It’s sensible to want the best rice cooker in Malaysia 2021 when it is such quintessential appliance in many Malaysian households!
A regular locally-made rice cooker can be much less than RM100. But high-quality rice cooker prices in Malaysia generally fall in the RM100-600 range!
Still a worth-well investment if you don’t want to be consuming dangerous chemicals over a long period! Plus, your rice cooker will last longer too!
13 Best Rice Cookers In Malaysia 2021
1. Panasonic SR-E18A Conventional 1.8L Rice Cooker
Panasonic’s SR-E18A can cook enough for your whole family! And when it’s done, it will automatically keep the rice warm!
You can’t really be mad at it since it’s very affordable too (including a 1-year warranty)!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Conventional
- Inner Pan Make: Anodized Aluminum
- Modes: Keep warm
- Price: ~RM100
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Removable lid
- Trustworthy brand
- Simple
Cons:
- Limited functions
2. Russell Taylors ERC-18 Conventional 1.8L Rice Cooker
At first glance, this may seem like a brand from overseas:
But Russel Taylors is actually a Malaysian-based company selling kitchen appliances from China. After rebranding them!
Their ERC-18 rice cooker with a removable lid comes with a steam rack and 1 year warranty too!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Conventional
- Inner Pan Make: Non-stick
- Modes: Keep warm
- Price: ~RM80
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Automatic keep warm function triggers after the rice is cooked
- Comes with a serving paddle and rice cup too
- Non-stick coating
Cons:
- Like other conventional rice cookers, the lid is light and sometimes, steam and water will escape!
3. Philips HD3115/62 Daily Collection Jar 1.8L Rice Cooker
Made in China, the HD3115/62 by Philips (from Netherlands) has a copper element that warms the sides of the rice cooker. Paired with a built-in smart heating system to ensure even cooking.
It too, comes with some accessories. Like a scoop, measuring cup and steaming tray.
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Jar Type (Attached Lid)
- Inner Pan Make: Non-stick
- Modes: Keep warm
- Price: ~RM199
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
- Long warranty
- Has 5 non-stick layers with an anti-scratch coating
- Measurement markings for water and rice level
- Automatic keep warm
Cons:
- Lid is fixed
- Rice can get crusty at the bottom
- Online registration is a must to apply for the warranty
4. Toshiba RC-18JH1NMY Jar Type 1.8L Rice Cooker
The inner lid of jar type Toshiba RC-18JH1NMY rice cooker is detachable so you can clean it easily.
And it’s not any more complicated to use than a conventional rice cooker!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Jar Type (Attached Lid)
- Inner Pan Make: Aluminum with non-stick coating
- Modes: Keep warm
- Price: ~RM120
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Steam basket, rice scoop and measuring cup included
- Decent quality
Cons:
- Only 1 year warranty
5. Panasonic SR-JP185 Mechanical Jar 1.8L Rice Cooker
Here’s a rice cooker that’s capable of 3 functions – rice, porridge and steaming! A toggle between rice and porridge mode keeps things from being unnecessarily complicated!
You can even steam meat and seafood with the included steam basket!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Jar Type (Attached Lid)
- Inner Pan Make: Black Flon Pan
- Modes: Keep warm, porridge
- Price: ~RM120
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Inner lid is detachable
- 3-color indicator (one for porridge)
- Accessories include a measuring cup, rice paddle, porridge scoop and a steam basket
Cons:
- Cost more than other rice cookers
6. Electrolux ERC3405 3 In 1 Function 1.8L Rice Cooker
Electrolux from Sweden has a similar rice cooker to the one above:
It cooks from all sides, resulting in fluffy rice!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Jar Type (Attached Lid)
- Inner Pan Make: Non-stick
- Modes: Keep warm, porridge
- Price: ~RM160
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
- Affordable
- Automatically keeps your rice warm
- You’ll get a steam tray, rice paddle and scoop as well as a measuring cup
Cons:
- Relatively heavy (3.6kg)
7. Russell Taylors ERC-30 Fuzzy Logic Smart 1.8L Rice Cooker
There are 6 different programs stored in Russell Taylors’ ERC-30 so you can cook different types of rice and even soup!
