Okay, confession time: I’m a bit of a kitchen gadget junkie. I’ve got drawers overflowing with gizmos and gadgets, some brilliant, some… not so much. So, when the Aroma Housewares ARC-360-NGP 20-Cup Rice Cooker & Food Steamer showed up, I was curious, but definitely not holding my breath.
Let’s be real, it’s not exactly a showstopper. Straight out of the box, it’s a pretty basic white appliance. But hey, it’s not about winning any beauty contests, right? What I did appreciate was the glass lid – being able to peek in on the cooking action without letting all the steam out is a definite plus. It felt solid enough, although that inner aluminum pot is surprisingly light.
Now, I’ve cooked my share of rice over the years. Stovetop, pressure cooker, even the dreaded microwave method (we’ve all been there!). But sometimes, you just want easy, especially when you’re juggling a million things after a long day. And that’s where this Aroma cooker really shines.
Seriously, the “one-touch” thing isn’t kidding. You just dump in your rice and water (the lines inside the pot make it brain-dead simple), press the button, and walk away. I’m not kidding! No fiddly settings, no second-guessing. Once the rice is done, it flips over to “keep warm” automatically. Talk about a lifesaver when dinner’s running late!
I’ve put this thing through its paces, from fluffy jasmine to nutty brown rice, and every single time, it’s been perfect. No more scorched rice stuck to the bottom, no more mushy messes! And that 20-cup capacity? Amazing for big families or when you’re having people over. I even made a massive batch for a potluck last month, and it vanished in minutes.
But wait, there’s more! That little steam tray they include is a game-changer. I’ve been steaming veggies while the rice cooks underneath – talk about a complete meal with practically zero effort. And get this, I even steamed salmon in it once! Flaky, moist, and delicious. Honestly, you can get pretty creative.
And the best part? Cleanup is a total breeze. The non-stick pot wipes clean in seconds, and the accessories are dishwasher-safe. Hallelujah!
Okay, if I’m being super picky, I could say the measuring cup feels a little cheap. And yeah, the “keep warm” setting can dry the rice out a bit if you leave it for hours. But honestly, those are tiny little things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
So, here’s the bottom line: The Aroma Housewares ARC-360-NGP 20-Cup Pot-Style Rice Cooker & Food Steamer is a solid, reliable, and ridiculously easy way to cook rice. For the price, it’s an absolute steal and a welcome addition to any busy kitchen. It might not be the fanciest appliance you own, but it’s a workhorse that delivers, plain and simple. If you want perfect rice and easy steamed meals without the fuss, do yourself a favor and check this one out. It just might become your new kitchen secret weapon!