Digital Rice Cooker Review (Advertisement) by Reishunger

Introduction

This article is about the new DIGITAL RICE COOKER from REISHUNGER. After the Digital Rice cooker[/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link] from Reishunger hit the market, I began to wonder how it would compare to the standard rice cooker from Reishunger (which we gave away on RyuKoch). Since I personally have been eating rice every day for as long as I can remember and have already used many different rice cookers and know the differences, I asked Reishunger if I could receive the new rice cooker for free. My goal is to present the device to you objectively. It is very important to us that we write our honest opinions about the products even though the products are provided for free. We do not receive any money from Reishunger for this article.

We are very satisfied with the previous products from Reishunger and can already say that Matthias is very satisfied with the cheaper version. You can find the article about this rice cooker review from Reishunger here: 

To the old rice cooker article[/link]

First Impression

As already mentioned, I have been able to gather quite a bit of experience with rice cookers . I would categorize the latest model from Reishunger as a mid-range. In my opinion, it is a solid mid-range rice cooker with good build quality. The listed price on the site is fair for the rice cooker and is not overpriced at all.

When I unpacked the rice cooker, I immediately noticed the brownish inner pot. Normally, these are matte black with some ridges or a rough bottom surface on the inside. However, this inner pot is completely smooth, so I was curious about what function or advantage and disadvantage the smooth design brings.

Upon a second glance, I noticed the controls. The cooker is equipped with a modern display, which greatly simplifies operation. My only subjective drawback regarding the display is the power-on function. Here you have to press the Start button for about 2 seconds before the cooker starts.

The drawback that Matthias mentioned in the first rice cooker article, that the rice cooker[/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link] could only be turned on and off by being plugged into a power source, has been eliminated in this new model. 

The first impression fits so far. The modern design, the display function, and the very solid and high-quality build create a consistent overall picture. It is also particularly important to me that the lid can be firmly closed. In our detailed rice cooker guide , a lockable lid is a must-have for a rice cooker!

 To the general and detailed rice cooker guide

Cooking Rice

It is recommended to perform a rinse procedure before use, meaning to let the rice cooker boil with only water.

As with many other rice cookers , a measuring cup is included. This is needed to combine the appropriate amount of rice with the ideal amount of water according to the instructions. For beginners, this is a very useful gadget. A full measuring cup of dry rice is sufficient for a large portion for 2 people. I noticed that the minimum fill level of the cooker is only reached at 2 full measuring cups. This can be confusing for some individuals, as one might assume that the lowest mark indicates the minimum amount. We wonder why the line only starts at the number 2 and not at 1.

For preparing rice, it is of course important to wash the rice thoroughly beforehand. This removes the starch and prevents the rice from being too sticky afterwards. The perfect amount of water is ensured by both the measuring cup and the clearly visible markings in the cooking pot. Reishunger has already done a good job with this in the first rice cooker model. With the display, you can then use various rice cooking modes to optimally prepare different types of rice. During the cooking process, a progress bar indicates how advanced the rice is being cooked.

In some cooking processes, I noticed that the progress bar quickly (after about 5 minutes) reaches 90% and then remains stuck for more than 15 minutes, as the cooking process is still not finished. Therefore, the progress indicator is not usable for me if it does not work accurately.

Matthias' hypothesis is that the progress bar is related to the amount of water in the rice cooker. Depending on whether you have filled the cooker with more or less water (which is hardly done incorrectly with the measuring cup) and how quickly it evaporates, the bar reaches 100 percent sooner or later. Accordingly, the display can be confusing because the exact time can never be estimated. Perhaps it needs to be checked whether the water amounts for the different rice varieties are optimally chosen. Each type of rice is known to be prepared differently or with different amounts of water and cooking durations.

Once the cooking process is finally complete, a beep sounds. This clearly indicates (even if you are not in the kitchen) that the rice is cooked.

In addition to the many selectable modes, the cooker offers the possibility of a Turbo mode. Here, the rice is cooked faster than in the standard mode. For some types of rice, this is not a problem (white rice), but if you set the Turbo mode for brown rice, the result is less satisfactory for the simple reason that brown rice must first absorb water thoroughly and then be cooked gently.

Keep Warm Function

The rice cooker[/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link] naturally also offers a keep warm function. With the keep warm function of the rice cooker , you can see on the display how long the rice has been kept warm in the rice cooker. The keep warm function keeps the rice at a warm temperature for up to 24 hours.

Here, I noticed a major drawback. After about 4 hours, the rice that is directly on the side of the inner pot hardens. Unfortunately, this rice is no longer edible. The hardening of the rice continues to form towards the center over the following hours and does not taste good anymore. Therefore, I really recommend cooking only the amount of rice that is needed within a short time. Unfortunately, for single households, rice is wasted because the fairly large rice cooker is designed for at least 2 people.

I can't exactly explain why the rice hardens or dries out quickly. Perhaps the keep warm function is too hot or the material of the inner pot heats up too much.

Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning, this rice cooker is very easy to clean. I don't know if it's due to the material and the smooth surface of the bowl, but nothing sticks, and you save a lot of time. 

Additionally, there is a separate container for the condensed water in the rice cooker[/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link] . As soon as you open the lid, the condensed water flows through a groove into a hole. There it is collected in a plastic container, which you can then empty. However, as a user, you should often remember to empty this small container. 

Steaming Vegetables

Another very interesting function is steaming vegetables. With the included steaming basket from Reishunger, it is possible to simultaneously cook your desired vegetables, fish, and seafood through the rising steam. This gentle cooking method preserves many important nutrients.

Functions and Technology

Overall, the Digital rice cooker[/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link] has twelve different functions. Seven different programs for cooking rice and others for quinoa, millet, and other seeds/grains. Additionally, you can use it to cook soups, steam vegetables, fish, and meat, and as a special highlight, bake bread/cakes. I myself have only used the rice functions since, as a Japanese person, I naturally only use a rice cooker for rice.

We think that due to the multiple functions, the namesake for a rice cooker[/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link] may have had some quality compromises. Both Matthias and I are only familiar with inner pots of rice cookers with rough interior bottom surfaces, like in the first Reishunger rice cooker model. This is probably because the functions for baking bread and cakes were added.

Conclusion

In summary, we can certainly refer back to the first rice cooker[/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link] from Reishunger and how much the latest model differs from the old one. I think Reishunger has considered the wishes and feedback of previous buyers alongside introducing a new digital rice cooker. Despite our criticisms, I categorize this rice cooker in the upper mid-range. The good build quality and easy operation facilitate the preparation of various types of rice. For the price, you get a solid rice cooker that cooks the rice perfectly. I cannot comment on baking bread and cakes, as I only cooked rice. 

Conclusion on the Price

The rice cooker currently costs €124.99 at Reishunger. This is definitely understandable for a mid-range rice cooker[/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link][/link] . In my opinion, the price-performance ratio is very good, and the price is therefore justified. Especially if you cook a lot of rice, this purchase is worthwhile. However, prepare only as much rice as is needed within a short time.

Matthias' opinion is somewhat more critical, as he uses the only €35 predecessor model and is very satisfied with it. Aside from the display and the additional functions of cooking soup and baking cakes, the rice cooker does not offer much more than its predecessor. Sure, the various modes make rice cooking easier, and the additional functions allow for more dishes, but do you actually use them? He wouldn't bake a cake in the rice cooker; instead, he relies on his oven.

Feel free to check out our first report on the predecessor if you're interested.

To the old rice cooker article[/link]

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