Looking for the best rice cooker? My pick is the Greenlife Ceramic Rice Cooker. It has that perfect blend of features and ease of use. Plus, it’s cute.
We eat rice regularly in our home. It’s a healthy, delicious staple that pairs well with a variety of dishes and cuisines. But rice can easily overcook if you don’t pay enough attention. And when I’m also trying to cook other dishes, as well? Let’s just say things can get sticky.
That’s why rice cookers are great. It allows me to get consistent results without having to closely monitor the stovetop. That means I can focus on preparing other dishes to round out a nutritious and tasty meal.
The Greenlife Ceramic Rice Cooker is great because it performs well, is easy to use, and has excellent reviews.
But the Greenlife is on the smaller side. If you need a larger capacity or prefer stainless steel over ceramic, you might want to go with another option. Luckily, I’ve researched the best, healthiest non-Teflon rice cookers and their features.
Need help deciding which non-toxic rice cooker is the best for you? Read on to learn more.
Contents
Buying Guide: Non-Teflon Rice Cookers
Are rice cookers safe?
In a word? Yes. Rice cookers are safe. Some cookers, however, have an inner pot coating that includes Teflon. Teflon is the brand name for PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene). PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer that gives many non-stick coatings their non-stick quality.
PTFE indeed poses no proven health risks, but of course, there is always the unknown factor. Further, overheating PTFE above 570°F (300°C) can produce toxic gases. It would be difficult to even do that, but it is a concern.
For those reasons, many people opt for PTFE-free cookware. Every rice cooker on my list is advertised as PTFE-free. Many of them include a stainless steel pot, while others use stick-resistant coated ceramic.
If you want the safest non-toxic rice cooker, you can rest easy. You have plenty of viable options that can churn out batches of delicious, perfectly cooked rice.
What is a rice cooker pot made of?
Most rice cookers have an outer shell made of plastic or stainless steel. The inner cooking pot can consist of various materials, from Teflon to stainless steel to ceramic. Every rice cooker on my list includes either a stainless steel inner pot, a natural ceramic pot, or a ceramic-coated inner pot.
Whichever option you prefer, you can be sure you are getting a Teflon-free non-toxic rice cooker.
Is cooking rice in a rice cooker healthy?
Cooking rice in a rice cooker is as healthy as cooking rice over the stovetop. Both methods include creating steam to cook the rice, which absorbs the water and expands. The type of grain you cook has a more considerable impact on health than whether you use a rice cooker.
For instance, brown rice is higher in fiber, minerals, and vitamins than its white rice counterpart. Quinoa is a superfood, making it a nutritious option for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Since the cooking process for quinoa is similar to rice, it’s a convenient food to make in a rice cooker.
If your goal is to cook healthy meals? Choose a nutrient-dense grain like brown rice to prepare in your rice cooker.
What size rice cooker should I buy?
This is perhaps the most common question when purchasing a rice cooker.
The first step in choosing the right size for a rice cooker is to decide how much rice you’ll cook. To figure out the volume of cooked rice you need, multiply the number of people by the volume of rice. If you plan to use the rice as a side dish, approximate 1/2 cup per person. To use rice as the meal’s centerpiece, like with stir fry, estimate 1 cup per person.
Rice generally absorbs twice its volume in water, so your rice will triple in volume during the cooking process. So if you need 3 cups of cooked rice, you will start with 1 cup of uncooked rice.
An easy method to remember this is “1-2-3.” One part rice, two parts water, three times the volume. Easy!
Most rice cookers will label their capacity with cooked and/or uncooked rice. Pay attention to which volume your rice cooker can handle.
Also, be aware that the rice measuring cup included with many rice cookers are not the same as the U.S. standard measuring cup. A rice scoop is equal to approximately 3/4 cup in U.S. standard measure.
My recommendation? Either use a standard measuring cup or convert your volume and mark it on the rice cup, so you don’t have to run the calculations every time you cook rice.
What features should I look for in a non-Teflon rice cooker?
Glass Lid
Since glass is see-through, it allows you to monitor the rice while cooking. A nice bonus? Glass lids are generally dishwasher-safe, meaning cleanup just got easier. Fun fact: “Easy cleanup” is one of my favorite phrases.
