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The Guardian
31-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Birthstone rings, luxury loungewear and a genius overnight bag: what you loved most this month
Never has the term 'fool's spring' been more fitting. When the sun came out early in the month, many of us began to prepare for the summer that felt just around the corner. Hundreds of you, like me, bought the most genius overnight bag for the weekends away that were surely about to happen, and the perfect nail colour for the new season. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. But let's be real: it's not summer yet. A fact evidenced by just how many of you were also buying practical raincoats, stay-in-all-day satin pyjamas and – less glamorously – microwave rice cookers. Here are the Filter recommendations you loved the most this month. Anyday Hennriette Point£49 at John Lewis Jess Cartner-Morley declared the pilates pump to be 'the new ballet flat' in her style essentials for March – and so many of you seem to agree. 'Something about the way a ballerina flat leaves the top part of my foot flat lacks grace, visually,' said Jess. 'I've found the solution in a new genre of ballerina/Mary-Jane hybrids, with a strap across the top – like the socks people wear at pilates, hence the name.' Sistema rice steamer £7.99 at Amazon We were as surprised as anyone when this £11 microwave rice-steaming bowl managed to hold its own in our recent rice cooker group test. 'Using its suggested ratios and timings, my basmati emerged after 15 minutes with individual fragrant grains, with no starchiness or chalky middle,' said our reviewer Joanne Gould. It also performed well for sushi and brown rice. It's no YumAsia for complete rice perfection, but if you're nervous about cooking rice in a pan, this is a great starting point. It does get incredibly hot, though. Antler Essential overnight bag£125 at John Lewis £125 at Antler This bag 'has had complete strangers stopping me in the street and on the Eurostar platform recently', said Cartner-Morley in her March style essentials. 'The clever thing … is the integral back strap, which allows it to slide over the pop-up handle of your wheeled suitcase. This keeps it sitting securely on top of your luggage without everything falling over in chaos when you try to buy a coffee or get on to a train.' It also fits easily into a luggage rack or under the seat in front. Fussy natural deodorant£10 at Fussy With more and more of us wanting to cut back on plastic, it's no surprise so many of you loved Anita Bhagwandas's roundup of the best refillable beauty products. And especially popular was this refillable deodorant from Fussy. 'Unlike many 'natural' deodorants, it genuinely works,' she wrote. 'Choose your recycled plastic case, and pick from several scents (I'm obsessed with Parma Violets) to create your own bespoke deodorant.' Nails Inc Turks And Caicos Beach nail polish£8 at Amazon Not only do 'cappuccino-coloured nails look great with everything', said Cartner-Morley in her monthly style essentials, but also the 'shade is subtle enough that if – like me – you're not exactly a dab hand on the DIY, a few application wobbles won't show'. Rains unisex long jacket£71.50 at John Lewis Scandinavian label Rains 'is one of the brands I reach for whenever the weather takes a turn', says Ellie Violet Bramley in our guide to stylish raincoats. 'Its long jacket has seen me through countless soggy commutes, playground trips and walks in the woods.' It's machine-washable, too. Stacking family birthstone ringFrom £21.60 at Etsy This sentimental gift idea was popular for Mother's Day, but it would also make a lovely gift all year round, for mothers and friends alike. 'If in a few years, my now three-year-old decided to give me one of these, her birthstone nestled next to mine, I can guarantee I would melt,' said Bramley in our gift guide. Satin pyjamas£34.90 at Uniqlo Lounging around must have become much more glamorous around the country after hundreds of you bought these satin pyjamas from our Mother's Day gift guide. They even have pockets, so they're practical too. Smol laundry capsulesFrom £6 for 24 at Smol We've been overwhelmed with responses since we asked in this newsletter for your tips on cutting down on plastic. So many of you told us how much plastic you'd saved by switching to Smol refillable cleaning products, and now many more readers have cottoned on to this as well. Thank you so much for sending in so many great tips – read below for more we've received. From smash-proof cases to updates: how to make your smartphone last longer The best cordless vacuum cleaners for a spotless home: 10 tried and tested favourites Is the Simba Hybrid Pro mattress worth the hype? I slept on it for three months to find out Always roll your clothes! 