Rice at a nice price: We put three petite cookers (at a petite price) to the test

Chicago Tribune (MCT) - Rice is one of the more economical grains available, so we tested three rice cookers that followed the theme: Each cost $20 or less. These cookers operate on the same premise: Fill the non-stick bowl with 1 part rice to 2 parts water, cover, press a button and let the magic begin. When they finish cooking, they switch to a warming mode so the grains are ready when the rest of the meal is done.

The two top finishers also came with handy steamer inserts, which we did not test but can add to the appliance's versatility.

Test kitchen cook Lisa Schumacher and I tested 2 cups of long-grain white rice for a 4-cup yield. The Black & Decker squeaked past the Rival, which performed nearly as well. In a pinch, we think the Proctor Silex would be fine too. Also, when buying any rice cooker, keep in mind that the quantity posted on a box (6-cup, 10-cup, etc.) may refer to either cooked or uncooked rice.

Here are the results, in order of preference.

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1. BLACK & DECKER

6-cup (cooked rice capacity), $20 at amazon.com

Pros: Produced perfectly cooked, fluffy rice. Instructions were excellent. Rice was done 5 minutes early; warming element worked fine.

Cons: The steamer basket, which nests inside, is too small to be practical.

2. RIVAL

6-cup (cooked rice capacity), $15 at Target and target.com

Pros: Quality of rice came in a very close second. Rice was done 5 minutes early; warming element worked fine. Good instructions. Surprisingly large metal steamer insert fits, double-decker-like, atop the cooker. The bright red color may appeal but...

Cons: ... to some, the bright red color may be a turnoff.

3. PROCTOR SILEX

5-cup (uncooked rice capacity), $20 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Pros: With some trial-and-error on the part of the cook, this machine would perform OK. Warming element works fine.

Cons: Rice turned out mushy. Vague instructions. Box says it has 10-cup cooked-rice capacity, but the 4 cups of cooked rice we made filled about two-thirds of the inner bowl. Exterior was very hot to the touch.

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