Rice is a staple food in many parts of the world. And if you’ve ever visited Asia, you must know there are tons of delicious rice recipes. From famous Japanese sushi to stir-fried vegetable rice, you can experiment with this versatile grain. And there are some best commercial rice cookers to help you cook a good amount of grain easily in one pot.
The Rice cooker is not a new word today as many households use one daily to cook rice. However, there are a few differences between a commercial and home rice cooker with capacity as a major difference. You can cook up to or more than 60 cups of cooked rice in a heavy-duty commercial rice maker while the electric ones for home use can make up to 20 cups at a time.
Besides, the household electric rice cookers generally have a glass lid that helps you monitor the cooking process. On the other hand, commercial units are equipped with steel or aluminum lid that remains durable for daily, heavy use.
Automatic Japanese rice cookers are extremely easy to use if you have the right model. There are many brands in the market today claiming to cook puffy rice every time but we all know not all of them stay up to their claims. But you do not have to search for the best rice cookers for commercial use anymore as we’ve done the tough part for you by picking some top-rated products. So without much wait, go through the detailed reviews below to find out the features of which model proves to be best for your needs.
Best Commercial Rice Cookers
| Products | Capacity | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aroma Housewares ARC Rice Cooker | 30 Cup | Electric | Check Price |
| Zojirushi Commercial Rice Cooker | 40 Cup | Electric | Check Price |
| Aroma Housewares Com. Rice Cooker | 60 Cup | Electric | Check Price |
| Panasonic SR-42HZP Rice Cooker | 23 Cup | Electric | Check Price |
| Hamilton Beach Proctor Silex Rice Cooker | 60 Cup | Electric | Check Price |
| Rinnai Commercial Rice Cooker | 55 Cup | Natural Gas | Check Price |
| Cuckoo Commercial Rice Cooker | 30 Cup | Electric | Check Price |
1) Aroma Housewares 30-Cup Uncooked Commercial Rice Cooker (ARC-1033E)
If you’re on a budget search then Aroma Housewares ARC-1033E is the best affordable commercial rice cooker. The cost of this commercial model is lower than most Zojirushi home use rice cookers yet still great for heavy-duty use. The 8-quart capacity of ARC-1033E can make up to 60 cups of cooked rice in one go which is enough to feed a crowd. It is a perfect appliance for small eateries especially when there is a lot of rice items on the menu.
Limited settings on the front panel make the commercial appliance extremely easy to use. A simple one-touch operation starts cooking grain once you add in the right ingredients. If you’ve no idea about measurements then not to worry as Aroma commercial rice cooker comes with two measuring cups and a paddle to make fluffy rice every time.
Aroma ARC-1033E meets the commercial standards allowing for the best restaurant-quality rice at tips. Besides, once the cooking cycle is complete, the machine automatically shifts to keep warm mode. This mode helps to keep the cooked grain at an eatable temperature without drying them. In short, the grain remains fresh, soft, and fluffy, every time you scoop out a portion.
Pros:
- Best basic commercial rice cooker in budget
- Easy to clean nonstick inner pot
- Heavy-duty stainless steel lid for hours of nonstop cooking
- Fool-proof one-touch technology to turn the machine on/off and begin the cycle
- It automatically shifts to keep warm mode on completion of the cooking cycle to keep the grain at perfect serving temperature
- Accessories include 2 measuring cups and a plastic rice spatula
- Ideal for daily use
Cons:
- Average warranty period
- The bottom layer is prone to dry up and burn a little
Key Features:
- 60-cup capacity(cooked)
- Stainless steel lid
- 1-touch operation
- Auto keep warm
- Weighs 17.5 pounds
2) Zojirushi NYC-36 20-Cup (Uncooked) Commercial Rice Cooker and Warmer
Any list of best rice cookers is incomplete without mentioning the famous Zojirushi brand. Yes, Zojirushi rice cookers are expensive but totally worth buying for their excellent workmanship and built-up quality. And if you’re looking forward to owning a Zojirushi Japanese rice cooker for your restaurant then NYC-36 20-cup model is perfect. This heavy-duty commercial-grade rice cooker and warmer can make up to 40 servings of rice at a time.