13 travel packing hacks to save you space and money – according to seasoned travellers 'Reminds me of sun cream': the best (and worst) supermarket coconut milk, tasted and rated It's been nearly 11 years, but I can still remember the number of bouquets that filled my flat after the birth of my daughter. Don't get me wrong: I love flowers. But in those magical, insane early weeks there are, with hindsight, other gifts that could have lightened the load a little. A week's worth of meals, for example; or a care package filled with treats. Someone did buy me the Mother's Balm from this Neal's Yard trio though – a moisturising treat for my skin. Don't forget the new mums in your life. Hannah BoothEditor, the Filter Feel like you need that extra bit of help waking up in the morning now that the clocks have gone forward? Our expert Sasha Muller tested 10 of the best coffee machines for the Filter – having reviewed them for the past seven years, he knows his way around a drip tray. Not interested in a machine, but want tastier coffee? He's also given us all the kit you need to make great coffee at home – and what not to waste your money on. Our article on how to use less plastic resonated with you, and you've been writing in to tell us all the ways you're cutting back on your consumption. Libby Hutchings told us how she switched to plastic-free baby products for her two young children. 'I used cloth nappies with my now five-year-old, and I'm now using them with my six-month-old. While I bought a lot of them new with my first, I also bought several secondhand and, with proper care, have been able to use the same nappies this time. The extra laundry isn't that bad and any stains come out in the sun! Once we're done with them I'll sell them on to others as they'll have loads of life left in them. And we use cloth wipes instead of wet wipes: they're much kinder to delicate skin as well.' And Elise Rayner emailed to tell us how she avoids plastic in her food shopping: 'I use my local refill shop for lentils, stock powder, porridge oats and chocolate raisins. I only buy plain yoghurt in the largest tubs to avoid the small pots. If there's a glass option instead of a plastic option, eg mayonnaise, I buy the glass. Cheese from the cheesemonger wrapped in paper.' Have you ever been surprised by a brand or retailer going above and beyond on customer service? Maybe they repaired an ancient raincoat for free or brought a much-loved kitchen appliance back to life with a new part. If so, let us know by emailing us at thefilter@
The Guardian
14-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
The best rice cookers for gloriously fluffy grains at home: nine tried and tested favourites
How often do you eat rice? Even if it's not a daily staple in your house, it's safe to say most Britons cook and eat rice at least a few times a week. And while it may seem a simple thing to cook, it can be surprisingly difficult to get it right. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. From long-grain to quick-cook, brown basmati to jasmine, different rice grains have different cook times, different rates of absorption and varying starch levels, which can all affect the result. Instead of fluffy, individual grains, you may find your rice burnt, stuck to the pan or with a claggy, chalky or overly glutinous texture. Dinner ruined. That's where a specialist rice cooker comes in. They're a common kitchen appliance in Asia, and the best rice cookers guarantee perfect rice every time. Many machines intuitively set up the cooking time and guide you to add the correct ratio of rice to water depending on the variety. Many have a delay function, or can safely keep the rice warm for up to 24 hours – so you'll always have dinner ready and waiting. Today's technology has also seen some rice cookers become multifunctional, with the ability to slow cook, sear and stir, too. At the other end of the spectrum are basic microwave rice cookers – we tested this variety too. Best overall rice cooker: Yum Asia Bamboo rice cooker£189.90 at Yum Asia Best budget rice cooker: Russell Hobbs large rice cooker£26.49 at Amazon Best multi-cooker rice cooker: Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 PossibleCooker£119 at Amazon Best microwave rice cooker: Sistema rice steamer£7.99 at Amazon Best mini rice cooker: Yum Asia Panda mini rice cooker£94.90 at Yum Asia I've been testing kitchen goods, recipes, food and drink for newspapers and websites for a decade, so I have a good grasp of what's really useful