1. Rice is Stickier and More Nutritious
The biggest difference between electric pressure cookers and rice cookers lies in the pressure level. Rice cookers do not generate pressure during cooking, while electric pressure cookers can reach a minimum pressure of 70kPa. This offers several advantages for the quality and nutritional value of the food.
Specifically, rice cooked in a rice cooker tends to be softer and stickier, whereas rice cooked under gentle pressure will be stickier. Moreover, regular rice cookers may lose some nutrients during the cooking process, while gentle pressure cooking helps retain more nutrients in the rice grains.
Recognizing this need, many rice cooker manufacturers have introduced “lightly pressurized rice cookers.” However, these products tend to fall into the mid-to-high-end price segments, making them quite expensive. In contrast, even basic electric pressure cookers can cook rice with gentle pressure and are also capable of preparing porridge, stews, and more, offering convenience to consumers.
2. Faster Cooking Time
According to those who have used both electric pressure cookers and rice cookers, electric pressure cookers have a clear advantage when it comes to speed. Cooking rice in a pressure cooker usually takes no more than 20 minutes, while a rice cooker typically takes at least 25 minutes, sometimes even 30 minutes. Although 10 minutes may not seem like a long time, time-saving is always valuable.
There are two main reasons why electric pressure cookers cook rice faster. First, the higher pressure inside the pot increases the boiling point of water, causing the food to cook faster. Second, electric pressure cookers typically have a power rating of 600W to over 1000W, while rice cookers have a power rating of around 300W, with a few reaching 500W. Higher power means faster temperature increase, resulting in more efficient cooking.
Noticing this issue, rice cooker manufacturers have started incorporating the “IH heating” feature, which allows the pot to heat from the sides as well as the bottom, ensuring faster and more even cooking and enhancing the flavor. However, this feature has become a standard in electric pressure cookers without any additional cost.
3. Versatile Functionality
Most rice cookers have the basic function of cooking rice, and not all rice cookers can cook porridge, as some may overflow. In contrast, electric pressure cookers can cook not only rice and porridge but also stew meat, soup, and various other dishes. In fact, many electric pressure cookers come with two inner pots: one for stews and the other for rice, allowing you to easily prepare a complete meal with just one appliance.
So, if you could only buy one pot or have limited space in your kitchen, would you choose a rice cooker with simple functionality or a versatile electric pressure cooker? The answer is undoubtedly the electric pressure cooker.
4. Inner Pot Without Coating for Enhanced Safety
Rice cookers nowadays are typically coated with a substance called Teflon on the inside. This material is similar to the coating found in non-stick pans, but many people still have concerns about its safety. According to experts, Teflon is non-toxic when used properly, as long as the temperature does not exceed 260 degrees Celsius.
When used for regular cooking, such as making porridge or stir-frying, this coating is completely safe. However, when cooking rice, if the cooker continues to heat up after the rice is cooked, the temperature can rise, causing a burnt layer at the bottom of the pot, potentially exceeding the safety limit.
Electric pressure cookers have the upper hand when it comes to safety. Thanks to IH heating technology, it is difficult for the temperature to exceed the allowable limit at any point in the pot. If you still have concerns, you can opt for an electric pressure cooker with an uncoated inner pot for safer rice cooking.
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