Cooking grains is long associated with guesswork, and it’s one of the reasons I switched to using a rice cooker over a decade ago. While the old tried-and-true are still worthy from a convenience standpoint, modern models do so much more. KitchenAid’s new compact rice and grain cooker leans hard into the notion that cooking grains (and other sides!) shouldn’t require guesswork at all.
Don’t believe me? This countertop appliance is built to simplify the process from start to finish. The headline feature is its 16 built-in presets, paired with a flexible custom mode for experimenting. Whether it’s rice, oats, or beans, it’s designed to make consistent results feel almost automatic. And, like the tried-and-true, does its job without occupying too much space in your kitchen.
If you’ve shopped for rice cookers and admired KitchenAid’s original grain and rice cooker, this one will feel familiar. The approach is the same: simplify cooking grains by handling the details for you. What’s different is the footprint.
How small is it? It’s just over nine inches wide! Good for the cabinet, good for the countertop.. That matters if you actually plan to use it often. You’re not giving up much to get that smaller size. It still handles up to eight cups of cooked grains, which covers most weeknight meals and basic meal prep.
Whoa, It Has a Preset for Almost Everything
The biggest draw here is the range. Sixteen presets isn’t just an impressive number, it’ll simplify your approach to a wide range of grains and pantry staples you actually use (or want to use, if it weren’t hard).
- Brown rice and other whole grains
- Quinoa, farro, and oats
- Beans, including black beans and similar varieties
That range matters because different grains cook differently. Water ratios, timing, and heat all vary. Instead of memorizing those details, the presets handle it for you.
The result is more consistency. You press a button, and the machine adjusts the process based on what you’re making. No more undercooked centers or mushy textures because something simmered too long.
The Custom Mode Adds Flexibility
Presets might be your go-to, but they can feel limiting if you like to tweak things. That’s where the custom mode comes in. It opens the door to more control without making the appliance harder to use.
Once you get the hang of the appliance, you can adjust settings to suit your taste or try something outside the standard options. Maybe you want firmer rice for a stir-fry or softer grains for a bowl. Maybe you’re testing a new recipe that doesn’t fit neatly into a preset. The custom mode comes in handy at these moments so you can adapt to how you cook.
Standout Features: It Measures As You Pour and Has a Steamer Function
One of the more interesting features is how it handles liquid. Instead of asking you to measure water separately, the cooker tracks it as you pour. There’s a built-in scale that reads in real time and helps guide you to the right amount. Already, I can tell you this is so much easier than measuring liquid to an etched line, or guessing how to scale a recipe.
That changes the workflow in a subtle but useful way. You don’t need measuring cups. You don’t need to double-check ratios. You just add your ingredients, pour, and follow the prompts.
Beyond that, the cooker includes a steaming function with a basket. That means you can handle vegetables, fish, or eggs at the same time, turning a simple grain base into a full meal without adding another pan.
Compact, Capable
Size matters with countertop appliances, and smaller usually equates to smaller food volumes. Despite the smaller footprint, KitchenAid’s new rice cooker still produces up to eight cups of cooked grains. That’s a lot.
The design is great, too. It leans clean and modern, with a touchscreen interface that keeps things simple. There aren’t a lot of extra buttons or confusing menus, and we’re thankful for that. It’s meant to be used often, not stored away.
Cleanup is also straightforward. The inner pot has a nonstick ceramic coating, and the accessories can go in the dishwasher. There’s even a steam cleaning cycle that helps loosen residue before washing, which cuts down on scrubbing.
FAQ
Why choose a compact model over a full-size version?
For us, it usually comes down to space and cost. A smaller cooker is easier to store, whether you keep it on the counter or in a cabinet. It also tends to be more affordable.
What can you make in a rice cooker besides rice?
Rice cookers are more versatile than they seem, and one that has presets makes it easier to test new ingredients without the guesswork. People use them for oatmeal, soups, lentils, steamed vegetables, and even simple one-pot meals. Some cookers can handle eggs, dumplings, or fish with a steaming tray. The steady heat and controlled environment make them useful for more than just grains.
Do rice cookers really make a difference in taste?
They can. We love ours! A good rice cooker manages heat and moisture more precisely than a stovetop pot. That leads to more even cooking and better texture. Grains come out fluffy instead of sticky or uneven. It also reduces the chance of burning or drying out, especially if you’re multitasking while cooking.
