One benchtop cooker that fluffs rice and simmers dinner

This Panasonic 5.5 cup rice cooker takes the guesswork out of weeknight cooking, turning out fluffy rice alongside soups, cakes and slow-cooked meals from the same pot.

With 16 automatic menus on hand, you can switch between white rice, brown rice, porridge, steaming, low-temp cooking and even oil-free or waterless meals that keep more nutrients and flavour in your vegetables and meat. The 4mm binchotan charcoal-coated inner pot spreads heat evenly through every grain, so rice cooks through without turning gluggy or catching on the bottom. Reheat leftovers or ferment yoghurt without pulling out extra appliances, and let the cooker hold everything at the right temperature until you are ready to eat.

Finished in white with a clean, minimalist shape, it sits comfortably on the benchtop of most kitchens without crowding your workspace. The top-mounted touch panel is straightforward to read and operate, even for someone using it for the first time, and the removable inner lid makes wiping down after dinner quick. For households after a dependable 5-cup rice cooker that does more than rice, this one earns a permanent spot near the stove.

Buy this if…

You want a reliable panasonic rice cooker that also steams, slow cooks and bakes
Your household eats rice most nights and wants consistently fluffy results
You cook for 3 to 5 people and need a 5.5 cup capacity that suits family portions
You like set-and-forget cooking with auto menus rather than watching the stove
Easy wipe-down cleaning matters after a busy dinner

Panasonic Small Appliances