Food service rice cookers are important if you run a restaurant that serves any type of rice product such as risottos, pilaf, white or brown rice and are a must have item in Asian style restaurants. Commercial rice steamers are versatile and will help save time and manpower due to their capability of running by themselves after the initial measurement of ingredients.

However, when considering a purchase or replacement restaurant rice cooker, you need to know the cost involved and saving techniques that will help you gain control of your restaurant budget. In order to save money on your industrial rice cooker it is imperative to learn about how to make intelligent decisions in getting the finest possible deals. Think about the possibilities of the right equipment, leasing or renting equipment and receiving free shipping on your purchases.

1. Inquire about leasing commercial grade rice cookers to save on upfront costs.

2. Receive free shipping on a heavy duty commercial rice cooker to cut initial costs.

3. Find the right kitchen rice cookers for your restaurant needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide if leasing or renting a restaurant rice cooker is right for your business

Leasing a commercial electric rice cooker can save on upfront costs and allow you to determine if it's the right cooker for your restaurant before committing. You can save hundreds of dollars and make a more informed decision.

I recommend: Central Restaurant Products has a wealth of information on the benefits of leasing a commercial rice cooker. Kitchen Supply Direct has fast approvals on leasing kitchen equipment and offers various rice cookers to choose from.

Utilize the savings of receiving free shipping on your commercial electrical rice cooker

Free shipping on a commercial rice cooker can save you hundreds of dollars in freight costs and shipping. Shipping can run from $50 up to over $100. Free shipping can save you that money and allow you to use it on additional purchases.

I recommend: Big Tray offers free freight on orders over $250 and all of their commercial rice cookers qualify for this savings. Stacks and Stacks offers free shipping as well as a bill me later plan for their equipment.

Save on costs by getting the most efficient kitchen grade rice cookers

Commercial rice cookers can cost you less by getting the right capabilities for your individual business. Since they come a variety of sizes, know what size you will need in order to pay less if you don't need a larger size. Since rice cookers come in prices from around $150 up to a few hundred dollars, you will need to get the best product that fits the size you need.

I recommend: My Chef Store has rice cookers with a 55 gallon capacity that is perfect for larger restaurants. Pleasant Hill Grain offers smaller, induction rice cookers that will operate fast but have a smaller capacity for a less sizable restaurant.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to find out warranty information on any food service rice cookers you purchase.

Commercial rice cookers, also called commercial rice steamers, are very versatile pieces of equipment to use in your restaurant. In addition to cooking large portions of standard white rice, commercial grade rice cookers can cook brown rices, pilafs, risottos, broths and even steam vegetables.

Another added benefit of an industrial rice cooker is it's ease of use. As long as you add the correct proportion of rice to water, the cooking is automatic. It does not require manpower to operate it, beyond the initial measurement of ingredients.

When you purchase your commercial rice steamers, there are many options to choose from. You can purchase a commercial electric rice cooker or a commercial gas rice cooker, depending on your preference and your kitchen needs.

Food service rice cookers also have varying capacities. Some are capable of producing larger amounts of cooked rice than others. Whichever restaurant rice cooker you choose, keep the following things in mind when you make your purchase:

1. Commercial rice cookers are available for every type of kitchen.

2. Commercial rice cookers can meet the needs of small food businesses as well as larger operations.

3. There are many types of cookers and steamers that can meet your business needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the industrial rice cooker that fits your restaurant

Determine if you need a commercial gas rice cooker or a commercial electric rice cooker. Commercial gas rice cookers typically cook rice more quickly, more efficiently and save energy.

I recommend: Compare models of commercial gas rice cookers at Rice Cooker World. Shop for commercial electric rice cookers at NexTag Inc.

Match a commercial rice cooker to your business needs

Industrial rice cookers yield varying amounts of cooked rice. Some produce as few as 20 cups of cooked rice others produce as much as 60 cups of cooked rice. Save money when you purchase the commercial rice steamer that suits the size of your business.

I recommend: Find a large commercial rice cooker that produces bigger quantities of cooked rice at Sharp Electronics Corp. Locate a small industrial rice cooker at Home Decor Products Inc.

Locate other types of cookers and steamers rather than purchase an industrial rice cooker

Keep an open mind when you purchase commercial grade rice cookers. Many types of food service equipment may suit your cooking and steaming needs more appropriately. This is especially true if you run a catering business and want to serve food from your cooker.

I recommend: Compare different types of cookers and steamers at Central Products Inc. and Galasource Inc.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you know what you are buying when you purchase a rice cooker for restaurants. Some sellers advertise commercial rice cookers by the amount of uncooked rice that they hold. Others list them by the amount of cooked rice they produce.

