Imusa GAU-00012 Rice Cooker: Full Review

The Imusa GAU-00012 is a basic 3-cup rice cooker that utilizes simple mechanical switches and manual controls to cook up to 1.5 cups of uncooked rice (yielding 3 cups cooked). It has a compact, lightweight design in either white or stainless steel exterior and nonstick cooking pot. With only two settings ("Cook" and "Warm"), it lacks more advanced programmable functions or fancy technology. However, its simplicity and affordability make it a suitable option for singles, couples, or small families who just need a no-frills machine to make basic rice. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of fancier cookers, the Imusa can reliably turn out fluffy, evenly cooked rice at a very reasonable price point.

Design

The Imusa GAU-00012 rice cooker has a simple and compact design that doesn't take up much counter space. It has a plastic exterior housing that comes in either white or black color options. The cooker has a rounded rectangular shape that measures approximately 9 x 8 x 9 inches.

The inner cooking pot is made of durable, nonstick aluminum with a silver finish. This allows rice to easily release from the sides of the pot during cooking and cleanup. The inner pot can be removed for serving and cleaning.

The tempered glass lid fits tightly onto the top of the cooker. It has a steam vent on top to allow excess pressure to release during cooking. The lid also features a see-through window so you can monitor the rice without removing the lid.

There are no digital screens or complex control panels on this basic rice cooker. All of the control components are manual knobs and switches. Overall, the Imusa rice cooker has a simple, no-frills design focused on efficiently cooking rice. The materials and construction seem durable enough for regular use.

In contrast, the TOSHIBA RC-5DSTUS(H) features a more advanced design with multiple cooking functions. This rice cooker includes a digital control panel with pre-programmed settings for various types of rice and grains, allowing for precise cooking. Its stainless steel exterior adds a modern touch to your kitchen, while the large capacity is perfect for families. The nonstick inner pot ensures easy cleanup, and the keep-warm function keeps your rice at the perfect temperature until you're ready to serve. A sleek and user-friendly design enhances your cooking experience.

Settings & Features

The Imusa 3-Cup Rice Cooker comes with basic, yet useful settings for cooking rice and other grains perfectly every time. It has two cooking settings:

• Cook - This setting brings the contents to a boil and then automatically switches to low heat to simmer until done. The cooker senses when the rice is finished cooking and switches to the keep warm setting.

• Keep Warm - After cooking is complete, the cooker automatically switches to the keep warm function to hold the rice at an ideal serving temperature for hours.

Some key features include:

• Non-stick cooking pot - The pot has a durable non-stick coating for easy cooking and quick cleanup.

• Steaming tray - A removable plastic steaming tray fits on top of the rice as it cooks to steam vegetables, fish, or meat.

• Tempered glass lid - The lid is glass to allow monitoring of cooking progress, with cool touch handles for safe viewing.

• Stay-cool exterior - The body remains cool to the touch on the outside while cooking.

• Cord storage - The power cord wraps under the base for tidy storage.

Additionally, the Aroma Housewares ASP-610 offers advanced features such as a programmable digital display, multiple cooking functions for rice and other dishes, and a large capacity that can accommodate families or gatherings. Its sleek design and efficient performance make it a great complement to any kitchen. Upgrade your cooking experience with this versatile rice cooker!

Cooking Performance

The Imusa rice cooker does an excellent job cooking different varieties of rice. It has specialized settings for white rice, brown rice, and quick rice, allowing you to achieve the perfect texture for each type.

The white rice comes out light and fluffy with individual grains. Brown rice retains more chewiness while still being fully cooked through. Even quick rice turns out well, with the grains tender but not mushy.

Thanks to its programmed cooking cycles, the rice cooker yields consistent results every time. Rice is cooked at the ideal temperature and moisture level to get the right consistency without being overdone.

The cooking speed is relatively fast, especially for white rice. The average cooking time is around 20-30 minutes, faster than stovetop methods. Even brown rice is ready in 30-40 minutes. The quick rice setting prepares rice in just 10-15 minutes.

Overall, the Imusa rice cooker delivers excellent cooking performance for all types of rice. The specialized settings allow you to tailor the texture as needed. And the programmed cycles ensure your rice turns out perfectly cooked each time with the right tenderness and consistency.

Ease of Use

The Imusa rice cooker has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to use. There is one button to turn the cooker on and off and select the cooking function. The button clicks between the white rice, brown rice, and quick cooking settings. The button surrounds a display that shows which setting is selected.

When cooking starts, the display counts up to show the time elapsed. Once cooking is complete, the cooker automatically switches to keep warm mode and the display shows how long it's been in keep warm mode, counting up the minutes. This makes it easy to see if you need to fluff the rice or if it's still piping hot and ready to serve.

The included instructions are straightforward with cooking times and water measurements for each setting. For white and brown rice, you simply add rice and water to the pot, select the setting, and press start for hands-off cooking. The quick cook mode is ideal for dishes like rice porridge that need less cooking time.

