Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG Rice Cooker: Full Review

The Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG 3-Cup Rice Cooker is a versatile mini appliance capable of cooking up to 3 cups of rice, grains, or steaming vegetables. It's compact size makes it ideal for small kitchens like dorms, RVs or apartments, while still being able to feed 1-2 people.

The ARC-393NG utilizes simple, one-touch operation to cook rice to perfection each time. It features a keep warm mode to hold cooked rice at an optimal serving temperature until ready to eat. The cooker body is constructed of brushed stainless steel for durability and easy cleaning.

Overall, the Aroma 3-Cup Rice Cooker delivers reliably delicious rice and offers great value given its affordable price point. Read on for a more detailed look at the features and performance.

Design & Appearance

The Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG rice cooker has a sleek and modern design perfect for any kitchen. It has a brushed stainless steel exterior that is fingerprint resistant to help keep it looking new.

The rice cooker measures about 9.4 x 8.5 x 9 inches, so it has a compact footprint that doesn't take up too much counter space. It is available in two color options - stainless steel or black stainless steel - to match various kitchen decor styles.

The cooking pot inside is surgical grade 304 stainless steel which is durable and food-safe. It has a 3 cup uncooked capacity, which yields 6 cups of cooked rice. The inner pot has convenient markings to easily see the water lines for cooking.

The control panel on the front has an LED display and push button controls. The buttons have a smooth silicone cover for easy cleaning. There is a serving spatula included that conveniently attaches to the rear of the rice cooker.

Overall, the rice cooker has an elegant but simple design perfect for busy home cooks. The compact size doesn't sacrifice cooking capacity and the stainless steel ensures durability.

Features

The Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG rice cooker has several useful features that make it a versatile appliance for any kitchen.

• 3-Cup Cooking Capacity: This compact rice cooker can make up 3 cups (uncooked) of any variety of rice. The 3-cup capacity is ideal for 1-3 people.

• Keep Warm Mode: Once the rice is finished cooking, the keep warm mode automatically kicks in to keep the rice warm and ready to serve for hours.

• Delay Timer: You can use the delay timer to have the rice start cooking up to 15 hours in advance. This allows you to wake up to freshly cooked rice or have rice ready when you get home.

• Simmer Function: The simmer function lets you simmer sauces, soups and stews at a precise low temperature.

• Automatic Shut Off: For safety and convenience, the rice cooker will automatically shut off when cooking is complete.

• Steam Vent: The tempered glass lid has a steam vent to prevent condensation while cooking.

• Nonstick Cooking Pot: The cooking pot has a durable nonstick coating for easy cleanup.

• Accessories Included: The package includes a rice measuring cup and serving spatula.

Ease of Use

The Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG rice cooker has simple, intuitive controls that make it easy to use right out of the box. The control panel on the front has two main buttons - Cook and Warm.

The Cook button starts the cooking process. Once you've added rice and water, simply press Cook and the rice cooker will handle the rest. The cooker automatically switches to Warm mode when rice is done cooking.

The Warm button allows you to keep cooked rice warm for hours. This is perfect for meals spread out over time or serving rice buffet-style.

There is no digital display or complex options on this model. The simplicity makes it straightforward even for first-time users. The included instructions provide cooking time guides for different rice types.

Setup takes mere minutes too. Just open the box, remove all packing material, wash the rice pot, read the instructions, and you're ready to cook. Overall, the intuitive manual controls and hassle-free setup make this an easy rice cooker for anyone to use successfully.

Cooking Performance

The Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG rice cooker delivers excellent cooking performance for all types of rice. Its specialized cooking functions allow you to cook white rice, brown rice, rice porridge, steam vegetables, and more, all with the touch of a button.

The rice cooker cooks rice quickly and efficiently. White rice takes only 20-30 minutes while brown rice takes around 40-50 minutes. The rice comes out perfectly cooked every time with individual grains that are soft and fluffy on the inside while still maintaining a nice, chewy texture on the outside.

The consistency of the rice is always consistent batch after batch. The rice is never undercooked or mushy and doesn't burn or stick to the bottom of the cooker. The steam function also cooks vegetables, fish, and other foods evenly and thoroughly.

Overall, the cooking performance of the Aroma rice cooker is exceptional. It cooks all varieties of rice as well as other foods quickly and consistently with restaurant-quality results.

