Rice is a universally popular ingredient that can provide a base for great meals. To make rice though, the conventional way, you make it by putting grains of rice into boiling water. Then you must hover over the pot waiting for your grains to cook. When travelling, backpacking and camping you cannot always do this as you may not have access to cooking utensils. But if you love rice in your meals there is an option to ensure you get great cooked rice all the time. And that is with a rice cooker. Yes, a rice cooker can be your best friend at dinner time. I know, because it has become one of mine. By using a rice cooker you can then focus on preparing the rest of your meal. Here is my review on some of the best rice cookers to take travelling, backpacking and camping.
Table of Contents
Advantages of a Rice Cooker
Rice cookers are a great addition to any kitchen gadgets to travel with. They have a number of advantages. They:
- Cook rice automatically. No need for you to keep stirring and watching it.
- Keep your rice warm.
- Turn off automatically when rice is cooked.
- Are easy to clean as most of them use non-stick technology.
- Some models have settings that allow for steaming vegetables or cooking soups, stews and oatmeal.
Disadvantages of a Rice Cooker
- The rice can burn if you have a rice cooker without non-stick technology and it can then stick to the surfaces, even burning the rice.
- They take up room in your luggage and space on your bench.
How to Choose the Best Rice Cooker to Travel With
Choosing the best rice cooker to travel will depend on your travel plans. Things to consider are:
- How many people are travelling. This will determine the size of rice cooker you should get.
- Will you have access to electricity, as most of them require it.
- Will the rice cooker cook both white and brown rice.
- How many features do you want on your rice cooker – like keep warm setting.
How Do Rice Cookers Work?
It is pretty simple really. Rice cookers have five main parts that enable it to work. There is an insulated outer container, a non-stick removable inner cooking pot, a heating element, a lid and a number of thermal sensors which let you know when the rice is cooked. Basically, you put the rice in the pot with water and all these elements work together to cook your rice. While it is cooking you can then make something else to go with the rice.
How Much Should I Spend on a Rice Cooker?
How much you spend on a rice cooker will depend on your budget and the features you want your rice cooker to have.
What Sizes Do Rice Cookers Come In?
When it comes to the size of your rice cooker, you will want one that can make enough to feed everyone who is travelling. If you are solo travelling then a one cup rice cooker should suffice. If travelling in a two-some, then a two cup rice cooker would suit. If travelling in a family of 3 or more, then get a rice cooker that takes 3 or more cups of rice. Keep in mind, when choosing a rice cooker, that one cup of uncooked rice makes 3 cups of cooked rice. If you are travelling solo, a 1 cup rice cooker may be all you need.
Best Rice Cookers for Travel, Backpacking and Camping
2 Cup Rice Cooker for Travel
- 1.0L Mini Rice Cooker – suitable for 1-2 people
- 2 cups uncooked
- Takes 15 minutes to cook
- Has a removable non-stick pot
- Keep Warm button
- Also for cooking soup, stews and oatmeal.
1.5 Cup Mini Rice Steamer
- Cook & keep warm functions – 1 touch operation
- Removable nonstick-coated cooking pot
- Capacity: 3 cups Cooked Rice; 1.5 cups Uncooked Rice
3 Cup Rice Cooker for Travel
- Takes 3 Cups uncooked rice for 2-4 people.
- 1.6L, still small and portable.
- Multi-cooker for brown rice, white rice, quinoa, and grains.
- Easy touch controls.
4 Cup Rice Cooker – Very Popular for Families
- 4 Cup uncooked, 8 Cup cooked suitable for a family of 4-6 people
- Multi-Functional Use allowing you to make not only rice but jambalaya, steamed veggies and cakes.
- Has pre-set functions and Keep Warm mode.
- 15-Hour Delay Timer allow you to program start time for busy families on the go sightseeing.
- Very durable with non-stick inner pot, steam tray, rice measuring cup and serving spatula.
Mini Rice Cooker 2.5 Cups (Uncooked)
- Only 1.2L, yet can take 2.5 cups of uncooked rice, making 5 cups of cooked rice.
- Great for 1-3 people.
- Cooks rice and steams food plus can cook grains and oats.
- Has a handle to easily carry around.
Are You Ready to Make Great Rice Dishes When You Travel?
Armed with a portable rice cooker you will be able to make easy and healthy meals while you travel.
Easy Rice Dishes
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