To keep your platform dry, Zojirushi NYC-36 features a condensation collector on the side. This little tray collects the excessive moisture coming off from the food or cooker. This way your rice does not become soggy, as well as countertop, remains mess-free.
Not only function-wise but Zojirushi commercial rice cooker is also great aesthetically. The smooth stainless steel exterior is both durable and easy to clean. Also, stainless steel is great for long hours of cooking for a mess-free, consistent performance. Simply wipe the exterior with a soft damp cloth and your Zojirushi cooker is all clean from outside.
Pros:
- Sturdily built to last for years of daily use
- A lightweight appliance that is easy to set anywhere on a flat surface
- Clear water-measuring lines inside the nonstick pan are a great help while filling water
- Keep-warm mode maintains a perfect serving temperature
- Includes an extra-large rice spatula
- Best automatic commercial rice cooker and warmer
- Backed by 6-month manufacturer’s warranty against defects in material and workmanship
Cons:
- Expensive
Key Features:
- 20-cup capacity(uncooked)
- Stainless steel construction
- Nonstick inner pan
- Side condensation collector
- 1300-watts
3) Aroma Housewares 60-Cup Commercial Rice Cooker, Stainless Steel Exterior
Buying a large rice cooker for the first can be quite intimidating especially when the units are costly. And if you’re not willing to spend a thick amount from your paycheck then go for Aroma Housewares 60-cup rice cooker. This affordable yet durable product is perfect for mid-size restaurants, large gatherings, and tailgating events where rice is a staple food. Also, Aroma’s ARC-1130S is a part of their commercial line that allows for restaurant-quality rice preparation at a lower rate.
A simple electronic operation requires you to press just one button. This will turn on the cooking mode. And on the completion of the cycle, the machine will automatically switch on to ‘keep warm mode. So in short, you can prepare other dishes without worrying about reheating rice in the electric cooker.
Thank the heavy-duty steel lid and aluminum cooking pot that is designed for continuous use. You can hassle-free prepare batch after batch to keep on serving customers. Besides, the inner pot is coated with a nonstick layer to prevent the sticking and burning of rice. Plus, you get 2 rice measuring cups and a spatula free with the unit for flawless results every time.
Pros:
- The smart technology automatically senses when the rice is done and switches to keep warm mode
- Cool-touch body
- Includes 2 measuring cups + 1 serving spatula
- Nonstick inner pot for less sticking and easy cleaning
- Prepares impressive 60 cups in one go
- Best affordable commercial rice cooker for sushi and other varieties of rice
Cons:
- The included conversion chart is confusing
Key Features:
- 60-cup capacity(cooked)
- Stainless steel body
- Warm toggle
- Stainless steel lid
- Weighs 22.4 pounds
4) Panasonic SR-42HZP Commercial Rice Cooker with Stainless Steel Lid
Many people are concerned about the nonstick layer on the inner pot. And it is quite obvious as many cheap electric rice cookers use a Teflon layer that releases toxins at a certain temperature which easily infuses the food inside the pot. Consuming such food can lead to bad health in long term. And if you hate the toxic nonstick layer in your daily use cookware then go for Panasonic heavy-duty rice cooker.
Instead of a nonstick inner pan, it comprises an aluminum alloy pan that is safe to cook at high temperatures. Unlike Teflon, it does not release harmful chemicals or toxins that can harm human health or birds. And just like other leading commercial rice cooker brands, Panasonic SR-42HZP also switches to keep warm mode automatically on completion of the cooking cycle.
Quick heating is one impressive buying point of Panasonic small commercial rice cooker. Powerful 1550 watts, plus, a direct heating system ensures fast cooking. In fact, the machine can cook up to 23 uncooked cups in about 30 minutes that can serve up to 46 people in one batch. So no long waiting hours for fluffy rice with Panasonic SR-42HZP.
