a rice washing machine before popping it into the cooker, the starch attached to the rice may result in cooked rice with an unappetizing texture and impure taste.
It is a whole lot quicker and simpler to wash rice using any model of rice washer and enjoy delicious, clean rice all rice lovers will surely swear by. But if you make the extra effort to wash rice before cooking it, you’ll flush out the starch—hence the cloudy texture. Removing this layer will offer delicious rice, while improving its water absorption, giving rice its soft and fluffy texture.
Industrial and Commercial Rice Grains Washers: How Do They Work?
A commercial rice washer is popularly used in restaurants, supermarkets, cafeterias, and the like. It allows people to wash rice in large quantities with minimal labor and fast results. Instead of adding tap or cold water, washing rice, pouring out milk water, and repeating the process several times, commercial ones reduce the amount of water needed and speed up the process of washing thanks to special techniques and automation.
With the use of a commercial rice washer and a large-capacity rice cooker, sushi rice, and other rice dishes can be quickly and easily made in restaurants. A lot of commercial rice washers are also made with stainless steel for durability.
What Is the Best Strainer for Washing Rice?
The best rice washing bowl is the Kotobuki Japanese Rice Washing Bowl. A robust washing basin, it has a dual drain system that ensures the dirty rinsing liquid is thoroughly drained and the clean grains remain inside the container. This Japanese rice washing bowl also has a built-in pour spout and side and bottom holes.
How Do the Japanese Wash Rice?
Many Japanese people also use a washing basin to remove dust and debris and reduce the excess starch in rice.
What Bowl to Wash Rice In?
You can use any of the recommended washers listed in this article. If you don’t have access to any of them, you can also use a colander.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tool to rinse rice?
Having a rice washer by your side will make it easier for you to cook rice and prepare your entire dinner. In comparison to repeatedly hand-rinsing the grains, a rice washer made of stainless steel or plastic also allows you to save more time and energy. What’s more, you’re making sure the rice you’re eating is pure and of high quality, which makes it tastier and softer.
Is there a rice cooker that washes the rice for you?
Surprisingly, yes, there are multicookers or rice cookers that also function as steamers, slow cookers, pressure cookers, and rice washers. It’s impressive how nicely these features can function in one rice cooker. Consider Zojirushi, which has a flair for combining cutting-edge technology in its sophisticated rice cookers. It only makes sense that the majority of its rice cooker models can also rinse, wash, and do other things.
What is the difference between a colander and a strainer?
Colanders are large deep bowls that are usually made of stainless steel and have tiny holes in them. A colander has handles on the sides, allowing users to hold it under the water. Moreover, a colander has a solid ring base at the bottom, allowing it to stand on its own.
On the other hand, unlike the handles of a rice washing colander, strainers have a single handle and are usually made with fine mesh or stainless steel, either fine or coarse, depending on the type and usage.
Conclusion
Don’t just rely on your cooker to yield tasty and fluffy rice. A rice cooker makes the cooking process simpler, but no matter how advanced your rice cooker is, you’ll need to do your part in going through the preparatory step of rinsing the grains to ensure good results.
Save yourself serious time and energy by investing in a handy rice washer bowl. Rice washing will no longer feel like a chore with the right rinser. Plus, you’ll be consuming the best quality rice every time.
Editor’s Choice
Kotobuki Japanese Bowl With Dual Drain
The Kotobuki Japanese Bowl is definitely a consumer favorite. With its simple design and functional build, it’s a seamless addition to any kitchen.
It is equipped with double drainage systems—the bottom and the side drainers, helping you better filter out the dirty water after rinsing the rice or quinoa and keep your grain or rice clean and perfect.
The footed bottom was added to keep the washer in place during the process, creating an easier and more stable rice-washing experience.
Aside from being a rice washer-quinoa strainer, the Kotobuki rice cleaning machine can be used for washing vegetables, fruits, and other goods—definitely a suitable washer for any kitchen.