to have in your cupboard, and whether something is good value for money. I enjoy cooking but am far from an expert, so I approach these appliances just like any other home cook would. I cook for my family every night and understand how much of a tricky balance it can be to make tasty, nutritious food without spending hours in the kitchen. Ultimately, I'm looking for gadgets that are easy to use, give good results and can make your life easier. I tested 10 rice cookers, each of which was either personally recommended, well-reviewed or from a well-known kitchen appliance brand. Most were new to me, although a few I had tested years previously, and one appliance was still in play from my recent slow cooker testing. To test each machine, I cooked a cup of basmati rice, following the manufacturer's instructions where provided or using the ratio suggested on the rice packet if not. Next, I cooked a cup of sushi rice using the same method; few appliances gave guidelines for cooking sushi rice, so I used the on-pack instructions. If the appliance performed well during both these tests, I then experimented with brown rice and jasmine rice. Some appliances had further functionality that needed testing – where there were risotto programs, for example, I made risotto following recipes provided by the manufacturer. In the interests of safety, I also used an external temperature sensor to record the temperature of the appliance at the end of the rice cooking program; none of the machines posed a hazard and were all fairly cool to touch. Some of the rice I cooked wasn't edible and had to be thrown away, but the vast majority of rice cooked was good quality – so I have eaten rice every which way over the last month. Luckily, if food safety guidelines are followed carefully, it's perfectly fine to freeze cooked rice, so I've had a useful supply of fluffy basmati, fragrant jasmine, sticky sushi rice and creamy risottos on hand. My family and I are now at peak rice consumption levels, thanks to the weekly poke bowls, Indian banquets, egg fried rice and everything in between. The rice cookers sourced for this article are either being sent back to the manufacturers or donated to a community hub in Barnet, where they will find useful new homes or be used in a community kitchen. £189.90 at Yum Asia£199.90 at Amazon The Yum Asia Bamboo rice cooker uses 3D induction heating technology – whereby the rice is surrounded by heat to cook evenly – and its 'AI Smart Brain' microprocessor to analyse the weight of the rice, water volume and other factors to cook rice using a wide range of settings. Choose from white/long grain, short, brown, crust, quick cook, 'yumami' and gaba (germinated), add the specified amount of water to well-rinsed rice and away you go for enough rice for up to eight people. Other settings are accessed on the easy-to-use LED display panel: steam, porridge, slow cook and cake, all cooked within the same ceramic-coated inner bowl or using the steam basket supplied. Why we love itYum Asia is a master of rice cooking, with an unparalleled understanding of how to cook different types of rice to perfection. I've never made sushi rice as perfect as in this machine, and it churned out variety after variety of the same quality. One cup takes about 35 minutes to cook, although the gaba setting – which claims to germinate brown rice to increase its nutritional value – takes a bit longer. I'm someone who has never particularly enjoyed brown rice, but I do now. The machine automatically keeps warm once the rice is cooked and has a delay function, as you'd expect. It's large enough to be useful, but not too large for easy storage, and it operates with just a low whirring noise and no excessive steam. I also like the cool handles to lift out the pot; others should take heed. A standout machine. It's a shame that … I have no criticism to make of the Yum Asia Bamboo: it's perfect – if you can afford it. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 35minsDimensions: 27 x 37 x 24cm (WDH)Capacity: 1.5 litresExternal temperature at end of cook: 21C £33 at AO£26.49 at Amazon A large-capacity, budget-friendly, no-frills rice cooker from Russell Hobbs that performs better than you'd expect. The instructions are light on the ground, as is its functionality – there are no different programs or guidelines for different types of rice, nor any timer function. Why we love itTo my surprise, the Russell Hobbs rice cooker handled every type of rice well. Basmati, sushi, brown and jasmine rice all cooked quickly and evenly without any fuss, sticking or mess. It was also the only machine that didn't stipulate that rice should be washed first, so I didn't. The rice was still great and took between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the variety, and the machine switched to keep-warm mode automatically after cooking. This large-capacity cooker would be ideal for any family. It's a shame that … there's no estimated time for how long your rice will take to cook. You'll learn this over time, but the first few times you'll need to stand over the cooker until it's done. Especially as I wouldn't recommend leaving this one on the keep-warm mode for too long: the rice dries out fast. