Ceramic vs Stainless Steel Rice Cooker: Which is Better?
Table of Contents
Rice cookers are life-saving devices in the kitchen because they produce perfect results every time. All one has to do is simply load up their grains in the inner pot, choose among the presets that their rice cooker offers, close the lid, wait for it to be done, and voila! Soft, fluffy, and warm rice any time of the day.
There are numerous types and brands of rice cookers out there and certainly, choosing one to use can be quite difficult. Anyone buying a rice cooker would have to consider multiple factors such as cup yield, size, features, and perhaps the most important aspect of all, choosing the inner pot material. After all, the inner pot acts as a container to cook grains.
Many rice cookers have an inner pot made from aluminum with a non-stick coating called Teflon. However, over time, the non-stick coating imposes serious health risks once burnt. Due to that, most rice cooker manufacturers now employ the use of stainless steel or ceramic inner pots. Read on to learn more about their unique features and to know which one will suit you best.
What is the Best Material for Rice Cooker?
Aluminum, Teflon, ceramic, and stainless steel are some of the different materials used in producing rice cooker pots. Most rice cooker manufacturers use aluminum with a non-stick surface called Teflon. The Teflon coating is highly useful as it prevents rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. It can also withstand cooking temperatures of more than 500 F, which is more than suitable for rice cooking as that usually only reaches 212 F.
However, rice cooker pots with a Teflon coating can be a health hazard the moment it is burnt or scratched. Once the non-stick Teflon surface is scratched, it can release dangerous chemicals and may contaminate our food and body organs. The toxic material Teflon is made of can cause liver diseases, testicular cancer, and thyroid disorders.
Fortunately, many rice cooker manufacturers have chosen to part ways with non-stick coatings like Teflon and now use safer and healthier alternatives. These days, materials such as ceramic and stainless steel are the most popular choices for rice cooker pots. Both ceramic and stainless steel have notable features that make them safer and healthier than the usual aluminum Teflon.
Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless steel is a popular choice when it comes to rice cooker inner pots. Stainless steel inner pots are highly believed to be near indestructible. Aside from being durable, a stainless steel inner pot is also affordable. A stainless steel inner pot can also preserve flavor as it is a non-reactive material. It will not give off any color, odor, or taste that may affect rice.
A stainless steel inner pot is also pretty aesthetically pleasing. You won’t have to worry a lot about your rice cooker rusting as stainless steel is a non-corroding and non-warping metal. Additionally, a stainless steel rice cooker is also easy to manage and sanitize; you won’t have a difficult time cleaning it.
Ceramic Rice Cookers
Recently, ceramic inner pots have been rising in popularity. Ceramic pots do not contain chemicals and a kiln-glazed instead of coated or dipped like how most pots are made of. Apart from being toxic and chemical-free, a ceramic rice cooker also conducts heat well, warming the grains evenly and preventing you from burning your food.
Is Ceramic Good for Cooking Rice?
A ceramic inner pot is great for cooking grains because it distributes heat evenly and heats up fast as well.
Does Rice Stick to Ceramic?
Not at all! The ceramic coating is also non-stick but will not cause any chemical contamination, unlike Teflon surfaces.
Stainless Steel Rice Cooker vs Ceramic Rice Cooker Comparison
Both ceramic and stainless steel are great materials. However, if you should only choose one of them, then there are a couple of factors and features that you should consider carefully.
Durability
Investing in devices and appliances that are highly durable is essential, especially if it’s an item that you will be using daily. A stainless steel rice cooker may undergo discoloration over time due to high heat but it can withstand breakage even when dropped. On the other hand, a ceramic rice cooker is highly vulnerable and can break easily.
Safety
Generally, a ceramic inner pot is safer than a stainless steel inner pot. According to most experts, ceramic inner pots are close to almost natural since they are made of clay. Although, there are cheaper brands out there that only use a sprayed-on ceramic coating instead of a ceramic inner pot that is baked and glazed.
A stainless steel inner pot is still made of metal, which can get burned and scratch in the long run. Tiny metal parts may contaminate food. Although, it should still be noted that stainless steel inner pots are still safer and healthier than aluminum Teflon cookers.
Ease of Use
If you’re a beginner, you may be looking for a kitchen device that’s convenient to use. A ceramic rice cooker may be a good choice compared to a stainless steel one. Ceramic inner pots are easier to use because they distribute evenly and grains don’t stick on the surface. A stainless steel inner pot can also withstand a variety of heat temperatures but will cook more unevenly than ceramic.
Price
When it comes to price, there is a slight difference between a stainless steel cooker and a ceramic rice cooker. Stainless steel pots are more expensive than aluminum Teflon pots but are cheaper than ceramic inner pots.
Bottomline
When it comes to kitchen appliances, the rice cooker is one that is highly dependable. Aside from the almost magical capability of making rice, quality rice cookers can also whip up soups, stews, porridge, oatmeal, and even cake. The inner pot of a rice cooker is highly important as it is where the cooking happens.
Ceramic and stainless steel are two materials that are highly popular because of their respective features. Ceramic inner pots are quite premium, distribute heat evenly, and have an all-natural quality to them. However, a ceramic rice cooker can also be quite pricey and need to be used with care.
A stainless steel inner pot is more affordable than a ceramic one. Stainless steel cookers are also highly durable and versatile. Although, it does come with some caveats. Stainless steel cookers are still made of metal and can be prone to discoloration over time.
Overall, both materials are good to use, safe, and more effective than pots with a Teflon surface. Each rice cooker pot has its own qualities and whichever of the two you get, you’ll be sure to have a healthy and delicious meal every time.
Searching for the perfect rice cooker or looking for some delicious recipes? Check out our reviews and recipes for all of your rice cooking needs.
