My Kitchen Game-Changer: The Aroma Housewares Professional Plus Rice Cooker
I’ll be honest – I wasn’t expecting to write a passionate review about a rice cooker, of all things. But after using the Aroma Housewares Professional Plus for the last two months, I felt compelled to share my experience. This appliance has honestly transformed my weeknight dinner routine in ways I didn’t anticipate.
As someone who meal preps and cooks for a family of five, I’ve always struggled with getting rice right on the stovetop (somehow it’s always either undercooked or mushy). Plus, coordinating multiple pots for a complete meal felt like a juggling act. This Aroma Housewares model solved both problems in one go, and I’ve found myself using it almost daily since.
- Multi-Functional Use – Whether you are in the mood for a hearty jambalaya, steamed veggies and rice, or even a fluffy cake (yes, cake! ) you can accomplish it all with your ARC-5000SB cooker. The possibilities are as creative as you are.
- Nutritious & Delicious – The built-in steam function allows for nutrient-rich meals to be prepared above while rice, soup, or any other meal addition cooks below, allowing you to save time without sacrificing quality. This multicooker not only includes all of your favorite cooking options, but also possesses the unique features of Slow Cook and Saute-then-Simmer STS, making meals rich, tasty, and a family favorite.
- Capacity & Dimensions – The ARC-5000SB has a 20-cup cooked capacity yielding anywhere from 4 to 20 cups of cooked rice and measures 11.2 x 10.8 x 11.4 inches
- User-friendly Programming –The cooker is incredibly simple to operate using our user-friendly digital panel that switches to keep warm automatically once cooking is finished allowing you the freedom to take back your time instead of worrying while you cook.
- Accessories – This rice cooker includes a non-stick inner pot, rice measuring cup, steam tray, and a plastic rice spatula. "
Looks Good, Feels Solid
The silver and black exterior gives this cooker a professional look that doesn’t feel out of place alongside my other kitchen appliances. It’s definitely not small (be prepared to allocate some counter space), but the clean lines and stainless steel finish make it look more high-end than its price would suggest.
The build quality surprised me – it feels substantial and well-made. The lid opens smoothly with a push button, and the digital control panel is straightforward enough that I figured most of it out without consulting the manual (though I did eventually read it to discover all the features). The non-stick inner pot has held up well so far, though I’m careful to use the included plastic paddle to avoid scratching it.
One Pot Wonder
This is where I think the Aroma really earns its keep. I’ve made perfect white rice, surprisingly good brown rice, and even experimented with quinoa with consistently reliable results. The 20-cup capacity isn’t just marketing hype – I made rice for a dinner party last weekend and still had leftovers for lunch the next day.
What I didn’t expect to love was the steaming function. I’ve started steaming vegetables or fish in the tray while rice cooks below – it’s almost like getting a free meal from the same cooking time. My kids even commented that the broccoli tastes better steamed this way (a minor miracle in itself).
The slow cooker function has perhaps been the biggest surprise. I threw in ingredients for a chicken and vegetable stew before heading out one Saturday, and returned to a perfectly cooked meal. I think the “Keep Warm” function deserves special mention too – it’s saved dinner on those nights when someone is running late but still wants a hot meal.
Tech Specs Breakdown
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | ARC-5000SB |
| Capacity | 10 cups uncooked (20 cups cooked) |
| Total Volume | 4-quart |
| Functions | Rice cooker, slow cooker, food steamer |
| Rice Settings | White rice, brown rice |
| Material | Stainless steel exterior, nonstick inner pot |
| Controls | Digital with automatic Keep Warm |
| Color | Silver & Black |
| Best For | Families, gatherings, batch cooking |
The Pros
- Genuinely useful 20-cup capacity that works for families or meal prep
- Cooks different types of rice consistently well (I haven’t had a bad batch yet)
- Steamer tray is perfect for vegetables, fish, or even dumplings
- Slow cooker function works surprisingly well for stews and soups
- Keep Warm function that doesn’t dry out the food (even after a few hours)
- Digital controls are intuitive and easy to use
- Inner pot cleans up easily thanks to the non-stick coating
- Beep indicator is audible but not annoyingly loud
The Cons
- It’s rather large and takes up significant counter space
- Probably overkill if you’re cooking for just one or two people
- Brown rice does take quite a while to cook (40+ minutes)
- The non-stick coating requires careful handling to avoid scratches
- Sometimes condensation can collect in the lid and drip when opened
- The cord is a bit short, which limits placement options
What Other Users Think
Looking at other reviews, I’m not alone in my appreciation for this rice cooker. The overall sentiment is predominantly positive, with users particularly praising its versatility and large capacity.
Many reviewers highlight how consistent the rice cooking is and how the automatic Keep Warm function enhances convenience. As one reviewer mentioned, “This cooker has transformed my weeknight dinners. I can set it up in the morning and come home to perfectly cooked rice and steamed vegetables.”
Some users do note the large footprint can be challenging for smaller kitchens, and several recommend gentle cleaning to preserve the non-stick coating. These seem to be minor concerns though, compared to the overwhelmingly positive feedback about performance.
Who Should Buy This?
For Beginners: Despite its multiple functions, this cooker is surprisingly user-friendly. If you’re new to rice cookers but want something reliable that can grow with your skills, this is an excellent entry point. The basic functions work intuitively, and you can explore the additional features as you get more comfortable.
For Intermediate Users: If you’ve used basic rice cookers before and want to expand your options, the Aroma Professional Plus offers significant advantages. The steaming and slow cooking capabilities mean you can experiment with one-pot meals and more complex cooking techniques.
For Advanced Users: While it may not have the specialized features of high-end Japanese rice cookers, the versatility and consistent performance make it a practical addition even to well-equipped kitchens. The large capacity is particularly valuable if you entertain frequently or like to batch cook.
You Might Also Like
If you’re still comparing options before making a decision, here are some other popular rice cookers worth considering:
Ready to Transform Your Meals?
After using this rice cooker almost daily for two months, I can honestly say it’s earned its place as a permanent fixture on my counter. Whether you’re feeding a family, meal prepping for the week, or just tired of babysitting pots on the stove, this versatile appliance might just change your cooking routine for the better.
- Multi-Functional Use – Whether you are in the mood for a hearty jambalaya, steamed veggies and rice, or even a fluffy cake (yes, cake! ) you can accomplish it all with your ARC-5000SB cooker. The possibilities are as creative as you are.
- Nutritious & Delicious – The built-in steam function allows for nutrient-rich meals to be prepared above while rice, soup, or any other meal addition cooks below, allowing you to save time without sacrificing quality. This multicooker not only includes all of your favorite cooking options, but also possesses the unique features of Slow Cook and Saute-then-Simmer STS, making meals rich, tasty, and a family favorite.
- Capacity & Dimensions – The ARC-5000SB has a 20-cup cooked capacity yielding anywhere from 4 to 20 cups of cooked rice and measures 11.2 x 10.8 x 11.4 inches
- User-friendly Programming –The cooker is incredibly simple to operate using our user-friendly digital panel that switches to keep warm automatically once cooking is finished allowing you the freedom to take back your time instead of worrying while you cook.
- Accessories – This rice cooker includes a non-stick inner pot, rice measuring cup, steam tray, and a plastic rice spatula. "
Last update on 2025-07-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