Pros:
- Removable inner pot for thorough cleaning
- Thermal safety fuse built-in protects the device from overheating damage
- Stainless steel lid in combination with an aluminum alloy pan is excellent for daily commercial use
- 2 color choices, Silver and White
- NFS qualified
- A direct heating system can prepare up to 46 servings in approximately 30 minutes
- Best rated commercial rice cooker under $200
Cons:
- There might be some sticking on the pan due to the absence of a nonstick layer
- Keep-warm mode stays on up to 2 hours only
Key Features:
- 23 cups(uncooked)
- Aluminum alloy pan
- Stainless steel lid
- Automatic shut-off
- 1550 W
- Weighs 12.1 lbs
5) Hamilton Beach Proctor Silex Commercial 37560R Rice Cooker/Warmer
The versatility of the Hamilton Beach electric rice cooker makes it worth an investment. Apart from regular rice, you can cook other varieties such as jasmine, white, brown, basmati rice, etc to bring a change to your catering menu. Besides, the large commercial rice cooker is also good to cook grits, oatmeal, macaroni, and cheese dishes. In short, you can prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner with this large instant pot.
Using the unit is a breeze, thanks to its simple operation and a single button. All you need to is plug the cord into a power outlet and press the switch down. The pot then will turn on cooking mode and will smartly shift to keep warm mode after cooking is complete to prevent burning or overcooking of rice.
The nonstick inner pot of Hamilton Beach Proctor Silex is completely removable. This lets you fill the grains and water easily without getting the countertop messy. Plus, there’s a small condensation cup on the side to collect excessive liquid coming off the pot. This mini collector dish also helps to keep the counter dry. And when it comes to cleaning the unit, simply remove the pot, condensation cup, and inner lid once the machine cools down and wash the part in the sink.
Pros:
- Tested and approved to meet product safety standards for cETLus and ETL sanitation
- The hinged lid is attached to the base, therefore, takes up less countertop space
- Visible water line markings assist with accurate liquid measurement
- An integrated moisture cup keeps the drips off the counter
- Removable inner lid and pot
- Comes with a measuring cup and rice spoon
- Backed by a 1-year warranty on parts and labor
Cons:
- Keep warm temp is a bit high and might turn the rice yellow if kept for too long
Key Features:
- 60-cup capacity(cooked)
- Hinged lid
- Stainless steel housing
- 1-touch operation
- 1550 watts
- Weighs 20 pounds
6) Rinnai Natural Gas Commercial Rice Cooker 55 Cups NSF RER-55ASN
A busy restaurant needs a powerful commercial rice cooker that can make large quantities of rice in less time. And however, not many electric cookers are too fast to make multiple servings in less time. So instead, go for Rinnai natural gas commercial rice cooker that can make up to 55 cups of uncooked grains or 110 bowls of cooked cups in up to 22 minutes. In short, you can keep the servings and takeaways worry-free with Rinnai.
Using this natural gas rice cooker is as easy as the electric ones. In fact, Rinnia RER-55ASN is equipped with an automatic two-stage burner/simmer feature. The simmer feature is just like the keep warm mode in the electric cooker but a bit on the strong side. So it is advised not to keep the cooker on simmer mode for too long as it can dry out the bottom layer.
The gas pot is been certified by the Canadian Standard Association(CSA) and meets the applicable US standards. Besides, it includes a 1/2″ gas connection that connects the unit flawlessly with the natural gas pipeline. Built with a flame failure safety device, it gives the user peace of mind while using natural gas as it prevents gas leakage and potential fire hazard.
Pros:
- Features a removable cover with a handle for locking in moisture
- Certified by NSF, UL, CSA, and CSA blue flame
- Comes with a 1/2″ gas connection
- Enamel outer casting with aluminum cookpot
- Cleaning is a breeze with a removable inner pot
- Built-in safety feature prevents gas leakage
- Best gas rice cooker for commercial use
Cons:
- Very costly
- It will take some time to get used to the unit
Key Features:
- 55 cups capacity(raw)
- 35000 BTU
- 2-stage burner
- Flame failure safety
- Weighs 48 pounds
7) Cuckoo CR-3032 30 Cup Electric Commercial Rice Cooker & Warmer with Steaming
Built quality is important no matter whether you buy an appliance for home use or for the restaurant. And you do not have to worry about quality with Cuckoo electric commercial rice cooker. Thanks to its durable aluminum pot body that is great for continuous use. Plus, the nonstick coating on the inner pan ensures rice sticks less and comes off easily when it’s time to clean the pot.
