Elite Gourmet ERC-003 Rice Cooker: Full Review

The Elite Gourmet ERC-003 is an affordable yet capable electric rice cooker perfect for those looking to prepare fluffy rice and other grains without fuss. With a 3-cup uncooked capacity, this compact model provides enough fresh rice for small families or couples. The rice cooker features an automatic keep-warm function, steaming tray, measuring cup, and serving spatula for convenience. Its attractive stainless steel exterior allows it to blend into most kitchen decors. This cooker aims to deliver tasty, perfectly cooked rice using standard 120V electricity. For those searching for a no-frills rice cooker that gets the job done right, the Elite Gourmet ERC-003 is definitely worth considering. With 350 watts of power, it cooks up to 6 cups of cooked rice or other grains. Keep reading to learn more about the design, features, performance, and value of this budget-friendly rice cooker.

Design

The Elite Gourmet ERC-003 rice cooker has a simple but modern design that will look great in most kitchens. It has a black exterior housing with stainless steel accents, giving it an upscale appearance. The body is made of durable plastic that resists scratches and fingerprints.

At 10.2 x 11.4 x 10 inches, the ERC-003 has a compact footprint but is large enough to cook up to 5 cups of rice at once. It's a medium sized model that doesn't take up too much counterspace. The detachable inner cooking pot has a 5 cup uncooked capacity, perfect for families of 3-4 people.

The control panel is uncomplicated, with just a few buttons for cook, warm, and off functions. There's no digital display or complex electronics. The lid, handles, and buttons are all black plastic matching the housing, while the inner pot has a brushed stainless steel finish.

Overall, the simple but sleek black and stainless steel design will fit right in with most modern kitchen decors. It has an understated look compared to some fancier rice cookers. The materials seem durable enough for regular use.

In comparison, the Aroma Housewares ARC-363-1NGB offers a versatile cooking experience with multiple cooking functions including steam and sauté. Its attractive design features a shiny stainless steel exterior, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen. The ARC-363-1NGB also boasts a 6-cup uncooked rice capacity, ideal for larger families or gatherings. Its programmable settings and digital interface make it user-friendly, while the non-stick inner pot ensures easy cleaning.

Features

The Elite Gourmet ERC-003 electric rice cooker has a number of useful features that make it a versatile addition to any kitchen.

Capacity

This rice cooker has a 4 cup uncooked capacity, which translates to 8 cups of cooked rice. This makes it a good size for individuals or couples. The 4 cup capacity allows you to cook 2-3 servings of rice at a time.

Settings

The ERC-003 has basic on/off settings with an indicator light that lets you know when the cooking cycle is finished. It utilizes automatic keep warm and extended keep warm functions to ensure your rice stays fresh and warm after cooking completes.

Modes

In addition to white rice, this cooker has specialized modes for cooking brown rice, quick rice, and slow cook/porridge. The brown rice mode adjusts temperature and cooking time to properly prepare nuttier, chewier brown rice. The quick rice mode speeds up cooking time for white rice in a hurry. Slow cook/porridge mode cooks at lower temperatures for hours to produce soft grains perfect for congee or rice porridge.

Accessories

The ERC-003 comes with a nonstick cooking pot, tempered glass lid, serving spatula, and measuring cup. The accessories make it easy to cook, serve and store leftovers.

The Imusa GAU-00012 is another excellent rice cooker that offers a generous 20-cup cooked rice capacity, making it ideal for larger families or gatherings. It features a non-stick inner pot, ensuring easy cleanup after meals. The simple one-touch control makes it user-friendly, and the keep warm function automatically maintains the perfect serving temperature. This rice cooker also comes with a measuring cup, serving spoon, and steaming tray to enhance its functionality, providing a great option for versatile cooking.

Ease of Use

The Elite Gourmet ERC-003 rice cooker has a user-friendly control panel with buttons for cooking white rice, brown rice, quick rice, and the keep warm function. The large digital display clearly shows which setting is selected.

The buttons have symbols that intuitively indicate their function, so it's easy to select the desired setting even without consulting the manual. The manual does provide clear instructions for all settings and functions. It includes cooking time guides for different types of rice and quantities.

The control panel allows you to easily choose the correct cooking function for white or brown rice and adjust cooking time if needed. The quick rice function decreases cooking time when you're in a hurry. Once cooking is complete, it automatically switches to the keep warm setting so your rice stays ready to serve.

Overall, the intuitive control panel and clear manual make this an exceptionally easy-to-use rice cooker suitable for beginners and experienced users alike. The ability to adjust times gives you more control, while the pre-set functions take the guesswork out of cooking perfect rice every time.

Cooking Performance

The Elite Gourmet ERC-003 rice cooker delivers excellent cooking performance for various types of rice. It has specialized cooking logic that allows it to expertly prepare sticky rice, white rice, brown rice, and mixed rice without supervision.

