Review: KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker takes the guesswork out for home cooks

I grew up with eating rice right from the get-go. As a staple food I was taught really early on how to measure and cook long grain white rice on the stove top. Like many Asians, measurements didn't involved cups or spoons. When it came to rice, we used the "one knuckle" method. That was it. One knuckle's worth of water that would sit above the raw rice. Where it got tricky was the vessel used as well as the power of your stove top regardless of whether you used gas, electric, or induction. If I didn't get it right, then the rice would either be undercooked, overcooked, or burnt. 

The skill also involved knowing just the right time to go from boiling water to simmer to allow for the rice to cook evenly. I got it right 98% of the time. Any more time and I would be faced with a sticky rice layer at the bottom of the pot - my parents had convinced me that this slightly crispy overcooked "rice peel" was also worthy of keeping and enjoyed. Of course, I realized that this concept stemmed from not wanting to waste anything even if it wasn't cooked perfectly. 

Of course, we also had a rice cooker growing up. We had what I called the "party size" that allowed us to cook enough rice to last a few meals. We didn't steer away from the long grain rice though. But when I met my husband's family, it was the first time I had tried the nuttier and much harder wild rice. Then, as from travels and from the expanded discovery of various cuisines in Toronto, we had opened a whole world of grains. But little did I know then, that all rice and grains were not cooked the same way. After years of trial and error, I learnt the hard way. 

Traditional rice cookers didn't have the options to simply make whatever grains we desired until now. When I recently discovered the KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker (Model: KGC3155BM) it was a game changer.

This one kitchen appliance takes the guessing out of cooking most grains and rice to perfection. With 21 presets for grains, rice and even beans, it's made meal prep easier than ever (as well as cleaning). In fact, I haven't even tried all the presets yet - so many! But I've also put it to the test with a mixed-grain combination that I've purchased at the asian grocery store (brown rice, brown sweet rice, barley, black rice, green pea and peeled mung bean) and I was happy that the mixture cooked to perfection.

 Salmon rice bowl is a favourite! 

KEY FEATURES: 

Integrated scale: senses and weighs the amount of grains or rice you wish  to cook.

Integrated water tank: built-in water tank is smart enough to release the ideal amount according to weight and type of grain to cook

Grain, Rice, and Bean Options: select what you are cooking with the preset options for the perfect outcome each and every time.

Texture options: prefer your rice with more chew or softer? wetter? a simple touch of a button will allow the machine to identify your preferred texture.

Easy touch screen guide: pretty much fail-proof cooking each time as the guide prompts what you need to do. It also indicates how much time it takes to cook as well as warming mode. 

Easy to clean: non-stick removable pot is super easy to clean in hot soapy water, you can also wash in the dishwasher. the lid insert also easily comes out for washing.

Large capacity: capacity to hold 8 cups (or approximately 3-4 cups of uncooked rice)

Steam basket: makes meal planning easy in one pot. 

 Prepartion and ready to cook

HOW IT WORKS:

The counter top appliance is pretty straight forward to use and truthfully since I've been using it frequently, I have made a permanent space on the counter. Not only is it very versatile in cooking many different staple items, it also looks great. 

But here's what I've discovered so far...

The touchscreen guides the user for the most popular rice, grains, and beans. Very handy even for seasoned AND new home cooks! The prompts guide the user step-by-step seamlessly. 

The detachable water tank takes the guessing out of how much liquid you'll need to use. Fill the tank with fresh water at each use. But note, it's strictly for water. So, if you're hoping to make rice and peas with coconut milk or rice with chicken stock powder or cube, for example, then your other ingredients will go into the pot itself. The appliance will only dispense water into the vessel. 

If you're hesitant about cooking various grains, rice or beans, and the owner's guide can help to explain and give you comfort for the most popular. I did try test it out to cook a multi-grain combo as mentioned and consulted with the manual to get the what I guessed would be the closest preset and I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) that it worked perfectly.  I've also used it to make Sushi rice, purple rice, short grain rice, brown rice, steel-oats, and quinoa. 

Once the cooker recognizes whatever you've put in there is fully cooked, it will continue to "keep warm". So, no need to worry if you've forgotten something on the stovetop that could potentially burn. Two cups of long grain rice takes about 35 minutes to cook in the appliance.

I would also recommend emptying the water tank after each use and let it air dry. Just like any other appliance that has a water tank, I wouldn't let water just sit overnight or a few days on the counter. 

The Steamer Basket comes in handy if you like to simply steam-cook veggies as well. 

For busier lifestyles that like the option to set timers for delayed cooking, it has that as well! So, if you're out at work or running errands, you can program in the timer to cook when you like (up to 24 hours).

Perfect fluffly long grain rice

I did recently give it a real test of going off course and made a one pot Japanese style "Oyakodon" - comfort food made with chicken, eggs, onions, and soy sauce. I loaded in the base with rice then add the raw ingredients over top. The sensors informed me that I had too much food inside the pot so I had to remove some of the ingredients. If I didn't, then it would not cook properly and it could have potentially overflowed. Once I was able to satisfy the sensors it magically cooked everything as I had hoped including the chicken. So, that was a winner for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. 

CLEANING:

Only two parts really need to be cleaned after each use. The main non-stick pot is straightforward to remove and wash easily with soapy water or in the dishwasher. The second part is the sealed lid. Located on the top of the appliance (inside) it has straightforward to remove and quickly wash away and dry. The basket would be washed after each use as well.

The KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker ($269.99 msrp) comes in Black Matte colour and sells at most retailers where you would fine KitchenAid appliances.