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Cooking rice with plenty of water and draining it can lower its inorganic arsenic content, but it can also wash away nutrients—especially nutrients added to enriched rice. Rinsing is less consistent, and cooling rice is not a proven way to meaningfully cut its calories. The best choice depends on the rice, the water and the trade-offs you care about.
Does cooking rice in more water make it healthier?
It can reduce inorganic arsenic in some rice, provided you cook it in excess water and drain that water rather than letting the rice absorb it all. This differs from absorption cooking, the common approach in which the rice takes up essentially all the measured cooking water.
A 2015 study found that excess-water cooking lowered average inorganic arsenic by 40% in the tested long-grain polished rice, 60% in parboiled rice and 50% in brown rice. These are study results for the rice and protocol tested—not a guaranteed reduction for every rice product, household water supply or cooking method. Read the study record.
A separate 2006 study reported arsenic removal of up to 57% from its rice samples using a wash, a rice-to-water ratio of 1:6 and draining, with low-arsenic water. “Up to” describes the highest result in those samples, not an expected household result. Read the study record.
#1 Best Overall
- Multi-Functional Use – Whether you're in the mood for a hearty jambalaya, steamed veggies and rice, or a belly-warming soup, you can accomplish it all with your rice cooker. The possibilities are as creative as you are.
- One-Touch Operation – This cooker is a proud member of our “set it and forget it” mentality. The one-touch operation is fool-proof – just fill it, power on, and cook! BPA free
- Simultaneous Steaming – With the included steam tray, steam foods above while rice, soup, or any other meal simultaneously cooks below, allowing you to save time without sacrificing quality.
- Automatic Keep Warm – Switches to Keep Warm mode automatically once the cooking cycle is completed to keep your foods at perfect serving temperatures.
- Convenient Cooking & Cleaning – With the included nonstick inner pot, you can rest assured that cooking will be a breeze. When the cooking is completed, the inner pot can be safely and conveniently cleaned in the dishwasher!
The trade-off: some nutrients go down the drain
Draining excess water can remove dissolved nutrients along with arsenic. In the 2015 study, this method reduced enriched nutrients—including iron, folate, thiamin and niacin—in polished and parboiled rice. If preserving those added nutrients matters to you, the arsenic reduction comes with a nutritional trade-off.
Does rinsing rice remove arsenic?
Rinsing is not a dependable arsenic-removal method for every type of rice. In the 2015 study, rinsing had minimal effect on arsenic in cooked rice, while washing also removed some iron, folate, thiamin and niacin from enriched polished and parboiled rice. The study record describes the results.
Rank #2
- Multi-Functional Use – Whether you're in the mood for a hearty jambalaya, steamed veggies and rice, or a belly-warming soup, you can accomplish it all with your rice cooker. The possibilities are as creative as you are.
- One-Touch Operation – This cooker is a proud member of our “set it and forget it” mentality. The one-touch operation is fool-proof – just fill it, power on, and cook!
- Simultaneous Steaming – With the included steam tray, steam foods above while rice, soup, or any other meal simultaneously cooks below, allowing you to save time without sacrificing quality.
- Automatic Keep Warm – Switches to Keep Warm mode automatically once the cooking cycle is completed to keep your foods at perfect serving temperatures.
- Convenient Cooking & Cleaning – With the included nonstick inner pot, you can rest assured that cooking will be a breeze. When the cooking is completed, the inner pot can be safely and conveniently cleaned in the dishwasher!
Results differed in a project summarized by the USDA National Agricultural Library: rinse washing removed about 10% of total and inorganic arsenic from basmati rice, but was less effective for other rice types. High-volume water cooking reduced both total and inorganic arsenic in long-grain and basmati rice. That summary underscores why a result for one variety or protocol should not be treated as universal. See the USDA National Agricultural Library project summary.
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Does cooling and reheating rice reduce calories or carbs?
Cooling cooked white rice has been studied for its effect on resistant starch and glycemic response, but the available study information does not establish a reliable effect size that can be generalized across rice types, portions, people or cooking procedures. It is not sound to count on cooling and reheating rice to reduce calories or to produce a predictable health effect.
