Sunpentown "Mr. Rice" 3-Cup Stainless Steel Cooker & Steamer

Before I started using Sunpentown’s Stainless Steel Cooker & Steamer, I had to eat a lot of soggy rice. I also burned a lot of rice.

Still, as much as I dreamed of eating perfect rice—the type of rice I get at restaurants—I didn’t want a rice cooker because I assumed they all had non-stick cook pans. I was paranoid about any health issues from using non-stick pans, so I was committed to sticking with cast iron, ceramic, and stainless steel cookware. Then I discovered Sunpentown’s all-stainless rice cooker!

I was delighted to read that the Stainless Steel Cooker & Steamer had both an attractive stainless steel exterior as well as a stainless steel inner cook pot. Perfect!  I was also happy that the cooker is available in 3-cup (SC-886) and 6-cup (SC-887) sizes. Since I most often cook only for myself, the small-size cooker is ideal for me. I don’t like wasting food. I still have the option of making enough rice for four or more people.

The Sunpentown Stainless Steel Cooker & Steamer is simple to use. All I do is add water to the cooker (using the measuring cup that comes with the cooker), add water to the inner pot, along with rice, place the lid on the cooker, and press the “cook” button. Then I chop and sauté my veggies while the rice cooks. I’ve never actually timed the rice, but it seems to cook very quickly. It’s always ready before I finish the rest of my dinner preparation! I love that I can put the rice on and forget about it—and it will never burn. 

The Stainless Steel Cooker & Steamer has a “warm” function that keeps rice warm and moist for up to a few hours after cooking. I like this function because I can make my rice ahead of time. I also use the “warm” function to keep my boyfriend’s dinner warm since he eats dinner a few hours later than I do.

I most often use the Stainless Steel Cooker & Steamer to cook white basmati rice, and it comes out perfect every time. It’s fully cooked and never over fluffed or soggy. I was surprised that this cooker also does a good job with brown rice because I thought I had to have a special type of rice cooker for brown rice. I do add a bit more water when I cook brown Thai jasmine rice, and so far, it’s turned out very well.

The cooker is easy to clean. It comes with a plastic spatula that’s effective at getting all the rice out of the inner cook pot. I usually soak the pot in warm, soapy water for several minutes before washing and the rice residue wipes right off. The cooker rarely gets any rice in it, but just in case, I wipe it down before anything can dry on it. (It does get small discolored marks in the main basin occasionally, which is normal and caused by mineral deposits. The product manual contains instructions on how to use vinegar to minimize the appearance of these marks.)

I’m actually eating more vegetables now, thanks to Mr. Rice. Since the rice part of the dinner is so quick and foolproof, I take the time to make something nutritious to put on top! (The cooker can also be used to make congee and to steam fish, meat, and vegetables.)

Eco Creds: This product is included on Fancy Green because it’s useful in maintaining a healthy diet.

Bottom Line: I love this little rice cooker. It has a nice clean look, it’s easy to use, and it’s so convenient. I no longer waste time or food.--E.D. (Jan 2012)

BUY ONLINE : $120-125, now on sale for $79.99 at Amazon!

Manufacturer's Site: www.supentown.com

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