Delay Timer
Getting the correct cook times can be tricky. And if you have to start cooking rice in the middle of your workday? That’s impossible… without a delay timer. A delay timer allows you to begin cooking several hours after adding your rice to the rice cooker, meaning you can come home to rice that’s ready to eat. Turns out you can be at work and cook a healthy dinner at the same time.
Keep Warm Feature
If you would rather not use a delay timer, you can still make the timing work by having a keep warm feature. This function keeps cooked rice warm for several hours.
So if your rice finishes cooking at 3 p.m., but you don’t eat until 7 p.m.? No problem. You can still have fresh, warm rice ready for your dinner. Be aware that many cookers have a time limit to the keep warm feature. Many cap it at 24 hours, but it varies from model to model.
For safety, rice that’s been cooked should be kept out at room temperature no longer than 2 hours before being refrigerated. Many cookers will keep the rice warmer than room temperature, so it won’t go bad that quickly. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to help keep your rice fresh and safe to eat.
Another bonus feature that saves time is the “quick cook” setting. This feature allows you to cook rice in less time than normal, getting dinner to the table that much sooner. Score!
Multipurpose Functionality
I’m a big fan of appliances that serve more than one purpose. And while cooking rice is something we frequently do, it’s nice to have other cooking functions, as well. A multipurpose rice cooker can include yogurt, oatmeal, soup, porridge, and even slow-cook options.
Helpful Accessories
Rice cookers often come with accessories, but they vary both in quantity and quality. Most rice cookers include a rice paddle for stirring and a rice measuring cup. Some even have a handle for the paddle. But others might include a steam tray or steaming basket. This is great for cooking steamed vegetables with your white and brown rice.
Best Non-Teflon Rice Cooker: Product Reviews
Greenlife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Rice and Grains Cooker: Best Overall Rice Cooker
This Greenlife Healthy Rice Cooker features a ceramic non-stick inner pot. It comes with a cool-touch exterior in four bright color options: turquoise, yellow, pink, and white.
With a capacity of 4 cups of cooked rice, this rice cooker is on the smaller side. This size rice cooker is ideal for 2-3 people. If you have a large family, you might need a larger option.
The Greenlife does include a spatula and measuring cup. It has an easy-to-use control panel with multiple cooking functions. There are settings for white rice, brown rice, quinoa, and steel-cut oatmeal.
Customers had great results with white and brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, and congee. Some even successfully cooked wild rice with the brown rice setting.
I like that this rice cooker has adjustable timing, giving you maximum control over cook times. It also has a delay start feature, which is convenient for busy home cooks. And since it automatically switches to keep warm after cooking is complete, you don’t have to worry about overcooking your rice.
The non-stick ceramic inner pot means it’s easy to clean. All removable parts are dishwasher-safe, so you don’t have to spend much time cleaning after dinner.
A side note? If you seek out environmentally-conscious brands, Greenlife fits the bill. Their website highlights their lower carbon emissions, sand-derived ceramic non-stick, and use of recycled materials.
One of the only customer complaints about this rice cooker is the accumulation of water under the lid. When you open the lid, expect some water to spill onto the base. Another thing? The top is not see-through, so you can’t monitor the rice while cooking.
Pros
- Bright color options (white, yellow, turquoise, and pink)
- Great performance
- Easy to use
- 4 cooking presets & delay timer
- Stick-resistant ceramic pot
Cons
- Water accumulates under the lid
- Smaller capacity
- Lid is not see-through
Aroma Housewares ARC -6206C Professional Digital Rice Cooker with Ceramic Inner Pot: Best Ceramic Cooking Pot
Aroma is a popular brand for rice cookers and other kitchen appliances. The Aroma Housewares Arc-6206C features a clay ceramic inner cooking pot and a cool-touch surface exterior.
This rice cooker has a capacity of 4 quarts (3.78 liters), meaning it can make 12 cups of cooked rice. That’s enough to feed 10 people or 4-6 people with leftovers.
I like the handle for easy lifting and moving. The steam vent is removable, and the clay pot is dishwasher safe (top rack only). Some had trouble with the clay pot chipping, however. I would use extra care with the ceramic inner pot to avoid damage.
