10 Best Commercial Rice Cookers 2025 in the United States

The Zojirushi NS-TSC18 rice cooker is a solid choice for small businesses or families needing to cook up to 10 cups (1.8 liters) of rice at a time. Its micro computerized fuzzy logic technology helps cook rice evenly and adapt to different types of rice, which means you get good results whether using white or other grains. It offers useful features like automatic keep-warm, extended keep-warm, and reheating cycles to keep rice fresh for hours after cooking—important for commercial settings where rice may be served throughout the day.

The stainless steel exterior not only looks sleek but is also fairly easy to clean, though hand washing is recommended for best care. The included accessories, like the rice measuring cup and spatula with holder, add convenience. The retractable power cord is a nice touch for tidiness. At 11 pounds and moderate dimensions, it’s portable enough to move yet sturdy for daily use.

Cooking capacity is optimized for short grain white rice using the provided measuring cup, so results might vary with other grains or measuring methods. Since the product has been available since 2012 and is still not discontinued, it demonstrates lasting popularity and reliability, although it may not feature the very latest technology. The price point and customer ratings (4.6 out of 5 from over 13,000 reviews) indicate it is a well-regarded product in its class. This rice cooker suits small to medium commercial kitchens or serious home cooks who need consistent, hands-off rice preparation with the ability to keep rice warm for extended periods. If you want a sturdy, feature-rich model without overly complicated controls, the NS-TSC18 meets those needs well. For very large batch capacity or ultra-fast cooking times, larger or more specialized commercial units should be considered.

The Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer is a solid choice for those who need a versatile cooker that can handle up to 14 cups of cooked rice, making it suitable for medium-sized families or small commercial settings. Its standout feature is the 2-in-1 steam basket that doubles as a rice rinser, helping prevent clumpy rice and allowing you to steam vegetables or seafood while cooking rice simultaneously. This adds convenience and saves time, especially if you want to prepare complete meals in one pot.

With six preprogrammed settings, including options for white rice, whole grains, quick cooking, steaming, and hot cereals, this cooker takes much of the guesswork out of preparing various dishes. The programmable delay start feature is helpful for meal planning, allowing you to time your cooking up to 11 hours in advance, and the automatic keep-warm function ensures food stays ready to serve without drying out.

The stainless steel exterior looks durable and fits well in a kitchen, but the plastic lid and the removable pot’s ceramic nonstick coating require gentle hand washing to maintain longevity, which might be less convenient in a busy commercial environment. The cooker operates at 500 watts, delivering efficient cooking times without consuming too much power. This rice cooker offers good capacity and handy features for steaming and rinsing rice, making it a flexible tool for diverse cooking needs. It is particularly well-suited for home users and small food service settings that value convenience and moderate output, though those seeking a heavy-duty commercial device for very large volumes or rough handling might find it less ideal.

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.