Pre-set timer and digital display allow you to choose when you want your rice to be ready!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Fuzzy Logic
- Inner Pan Make: Non-stick
- Modes: Keep warm, delay, steam, white rice, brown rice, mixed rice, beans, soup
- Price: ~RM150
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Includes rice paddle, cup and steam rack
- Multi-functional
- Easy to wash
- Cooks rice well
Cons:
- Exterior gets scratches easily
8. Philips HD3038 Fuzzy Logic 1.8L Rice Cooker
Philips HD3038 has a futuristic look to it. If you thought the previous model on our list was impressive, this one takes the cake!
With 9 different modes including a way to reheat previous leftover rice!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Fuzzy Logic
- Inner Pan Make: Non-stick
- Modes: Cake, steam, congee, reheat, ultra quick, claypot rice, etc
- Price: ~RM240-360
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
- Preset timer for up to 12 hours
- Cooks from all sides
- Thick non-stick coating
- Automatic keep warm
- Long warranty
- Quality accessories (e.g. ladle, steam basket, rice paddle, etc)
Cons:
- Expensive
- Lid is not easy to clean
- Relatively larger than other rice cookers
- Ultra quick mode is 25 minutes
9. Tefal RK7321 Fuzzy Logic 1.8L Rice Cooker
Clearly defined buttons make it simple to select any of the 8 programs in this rice cooker by Tefal. None of which, are for baking! You can adjust the preset timer as needed!
Something else to note about RK7321 is the inner pot design. Which has a spherical shape for better heat circulation!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Fuzzy Logic
- Inner Pan Make: Aluminum (1.5mm thick) with non-stick coating
- Modes: stew, porridge, brown rice, quick cook, slow cook, etc
- Price: ~RM200
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
- Automatic keep warm
- Rice spatula, measuring cup, and steam basket
- Lightweight
- Good quality
Cons:
- Expensive
10. Toshiba RC-18DH1NMY Digital 1.8L Rice Cooker
Toshiba’s appealing minimalist-style RC-18DH1NMY rice cooker features a unique coating of Japanese Bincho charcoal (Binchotan).
This activated charcoal coating absorbs impurities from the water. Not unlike in commercial water filters! It’s not harmful to your health either!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Fuzzy Logic
- Inner Pan Make: Binchotan
- Modes: Cake, sushi, brown rice, sticky rice, soup, steam, quick (30 minutes), etc
- Price: ~RM200
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- 24hr preset timer
- Accessories (e.g. cup, paddle, scoop and steam rack)
- Durable (2.2 mm thickness)
- Multi-functional with 11 different modes
- LED display
- Inner lid and steam vent can be detached
Cons:
- Very expensive
11. HETCH MTC-1721-HC 8 in 1 Multifunction 1.8L Rice Cooker
That transparent viewing window made of heat-resistance plastic (BPA & Phlthalate Free – tested by SGS) is the highlight of this rice cooker by HETCH.
Cleaning of the inner pot is simple as is selecting the 8 functions!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Fuzzy Logic
- Inner Pan Make: Non-stick
- Modes: Dessert, slow cook, yoghurt, steam, fry stew, keep warm (24 hours), etc
- Price: ~RM160
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Spoon, steamer and cup are included
- Boils soup fast
- Highly versatile
Cons:
- Not of the best quality
- Lid is not removable
- Window tends to fog up
12. Philips HD4528/62 Avance Collection IH 1.5L Rice Cooker
Yet another from Philips, the HD4528 sports a luxurious dark finish – an aesthetic asset to your kitchen as well as a functional one!
It achieves perfection for every grain of rice with the patented iSpiral IH technology. Alerting you when the rice is done!
- Capacity: 1.5L
- Cooking Capacity: Up to 6 people
- Type: Induction Heating
- Inner Pan Make: Stone-like
- Modes: Keep warm (up to 12 hours), soup, porridge, brown rice, etc
- Price: ~RM500-600
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
- Cooks excellent rice
- Has a measuring cup, spatula and steaming basket
- Automatic keep warm
- User-friendly
- Durable
- Removable inner lid
- High quality
- Large digital display
- Accurate water and rice measurement markings in the inner pot
Cons:
- Expensive
- Long cook time (e.g. 1.5 hours for porridge mode)
- Small capacity for a large family
- Font size is a bit small
- No countdown timer from start to finish (only the last 15 minutes)
- Takes up counter space significantly
- Heavy inner pot
13. Tefal RK8055 Spherical Pot 3D Induction 1.8L Rice Cooker
Only cooking enthusiasts will be able to fully appreciate the astounding 48 rice and other cooking programs of Tefal RK8055!
