Rice is one of the easiest things to cook, yet achieving consistent results every time can be challenging. Essentially, cooking rice involves boiling it until the water is absorbed and the rice is dry. But does this straightforward process justify the need for another dedicated appliance in your kitchen? Absolutely, YES.
Read More Here: Why Rice Cookers are Better than Stove Tops
Let’s explore the best locally available rice cooker brands in Kenya. All these brands offer the basic functions of a rice cooker, including the keep warm feature.
Most also come with a steam basket, enhancing the rice cooker’s versatility. You can steam vegetables or boil eggs in the steamer above while cooking rice below, and they all automatically switch to keep warm mode once cooking is complete.
All these models have a non stick inner pot coating so cleaning will be a breeze and are backed by a one year waranty
5. Ramtons
Check Price
Ramtons is a decent appliance brand and one of the most trusted by Kenyans, so it’s no surprise that their rice cookers are good. However, the reason they come last on this list is that they are overpriced for what they offer.
When comparing capacity, build quality, and features, you can find similar specifications from other brands at a lower price. If you’re on a budget, consider the next brand, Sayona.
Ramtons offers two sizes: 1.8L and 2.8L. If you have a family of more than three, opt for the larger size. Otherwise, the smaller one should suffice.
4. Sayona
A Ramtons model with the same size and features costs KSh 5,000, while a similar model from Sayona is just KSh 3,200 for the 1.8L version. You might think that cheaper means lower quality, but that’s not always the case.
In fact, I own this brand of rice cooker and haven’t had any issues for over a year. Sayona is priced lower because they are a relatively new brand without an established reputation, not because of inferior quality. This is the most affordable brand on this list, and for a simple, basic appliance like a rice cooker, it’s a great choice.
The build quality might not be the best, but it’s sufficient. The only issue I encountered was with the power cord, which shattered when dropped from a height. It wasn’t the sturdiest, but I fixed it myself and haven’t had any problems with the unit since.
Also Read: Sayona SRC 4302 1.5L Review: Best Value Rice Cooker in Kenya
3. Armco
Check Price
If you’re looking for a rice cooker with slightly better build quality and materials, along with a larger capacity, then Armco is the ideal choice for you.
What I personally love the most about this brand stands out with its elegant, minimalist design and neutral colors that will seamlessly match and enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen.
Armco rice cookers offer a water capacity of 2.2 liters or 5 liters, providing you with the flexibility to choose the size that best suits your family size.
Each model comes with essential accessories, including a rice spoon and a measuring cup, making your cooking experience more complete.
Additionally, the keep warm function ensures your rice remains at the perfect temperature until you’re ready to serve.
The non-stick coating inside the rice cooker simplifies cleaning and ensures that your rice doesn’t stick to the pot. Armco also provides a 1-year warranty, giving you peace of mind with your purchase.
2. Kenwood
Price: KSh 10,695
Kenwood represents the premium tier of rice cookers, offering superior build quality and advanced technology. With a more powerful 1000W motor, it cooks rice faster than many other models.
While the price tag of KSh 10,000 or more might seem steep compared to cheaper alternatives that also get the job done, Kenwood’s rice cookers provide better build quality and longevity.
This means that although it doesn’t necessarily cook rice better, it offers durability and reliability, ensuring it outlasts many other models. If you’re someone who prefers “buy it for life appliances”, then Kenwood, along with the top brand on our list, is perfect for you.
Kenwood rice cookers are available in a single, large size of 2.8L, which is ideal for larger families. However, they don’t offer smaller options for bachelors or small families.
1. Panasonic
Price: KSh 13,000
Panasonic is the most expensive option on this list and surprisingly lacks the steaming function found in all the other models, including the more affordable Sayona at just KSh 3,200. However, Panasonic boasts the highest power at 1025W and the largest capacity of 3.2L, allowing you to cook over 17 cups of rice at once, which is ideal for large gatherings.
Despite missing the steaming feature, Panasonic includes standard functions like a keep-warm setting that lasts up to 5 hours. Be aware that the keep-warm function can degrade the quality of the rice, making it less fresh than right after cooking.
However, it’s a handy feature if you need to keep the rice warm while handling other tasks before serving. Unlike other brands, the inner pan is made of anodized aluminum instead of non-stick material, ensuring it won’t rust.
In contrast, my inexpensive Sayona rice cooker had rust issues with the steamer basket screws, a problem you won’t face with a premium brand like Panasonic. If your budget allows, this is a great investment.
While anodized aluminum isn’t as easy to clean as non-stick surfaces, it doesn’t wear out as quickly and is more resistant to scratches from metal utensils. Though not as good as non-stick, anodized aluminum still offers decent non-stick properties.
Panasonic is renowned for its water dispensers and microwaves in other buying guides on this blog and is a reputable Japanese company. If you don’t need the steaming functionality, Panasonic is an excellent choice. Otherwise, consider Kenwood as the next best option.
