Rice Cookers & Steamers | Electric, Microwave & Multi-Function

The right rice cooker depends on how much you cook, how often, and what else you want it to do. Here's how to find the best fit.

Plug-In or Pop-In the Microwave? Choosing Your Rice Cooker Type

Electric Rice Cookers

Plug-in electric rice cookers use a built-in heating element to cook rice consistently, with a keep-warm function that holds temperature until you're ready to serve. Most feature a non-stick or stainless steel inner pot and can handle white rice, brown rice, basmati, quinoa, and mixed grains. The Instant 5 Cup and Instant 10 Cup go further — both are multi-function models with up to 8-in-1 cooking modes, including slow cook, sauté, steam, and the exclusive CarbReduce mode, which reduces carbs and sugar in rice by up to 40%. If you'd like even greater flexibility, browse our multi cookers and slow cookers.

Microwave Rice Cookers

A microwave rice cooker — sometimes called a microwave rice steamer or microwave rice maker — is a compact BPA-free container that cooks rice directly in your microwave oven. No power point needed, no bench clutter. Simply add rice, water, and microwave. The Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine and Fresh De Chef Pronto Microwave Rice Cooker are both straightforward options for singles, students, or office use — small in footprint, easy to clean, and genuinely fuss-free.

Feeding One or Feeding Many: Your Rice Cooker Capacity Guide

•         1–5 cup (uncooked): Ideal for singles or couples. A small rice cooker or compact microwave rice steamer in this range produces 2–4 servings. A mini rice cooker with a stainless steel pot is a smart, durable option for everyday use.

•         5–10 cup: The sweet spot for families of 3–5. The Baccarat The Perfect Grain (10 cup) and the Instant 5 Cup and 10 Cup models sit comfortably in this range — reliable, versatile, and easy to operate.

•         15–30 cup: For large families, entertaining, or serious batch cooking. The Maxim 30 Cup handles high-volume meals and keeps rice warm until you're ready to serve — no reheating required.

Beyond the Basics: Features Worth Looking For

•         Stainless steel inner pot: Non-reactive, durable, and coating-free. A stainless rice cooker with a stainless steel inner pot is a popular choice for those avoiding non-stick surfaces — no chips, no PFOA concerns.

•         Steamer basket: Many electric rice cookers double as rice steamers, with a basket for vegetables, fish, or dumplings — a genuinely useful two-in-one upgrade.

•         Multi-function modes: Want more than rice? The Instant range offers up to 8 cooking modes, rivalling standalone multi-function cookers and electric frypans for versatility.

Browse the complete full cooking appliances range at House — trusted by over 2 million customers across Australia, with 100+ stores nationwide and free shipping over $130.

Frequently Asked Questions — Rice Cookers & Steamers

What size rice cooker do I need?

Rice cooker capacity is measured in uncooked cups, which roughly doubles once cooked — so a 5 cup rice cooker produces around 10 cups of cooked rice. For a single person or couple, a small rice cooker (1–3 cups uncooked) or a compact microwave rice cooker is usually plenty. Families of three to five will find a 5–10 cup electric rice cooker the most practical all-rounder — models like the Baccarat The Perfect Grain (10 cup) or the Instant 5 Cup work well in this range. For large families or batch cooking, a high-capacity model like the Maxim 30 Cup is worth considering. When in doubt, size up — rice cookers keep food warm, so extra capacity simply means more flexibility.

What is a microwave rice cooker and how does it work?

A microwave rice cooker is a compact, BPA-free container designed to cook rice in a microwave oven rather than on a cooktop or with a plug-in appliance. You add rice and water in the correct ratio, seal the lid, and microwave for the recommended time. They're quick, easy to clean, and take up very little storage space — making them popular for small apartments, student kitchens, and offices. The Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine and Fresh De Chef Pronto Microwave Rice Cooker are both designed to deliver consistently cooked rice without the mess of a saucepan. While they don't include a keep-warm function, they're a practical low-cost, low-footprint alternative to an electric model.

What is the difference between a rice cooker and a multi cooker?

A rice cooker is designed primarily for cooking rice and often includes a steamer basket for vegetables, fish, or dumplings. A multi cooker — such as an Instant model — can do everything a rice cooker does, plus slow cook, pressure cook, sauté, steam, and more, all in a single appliance. If you want a straightforward, affordable option just for rice, a dedicated rice cooker is the simpler choice. If you cook frequently and want versatility, a multi cooker offers more value per unit of bench space. Browse our multi cookers to compare both options side by side.

What is a stainless steel rice cooker?

A stainless steel rice cooker has an inner cooking pot made from food-grade stainless steel rather than a non-stick coated aluminium pot. This means there's no coating to chip or wear over time, and stainless steel is non-reactive — making it an ideal choice for anyone who prefers to avoid PFOA or PTFE surfaces. Stainless steel inner pots are generally more durable and straightforward to clean, though rice may stick slightly more than in a non-stick version (a light oil or rinse of the pot beforehand helps). They're a popular choice for health-conscious households who want a long-lasting, reliable appliance.

Can a rice cooker be used as a steamer?

Yes — most electric rice cookers include a steamer basket or tray that sits above the rice while it cooks, letting you steam vegetables, fish, dumplings, or eggs at the same time. The steam function uses the water in the inner pot as its heat source, so there's no need for a separate steamer or saucepan. Some multi-function models, including the Instant 8-in-1, also feature a dedicated steam setting for standalone steaming independent of the rice function. If steaming is important to you, check the product description to confirm a steamer basket is included — it's a genuinely useful upgrade that makes your rice cooker a two-in-one appliance.

What is CarbReduce technology in a rice cooker?

CarbReduce is a cooking technology exclusive to select Instant rice cookers that reduces the carbohydrate and sugar content of cooked rice by up to 40%. It works by drawing starchy water out of the rice into a separate reservoir during cooking, which is then discarded rather than reabsorbed into the grains. The result is rice that is still fluffy and well-cooked, but with a meaningfully lower glycaemic impact — useful for those managing their carbohydrate intake or following a lower-carb diet. Both the Instant 5 Cup and Instant 10 Cup models stocked at House include CarbReduce as a dedicated cooking mode. It's a standout differentiator for anyone who eats rice regularly and wants a healthier result without sacrificing convenience or taste.