Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR Rice Cooker: Full Review

The Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR Professional Stainless Steel Rice Cooker is a versatile multi-cooker designed to easily handle a wide variety of meals. This 8-cup digital rice cooker can make up to 12 cups of cooked rice for larger families or meal prepping. It has an ample 6.5qt capacity and includes features like slow cook and steam functions in addition to cooking rice. The sleek stainless steel exterior gives it a modern look that fits into any kitchen aesthetic. With intuitive, programmable controls the Aroma ARC-7606GR aims to provide restaurant-quality rice and simplified home cooking. This review will go over the key features and benefits of this Aroma rice cooker model to help you determine if it might be a useful appliance for your kitchen.

Design

The Aroma 6-cup Rice Cooker ARC-7606GR has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any countertop. It has a stainless steel exterior with black accents that give it an elegant, sophisticated look.

At 9.4 x 8.7 x 9 inches, it has a compact footprint that doesn't take up too much space. The lid and steam vent on top are made of clear plastic so you can view inside while cooking. The control panel is simple with one-touch operation and an LED display that shows your selections.

There are also stay-cool handles on the side so you can move the cooker safely. Overall, the aesthetic is very clean and refined but still user-friendly.

In addition to the ARC-7606GR, the Aroma Housewares ARC-363-1NGB offers a compact and efficient solution for rice cooking. This model is designed for smaller households, allowing you to prepare delicious rice with ease. Its lightweight design ensures that it can be stored away effortlessly when not in use. The ARC-363-1NGB features a non-stick inner pot for easy cleanup and a simple one-button operation for convenience.

Features

The Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR rice cooker has several useful features that make it a versatile appliance for any kitchen.

Cooking Capacity

This rice cooker has a 6-cup cooked capacity, meaning it can hold and cook up to 6 cups of uncooked rice. This results in 12-18 servings of cooked rice, making it a good size for small families. The inner cooking pot is nonstick and removable for easy serving and cleanup.

Keep Warm Function

Once the rice is finished cooking, the rice cooker automatically switches to a keep warm mode which keeps the rice at an optimal serving temperature. This is convenient if you want to have rice ready over an extended period of time. The keep warm function can keep rice ready for serving for up to 12 hours.

Delay Timer

The delay timer is extremely useful for planning meals in advance. You can add the rice and water in the morning, set the delay timer, and have perfectly cooked rice ready at whatever mealtime you choose, up to 15 hours later. This makes it easy to have rice ready right when you need it.

Imusa GAU-00012

The Imusa GAU-00012 rice cooker is another excellent option for those looking for simplicity and efficiency in their kitchen. With a 3-cup cooked capacity, it's perfect for smaller households or individuals. This rice cooker features a user-friendly design and includes a measuring cup and serving spatula for added convenience. The nonstick pot ensures easy cleanup, and the one-touch operation makes cooking rice a hassle-free experience. If you're interested in a compact rice cooker that delivers tasty results, consider the Imusa GAU-00012.

Ease of Use

The Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR rice cooker has a very user-friendly control panel, making it easy for anyone to use. The main control button is the power switch that turns the cooker on or off. There are also simple buttons for specific rice cooking functions like regular rice, brown rice, AROMA, steam, and delay timer.

The buttons have clear icons that make the different settings easy to distinguish. When selecting a setting, the corresponding light illuminates so you know the function is activated. The buttons also click softly when pressed, providing satisfying tactile feedback.

The delay timer function enables scheduling your rice up to 15 hours in advance. Just put the rice and water in the pot, select the delay time, and the cooker will automatically start cooking at the specified time. This makes meal prep highly convenient.

The large LED display shows the cooking time remaining so you can easily monitor progress. An audible beep lets you know when the rice is done. Overall, the intuitive controls and indicators on the ARC-7606GR simplify the cooking process.

Performance

The Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker performs very well when it comes to cooking rice. It consistently delivers fluffy, evenly cooked rice with separate, tender grains. The triple heating elements on the bottom provide very even heat distribution, preventing hot spots that can lead to scorched rice.

The cooker heats up quickly and brings rice to a boil efficiently. Once it switches to warm mode, it keeps the temperature perfect for ensuring rice stays hot and moist without becoming mushy. The keep warm function can hold rice for 12+ hours without any deterioration in texture.