The microcomputer controls the timing and temperature to achieve fluffy, tender grains for white rice every time. Brown rice and mixed rice come out nutty and al dente thanks to customized settings. Sticky or glutinous rice is steamed to soft, chewy perfection.

No matter the rice type, the results are consistent batch after batch. The cooker monitors moisture levels and makes adjustments during cooking for foolproof doneness. It brings rice to a boil then lowers to a simmer, creating light, airy grains without scorching or sticking.

Cooking speed is reasonably fast at around 30-35 minutes for white rice. Brown rice takes a bit longer at 40-50 minutes due to the extra bran layers. But you get restaurant-quality rice without much waiting.

The intelligent programming means no guessing or changing settings. Just use the correct rice button and the rice cooker does the work for incredibly consistent, delicious rice every time.

Versatility

The Elite Gourmet ERC-003 rice cooker offers versatility beyond just cooking rice. The cooker can also handle other grains like quinoa, barley, and oats with ease.

The included steaming tray allows you to steam vegetables and fish right in the rice cooker along with your grains. This saves time and dishes instead of having to use multiple appliances. Vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and more come out perfectly steamed.

You can also use the cooker to make one-pot meals. Add beans, vegetables, and seasonings to make delicious bean chili or jambalaya without having to dirty other pots and pans. Soups and stews also work well prepared directly in the cooker.

With the Elite Gourmet ERC-003 you don't need multiple appliances taking up space. This versatile rice cooker can handle all your grains, steamed foods, and one-pot meals.
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Cleaning and Maintenance

The nonstick cooking pot is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. The inner lid can also be removed and cleaned separately. The steam vent, holder, and measuring cup are removable and dishwasher safe as well.

The outside housing has a smooth surface that just needs an occasional wipe down. There are no nooks or crannies for food or water to get trapped.

The rice cooker takes care of the messy boiling and steaming so there are minimal burns or crusty bits to deal with. A quick soak or run through the dishwasher will clean everything up nicely.

Overall, the simplicity of the design and removable parts allow for easy cleanup after cooking.

Durability

The Elite Gourmet Rice Cooker is built to last thanks to its durable stainless steel exterior and thick aluminum inner cooking pot. The stainless steel housing protects the cooker and resists dents, dings, rust, and corrosion. The inner pot is made of sturdy aluminum that evenly conducts heat and stands up well to daily cooking and cleaning.

Some users have reported using this rice cooker for over 5 years without any issues, so it appears to have good longevity if properly cared for. Elite Gourmet offers a standard 1-year limited warranty to protect against defects, so you can have peace of mind that you're covered at least for the first year of ownership. While not the longest warranty on the market, 1 year is typical for most rice cookers in this price range.

The Elite Gourmet rice cooker seems well-made overall and has proven itself to be a workhorse appliance that can handle frequent use. Just be sure to follow the cleaning instructions to prevent scratches on the inside pot and your cooker should provide years of reliable rice cooking.

Value

The Cuisinart Rice Cooker offers outstanding value for the price. At around $20 on Amazon, it is very affordable for most budgets compared to other rice cookers which can cost $100 or more.

Despite the low price, the cooker doesn't feel cheap and offers features found in more expensive models. These include a stainless steel finish, steam tray, serving spatula, measuring cup, and recipe booklet.

Considering the price, performance, durability, and extra accessories included, this rice cooker provides excellent value. It can cook all varieties of rice plus steam vegetables, fish, and more. The stainless steel cooking pot is durable and makes for easy cleanup.

For those looking for an introductory rice cooker that gets the job done without breaking the bank, the Cuisinart is a top choice. It delivers delicious fluffy rice batches after batch, yet costs a fraction of the price of elaborate computerized rice cookers.

Overall, this cooker punches well above its weight class and budget price point when it comes to features, versatility, and reliability. For shoppers who want great value for their money, it's one of the best rice cooker options around.

Conclusion

The Elite Gourmet ERC-003 electric rice cooker is a solid mid-range option for most households. It offers great bang for your buck with its well-rounded performance and versatility.

The key strengths of this rice cooker are its simplicity of use, reliable cooking, and handy pre-programmed settings. It consistently delivers well-cooked rice and can also handle basic one-pot meals like soups, stews, and steaming veggies or fish. The keep-warm function ensures your food stays ready to eat for hours. Cleanup is easy thanks to the non-stick inner pot.

The only notable downside is the limited capacity. At 3 cups uncooked, this model works well for individuals and couples but not bigger families. The exterior is also mostly plastic rather than stainless steel.

Overall, the Elite Gourmet ERC-003 is an affordable and user-friendly electric rice cooker that gets the job done. It provides solid everyday performance for basic rice cooking and more. This is a sound choice for shoppers seeking an entry-level rice cooker without breaking the bank.