I've had several brands. A Hitachi (long ago), a small one in whatever that brand is that Walgreens sells (often with the rebate), and a large one now, some other brand, but I'm at work and can't remember what it is. As a matter of fact, I found them all to be the same. How complicated can a rice steamer be? Others may have different experience, or be pickier about the rice than I am. However, if I were buying another, I wouldn't bother much about the brand.

 

No self-respecting Asian household would be without either a National brand rice cooker. Mine is probably 15 years old and still works as well as the day I bought it.

 

No self-respecting Asian household would be without either a National brand rice cooker.

We have an ItaliAsian household :lol: but we always have a rice steamer.

I bought some imported model at the Cambodian market a few years ago and hated it. I then bought a simple model that looks like a crockpot, not the newer electronic control panel things. I love it!

I don't have the model number, but it's a Sanyo.
http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/ProductDetail.aspx?R=315027&ccaid=FNFROOG315027

 

I have also heard that Zoroishi (?) is very good, but I expect my National to carry me to my grave. My mother also has a National, as does my sister.

 

Thank you ladies!
I guess National is also known as Panasonic? Do you have the fancy digital one or just a regular? This one looks like it might suit my needs Amazon.com: Panasonic SR-G10G 450-Watt 5-1/2-Cup Rice Cooker and Steamer: Home & Garden thoughts? I don't want the non stick coating (just peels after a while).

Madhen, as I was searching about rice cookers, I saw your name pop up a couple times & was hoping you'd answer this thread. You sounded like you know & love yours,lol.

 

No, mine is the old pop-up button type. Plain old aluminum (I think) basket. It is fifteen years old - I don't think they had invented Teflon yet!! For that matter, not sure there were any digital appliances, either!

If you look in my Messy Home album, there is a picture of it along with my other small appliances. It is a smaller one, but makes enough rice for me to typically freeze several bags each time I cook in it. I have done short-grain white rice, long-grain white rice, brown rice, wild rice, and several of those flavoured box rices in it, with no problems.

 

I bought mine for approx. $18 at Target (I think it was on sale). I love it. The only thing I don't like is that the rice sticks to the bottom of the pan if you leave it on the warm setting when it's done cooking. Definitely worth every penny, and it also has a steamer basket, which also rocks.

Aroma ARC-737-1NG 7 Cup Non Stick Cooking Pot with Steam Tray

 

My old National has a steamer plate, but my old thing doesn't have a warming mode, so no rice stuck on the bottom. However, rice does stay hot in it for quite a while after cooking.

I just pop the basket into the sink and let it soak about 10 minutes in cold water, then swish it out with a rag. (My mother, uber-frugal, puts a little hot water in it and scrapes all remaining rice grains and "glue" up and eats it like a broth before washing the pot out.)

 

I just picked this one up at Super Target and like it a lot. (Amazon.com: Aroma 8-Cup Cool-Touch Rice Cooker: Home & Garden ) Especially for the price it gets the job done well and is pretty easy to clean up. It is $5.00 less on Amazon.com and w/ free shipping, btw.

Last year I tried to go with a cheaper one (Amazon.com: Rival RC61 3-Cup Rice Cooker, Red: Home & Garden ) and it was AWFUL. It never cooked a batch evenly and and it spit hot water everywhere on the counter.

 

Holy MOly that panasonic is expensive!

Ours was bought on sale at walmart for like 6 bucks.. works perfect, no problems.. looks just like that one actually.

My parents have one from when they got married way back when thats all olive green and it is still kicking, have no idea what it is though.

Its been my experience that they are all the same. Then again, no asian here.