The cooking speed is on par with other quality rice cookers in this class. White rice takes about 20-30 minutes while brown rice is ready in 40-50 minutes. The speed is especially impressive given the large capacity of this cooker - it can churn out impressive volumes of perfectly cooked rice in a short time.

Reliability is also a strong point. Owners report being able to cook batch after batch of rice without any decrease in performance over time. The inner cooking pan distributes heat extremely evenly for consistent results. The cooker rarely burns or undercooks rice, even after years of use. It delivers tasty rice day in and day out.

Accessories

The Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR rice cooker comes with several handy accessories that enhance the cooking experience.

The rice paddle is made of durable, BPA-free plastic and allows you to stir and serve rice without scratching the interior pot. It fits perfectly into the lines along the inner pot to lift and fluff the rice easily after cooking.

A steaming tray inserts above the rice to let you steam vegetables, fish, or meat while the rice cooks below. This saves time and lets you make quick, healthy meals all in one pot.

The rice cooker also includes a recipe book with rice cooking guides and recipes to try out different dishes. Following the recipes and guides can help you cook restaurant-quality rice at home.

Overall the accessories included with the cooker provide everything you need to cook rice and full meals simply and easily. The paddle, steamer, and recipe book increase the functionality and value you get from this versatile appliance.

Cleanup

The Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR rice cooker is designed for easy cleanup after cooking. The inner cooking pot and steam tray are non-stick, so rice and other grains don't stick to the surface. They can be easily wiped clean with a soft cloth or sponge.

The lid, control panel, and exterior are also easy to wipe down to keep the rice cooker looking new. The brushed stainless steel finish resists fingerprints and smudges. The inner pot and accessories are dishwasher safe, so you can save time by popping them in the dishwasher after use.

One handy feature is that the inner cooking pot is detachable from the heating plate. This allows you to remove the pot after cooking and promptly clean it without having hot condensation drip onto the counter or heating element.

Overall, Aroma Housewares designed this rice cooker with convenience in mind. There are minimal nooks and crannies for food to get stuck in. The non-stick cooking surfaces allow for quick wiping or rinsing. With easy cleanup, this appliance will stay looking great in your kitchen for many years.

Safety Features

The Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR rice cooker has several useful safety features to prevent accidents and overcooking.

The most important is the overheat protection that automatically turns the cooker off if it gets too hot. This prevents the inner pot from scorching or burning the rice if you forget to turn it off. There's no need to worry about potential fire hazards or ruined meals.

It also has an anti-overflow feature that will stop the cooking process if the water level gets too high. This prevents messy spillovers if you accidentally add too much water. The rice cooker essentially monitors itself and cuts off power if it senses dangerous conditions starting to occur.

Between the overheat protection and anti-overflow system, the Aroma rice cooker provides an excellent level of safety. You can walk away without needing to constantly monitor it, knowing it will shut itself off in case of any problems. This gives great peace of mind and avoids potentially hazardous situations.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large 8-cup capacity makes it great for families
• 15 digital controls for easy precise cooking
• Delay timer allows scheduling meals in advance
• Keep warm function holds food at ideal temp after cooking
• Nonstick inner pot for easy cleanup
• Stainless steel exterior for durability
• Includes steam tray, rice measuring cup, and serving spatula

Cons

• More expensive than basic rice cookers
• Large footprint takes up counter space
• Short power cord may require extension cord
• Exterior can show fingerprints and smudges
• No sauté or browning function like higher-end models
• Maximum cook time is 12 hours

Conclusion

Overall, the Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR Rice Cooker is an exceptional option for most home cooks looking for a high-quality rice cooker. It delivers reliable, consistent results batch after batch and includes useful features like the steam tray and delay timer. The inner pot is durable and easy to clean. The push-button controls and digital display panel make the rice cooker simple to operate.

Compared to other models in this price range, the Aroma Housewares rice cooker stands out for its versatile cooking options beyond just white rice. You can cook brown rice, oatmeal, stew, soup, and more, making this an excellent all-in-one appliance. The robust construction also gives it a long lifespan.

For most households that prepare rice frequently, the Aroma Housewares ARC-7606GR Rice Cooker is easy to recommend. It takes the guesswork out of cooking rice and includes everything you need at an affordable price point. If you want more cooking flexibility, consider the Instant Pot, but the dedication rice cooker will deliver better rice texture. Overall, this Aroma model offers excellent quality and performance for the price.