It lets you customize and save your own recipes too!
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Cooking Capacity: 2-10 cups
- Type: Induction Heating
- Inner Pan Make: Aluminum/Iron (3mm thickness) with anti-rusting and non-stick coating
- Modes: Keep warm, Japanese rice, bread, glutinous rice, brown rice, quick cook, claypot, porridge, congee, steam, slow cook, soup, dessert, reheat, diy chef, etc
- Price: ~RM550
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
- Very durable spherical inner pot
- Recipe book, measuring cup, spoon, soup ladle and steam basket
- Preset up to 24 hours
- Detachable lid
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
- No pressure cooker function
Types Of Rice Cooker
Like refrigerators, there are up to 4 types of different rice cookers available on the market:
1. Conventional Rice Cooker (Removable Lid)
These use a heating element below the inner pot that contains the rice and water.
A temperature sensor that uses change in temperature (after the water is gone) to release a latch then turn offs of the heating element!
2. Jar Type (Attached Lid, Non-digital)
Jar type rice cookers have more than 1 heating element! The base as well as the sides!
Thus, unlike the conventional rice cookers, you won’t get a crispy crust at the bottom of your rice!
3. Fuzzy Logic (Digital)
Rice connoisseurs may want to get a rice cooker that uses fuzzy logic to cook rice. The resulting rice has better texture and taste!
Conventional rice cookers just have 2 levels. While the fuzzy logic rice cookers have different levels for determining when to turn off the heating element. Like when you want to cook porridge!
They usually have a quick mode function too. In case you don’t want to wait ~50 minutes for your rice to cook!
4. Induction Heating
More expensive, induction rice cookers offer higher precision than fuzzy logic rice cookers. As well as even distribution of heat, like jar type rice cookers!
How To Choose The Best Rice Cooker
Arm yourself with the knowledge of how to differentiate between rice cookers before you buy a rice cooker in Malaysia!1. What Size Do You Actually Need?
Getting a rice cooker with a capacity that is more than you need will result in a shorter lifespan for the cooker. And the heat will not be evenly distributed.
Determine how much rice you cook (in terms of cups). We’re assuming you cook rice on an almost-daily basis!
So if you cook 2 cups daily, a 3-cup rice cooker is what you need!
Other questions to ask yourself:
- Do you cook in batches, saving the leftover rice for another meal?
- How often do you have guests over?
If you’re just one person, a mini rice cooker will do just fine.
2. Versatility
Another thing to think about: Do you want to cook anything else in your rice cooker? Besides rice!
Some rice cookers come with steaming trays. So that you can steam food as the rice is cooking!
What if you want to steam a whole fish?
Then, you would need the best food steamer in Malaysia!
Or for something even more versatile, see the best multi-cookers in Malaysia!
4. What Other Features Should I Look For?
- A transparent lid (and removable for washing)
- Porridge mode
- Slow cook mode (If you’re looking for this, you may as well check out the best pressure cookers in Malaysia too!)
- Markings for measuring water and rice (inside the pot)
- Material of inner pot – aluminum, stainless steel, non-stick coating, clay, etc
- Indicator light
- Keep Warm function (automatic after cooking)
Maintaining Your Rice Cooker
Rice cookers don’t last forever but there are certain things you can do that can help! A good rice cooker can last a decade!- Don’t rinse your rice using the inner pot to prevent scratches to the non-stick coating
- Additional ingredients like spices or oil can ruin a non-stick coating too
- Keep the heating element clean along with the pot
Conclusion
Do not be in a hurry to choose the best rice cooker in Malaysia for your family. Being content with the first rice pot you come across might bring you unwanted hassle later!
In this article, we will cover features and types of rice cookers you may not be aware about. And tips on how to make sure your new rice cooker lasts!
