Hamilton Beach Rice Cooker Review: Versatile, Simple, Surprisingly Effective
I’ve always been somewhat intimidated by cooking rice. It seems like such a simple thing, but I’ve ruined more pots of rice than I care to admit – either ending up with a mushy mess or burning it to the bottom of the pot. That’s why I decided to give the Hamilton Beach Rice & Hot Cereal Cooker a try, and honestly, I wish I’d done it sooner. This compact little appliance has changed my weeknight dinner game completely.
After using it for several weeks now, I’ve found myself reaching for it multiple times a week – not just for rice, but for all sorts of grains and even steamed vegetables. It’s become one of those kitchen gadgets that actually earns its counter space, which is pretty high praise in my book. Let me break down why I think this might be worth adding to your kitchen arsenal too.
Neat, Compact Design
The first thing that struck me about this rice cooker is how unobtrusive it is. With its simple white exterior and modest footprint, it doesn’t scream for attention on the counter. The cooker has a clean, straightforward interface with clearly marked buttons for different functions – rice, hot cereals, steam cook, etc. I appreciate that they kept it intuitive rather than overwhelming you with too many options.
The lid has a convenient little handle that stays cool to the touch, and the steam vent is designed to prevent those annoying boil-overs that can make such a mess. It comes with a measuring cup, steam basket, and a serving spoon that clips to the side – small touches that show they thought about the user experience. The inner pot has measurement lines which, I’ll admit, I still double-check with my own measuring cups sometimes (old habits die hard).
- ENJOY MAXIMUM COOKING VERSATILITY FROM BREAKFAST TO DINNER. Prepare a practically endless variety of dishes with this one multi-function cooker. Make rice, whole grains and hot cereal, or steam seafood, eggs, vegetables and more
- PREPARE MEALS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: The removable pot of the Hamilton Beach rice cooker steamer has a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating and is large enough to feed your whole family — it fits up to 8 cups of cooked rice.*
- ONE-TOUCH COOKING WITH PREPROGRAMMED OPTIONS: Simply press the right button to perfectly cook white rice, whole grains or hot cereal. A countdown timer shows you how much time is left. The rice cooker automatically switches to warm when cooking is complete
- VERSATILE 2-IN-1 STEAM/RINSING BASKET: The versatile steam basket on the electric rice cooker doubles as a colander. It's great for rinsing rice or grains before cooking, or use it to steam everything from salmon to brussels sprouts as your rice cooks
- PERFECT FOR ONE-POT MEALS. Steam seafood or vegetables while rice cooks below for fast, easy one-pot meals. Great for making homemade fried rice, shrimp with rice and more.
Cooking Magic Happens Inside
Using this rice cooker has been fairly foolproof for me – which is saying something given my history with rice! I typically make a batch of jasmine or brown rice a couple times a week, and I’ve been consistently impressed with the results. The white rice comes out fluffy with distinct grains, not mushy at all. Brown rice, which I’ve always struggled with, turns out with the perfect chewy texture.
What I particularly love is the “delay start” feature – I can set it up in the morning, and come home to freshly cooked rice ready for dinner. The keep-warm function is also a lifesaver for those nights when family members are eating at different times. I’ve found it keeps rice at a good temperature without drying it out for about 2 hours, though it does start to deteriorate in quality a bit after that.
I’ve experimented with the steamer basket too, usually throwing in some broccoli or snap peas to steam while the rice cooks below – efficient and fewer dishes to wash! The hot cereal function has turned out to be surprisingly useful for steel-cut oats in the morning, though I think I still prefer my regular method for oatmeal.