The smart industrial design of Cuckoo CR-3032 utilizes a steam cooking function that cooks a large number of grains in one go. Speaking of the number, you can cook up to 30 raw cups in one go that can feed up to 60-65 people. In short, the unit is perfect to be used in a mid-size restaurant, large backyard party, or a food event with rice as a staple in the menu.
Overheat damage is common with electric appliances especially with the ones that are designed to stay on for a long time. And unfortunately, not many brands cover the overheating damage under the warranty. But no need to worry about overheating damage with Cuckoo CR-3032 as it already features a thermal fuse that cuts off power in order to protect the device from overheating damage. Thus, you can worry-free cook for hours.
Pros:
- PTFE pre-coating for better nonstick abilities
- Made in Korea with a sturdy aluminum body that is perfect for commercial use
- Best large rice cooker and warming with steam mode
- ETL and NSF certified
- The inner lid is detachable for convenient washing
- Dew dish on side to collect excess moisture
Cons:
- Does not include measuring cups or spatula
Key Features:
- 30 cups(uncooked)
- Aluminum body
- Electric heat plate
- Pre-coated inner pot
- Weighs 23.1 pounds
Features to consider when buying a commercial rice cooker
Built Material
Build material should be given topmost priority while buying a commercial rice cooker. This is because the pot will remain on for hours to cook loads of rice. So it is important to look for a strong built-up of the product that can stay on for hours without releasing excessive heat.
Fuel Type (Electric or Gas)
Nowadays it is hard to find a gas rice cooker but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist at all. In fact, gas models are quicker than electric ones and can cook a good quantity of rice at a time. But it might take you some time to get used to a gas model. Besides, they are expensive than electric ones but can last for a lifetime even on regular use.
Then the other type is the famous electric cookers that are common in many households and restaurants. Using an electric instant pot is extremely easy as you just need to plug the appliance into a reliable power outlet. The machine will automatically adjust itself and cook the grain fluffy. Besides, many of the pots directly shift to keep warm mode once the cooking cycle is complete to keep the grain at perfect serving temperature without drying.
Cooking Volume
The purpose of buying a large rice cooker is to help you cook the grains flawlessly in large quantities. Generally, the capacity of a commercial unit ranges from 23-25 cups(raw) and can go up to 60-65 cups(raw). So in short, you get a wide variety of options to choose the best unit for your restaurant.
Warming Options
Keeping rice at the right temperature after cooking is important as you do not want to serve cold rice to your customers or guests. And thanks to the smart auto-warm mode of the instant pots that keeps the grains warm and fluffy for the best dining experience. There is generally only a single keep-warm setting that too automatically switches on when the rice is done.
Included Accessories
Accessories are a useful part of an instant pot, especially if you’re new to using them. And there are a lot of products in the market that comes along with bonus accessories. The accessories mainly include measuring cups and a rice paddle for accurate measurements and convenient scooping. However, you might not need the provided cups if you already have an idea about the water to rice ratio.
How to cook rice using a rice cooker? (Video)
Looking to cook rice quickly for your restaurant or backyard party, then using a commercial-grade cooker can help.
How much water do you use per cup of rice?
The water ratio changes according to the type of rice you’re cooking. For example, you might have 2 cups of water for 1 cup jasmine while brown rice requires 2-1/4 cup water per 1 cup. So there is no strict thumb rule to follow. You can add a little more water to make rice soggy which is easy for babies to eat or follow exact measurements for separate grains. You’ll get to know how much water to add for how much quantity of rice with each use.
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Bottom Line
There are many restaurants in a city that serve rice as a staple food. Though it looks easy, you require skills to prepare perfect fluffy grain every time. And cooking loads of grain on stovetop takes forever, plus, it is difficult to maintain them at serving temperature if there is no immediate consumption.
But you do not have to worry about cooking or temperature with the best commercial rice cooker. The gas or electric device automatically sets the temperature, starts cooking, and shifts to keep warm mode to keep the rice fluffy and fresh all day long. They are perfect for restaurant-use or catering services where you need to serve many people in a day.
