Cooking food might be an interesting process if it was not so time and effort consuming! If you truly enjoy spending time in the kitchen cutting, chopping, and frying stuff, it’s OK. But what if you are not? Then various kitchen appliances and devices become very handy!
The two of them that are among the most popular these days are a rice cooker and a slow cooker. Judging from their names, it may seem to you that there is no big difference between these two. However, it is not quite right. And today we will explain what are the major distinctions that make these kitchen helpers unique each in its own way.
What Is The Difference Between a Slow Cooker And a Rice Cooker?
So what makes these two seemingly similar devices distinct? Well, the major difference is in what kind of heat each of them produces. Depending on that, they will also differ in how they use heat for cooking food, as well as in what types of dishes we can make using each of these kitchen appliances.
- A slow cooker distributes heat evenly and slowly. It means that, even if we leave a roast in it for hours, in the end we will get a tender and properly cooked meal.
- A rice cooker, on the contrary, produces heat fast. Its goal is to bring food in it to a quick boil. This is why it delivers intensive steam which makes rice fluffy and our veggies properly cooked.
So as you could already guess, a rice cooker is simply not able to do all the cooking tasks that a slow cooker can do. And vice versa, a slow cooker will not manage some of the tasks that a rice cooker is meant for.
How to Choose Between a Rice Cooker And a Slow Cooker? Or Shall We Buy Both?
What shall you do if you can’t choose which one to buy? Well, the optimal choice would be to buy both to harmoniously accompany each other. For instance, while you are steaming veggies in a slow cooker, your rice will be getting ready in a rice cooking machine. Or, while making a dessert in a slow cooker, you will be able to simultaneously cook chicken for the main course for dinner!
However, if this is not an option for you right now (for instance, because it is too expensive or you don’t have enough space for both in your kitchen), we would recommend you opt for a slow cooker. It will be way more handy when it comes to cooking daily meals, besides, this kind of kitchen appliance is suitable for most of the cooking tasks you normally do on a daily basis.
Nevertheless, if you are still making your choice, take into consideration the following nuances and features of each of these kitchen appliances to be able to make a right choice you will not regret later.
| Size Range | Cook Time | Cook Modes | Types of Food | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slow Cooker | 3-7 quarts | 2-10 hours + more in warming mode | High, low, warm | Roasts, whole chicken, stews, appetizers | Easy to cook, different dishes can be prepared, flexible programming |
| Rice Cooker | 2-30 cups | Less than a few hours | Cook, warm | Rice, whole grains, poultry, veggies, small servings of seafood | Simple to cook rice, ability to cook different types of grains, food -steaming option, can hard-boil eggs |
So like that, with this comparative chart, you will be able to pick the most fitting device depending on what types of meals you serve daily.
Maintaining Rice Cookers And Slow Cookers. Tips And Regulations
When we use a kitchen appliance, it is necessary to not only be aware of how to actually make use of them. It is also important to learn how to keep them in a proper state so that they work longer. If we use wrong cleaning products or methods, we can damage the appliance which will affect its efficiency.
So how shall we take care of a rice cooker or a slow cooker? If you need to wash your rice cooker, always let it cool completely first. Also, never use harsh abrasives or harsh/metal sponges for scrubbing the inner bowl, otherwise, you will leave deep scratches on its walls.
Wash the rice cooker bowl with soapy and warm water using a mild detergent and a soft sponge.
When the bowl is clean, dry it thoroughly before putting it back into the cooker. As for the external cleaning, we would recommend using a clean and damp cloth.
As for the slow cooker, cleaning it may have certain distinctions. For instance, it is recommended to fill it with water and soap, and turn the device on a low heat to leave like that for an hour. It will allow all the food debris to get loose and detach from the walls of the appliance.
For removing the stubborn baked-on pieces, using a gentle abrasive, such as baking soda, is allowed. And if your slow cooker is really a mess that needs deep cleaning, try out a mixture of baking soda, water and vinegar. Simply fill the appliance with it, turn it on, and let it work like that for an hour. The magical remedy will do its job!
As you could already guess, both a rice cooker and a slow cooker have their own specifications and unique features that make these kitchen devices irreplaceable when making food. However, if you need something that is more or less multitasking, buying a slow cooker will be the better choice.
It is able to cook more different meals, and besides, it has more cooking modes in comparison to the rice cooker. So if rice is not your daily staple, consider opting for a slow cooker instead!
The device is easy to maintain and it is not that pricey, so it won’t affect your budget that much.
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