Aroma ARC-733-1G Review
Though its brand name is not as well recognized as Panasonic or Zojirushi, Aroma is still one of the leading rice cookers for one reason: They are extremely inexpensive. Aroma rice cookers rarely contain any of the interesting technological elements of some of the other more upscale rice cooker brands, but that is not their purpose. Their purpose is to cook rice, and to be an inexpensive appliance that anyone can afford.
That is what the Aroma ARC-733-1G 3-Cup Pot-Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is designed for. At a starting price of roughly $15, the Aroma ARC-733-1G 3-Cup Pot-Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is one of the least expensive electric models available, yet it performs its rice cooking functions acceptably, and even comes with a rice steamer for added benefits.
Product Features of the Aroma 3-Cup Pot-Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer
· Automatic keep warm feature.
· Simple one touch button.
· One year warranty.
· Tempered glass lid.
· Stay cool handles.
· Vegetable and meat steamer.
· Rice paddle/spatula.
· Easy to read indicator lights.
Pros
The Aroma 3-Cup Pot-Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is the definition of simplicity. The rice cooker starts with a simple lever push, and ends when the rice is finished. It performs its tasks ably, and has the ability to work for multiple types of food including soups and stews. It has a glass lid so that it is easy to see the contents, and a steam rack so that you can cook healthy vegetables along with your rice.
This rice cooker does come with the “Keep Warm” feature, unlike many other models at its lower price range. It also is made with aluminum, rather than Teflon, which has been shown to have toxic properties that may come out after steaming. In addition, the one year warranty is a nice addition for such a low cost appliance.
Cons
The inside pan is not non-stick, so rice will stick to the bottom of the pan. It will wash off if you soak it, but you will lose a little of the rice when it is ready to serve and the cleaning can be at least a mild hassle. It is a little slower than other rice cookers, though not noticeably so unless you have used many of the better models. It also does not have many of the nifty features that are seen on many of the more advanced rice cookers. There are no alternative settings, and it is not the best rice cooker for more exotic rice styles.
Overall Impressions
Indeed, the Aroma 3-Cup Pot-Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is certainly one of the least flashy rice cookers on the market. Its design is nice, though not particularly slick, and it does a good job cooking rice evenly with the exception of the layer near the heating pad. In the world of rice cookers, this model may simply be “adequate,” but because the appliance costs only about $15.00, it is still a very good value. You can buy it online here.
Useful Links:
http://www.aroma-housewares.com/
http://kitchen.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/aroma/aroma_rice_cooker_product_list.html
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