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 20mins Dimensions: 32.2 x 24.5 x 22.6cm (WDH)Capacity: 2.8 litresExternal temperature at end of cook: 45C £119.99 at Argos£119 at Amazon The Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 PossibleCooker doesn't bill itself as a rice cooker, but it's hard to define it as any one thing with this much functionality. I held on to this one after our recent test of the best slow cookers so that I could put it through its paces against designated rice-cooking appliances. Why we love itI wasn't surprised to find it did well – Ninja appliances can rarely be faulted in my experience. I used the steam function to cook the rice, but you'll get all the other functions too: slow cook, sear, braise, simmer, bake, prove and keep warm. With one of these, there's no need for a separate rice cooker. Ninja suggests a recipe for risotto, which turned out beautifully. You'll need to scour the internet to find guidelines for other types of rice, but I made a guess at a ratio and cook time (one cup of basmati rice to two cups of water, 10 minutes on steam function and a five-minute rest) and it was successful – no sticking, scorching or excess starch. I cooked sushi rice equally successfully using the same method, and I increased the water by half a cup and cooking time by five minutes when dealing with brown rice, which worked well. It's a shame that … it's very large. But with this many settings, it can replace so many other appliances in one. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 15mins Dimensions: 28 x 29 x 42cm (WDH)Capacity: 8 litresExternal temperature at end of cook: 45C £7.99 at Currys £7.99 at Amazon A microwave rice steaming bowl is nothing new, but it's probably not something most of us own. And why not? It's inexpensive with a simple, failsafe design, offering quick, mess-free convenience. This Sistema version has a large 2.6-litre capacity, suitable for feeding a family, and uses a pressure-chamber tray to draw away overflow liquid for perfect steamed rice and couscous. It's also dishwasher- and freezer-safe. Why we love itI wasn't anticipating this to compare favourably with the expensive electric rice cookers I tested, but it actually does. Using its suggested ratios and timings, my basmati emerged after 15 minutes with individual fragrant grains, with no starchiness or chalky middle. Other rice varieties weren't mentioned in the instructions, but sushi rice worked well using the same method. For brown rice, I added another five minutes and was successful. If you're nervous about cooking rice in a pan, then I highly recommend trying one of these. It guarantees results without having to put your hand too far into your pocket. For anyone concerned about Pfas – the 'forever chemicals' in some plastics – this cooker is made from safe polypropylene. It's a shame that … it gets so hot. It's been in the microwave for 10 to 15 minutes, so there's no getting around this. Much is made of the 'easy lift handles', but you'll still need oven gloves to handle the container until it cools. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 15mins Dimensions: 21.6 x 21.6 x 16.4 (WDH)Capacity: 2.6 litresExternal temperature at end of cook: 85C Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion £94.90 at Yum Asia £99.90 at Amazon Yum Asia's cute mini rice cooker isn't just a pretty face. Despite its diminutive size, it can cook rice for up to three people and has four rice-cooking functions, plus another four settings: porridge, slow cooking, cake and steaming. It can also be set in advance and has an automatic keep warm setting. Yum Asia says the machine cooks rice using 'advanced fuzzy logic' technology, which means it gauges the weight, content and water volume of your cook to adjust the temperature, steam level and rest time accordingly. Why we love itYum Asia has done it again with this rice cooker. You can't fail to turn out the best rice you've ever made with one of these on your worktop. Basmati, sushi, brown rice and jasmine were all fantastic, cooking silently and mess-free with minimal steam escaping. It's brilliant. It's a shame that … it takes quite a long time. One cup of basmati takes about 40 minutes, which is longer than most of the other rice cookers on test. