10 Best Commercial Rice Cookers 2026 in the United States

The Aroma Housewares AROMA® Professional 20-Cup Digital Rice Cooker is a versatile appliance that serves as a rice cooker, steamer, and slow cooker. With a capacity of 20 cups cooked rice (5 quarts), it is well-suited for families or gatherings. The 10 smart cooking modes, including options for rice, grains, soup, oatmeal, and even cake, make it a highly versatile tool in the kitchen.

The Sauté-then-Simmer® technology allows for a seamless transition between high-heat searing and slow cooking, making it ideal for one-pot meals. Additionally, the 15-hour delay timer is great for meal prep, allowing you to plan and prepare meals in advance. The appliance offers a keep-warm function to ensure your food stays at the right temperature until you're ready to serve.

As for durability and build quality, it is made from aluminum and has a smooth coating to prevent food from sticking, which also makes it easier to clean. All removable parts are dishwasher-safe, adding to the convenience. Some components require hand washing, which might be a slight inconvenience for some users. The Aroma rice cooker also comes with useful accessories like a steam tray, rice measuring cup, and serving spatula. Given its features and ease of use, this rice cooker is particularly beneficial for users looking for a multi-functional kitchen appliance that simplifies meal preparation and offers consistent results.

The Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer is a solid choice for those who need a versatile cooker that can handle up to 14 cups of cooked rice, making it suitable for medium-sized families or small commercial settings. Its standout feature is the 2-in-1 steam basket that doubles as a rice rinser, helping prevent clumpy rice and allowing you to steam vegetables or seafood while cooking rice simultaneously. This adds convenience and saves time, especially if you want to prepare complete meals in one pot.

With six preprogrammed settings, including options for white rice, whole grains, quick cooking, steaming, and hot cereals, this cooker takes much of the guesswork out of preparing various dishes. The programmable delay start feature is helpful for meal planning, allowing you to time your cooking up to 11 hours in advance, and the automatic keep-warm function ensures food stays ready to serve without drying out.

The stainless steel exterior looks durable and fits well in a kitchen, but the plastic lid and the removable pot’s ceramic nonstick coating require gentle hand washing to maintain longevity, which might be less convenient in a busy commercial environment. The cooker operates at 500 watts, delivering efficient cooking times without consuming too much power. This rice cooker offers good capacity and handy features for steaming and rinsing rice, making it a flexible tool for diverse cooking needs. It is particularly well-suited for home users and small food service settings that value convenience and moderate output, though those seeking a heavy-duty commercial device for very large volumes or rough handling might find it less ideal.

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and versatile cooking appliance. With a capacity of 1.05 quarts, it is well-suited for small to medium-sized families or commercial settings where rice is a staple. One of its standout features is the induction heating system, which ensures even cooking and precise temperature control, resulting in perfectly cooked rice every time.

The cooker includes a variety of settings such as those for white, sushi, jasmine, sweet, and porridge rice, making it adaptable to different recipes and dietary preferences. The healthy options for brown and GABA rice are particularly appealing for health-conscious users. Additionally, the keep-warm function and delay timer are practical features that enhance convenience, allowing you to prepare meals ahead of time.

Ease of cleaning is another strong point, as the design facilitates a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth. The clear LCD control panel is user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to operate, even for those who may not be tech-savvy. The capacity might be a limitation for larger families or commercial kitchens requiring larger quantities of rice, and some may find the price point on the higher side compared to simpler models without induction heating. Furthermore, while the appliance primarily excels at cooking rice, it may not offer as much versatility for other types of cooking.