Food service rice cookers are an integral part of any restaurant kitchen if you serve rice products. Not only are they versatile, you can save money as well by knowing the various types and styles of commercial rice steamers. By learning as much as you can about the variety offered in a restaurant rice cooker, you can be assured of purchasing the right industrial rice cooker for your business.

Regardless of what type of kitchen rice cookers you ultimately choose, it's good business sense to have knowledge of all of the types and styles. Choosing the perfect one means learning about each heavy duty commercial rice cooker and the types offered. Not only can you save on your budget, you can also buy kitchen rice cookers that fit into your business plan. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Purchase kitchen grade rice cookers for larger kitchens.

2. Inquire about a large commercial rice cooker for even more rice per cooking session.

3. When on a small budget, consider a non-commercial grade rice cooker for restaurants.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy kitchen grade rice cookers for heavy duty cooking ability

Larger capacity commercial rice steamers allow your kitchen staff to cook more rice, allowing you to serve more customers at a faster pace. Kitchen grade rice cookers are the perfect solution when you need large amounts of rice. This style of cooker is perfect for buffets.

I recommend: Restaurant Source and Kitchen Supply Direct both offer commercial rice cookers at competitive pricing for a variety of needs.

Consider a large commercial rice cooker for a large kitchen or heavy workload.

Kitchen grade rice cookers allows you to cook more rice than a non-commercial rice cooker. By using induction power or by purchasing a large commercial rice cooker, your kitchen staff can cook greater portions of rice or cook at a faster pace.

I recommend: Ace Mart has a style of commercial rice cooker that cooks up to 110 cups of rice. Pleasant Hill Grain has an induction rice cooker that although it doesn't hold more cups than a normal sized rice cooker, it saves up to 33 minutes of cooking time, allowing you to cook more cups per session.

Think about alternatives to save on costs for food service rice cookers

If you're on a budget or just looking to save money, smaller commercial rice cookers can cost you less and allow you to delegate those funds elsewhere. If you have a small restaurant or diner, these smaller rice cookers are a perfect option.

I recommend: Central Restaurant Products has a smaller style of commercial rice cooker for those on a budget. Sharp Electronics has a similar rice cooker available.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always check warranty information on any industrial rice cooker you intend to purchase.

Whether you need to steam rice for your restaurant menu or are looking for commercial rice cooker models to sell in a retail store, learning the proper terminology will help you understand key product features and specifications. Familiarizing yourself with terms such as “cook and hold,” or “induction heating” or “steaming plate” will give you key information when choosing the commercial rice cooker to suit the nature of your business. Knowing the proper terminology will also enable you to discuss features when requesting maintenance or discussing products with customers in search of the right rice cooker model.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Silicone sheet

Because cooking rice with a commercial rice cooker is largely an automatic process, it's vital to find a model with features to prevent overcooking. Look for cookers with a silicone sheet inside the bowl to insulate throughout the prolonged cooking time.

I recommend: See commercial rice cooker models and discover product features like warming options and the silicone sheet to prevent burning through Sharp USA.

Cook and hold

In restaurant applications, a cook and hold feature is handy for trouble-free operation. The feature will enact the automatic shut-off switch and hold the rice at the proper temperature until you need it.

I recommend: Read more about the cook and hold feature on commercial rice cookers through Rice Cooker World.

Steaming plate

Turn your commercial rice cooker into a steamer for vegetables and other side dishes with a steaming plate insert. Also called a steaming rack or steaming tray, the accessory features handles to keep vegetable elevated and helps users remove them easily.

I recommend: Get more details on rice cookers with steaming plate accessories through Hot Dishes.

Extra-large capacity

Instead of cooking several small batches of white or brown rice throughout meal service, consider an extra-large capacity model to prepare up to 60 cups of rice at a time. Ensure the larger rice cooker features a cook and hold feature if you won't be using all of the rice immediately.

I recommend: See an extra-large capacity rice cooker and discover its benefits through Stacks and Stacks.

Induction heating

Consider a commercial rice cooker that features an induction heating system for greater energy efficiency. Using an induced electric current to heat and warm the rice, the induction cooker can also produce more consistent results.

I recommend: Learn more about the benefits of induction heating through the rice cooker product descriptions at Everything Kitchens.

Rice paddle

Ensure you've got enough non-stick rice paddles on hand to use in conjunction with your commercial rice cooker. The paddle allows users to retrieve multiple types of rice from the appliance and mix it without sticking.

I recommend: Discover the benefits of a non-stick rice paddle, and see a selection of commercial rice cookers, through The Kitchen Store.