The Aroma Housewares Arc-6206c is truly a multi-cooker, featuring 12 cooking functions. It has settings for quick rice, brown rice, white rice, porridge, soup, steam, reheat, yogurt, and grains. It even functions as a slow cooker.
The delay start is a nice feature, and the keep warm mode means your rice will stay warm until you’re ready to eat.
As far as accessories, this rice cooker comes with a rice paddle, a rice measuring cup, and a steaming tray. Customers had success with all types of rice and were able to steam vegetables and fish.
Even though the Aroma Housewares Arc ceramic rice cooker has many valuable features, it does come at a higher price point. Expect to pay significantly more for this model versus others. It’s not always available, either, so you might have to be flexible.
Pros
- Multi-function
- Nonstick clay pot
Cons
- More expensive
- Reports of chipping/flaking ceramic pot
Aroma Housewares Select Simply Stainless Rice Cooker: Best Stainless Steel Cooking Pot
One of two Aroma rice cookers on the list, this Select Simply Stainless rice cooker has a stainless steel inner cooking pot and a tempered glass lid. The Aroma Select can produce up to 6 cups of cooked rice. That’s enough to easily feed a family of five.
There is a larger, 3-quart (2.83-liter) option that can cook up to 14 cups of cooked rice. That’s enough to feed a crowd. If you like to cook large batches of rice for multiple meals, this size would be better for you.
Unlike the previous Aroma rice cooker, this version does not have multiple cooking functions. It’s a one-touch rice cooker, so it’s easy to use. Simply add grains and water, then press cook.
When the Aroma has completed cooking, it automatically switches to keep rice warm. Some users complained that the unit switched to auto warm too soon, but others said the cook times gave them perfectly cooked rice.
The stainless steel inner pot is dishwasher-safe, so it’s easy to clean. For stuck-on rice, simply soak the inner rice cooker pot and then clean. Some users mentioned spewing water and steam from the vent hole. This is common when preparing rice. Simply wipe up any condensation with a towel.
This stainless steel rice cooker comes with a measuring cup and serving spatula. There is also an option that includes a stainless steel steam tray. A nice bonus? This is one of the more affordable options on the list.
If you’re a first-time rice cooker user and want something simple, easy to use, and inexpensive, this might be a good choice.
Pros
- Easy to use, one-touch
- Dishwasher-safe stainless steel inner pot
- Affordable
Cons
- Only one cook setting
- No delay timer
- Reports of cook times being too short
TianJi Electric Rice Cooker: Best Splurge Pick
TianJi is a relatively unknown brand, but this rice cooker can hold up to 6 cups of uncooked rice. It would be ideal for a family of two to five people. It also has a ceramic inner pot, so it is free of Teflon.
As far as cooking functions? The TianJi has several: brown rice, porridge, multi-grain rice, porridge, soup, reheat, and clay pot rice. While you can cook for up to 3 hours with this rice cooker, this wouldn’t make the best slow cooker.
The TianJi includes a rice cup, soup, and rice spoon, and a spoon holder. A holder is a minor feature, but nice for storage purposes.
The ceramic pot is stick-resistant, making cleanup a snap. Customers had success with brown rice and with porridge. One reviewer used the preset timer for overnight porridge, which is great for busy mornings.
This model may not be as user-friendly, however. Several users had issues with the lid sticking. One customer suggested pressing the button while simultaneously nudging it open. Another issue is the timer. It doesn’t show the cooking time until the last few minutes, which can certainly be inconvenient.
Overall, while this model is more expensive than others, it has many helpful features above and beyond standard rice cookers.
Pros
- Multi-function
- Delay start
- Clay pot is easy to clean
Cons
- Not as user-friendly
- More expensive
Cuckoo Stainless Steel Electric Pressure Rice Cooker: Best Pressurized Rice Cooker
WARNING: I couldn’t actually work out if this rice cooker uses a Teflon coating or not.
For those that prefer pressurized rice cookers, this Cuckoo stainless steel rice cooker combines the best of pressure and rice cooking. Cuckoo is a famous Korean brand with a good reputation for rice and multi-cookers.
A luxury choice in a sleek black exterior, this digital rice cooker is the most expensive option on the list. But for good reason.