The Numbers Matter
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 cups cooked (4 cups uncooked) rice |
| Pre-programmed Settings | White Rice, Quick Rice, Whole Grain, Hot Cereal, Steam Cook, Heat/Simmer |
| Delay Start Timer | Up to 11 hours |
| Keep Warm Function | Automatic after cooking |
| Dimensions | 10.25 x 9.12 x 9.88 inches |
| Power | 400 watts |
| Included Accessories | Measuring cup, steam basket, rice paddle |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
The Good and The Not-So-Good
Pros:
- Simple operation – even my teenager can use it without instructions
- Consistently good results with multiple types of rice
- Useful delay timer function for planning ahead
- Versatile enough for rice, grains, and steaming vegetables
- Compact size doesn’t hog counter space
- Easy to clean with removable, non-stick inner pot
- Very affordable compared to higher-end rice cookers
Cons:
- Slightly longer cooking time than stated in the manual (about 5-10 minutes more in my experience)
- The beep when cooking completes is quite soft – easy to miss if you’re in another room
- Condensation can collect on the lid and drip when opened
- Steam release can be a bit aggressive – don’t place under cabinets
- Measuring cup is smaller than a standard cup (uses rice cooker cup measurement)
- Not as many features as more expensive models
What Other Users Are Saying
Looking through hundreds of reviews on Amazon, it seems I’m not alone in my appreciation for this little appliance. With an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 6,000 ratings, there’s clearly a lot of satisfaction among users.
One reviewer named Michael mentioned, “Perfect rice every time. I’ve had expensive rice cookers before, but this inexpensive model works just as well. The steamer feature is a nice bonus.” This seems to be a common sentiment – that it performs comparably to pricier models for basic rice cooking needs.
Another customer wrote, “I’ve used this for over a year now and it’s still working perfectly. Makes great rice, oatmeal, and even steamed vegetables. My only complaint is that water sometimes spills out of the vent if I fill it too full.”
The negative reviews tend to focus on longevity issues, with some users reporting that their units stopped working after a year or so of regular use. A few also mentioned difficulties with the cooking time for brown rice, finding it needed additional cycles to fully cook.
Who Should Buy This?
For beginners: This is honestly perfect if you’re just starting out with rice cookers. The straightforward controls, affordable price point, and consistent results make it ideal for someone who wants to improve their rice game without investing in an expensive appliance.
For intermediate users: If you cook rice weekly and occasionally experiment with other grains, this will serve you well. The versatility of being able to make different types of rice, hot cereals, and steam vegetables all in one appliance adds good value, though you might eventually want more precise control over cooking parameters.
For advanced users: If you’re a rice connoisseur or looking for specialized functions like GABA brown rice settings, precision temperature control, or induction heating, you might find this model a bit basic. Those who cook rice daily or are particular about specific rice varieties might want to invest in a higher-end Japanese or Korean model instead.
You Might Also Like
If you’re comparing different options for your kitchen, these programmable rice cookers might also catch your interest.
Ready to Make Perfect Rice Every Time?
If you’re tired of babysitting pots of rice on the stove or dealing with burnt bottoms and undercooked grains, the Hamilton Beach Rice & Hot Cereal Cooker could be the simple solution you need. It’s been a game-changer in my kitchen, and I think it might be in yours too.
- ENJOY MAXIMUM COOKING VERSATILITY FROM BREAKFAST TO DINNER. Prepare a practically endless variety of dishes with this one multi-function cooker. Make rice, whole grains and hot cereal, or steam seafood, eggs, vegetables and more
- PREPARE MEALS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: The removable pot of the Hamilton Beach rice cooker steamer has a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating and is large enough to feed your whole family — it fits up to 8 cups of cooked rice.*
- ONE-TOUCH COOKING WITH PREPROGRAMMED OPTIONS: Simply press the right button to perfectly cook white rice, whole grains or hot cereal. A countdown timer shows you how much time is left. The rice cooker automatically switches to warm when cooking is complete
- VERSATILE 2-IN-1 STEAM/RINSING BASKET: The versatile steam basket on the electric rice cooker doubles as a colander. It's great for rinsing rice or grains before cooking, or use it to steam everything from salmon to brussels sprouts as your rice cooks
- PERFECT FOR ONE-POT MEALS. Steam seafood or vegetables while rice cooks below for fast, easy one-pot meals. Great for making homemade fried rice, shrimp with rice and more.
Last update on 2025-06-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