Accessories

The Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG rice cooker comes with some useful accessories to help you get the most out of this appliance. It includes a steam tray, rice measuring cup, and serving spatula.

The steam tray inserts neatly into the cooker to allow you to steam vegetables, fish, chicken or other foods while the rice cooks below. This enables you to make a complete, well-balanced meal all in one pot. The steam tray is made from durable stainless steel with a perforated surface to allow steam circulation.

A handy rice measuring cup is also provided, taking the guesswork out of getting the right rice-to-water ratios. The cup has marked measurements on the side ranging from 2 to 6 cups (uncooked rice).

For easy serving directly from the cooker, a plastic paddle or spatula is included. The paddles are BPA-free and heat resistant. The angled head helps scoop rice neatly from the inner pot.

Having the right accessories allows you to maximize what you can do with the rice cooker. From measuring ingredients to steaming other foods and dishing out servings, the included tools help streamline meal prep.

Durability

The Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG rice cooker is built to last thanks to its durable stainless steel exterior and nonstick inner cooking pot. The stainless steel construction makes it sturdy and resistant to dents or scratches. It also has an appealing brushed finish that hides fingerprints and smudges.

The nonstick cooking pot does a great job of preventing rice and foods from sticking. It's thick enough to distribute heat evenly while avoiding hot spots that can burn rice. Even after months of frequent use, the nonstick holds up well and doesn't chip or peel.

All parts that come in contact with food are BPA-free so you don't have to worry about harmful chemicals leaching into foods. The steam vent, lid, and other accessories are also made of durable materials to withstand daily cooking demands.

Aroma Housewares provides a 1-year limited warranty on the rice cooker. This provides protection in case you encounter defects in materials or workmanship within the first year of ownership. Overall, the ARC-393NG is built to provide years of reliable rice cooking thanks to its sturdy construction and quality materials.

Cleaning

The Aroma Rice Cooker is very easy to clean thanks to its non-stick inner pot and steaming tray. Both can be removed and are dishwasher-safe.

The lid and the body of the rice cooker can be wiped down with a damp cloth to clean up any splatters or spills from cooking. There are no electronic controls or buttons on the rice cooker itself, so you don't have to worry about getting those wet while cleaning.

The inner cooking pot has a durable non-stick coating that prevents rice and sticky foods from sticking and burning. This non-stick surface makes cooking easier and also simplifies cleaning. After cooking, the inner pot can be soaked and scrubbed gently to remove any stuck-on food.

Both the inner cooking pot and steaming tray can be washed safely in the dishwasher, making cleanup a breeze. Or you can hand wash them with warm soapy water and a soft sponge or brush. Avoid using harsh abrasives or scouring pads, as these can damage the non-stick surface over time.

Overall, the detachable parts and dishwasher-safe components of the Aroma Rice Cooker make cleaning up after meals quick and convenient. Just remove the inner pot and tray, pop them in the dishwasher or wash by hand, and wipe down the lid and body.

Price

The Aroma Housewares ARC-393NG rice cooker has an MSRP of $19.99 on Amazon, which is very affordable compared to other rice cookers on the market. However, it can frequently be found for even less on sale. The best deals tend to be around major holidays when retailers run promotions.

For example, it was priced at only $14.99 on Amazon Prime Day in July 2022. Keep an eye out on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day for opportunities to score this rice cooker for under $15. Even at full price though, it delivers excellent value given its quality and performance.

Overall, the reasonable price point makes this an attractive option for shoppers looking for an inexpensive yet effective rice cooker for small households. Its budget-friendly cost doesn't seem to sacrifice useful features or cooking ability.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Simple on/off switch with indicator light makes it easy to operate
• Pre-programmed digital controls for white rice, brown rice, steam, soup, porridge, and slow cook
• Steams food while cooking rice at the same time
• Nonstick inner cooking pot is easy to clean
• Keep warm function keeps rice fresh for extended periods
• Sturdy tempered glass lid with steam vent
• Includes rice measuring cup and serving spatula
• Affordable price point

Cons

• Lid does not seal tightly, some steam escapes
• Rice paddle can scratch nonstick surface over time
• Small capacity, only makes up to 5 cups of cooked rice
• Exterior gets hot to the touch while cooking
• No delay start function