A rice cooker with a stainless steel bowl can be a good fit if you want to avoid a coated inner pot. The three options here all handle up to three measuring cups of uncooked rice, but they differ in extras: the Aroma includes a steam tray, the Elite Gourmet keeps things simple, and the Moosum adds several cooking functions. Before choosing, consider how much rice you make and whether you’re comfortable with the extra attention stainless steel may need to help prevent sticking.
Quick Comparison
| Rice Cooker | Capacity | Standout Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Stainless Pot-Style Rice Cooker | Up to 3 cups uncooked; 6 cups cooked | One-touch cooking, automatic keep-warm, steam tray | Everyday rice and steaming |
| Elite Gourmet ERC006SS 6-Cup Rice Cooker | Up to 3 cups uncooked; 6 cups cooked | Automatic keep-warm, glass lid, cool-touch side handles | Simple rice and grain cooking |
| Moosum 3-Cup Uncooked Multifunction Rice Cooker | Up to 3 cups uncooked; about 6 cups cooked | Multiple cooking functions, 24-hour keep-warm, detachable inner lid | Small households wanting more than a rice cooker |
Our Picks: Best Rice Cooker With Stainless Steel Bowl reviews
1. Aroma Housewares: Best for Rice and Steaming Together
The Aroma is a straightforward cooker built around a food-grade 304 stainless steel inner pot. Its capacity is up to three cups of uncooked rice, which the product information says yields six cups cooked. A single lever starts the cooking cycle, and the cooker switches to keep-warm mode when the rice is ready.
A steam tray adds useful flexibility: you can steam meat or vegetables while rice or grains cook below. The compact design and simple controls make this a practical choice if you want a basic appliance for regular meals rather than a cooker with a long list of settings. It can also handle foods such as oatmeal, soups, omelets, and pasta, according to the product description.
The pot is dishwasher-safe, which is a helpful convenience for cleanup. As with other uncoated stainless steel pots, rice may stick more than it would in a coated bowl, so soaking the pot before washing can make cleanup easier. This model is a strong match for cooks who value a simple setup and the option to steam a side at the same time.
Pros:
- Food-grade 304 stainless steel inner pot
- One-touch operation and automatic keep-warm mode
- Steam tray lets you cook another food alongside rice
- Dishwasher-safe inner pot
Cons:
- Limited to a three-cup uncooked-rice capacity
- Uncoated stainless steel may need soaking to release stuck rice
Verdict: Choose the Aroma if you want an easy-to-use stainless steel cooker with a steam tray and dishwasher-safe pot.
2. Elite Gourmet ERC006SS: Best for Simple, Family-Size Batches
The Elite Gourmet is another compact, one-button option with a stainless steel inner pot. It holds up to three cups of raw rice and makes up to six cups cooked, so it suits a small family or anyone who likes to prepare more than one serving at a time. It is described as suitable for jasmine, basmati, brown, sushi, and black rice.
When cooking finishes, the cooker automatically switches to keep-warm mode. A tempered-glass lid lets you check on the food without lifting it, while cool-touch side handles make the cooker easier to move. The package also includes a measuring cup and serving spatula, which help with portioning and serving.
Compared with the Aroma, the Elite Gourmet focuses more on basic rice cooking and less on cooking another food at the same time; the supplied product information does not list a steam tray. The pot is removable and described as easy to clean, but the listing does not specify that it is dishwasher-safe. If dishwasher cleanup is a priority, the Aroma has the clearer advantage.
Pros:
- Stainless steel inner pot with a removable design
- Automatic keep-warm mode after cooking
- Glass lid and cool-touch side handles
- Measuring cup and serving spatula included
Cons:
- No steam tray is listed among the included features
- Dishwasher safety for the inner pot is not specified
Verdict: The Elite Gourmet is a sensible pick if you want a no-fuss stainless steel cooker for regular rice batches and appreciate its included serving accessories.
3. Moosum: Best Multifunction Option for a Small Kitchen
The Moosum has a food-grade stainless steel inner pot and a capacity of up to three included measuring cups of uncooked rice, yielding about six cups cooked. It is a compact option for one to three people, while still offering enough capacity for a small gathering. Its one-button controls are designed to keep everyday operation simple.
Unlike the two more basic cookers above, the Moosum lists several additional functions, including steaming, slow cooking, sautéing, and making yogurt or cakes. It also has a 24-hour keep-warm function, a detachable inner lid, and dishwasher-safe accessories. The cooker’s stainless steel housing is listed as measuring about 10 by 8 by 8 inches, making it worth considering if counter space is limited.
