In the ever-evolving world of kitchen gadgets, mini appliances are having a moment. From mini air fryers and waffle makers to tiny toasters and hand-held portable blenders, they’re compact, fun and colourful, pitched as a great solution for travel, small kitchens, dorm rooms, caravans or office spaces.
Mini rice cookers, capable of cooking up to 1-2 cups of rice, have always been a popular option for smaller households or people with limited space, and Kmart and Target have released their own version: a mint-green mini rice cooker with an extremely budget price tag.
At just $15, the appeal is obvious: a simple, fuss-free way to make perfect rice without hogging counter space or breaking the bank. But does this trending appliance actually work and does it live up to the hype? CHOICE testers looked into whether it’s worth a spot in your kitchen.
Are budget rice cookers any good?
Rice cookers are a handy kitchen helper, with models ranging from very basic appliances to fancy, more expensive multi-program machines you can use to cook different grains and make everything from porridge to sushi rice and congee.
When we've tested rice cookers in the CHOICE kitchen labs, looking at over 20 models, our results reveal that there are well-performing models at both ends of the price scale.
When it comes to more frugal options, our experts found a few examples from budget retailers such as Big W, Kmart and Target that scored relatively well in our performance tests and will leave you with change from a $50 note. Check out the results from the latest CHOICE rice cooker review.
CHOICE experts review the $15 mini rice cooker
The new $15 Anko model from Kmart and Target comes in mint green, with a measuring cup and rice spoon, and features cook and warm functions so you can prepare rice and keep it warm until you're ready to serve.
It's the smallest model we've tested and can cook up to 1.5 cups of uncooked rice (other models in our review can hold up to 10 cups). This results in about 4-4.5 cups of cooked rice, which depending on your portion sizes and the dish you're serving, could be enough for around one to two adults, and perhaps a small child.
If you are cooking more substantial rice-based dishes or feeding more people, you may like to consider larger models, such as the Kmart 7-cup rice cooker for $14 which cooks enough rice for about 4-6 adults.
While cooking more rice than you need for one meal is handy for leftovers or meal prep, larger models across most brands can be extremely bulky. If you have a smaller family and not much storage space, this mini rice cooker is a handy option.
Remember, cooked rice should be eaten within two days. If freezing, it should be cooled first and is best consumed within three months.
This is truly a mini rice cooker! See how it measures up against a 1kg bag of rice.
How does the mini Kmart rice cooker perform in our testing?
There are over 20 rice cookers in our latest review and many perform well in our testing. After all, these are not overly complicated appliances and we rarely see rice cookers that completely fail at the one job they promise to do: cook rice.
In fact, many of the models we've looked at score a perfect 100% in either one or both of our key tests cooking brown rice and jasmine rice. We also rate them on how easy they are to assemble, use and clean.
"This basic rice cooker from Kmart is well-suited for a small family or small kitchen due to its size - it scores a good 83% on cooking rice, and achieved better results cooking brown rice than jasmine rice," says CHOICE home economist, Fiona Mair.
"Positives are that it's a very simple appliance that's easy to assemble and easy to store, with clear indicator lights that switch to 'warm' function once your rice is finished cooking."
But Fiona warns the mini cooker does come with some down sides too.
"It falls down slightly in its Ease of Use score which is 76%. It comes with only very basic instructions and doesn't make an audible beeping sound when your rice is finished (this is a feature we commonly see). The cord is not removable and you should take care when using it as the surfaces can become very hot. Also, as the appliance is so small, it can be tricky removing the inset bowl."
Our testers also noted you should take care when filling the rice cooker to its maximum capacity. "We found that starchy water can bubble around the glass lid and splatter onto the bench," says Fiona.
View the full CHOICE review of the Kmart mini rice cooker.
When filled to max capacity, starchy water can spill out of the glass lid during cooking.
How long does it take to cook the rice?
This model takes 21 minutes to cook jasmine rice, plus 15 minutes standing time for best results. As is often the case with many rice cookers, it takes much longer to cook brown rice - up to 48 minutes.
"This is relatively fast as compared to other models we've tested," says Fiona.
"Some models can take around 15-20 minutes to cook jasmine rice while some larger models take around 35 minutes more plus standing time. If cooking time is important to you, ensure you check cooking times which are recorded for each model in our latest review."
Does it come with a product warranty?
This rice cooker comes with a 12-month warranty, which is the same time period offered by most rice cookers in our review.
Whenever purchasing cheaper, more basic appliances, CHOICE experts advise to consider the customer service that potentially will be available to you should something go wrong, or if there are replacement parts available for the appliance you're buying.
CHOICE verdict
If space is a premium and you only want to cook small amounts of rice at a time, the Kmart mini rice cooker is an inexpensive option that will do the job.
If you're looking for something with a wider range of functions and features, though - such as an electronic display, timer, or functions for risotto, sushi rice, porridge or congee - you may be better off spending a little more and choosing a model with pre-programmed settings. Take a look at our rice cooker reviews to find the best fit for you.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
