10 Best Commercial Rice Cookers 2025 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 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.

The Panasonic SR-GA721L commercial rice cooker is built for busy kitchens needing to prepare large amounts of rice quickly and efficiently. Its standout feature is the extra-large capacity, able to cook up to 80 cups of cooked rice at once, making it ideal for restaurants, cafeterias, or food stores serving many people. The one-touch operation simplifies cooking, and the automatic shut-off helps prevent overcooking by stopping the cooking process when the rice is ready. Durability is solid with an aluminum-coated inner pan that resists scratches and a stainless steel lid that cleans easily by wiping, supporting daily heavy use. At 24 pounds and with dimensions sizable enough to occupy a decent counter space, this cooker is designed for a commercial environment rather than a small kitchen. A built-in triple safety thermal fuse adds protection, which is important in a busy kitchen setting. However, it runs on 208 volts and consumes 2235 watts, so it requires appropriate power setup not typical in a home.

It cooks rice and other grains like quinoa and oatmeal, mainly focusing on straightforward cooking without advanced programmable options. This cooker suits commercial foodservice operations that need large-volume, reliable rice cooking with easy cleanup and safety features, but it may not fit smaller setups or those wanting more versatile cooking settings.