How to Choose the Right Rice Cooker, Pressure Cooker or Slow Cooker

Understanding Your Cooking Appliance Options

Rice cookers, pressure cookers, and slow cookers are three of the most useful benchtop appliances available for Australian home cooks. Each one solves a different problem in the kitchen, and many households benefit from having more than one. This guide explains how each type works, what to look for when buying, and which one is the right fit for your cooking habits.

Rice Cookers

What a Rice Cooker Does

A rice cooker automates the process of cooking rice perfectly every time. It monitors temperature and moisture levels and switches automatically to a keep-warm setting once the rice is cooked. Beyond rice, most modern rice cookers can also steam vegetables, cook congee, prepare quinoa, and even bake simple cakes.

Who Needs a Rice Cooker

If your household eats rice more than once or twice a week, a rice cooker is a genuinely worthwhile investment. It frees up a burner on your stovetop, produces consistently good results, and keeps rice warm until you're ready to serve without drying it out. It's particularly popular in households that cook a lot of Asian cuisine.

Key Features to Look For

Capacity

Rice cooker capacity is measured in cups of uncooked rice. A 3-cup model suits one to two people. A 5 to 6-cup model is right for a family of three to five. A 10-cup model suits larger households or anyone who batch cooks rice in advance.

Cooking Functions

Basic rice cookers offer a single cook-and-keep-warm cycle. More advanced models include settings for different rice types (white, brown, sushi, mixed grain), a steaming basket for vegetables, a porridge setting, and a timer function that lets you set the cooker to have rice ready at a specific time.

Inner Pot Coating

Look for a non-stick inner pot that's easy to clean. Some premium models use a thicker, more durable pot that distributes heat more evenly and holds up better over time.

Browse our range of rice cookers to find the right capacity and feature set for your household.

Pressure Cookers

What a Pressure Cooker Does

An electric pressure cooker uses steam pressure to cook food significantly faster than conventional methods. A beef stew that takes two hours on the stovetop can be ready in 30 to 40 minutes under pressure. The sealed environment also retains more nutrients and flavour than boiling or simmering in an open pot.

Who Needs a Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers suit households that want to cook hearty, slow-style meals without the long wait. They're ideal for busy families, meal preppers, and anyone who loves dishes like curries, braises, soups, and stocks but doesn't always have hours to spare. Many modern electric pressure cookers also double as slow cookers, rice cookers, and steamers, making them a genuinely versatile addition to any kitchen.

Key Features to Look For

Capacity

Electric pressure cookers range from 3 litres up to 8 litres or more. A 4 to 5 litre model suits most families of three to four. A 6 to 8 litre model is better for larger households or batch cooking.

Preset Programs

Most electric pressure cookers include preset programs for common dishes such as soup, beans, rice, meat, poultry, and dessert. These take the guesswork out of pressure and timing settings, which is particularly useful for first-time users.

Safety Features

All modern electric pressure cookers include multiple safety mechanisms, including pressure release valves, locking lids, and overheat protection. These are standard across most models, but it's worth confirming they're present before purchasing.

Multi-Function Capability

Many electric pressure cookers are multi-cookers that combine pressure cooking with slow cooking, sauteing, steaming, and more. If bench space is limited, a multi-function model can replace several individual appliances.

Explore our pressure cookers and slow cookers to compare features and capacity options.

Slow Cookers

What a Slow Cooker Does

A slow cooker uses low, steady heat over a long period to cook food gently and evenly. It's ideal for tough cuts of meat that become tender with long cooking, as well as soups, casseroles, curries, and bean dishes. The long cooking time develops deep, complex flavours that are difficult to replicate with faster methods.

Who Needs a Slow Cooker

Slow cookers suit households that like to set dinner going in the morning and come home to a meal that's ready to eat. They're particularly popular with working families, as a slow cooker can safely run unattended for six to eight hours. They're also economical: slow cookers use very little electricity and allow you to get great results from cheaper cuts of meat.

Key Features to Look For

Capacity

Slow cooker capacity is measured in litres. A 3 to 4 litre model suits two to four people. A 5 to 6 litre model suits larger families or anyone who batch cooks. A good rule of thumb is to fill the slow cooker to about two-thirds capacity for the best results.

Heat Settings

Most slow cookers have at least a low and high setting, and many include a warm setting for holding food at serving temperature without overcooking. Some models include a programmable timer that automatically switches to warm when the cooking time is complete.

Removable Insert

A removable ceramic or stainless steel insert makes cleaning significantly easier. Most modern slow cookers include one. Check that it's dishwasher safe if that matters to you.

Shape and Size

Oval slow cookers are better suited to cooking whole joints of meat and whole chickens. Round models are better for soups, stews, and casseroles. Consider the types of dishes you're most likely to cook when choosing between the two.

Browse our full range of slow cookers to find the right size and features for your cooking style.

Which Appliance Is Right for You?

• You eat rice regularly: A rice cooker is a practical, set-and-forget addition that frees up your stovetop.
• You want slow-cooked results fast: An electric pressure cooker delivers tender, flavourful dishes in a fraction of the usual time.
• You want to come home to a ready meal: A slow cooker is perfect for all-day cooking while you're out.
• You want maximum versatility: A multi-function electric pressure cooker can serve as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and steamer in a single appliance.

What to Expect at Different Price Points

Budget (Under $80)

Entry-level models in each category are reliable and functional. Expect basic settings and standard capacities. A solid choice for anyone trying a new appliance type for the first time.

Mid-Range ($80 to $200)

Mid-range models offer better build quality, more preset programs, larger capacity options, and improved timer and keep-warm functions. Most households will find what they need here.

Premium ($200 and Above)

Premium models deliver superior build quality, more advanced programming, multi-function capability, and longer product lifespans. Worth the investment for households that use these appliances daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a pressure cooker as a slow cooker?

Many modern electric pressure cookers include a slow cook function, so yes. If you want the flexibility of both methods in one appliance, look for a multi-function model that explicitly lists slow cooking as a feature.

Is a rice cooker worth it if I only make rice occasionally?

If you make rice less than once a week, the convenience benefit is modest. For households that eat rice multiple times a week, the consistent results and freed-up stovetop space make it a worthwhile purchase.

How much electricity does a slow cooker use?

Slow cookers are very energy efficient. A typical model uses between 75 and 150 watts on the low setting, which is significantly less than an oven. Running a slow cooker for eight hours uses roughly the same electricity as a few hours of oven cooking.

Ready to Shop?

Browse our full range of rice cookers and pressure cookers and slow cookers. You can also explore our complete benchtop appliances collection and small appliances range for more options.