The broader feature set is useful if you plan to use the cooker for more than rice, but it may be unnecessary if all you need is a simple rice cycle. The product information also notes that rice starch can stick to uncoated stainless steel. It recommends soaking rice before cooking and lightly oiling the pot or adding a few drops of oil to help reduce sticking. That extra preparation is worth keeping in mind if you want a low-effort routine.
Pros:
- Multiple cooking functions beyond rice
- 24-hour keep-warm function
- Detachable inner lid and dishwasher-safe accessories
- Compact size with a stainless steel housing and inner pot
Cons:
- Stainless steel bowl may need extra preparation to reduce sticking
- Its added functions may be more than needed for basic rice cooking
Verdict: Pick the Moosum if you want a compact stainless steel cooker that can also take on several other kitchen tasks and you do not mind managing rice sticking.
How to Choose a Rice Cooker With a Stainless Steel Bowl
Match the capacity to your usual batch
All three cookers in this comparison hold up to three cups of uncooked rice, with a stated cooked yield of about six cups. That can work for individual meals, a small household, or a few servings to keep for later. If you usually cook larger batches, check the cooker’s stated uncooked capacity rather than relying only on the cooked yield. Rice expands as it cooks, so the two numbers are not interchangeable.
Decide how much automation you need
Each model uses simple controls and automatically switches to keep-warm mode after cooking. If you want the most basic routine, the Aroma and Elite Gourmet are straightforward choices. The Moosum adds more cooking functions and a longer stated keep-warm window, which may be useful if you want one appliance to handle a wider range of foods.
Consider what you will cook alongside rice
A steam tray is included with the Aroma, allowing vegetables or meat to steam while rice cooks below. The Moosum lists steaming as one of its functions, along with slow cooking and sautéing. The Elite Gourmet is presented mainly as a rice cooker, with soups, stews, and porridges also named in its product information. Choose based on the tasks you expect to use often, not just the longest feature list.
Understand stainless steel cleanup and sticking
An uncoated stainless steel bowl does not have a nonstick surface, so rice can cling to it. The Moosum’s product information recommends soaking rice before cooking and lightly oiling the pot to help reduce sticking. After cooking, soaking the bowl in warm water can make cleanup easier. Check each model’s care details: the Aroma pot is dishwasher-safe, and the Moosum lists dishwasher-safe accessories, while the Elite Gourmet description does not specify dishwasher safety for its inner pot.
Look at the included accessories and handling details
A measuring cup helps you use the cooker’s intended portions, while a serving spatula can make it easier to lift rice from the pot. The Elite Gourmet includes both. The Aroma includes a steam tray, and the Moosum includes a measuring cup and spoon. If you plan to move the cooker while it is warm, the Elite Gourmet’s cool-touch side handles may be a useful detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do stainless steel rice cooker bowls have a nonstick coating?
The models in this guide are described as having stainless steel inner pots rather than coated nonstick bowls. Rice may stick to an uncoated surface, so follow the manufacturer’s directions for soaking, oiling, and cleaning.
How much uncooked rice can these cookers hold?
Each cooker is listed for up to three cups of uncooked rice. The stated yield is six cups cooked for the Aroma and Elite Gourmet, and about six cups cooked for the Moosum.
Which option includes a steam tray?
The Aroma includes a steam tray for steaming meat or vegetables while rice or grains cook below. The Moosum also lists steaming among its cooking functions, but its supplied description does not identify a steam tray.
Can I use these cookers for foods besides rice?
Yes. The Aroma is described for foods such as oatmeal, soups, omelets, and pasta. The Elite Gourmet is also described for soups, stews, and porridges. The Moosum lists slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, yogurt, and cakes among its additional functions.
Which model has a dishwasher-safe inner pot?
The Aroma’s inner pot is described as dishwasher-safe. The Moosum says its accessories are dishwasher-safe, but check the care instructions for each part. The Elite Gourmet description calls its pot easy to clean but does not state that it is dishwasher-safe.
What can help keep rice from sticking to stainless steel?
The Moosum product information recommends soaking rice for 20 to 30 minutes and adding a few drops of oil or lightly oiling the pot. Letting the pot soak in warm water after cooking can also help loosen stuck rice. Results may vary with the type of rice and how it is prepared.
Final Recommendation
The Aroma Housewares is the best all-around choice here for shoppers who want a simple cooker, a stainless steel pot, and a steam tray in one compact appliance. Choose the Elite Gourmet for a basic rice-focused setup with a glass lid and included serving tools. The Moosum is the better fit if you want more cooking functions and a 24-hour keep-warm feature, and are willing to take extra steps to reduce sticking.