Overall, the intuitive interface and clear instructions make the Imusa rice cooker exceptionally easy to use for flawless rice and grains every time. Even beginner cooks will find this cooker user-friendly.

Cleanup

The Imusa 3 cup rice cooker has a nonstick cooking pot and steam tray that make cleanup a breeze. Both the pot and tray can be easily removed and are dishwasher safe.

The lid can also be removed completely for easy cleaning. There are no hard to reach areas on the pot or cooker base, so you can quickly wipe away any leftover rice grains or residue with a sponge or cloth. The inner cooking pot has an excellent nonstick coating that prevents rice from sticking and burning on the bottom.

After cooking, a simple soak and quick scrub of the pot is all that's needed to remove any remaining bits of rice. The nonstick is durable and doesn't degrade over time. You won't have to deal with stubborn burned on stains or spend long periods of time scrubbing the pot.

The exterior of the cooker base can be wiped clean with a damp cloth if any condensation or food splatters get on it. Overall, cleanup is fast and hassle-free with the removable, dishwasher safe pot and tray. The nonstick pot also makes cleaning a breeze.

Size & Capacity

The Imusa GAU-00012 rice cooker has a generous 12-cup uncooked capacity, allowing it to produce around 24 cups of cooked rice. This is enough to feed larger families or groups, making it a great option for meal prepping or entertaining.

The 12-cup capacity is quite sizable for a standard rice cooker. Many other models in this price range top out at around 8 to 10 cups uncooked. So if you regularly cook rice for 4+ people, the Imusa delivers the larger capacity needed.

It's also worth noting that the cooker uses standard cup measurements, so you can easily fine tune the capacity if cooking for less people. This allows more flexibility than cookers which rely on embedded lines or markings. Just use a measuring cup to input your desired amount.

Overall, the sizeable 12-cup capacity is a standout feature on the Imusa rice cooker. Large families or those cooking for groups will appreciate being able to make hearty batches of rice all at once.

Durability

The Imusa rice cooker is designed with durability in mind. The stainless steel body is corrosion-resistant and helps keep the inner pot looking new even after heavy cooking. The inner pot itself is made of aluminum with a nonstick coating for easy release of rice and longer-lasting performance.

Overall, customers find this rice cooker lasts for years of regular usage without any problems. The materials seem high quality and stand up well to heavy starch, water, and heat. There are no major reports of flaking, chipping, or other wear and tear even after a couple years of use.

Imusa provides a 1 year limited warranty to cover any manufacturer defects. But most customers don't end up needing to use the warranty, as the rice cooker seems to hold up very well over time. The inner pot and heating elements remain intact and fully functional for owners who use this appliance frequently.

Based on reviews, the Imusa rice cooker rates highly on durability and longevity. The sturdy body and quality materials allow this cooker to keep performing reliably for home cooks who want an affordable workhorse appliance that will last.

Price

When it comes to the price of the Imusa rice cooker, it offers very good value compared to similar models from other brands. Though not the absolute cheapest option on the market, it is competitively priced given its size, features, and performance.

Most rice cookers in the 6-cup capacity range from reputable brands retail for $30-50. With an MSRP around $35, the Imusa falls right in the middle of that price spectrum. It is more affordable than some higher-end rice cooker models with more advanced features and settings. However, it still costs a bit more than some super basic cookers that simply have an on/off function.

Given the useful presets, sturdy construction, and reliable cooking, the Imusa GAU-00012 provides excellent bang for your buck. It has much of the functionality of pricier models without their premium price tag. For most home cooks' rice cooking needs, this model offers everything you need at a budget-friendly price point.

The value is especially apparent when you consider the cooker's quality and performance relative to cheaper models. Spending just a bit more for the Imusa gets you a cooker that cooks more evenly and consistently. The price difference is minor compared to the improvement in rice results.

Overall, the Imusa GAU-00012 hits the sweet spot of balancing useful features and solid performance with an affordable and competitive price point. It delivers excellent value for a mid-range rice cooker.

Pros & Cons

Overall, the Imusa GAU-00012 rice cooker has a number of positives as well as some drawbacks to consider.

Pros

• Effective at cooking rice - Makes fluffy, evenly cooked rice for 2-3 people. Has settings for white and brown rice.

• Easy to use - Simple on/off switch and keep warm button. Intuitive controls.

• Compact size - Small footprint, good for limited counter space.

• Nonstick pot - The inner cooking pot has a nonstick coating for easy cleanup.

• Budget price - More affordable than many other rice cooker models. Good value.

Cons

• Small capacity - Only makes up to 3 cups uncooked rice. Not good for larger households.

• Basic features - Unlike more expensive models, does not have fancy micom technology or other advanced features.

• Durability concerns - Some reviews mention issues with reliability over time.

• Lack of extras - Does not come with steam tray or other accessories included.

• Limited to rice - Can't cook other grains. Mainly for rice cooking only.