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 40minsDimensions: 22.5 x 30 x 21cm (WDH)Capacity: 0.6 litresExternal temperature at end of cook: 36C £135 at Sous Chef£166.60 at Amazon Best for: sticky rice Cuckoo is a premium Korean brand that has been making rice cookers for more than 40 years. This model uses an intuitive four-step process of soaking, heating, steaming and resting rice based on the type selected. You can choose from eight settings including various types of rice, congee and slow-cooked stews, with enough capacity for up to three people. It didn't make the final cut because … I found it cooked sushi rice well, but some longer-grain varieties were slightly overcooked, with a lot of rice sticking to the pan. The instructions also seem to have been badly translated, and as a result, they're confusing. It looks very cool on your worktop, though. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 40mins; dimensions: 20 x 29 x 22cm (WDH); capacity: 0.5 litres; external temperature at end of cook: 27C £34.99 at Lakeland £34.99 at Amazon Best for: using on the go Lightweight and compact, this 500ml affordable rice cooker is ideal for taking to work for lunchtime-ready rice or walking in to creamy porridge ready for you in the office. It's easy to use, cooks in 30 minutes and switches to keep-warm mode automatically. It's not as sturdy or well-made as many of the other cookers on this list, but it does the job. It's a good machine for a first foray into rice cooking. It didn't make the final cut because … starch kept bubbling out of the steam vent and it gave off a burning smell even though the rice was fine. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 30mins; dimensions: 16.5 x 14.5 x 19cm (WDH); capacity: 0.5 litres; external temperature at end of cook: 41C £78.99 at Robert Dyas£79.99 at Debenhams Best for: quick cooking This imposing German-made rice cooker is great for quickly preparing large amounts of rice. With a minimum two-cup capacity, this machine is best for catering for several people at a time, or batch cooking. It cooked my basmati rice in 15 minutes and gave good results, despite not having guidelines for any particular rice varieties. It also works as a steamer and cooks porridge, although you'll need to stir throughout and stick to only water to cook it. It didn't make the final cut because … at this size and price, I'd like more functionality. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 15mins; dimensions: 31 x 29 x 29cm (WDH); capacity: 5 litres; external temperature at end of cook: 27C £200 at GreenPan£200 at Currys Best for: feeding a crowd GreenPan makes an outstanding slow cooker, so I was excited to try its Omni Cooker. It has lots of settings – sear/saute, stir-fry, sauce, simmer, steam, white rice, brown rice, grains, soup and keep warm – and a sizeable 5.6-litre capacity, perfect for family dinnertime. The rice programs take 50 minutes or more and are best for cooking large quantities. The basmati rice towards the bottom tended to crust and some was unevenly cooked, but the top layers fared better. This machine would be best used as a one-pot-meal maker – I'd suggest cooking plenty of rice layered with veg and a protein on top. It didn't make the final cut because … the rice cook was uneven and took a long time. Time to cook one cup of basmati rice: 50mins; dimensions: 22.5 x 34.8 x 21.5cm (WDH); capacity: 5.6 litres; external temperature at end of cook: 43C If you can't get to grips with cooking rice in a pan, are keen to master different types of rice, or simply eat a lot of the stuff, then a rice cooker is a sensible investment. And while multi-cookers are extremely tempting, not all of them have nailed the rice cooking aspect in the way that dedicated appliances have done – proceed with caution. If you haven't got cash to splash, then a machine for about £30 will do the trick perfectly well – or consider a microwave rice cooker to see how much you actually use it. Otherwise, I'd point you to one of the Yum Asia machines – real rice cooking mastery awaits. Joanne Gould is a freelance food, drink and lifestyle writer with a decade of experience. As well as enthusiastically eating her way through London's best bars and restaurants, she's also a keen home cook and can often be found trying a new recipe or kitchen gadget, while taste-testing anything from South African wines to speciality coffee or scotch. Luckily, she also enjoys walking, running and keeping fit and healthy in her spare time – for balance
