Aroma Rice Cooker Review: Simple Kitchen Helper That Gets the Job Done
I’ve been using the Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Rice Cooker for about a month now, and I have to say, it’s become a surprisingly useful addition to my kitchen arsenal. As someone who probably cooks rice 2-3 times a week, I was honestly getting tired of the stovetop method – constantly checking, adjusting heat, and sometimes still ending up with a layer of burnt rice at the bottom of my pot.
This little cooker isn’t fancy by any means, but that’s kind of what I appreciate about it. No complicated settings to figure out, no app to download (do we really need our rice cookers connected to WiFi? I think not), just a simple switch that gets the job done. Let me tell you a bit more about my experience with it.
- 6-Cup Capacity - Prepare anywhere from 1 to 6 cups of cooked rice, great for small or large meals, and for leftovers. ETL Listed. Volts: 120V. Wattage: 300W
- Automatic Keep Warm - The rice stays ready for serving! The rice cooker automatically switches to the “keep warm” function after cooking is complete. Steamer Basket, Measuring Cup and Spoon Included
- Nonstick Rice Pot - The nonstick rice pot is completely removable for easy dishwasher cleanup. Dimensions are 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 inches
- Food Steaming Basket - The included food steaming basket lets you make healthy meals with vegetables, fish, and more. Measuring Cup and Spoon Included - The measuring cup makes it easy to cook the perfect amount of rice, and the plastic serving spoon prevents accidental scratches to the nonstick rice pot. Note: use only the rice cup to measure rice, never a true cup.
- Perfecting your rice cooking - A ¾ cup measuring cup is included (standard rice cup) for precise portioning, allowing up to 3 dry rice cups. Steam vent directs steam away from cabinets for safe cooking. Check the manual for tips and notable features!
Simple Yet Functional
When I first unboxed this rice cooker, I was struck by how compact it actually is. It has this sort of rounded, pot-like design that doesn’t take up much counter space – which is perfect for my small apartment kitchen. The white exterior with that touch of red is pretty basic but decent looking enough that I don’t mind leaving it out.
The build quality feels, well, appropriate for the price point. It’s not premium by any stretch, but it doesn’t feel flimsy either. The non-stick inner pot slides in and out easily, and I’ve found it cleans up really well. One design choice I particularly appreciate is the clear glass lid that lets me peek at my rice without releasing all the steam. The handles stay reasonably cool during cooking, though I’ve accidentally touched the lid once or twice and regretted it immediately.
Cooking Made Easy
This is where the simplicity really shines. There’s literally just one switch – press down to start cooking, and it automatically pops up to “Keep Warm” when the rice is done. I was a bit skeptical at first, wondering if something this straightforward could actually produce decent rice, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
For white rice, I’ve found the perfect ratio is about 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water. It takes roughly 20-25 minutes to cook, and I usually let it sit on the “Keep Warm” setting for another 5 minutes or so. The result is consistently fluffy rice without any burnt spots or undercooked sections.
I’ve also experimented with the steamer tray that comes with it. Last week I tried steaming some broccoli and carrots while the rice cooked below – everything was done at the same time, which was convenient, though the vegetables were perhaps a bit softer than I’d usually prefer. I think next time I’ll add them a bit later in the cooking process.
The Technical Details
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Cooked Capacity | 6 Cups |
| Uncooked Capacity | 3 Cups |
| Dimensions | 8.1 x 8.1 x 10.3 inches |
| Weight | 2.45 pounds |
| Wattage | 300 Watts |
| Materials | Non-stick inner pot, Glass lid, BPA-free steamer tray |
| Settings | Cook, Automatic Keep Warm |
| Accessories | Measuring cup, Serving spatula, Steam tray |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited |
The Good and The Bad
Pros:
- Incredibly easy to use with one-touch operation
- Compact size doesn’t hog counter space
- Consistently cooks rice well without burning
- The steamer tray adds versatility
- Non-stick pot is genuinely easy to clean
- Very affordable compared to fancier models
- Keep warm function works well for at least an hour
Cons:
- Limited capacity might not be enough for larger families
- No timer or delay start features
- Not ideal for specialty rice types that need precise cooking
- The cord is a bit on the short side
- Exterior can get quite hot during operation
- Build quality reflects the budget price point
What Real Users Are Saying
After browsing through the Amazon reviews, I found that most users seem quite satisfied with this little rice cooker, especially given its modest price. The product currently holds a 4.5-star rating from over 15,000 reviews, which is pretty impressive.
One reviewer mentioned, “Perfect size for my husband and I. Makes just the right amount of rice. Easy to clean and store.” This reflects my experience as well – it’s ideal for smaller households.
Another reviewer pointed out, “Great little rice cooker. Just be sure you rinse your rice first, then add the appropriate amount of water. I’ve had no problems with it burning or cooking unevenly.” I’ve found this advice helpful too – rinsing the rice definitely improves the final result.
There are some critical reviews, of course. A common complaint relates to durability, with some users reporting issues after 6-12 months of use. One user noted, “Worked great for about 8 months, then stopped switching to warm mode and started burning rice.” I haven’t owned mine long enough to comment on long-term reliability, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Who Should Buy This Rice Cooker?
For beginners: This is perhaps the perfect starter rice cooker. If you’re just moving beyond stovetop rice or trying a rice cooker for the first time, the simplicity and affordability make it an excellent choice. You’ll get consistently better results than manual cooking with minimal effort.
For intermediate users: If you cook rice regularly but don’t need fancy settings or huge capacity, this will serve you well. However, if you’re looking to experiment with different types of rice or grains that require specific timing or temperatures, you might find the one-setting approach limiting.
For advanced users: Honestly, this probably isn’t for you. If you’re particular about your rice, cook many different varieties, or prepare rice for large groups, you’d likely benefit from investing in a higher-end model with multiple settings, larger capacity, and perhaps induction heating.
You Might Also Like
If you’re looking for alternatives to this basic model, check out these other popular one-touch rice cookers with steamers:
Ready for Effortless Perfect Rice?
If you’re tired of babysitting rice on the stovetop and want an affordable, straightforward solution that just works, the Aroma 6-Cup Rice Cooker deserves a spot in your kitchen. Click below to check current pricing and availability!
- 6-Cup Capacity - Prepare anywhere from 1 to 6 cups of cooked rice, great for small or large meals, and for leftovers. ETL Listed. Volts: 120V. Wattage: 300W
- Automatic Keep Warm - The rice stays ready for serving! The rice cooker automatically switches to the “keep warm” function after cooking is complete. Steamer Basket, Measuring Cup and Spoon Included
- Nonstick Rice Pot - The nonstick rice pot is completely removable for easy dishwasher cleanup. Dimensions are 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 inches
- Food Steaming Basket - The included food steaming basket lets you make healthy meals with vegetables, fish, and more. Measuring Cup and Spoon Included - The measuring cup makes it easy to cook the perfect amount of rice, and the plastic serving spoon prevents accidental scratches to the nonstick rice pot. Note: use only the rice cup to measure rice, never a true cup.
- Perfecting your rice cooking - A ¾ cup measuring cup is included (standard rice cup) for precise portioning, allowing up to 3 dry rice cups. Steam vent directs steam away from cabinets for safe cooking. Check the manual for tips and notable features!
Last update on 2025-06-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
