For anyone looking to simplify meal preparation without sacrificing quality, the Aroma Housewares Professional Plus ARC-5000SB 20-Cup Rice Cooker promises to be a versatile kitchen companion. Combining the functions of a rice cooker, food steamer, and slow cooker, this appliance is designed to handle everything from fluffy rice to hearty slow-cooked meals, all in one device. Priced affordably at under $60, it aims to deliver restaurant-quality results and smart cooking features that cater to busy households.
Discover the Versatile Aroma Professional Plus Rice Cooker!
Key Features
-
Generous 20-Cup Capacity: The cooker handles 4 to 20 cups of cooked rice, making it ideal for families or meal prepping large quantities. It accommodates up to 10 cups uncooked rice, meaning you can prepare enough to feed a crowd in one go.
-
Multiple Cooking Functions: Beyond just white and brown rice settings, this model integrates a Slow Cook function turning the pot into a full-fledged 4-quart slow cooker. Whether it’s rice, soups, chili, or risottos, you can set it and forget it.
-
Sauté-Then-Simmer (STS) Feature: Aroma’s patent-pending STS technology allows browning or sautéing directly in the pot before simmering your dish. This is perfect for recipes like Spanish rice and chili where you want that depth of flavor from a sear followed by slow cooking.
-
Quick Rice Setting: Need rice fast? The Quick Rice mode cuts cooking time by up to 50%, delivering fluffy rice within 30-45 minutes without compromising flavor or texture.
-
Convenient Programmable Timer: A 15-hour delay timer lets you plan meals ahead so that rice or slow-cooked dishes are ready exactly when you want them. This is excellent for households with busy schedules.
-
Healthy Steaming: The included steam tray allows simultaneous steaming of vegetables, seafood, or meats while your rice cooks below, encouraging balanced meals with minimal effort.
-
Nonstick and Dishwasher-Safe Components: The inner cooking pot is coated with easy-release nonstick material and, along with the accessories, is dishwasher safe, simplifying cleanup.
-
BPA-Free Construction with Stainless Steel Exterior: The modern stainless steel finish not only looks sleek in any kitchen but is built without BPA for safer cooking.
Pros & Cons
Pros
-
Consistently Great Results: Many users rave about perfectly cooked rice every time, whether white or brown, highlighting consistent texture and flavor.
-
Multi-functional & Efficient: Customers love the versatility, utilizing the cooker for steaming and slow cooking alongside rice—with auto-switching between modes offering hands-free convenience.
-
Ease of Use and Cleaning: The clear, straightforward instruction manual helps new users get started quickly. Plus, the dishwasher-safe parts make post-meal cleaning fuss-free.
-
Value for Money: At just over $50, it’s praised for delivering many “bells and whistles” found in higher-end models, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious shoppers.
-
Quick Cooking Time: Reviewers appreciate the Quick Rice function that significantly reduces wait times for perfect rice.
Cons
-
Mixed Build Quality Perceptions: While many find the design solid, a portion of users report concerns about durability or quality issues developing over time.
-
Limited Advanced Features: Some experienced cooks might find the interface basic compared to premium smart cookers with more preset programs or app connectivity.
Who Is It For?
The Aroma Professional Plus 20-Cup Rice Cooker is perfect for:
Cook Like a Pro: Explore the Features!
- Families who regularly cook rice and want a reliable, large-capacity cooker.
- Busy individuals or parents seeking a multifunctional appliance to streamline dinner preparation.
- Home cooks interested in experimenting with slow cooking, steaming, and sauté-then-simmer dishes without investing in multiple devices.
- Anyone looking for an affordable, easy-to-use rice cooker that also doubles as a slow cooker for one-pot meals.
- People who appreciate convenience features like programmable timers and dishwasher-safe parts.
Final Thoughts
The Aroma Housewares Professional Plus ARC-5000SB 20-Cup Rice Cooker impresses as an all-in-one kitchen powerhouse, blending multiple cooking methods with user-friendly controls and generous capacity. Its ability to deliver fluffy rice, steamed vegetables, and slow-cooked dishes with minimal hands-on time makes it a standout for busy households seeking fuss-free meal prep. While some users flag potential durability concerns, the overwhelmingly positive feedback and a strong 4.7-star average indicate that this model consistently meets the needs of most families. For anyone wanting to unlock culinary perfection via a versatile, affordable appliance, the Aroma Professional Plus offers a compelling choice.
Elevate Your Kitchen with This Multi-Function Cooker!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.