I have a fancy rice cooker, which is I guess overkill, but it makes perfect rice every time (many different types) and it has keep warm/reheat and delayed cooking modes, so throwing it out here:
ETA: Zojirushi is a respected brand I believe, and they do have cheaper models.
I have this one! They also make a smaller model.
I have an instant pot and I don’t ever lift or move the machine itself. Everything cooks in a fairly light stainless steel pot that fits inside the machine.
Here the first picture I could find.
Thanks for the images! Unfortunately I don’t have quite enough free space to keep it out all the time so I’ll have to be able to lift it in and out of the cabinet. Do you think it’s more than around 5-6 pounds (3kg)? Just as a guess? If it is I think I’ll let go of the pressure canning function and get a more stripped down one that just makes rice/beans.
I am sure the problem is entirely me and other people know what they’re doing, but for some reason I cannot cook rice in an instant pot without it burning to the bottom. The pot is easy enough to scrub clean with steal wool but it is annoying. I never use it for rice, I have a separate small rice cooker that cooks 2 cups dry rice at once.
So the external part of the pot without the internal cooking pot or lid, etc weighs 8.2 pounds. All together I would estimate 15 pounds if you were to lift it with the pot inside, and the lid.
I haven’t pressure canned in it, but I’ve used it to sterilize and seal jars.
Once I got it I found myself using it for tons of things I didn’t expect to, and at this point could probably stop having a stove if I also had an electric kettle. It’s one of the most useful individual machines I’ve encountered.
Oh wow, ok that’s definitely too heavy for me. Thank you!!! You saved me a return.
Ok, so based on this information I have a new request, lol. I would like some type of electric cooker to make all types of rice (including brown) and dried beans. It doesn’t have to do anything else!
Oh that’s good to know! TY!
I wonder if a 4qt instant pot would work for you then? It’s quite a bit smaller externally…do you happen to have a bed bath and beyond near you? I think they usually have models on the floor. I would imagine the external pot is around 5-6 pounds
There probably is one nearby! That’s a good idea. Then I can actually lift it and see. They’re going to think I’m stealing it, lol.
Another idea: maybe I’ll get a rice cooker that does brown and white rice and then separately get an inexpensive slow cooker for beans. I think it would be more practical (in my case) to have two things I can lift easily rather than one I can’t lift/can only lift with difficulty.
The Instant Pot Mini (3 qt) is 8 pounds and it’s significantly smaller than the 6 qt. What I also love is that the pot is smaller so we can fit two of them in the fridge. We have 3 pots total and two glass pot lids so we can have one for yogurt and then two others. We use it for rice/beans all the time! However, I don’t know if it’s big enough to do canning. The inner pot is only 5" tall.
Ooo, ok that’s a possibility! I’m ok with giving up the canning function, that was kind of a bonus and if I really want to I can purchase a stovetop pressure canner at some point. Those are heavy too but I can plan my canning and have dh get it out for me, but I don’t want to have to rely on him for making rice/beans since that’s an all the time thing. Thanks!
Thank you @allhat and @calbal ! How do yours do with the bottom layer of rice - is there a scorched layer glued to the pot? (My previous rice cooker was an Aroma brand from buy nothing, so about as cheap as you can go.)
We actually used to have a 5.5 qt (they stopped making that size) and then replaced it with a mini when I saw it at my friend’s place. It’s a great size when you’re not cooking for a huge family! The other one just looked enormous on our countertop.
I’ve never had any sticking with mine!
Does the mini make brown rice too? I only see one rice button. Sorry if this is obviously written somewhere, on meds today.
I never use preset buttons - there are guides online galore for every type of legume and grain, and it’s also super easy to convert from recipes that give number of whistles for stovetop cookers.