For starters? The Cuckoo rice cooker can handle up to 10 cups of uncooked rice, producing a staggering 20 cups of cooked rice. That’s enough to feed large families or crowds of 10 people, with plenty to spare. That capacity makes this rice cooker great for batch rice cooking.
The Cuckoo also comes with 12 menu options, with white and brown rice presets, mixed rice, GABA rice, porridge, and nurungji (Korean scorched rice). And if you need to save time? The pressurized “turbo” option can cook rice in less time.
This rice cooker has built-in voice navigation, a feature few rice cookers have. Oh, and that voice navigation? It also comes in three languages: English, Chinese, and Korean.
The detachable inner pot lid is easy to clean, and this model comes with a rice paddle, measuring cup, and venting needle.
Customers loved how easy it is to clean their Cuckoo cooker. It features an auto-clean cycle that sterilizes the rice cooking pot and allows you to easily wipe off any stains.
Users raved about the texture and taste of the rice this cooker produced. They also loved how the pressurized function saved them time.
One caution: The stainless steel inner pot does have a non-stick coating on it, Cuckoo’s proprietary X-wall coating. This coating could very well be ceramic, but we can’t be certain.
While the company claims this is a non-toxic rice cooker, we can’t confirm with 100% certainty that the non-stick coating does not contain Teflon.
Pros
- Multi-function
- Pressurized, cuts downtime
- Digital touchscreen control panel
- Voice navigation
- Stainless steel inner pot
Cons
- Significantly more expensive
- Possible Teflon?
OYAMA 16-Cup (Cooked) Stainless Steel Rice Cooker: Best Large Capacity Cooker
When it comes to non-Teflon rice cookers, this OYAMA is one of the bigger options. It can hold up to 16 cups (2.88 liters) of rice, making it great for large families.
This rice cooker has a stainless steel inner pot and a glass lid. It also comes with a stainless steel steamer tray, which is great if you like to steam foods while cooking your rice. The steamer tray is also dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easier. The OYAMA includes a paddle and measuring cup, as well.
The automatic keep-warm function switches on after the rice cooker has completed cooking. There is no delay timer or multiple cooking functions. But the one-touch start means this model is easy to use.
The OYAMA cooks quickly. In fact, some users complained that the unit cooked too quickly, causing rice to stick to the stainless steel pot.
Several customers mentioned it was difficult to clean this cooker, as well. In general, stainless steel rice cookers are more prone to sticking versus Teflon. Some recommend using a little oil to help resist sticking.
There were reports of this stainless steel rice cooker malfunctioning after a time, so durability is a question. However, others praised its performance. This is also another model that is sometimes out of stock, which can be frustrating.
Pros
- Large capacity
- One-touch, easy to use
- Includes steaming tray
- Affordable
Cons
- Not as easy to clean
- Can cook too quickly
- Complaints of durability
Elite Gourmet Stainless Steel Electric Rice Cooker: Best Budget Option
If you want a simple non-toxic rice cooker that’s also easy on your wallet, this Elite Gourmet is a good option. With a capacity of 5 cups (900 mL) of uncooked rice, this rice cooker is great for a family of four.
It has a non-Teflon stainless steel bowl and tempered glass lid. It also is a one-touch model, meaning it’s easy to use. The cool-touch handles are good for lifting, and the Elite Gourmet includes a measuring cup and rice scoop.
While this option will save you some money, it does come with some drawbacks. Several customers complained of pitted stainless steel. Those dark spots are actually spots of corrosion.
Another complaint is the spitting of water and steam from the steam vent in the lid. This is not uncommon, but you’ll want to be aware it could happen. Some suggest putting a mug or cup on top of the steam vent to trap the spitting water.
Pros
- Affordable
- Tempered glass lid
- Easy to use, one-touch
Cons
- Complaints of pitted steel
- More difficult to clean
The Last Word: The Best Rice Cooker (Non-Teflon)
Want the best non-toxic rice cooker? I would go with the Greenlife Ceramic Rice Cooker. It has excellent customer feedback and some bonus features while being easy to use. Plus, it just looks cheerful on the counter.
If you have your heart set on a stainless rice cooker, the Aroma Housewares Select is a great choice. It’s also easy on the budget, which is always a nice bonus.