Rank #3
- PERFECT FOR MEALS ANY TIME OF DAY: Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can cook rice, hot cereal and whole grains or steam seafood, vegetables, eggs and more with one incredibly versatile multi-function cooker.
- FAMILY-SIZE CAPACITY: The removable pot of the rice cooker holds up to 2 quarts or 8 cups of cooked rice—enough to feed the whole family.*
- EASY-OPENING HINGED LID: The hinged lid on the multi-function cooker makes it easy to open, fill and serve and seals to lock in moisture for consistently fluffy rice.
- SIMPLE PRESET PROGRAM OPTIONS: Select an option on the control panel and press the button for perfectly cooked rice, grains or hot cereal. The rice cooker automatically switches to warm after cooking and keeps food warm for up to 12 hours.
- ONE-POT MEAL VERSATILITY: With the included steam basket, this rice cooker steamer can steam vegetables, shrimp, eggs, seafood and more while your rice or grains cook below.
In a 2026 Associated Press report, endocrinologist and researcher David Ludwig said cooling “doesn’t appreciably change the calorie content of that food.” The same report quotes Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: “Chilling does not restore the losses of fiber, minerals and vitamins that have been removed in the refining process.” These are statements reported by the AP, not effect estimates from the study. Read the Associated Press report. The study identified in this context examined cooled white rice, resistant starch and glycemic response in healthy subjects. View the study PDF.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which rice-cooking method should you choose?
- If reducing arsenic is your priority: Excess-water cooking followed by draining has evidence of arsenic reduction for several tested rice types, though the size of the effect varies. Water quality and preparation details matter.
- If you rely on enriched rice for added nutrients: Consider that rinsing and especially draining excess cooking water can remove some added nutrients. The evidence does not establish one method as best for everyone.
- If you are considering cooling rice for fewer calories: Do not treat it as a dependable calorie-reduction strategy. The evidence summarized here does not establish a predictable benefit.
- If you cook rice ahead: Follow current food-safety guidance for cooling, refrigeration and reheating. The cited material here does not establish the time-and-temperature instructions needed to give safe storage directions.
Texture and convenience were not systematically evaluated in the cited cooking studies, so they do not establish how these methods will affect the rice you prepare at home. A typical absorption-style rice cooker also should not be assumed to support excess-water cooking and draining; check the specific model’s instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6-Cup Cooked Rice Capacity Produces up to 6 cups of cooked rice using the included ¾-cup rice measuring cup (3 cups uncooked). Prepare anywhere from 1 to 6 cups. Use the included measuring cup for accurate portions as standard cups differ
- Automatic Keep Warm - The rice stays ready for serving! The rice cooker automatically switches to the “keep warm” function after cooking is complete. Steamer Basket, Measuring Cup and Spoon Included
- Nonstick Rice Pot – Removable for easy dishwasher cleanup. See manual for rice-to-water ratios by type. Rice texture varies by type and cook time—add more water for softer rice, less for firmer. Dimensions: 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 in. ETL Listed. V: 120V. 300W.
- Steaming Basket & Accessories – Steam veggies, fish, and more with the included basket. Comes with a rice measuring cup for perfect portions and a serving spoon to protect the nonstick pot. Use only the rice cup, a standard kitchen cup
- Perfect Rice, Every Time – Includes a ¾ cup measuring cup for accurate dry rice portions (up to 3 max). A steam vent directs steam safely away from cabinets. See manual for tips, rice ratios, and additional features.
Rank #4
- 𝟭𝟴 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: Choose from different types of white and brown rice with texture options, 3 types of grains, 3 types of oats, steamed vegetables, slow cook soups, and sauté flavored rice
- 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝘂𝘇𝘇𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰: Whether you're a cooking novice or an experienced home cook, our rice cooker uses fuzzy logic technology to automatically adjust the 7-step cooking process, ensuring that you can get fluffy and evenly results
- 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: You can enjoy warm and fresh rice anytime with the automatic 24-hour keep warm and 24-hour delay timer functions
- 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: The perfect rice is worth the wait, and our 'Quick Rice' feature allows you to cook white rice more quickly in a pinch at 1000W of power without sacrificing taste or quality
- 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻: All accessories are dishwasher-safe. Includes 1 ceramic-coated inner pot and 1 stainless steel steamer basket with your rice cooker—no need to purchase separately.
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