For years, my stovetop was the battlefield for my nightly rice-making ritual, a battle I often lost. One night it would be a soggy, mushy mess, and the next, a scorched layer would be fused to the bottom of my favorite pot. The inconsistency was infuriating. I knew there had to be a better way to achieve perfectly fluffy rice every single time. A reliable appliance like the AROMA® 12-Cup (Cooked) Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker (ARC-966BD) would have saved me so much frustration and wasted food.
A digital rice cooker is designed to solve one primary problem: cooking rice and other grains to perfection with minimal effort. It eliminates the guesswork and constant monitoring required for the stovetop method. If you’re tired of inconsistent results and want a foolproof way to prepare a staple food for your meals, then a rice cooker is an essential kitchen tool.
The ideal customer for a multicooker like this is someone who values convenience, versatility, and consistency. This includes busy parents trying to streamline meal prep, students in dorms with limited cooking space, or anyone who enjoys cooking but wants to simplify the process. If you eat rice, quinoa, or oatmeal regularly and want to prepare other foods like steamed vegetables or slow-cooked meals, a multicooker offers incredible value.
However, if you only cook small, single servings of white rice and have no interest in other functions like steaming or slow cooking, a more advanced digital model might be overkill. In that case, a simple, one-button mini rice cooker might be a more suitable and budget-friendly choice. Before buying, consider capacity (how many people you cook for), functionality (do you need more than just a rice function?), countertop footprint, and how easy the appliance is to clean.
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 12 cups of any variety of cooked rice or grains
- Easy-to-use, programmable digital controls with automatic Keep Warm mode and 6 preset functions
Meet the AROMA ARC-966BD Multicooker
The AROMA ARC-966BD is a compact, digitally controlled appliance that promises to be more than just a rice cooker. It’s marketed as a multicooker, capable of not just cooking perfect rice and grains, but also steaming vegetables and meats, making soups, and even functioning as a slow cooker. When you purchase it, the box includes the main cooker unit, a non-stick inner pot, a steam tray, a plastic rice spatula, and a proprietary rice measuring cup.
This specific product is perfect for small to medium-sized families, couples, or individuals who want maximum functionality without sacrificing too much counter space. It’s not for large households that need to cook more than 12 cups of rice at once.
Pros:
* Versatile with multiple preset cooking functions.
* Compact size is great for smaller kitchens.
* Delay timer allows for flexible meal planning.
* Steams food while rice cooks below, saving time.
* Very user-friendly digital interface.
Cons:
* The “12-Cup” name refers to cooked capacity (6 cups uncooked), which can be confusing.
* Some users report moisture splattering from the top steam vent during cooking.
* The non-stick coating requires careful handling to avoid scratches.
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 6 cups of any variety of cooked rice
- 𝟭𝟴 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: Choose from different types of white and brown...
A Deep Dive into Its Capabilities
After years of using this digital multicooker, I’ve come to rely on its various features to make my life in the kitchen significantly easier. It has earned its permanent spot on my countertop by consistently delivering great results and offering more than just basic rice cooking.
Capacity and Sizing
First, let’s clear up the most common point of confusion: the capacity. This is advertised as a “12-Cup” cooker. It’s crucial to understand that this refers to 12 cups of cooked rice. The maximum capacity for uncooked rice is 6 cups (using the included measuring cup, which is smaller than a standard US cup). This yields enough rice for a family of 4-6 people, depending on portion sizes. For my household, it’s the perfect size. I can make a small batch of 2 cooked cups just for myself or max it out when guests are over. The measurement lines inside the non-stick pot correspond directly to the included cup, which completely removes the guesswork of water ratios—a feature I absolutely adore.
Digital Controls and Preset Functions
The heart of this appliance is its intuitive digital control panel. It features dedicated buttons for White Rice and Brown Rice, which adjust cooking time and temperature automatically for perfect results. No more gummy white rice or crunchy brown rice. The Aroma rice cooker handles both beautifully.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, it automatically switches to a “Keep Warm” mode. This is a lifesaver. I can start the rice well before dinner is ready, and it stays at an ideal serving temperature without overcooking or drying out. Other useful presets include a “Slow Cook” function and a “Soup/Broth” setting, effectively expanding its utility far beyond a simple grain cooker.
Simultaneous Steaming Functionality
Perhaps my favorite feature is the included steam tray. This simple accessory transforms the cooker into a one-pot meal machine. You can place vegetables, fish fillets, or chicken on the tray, and they will steam perfectly using the heat generated from the rice cooking below. I often make a complete, healthy meal by steaming salmon and broccoli while my brown rice cooks. The flavors from the food gently drip down and season the rice, and the convenience of having one pot to clean afterward is simply unmatched. It’s a brilliant design for efficient and healthy cooking.
15-Hour Delay Timer
The 15-Hour Delay Timer is a feature I didn’t think I’d use much, but it has become essential for my busy schedule. I can add rice and water in the morning, set the timer, and come home from a long day at work to the smell of perfectly cooked, fresh rice. It’s also great for prepping oatmeal the night before. I add my oats and milk, set the timer, and wake up to a hot, creamy breakfast. This level of meal planning flexibility makes it an invaluable tool for anyone with a hectic lifestyle.
Beyond Rice: Multicooker Versatility
While it excels at rice, the true value of this versatile machine lies in its other capabilities. The “Slow Cook” setting works surprisingly well for smaller batches of chili, pulled pork, or stews. While it won’t replace a large 6-quart dedicated slow cooker, it’s perfect for 2-4 servings. I’ve also found, as other users have, that it makes the most incredible, creamy oatmeal. The gentle, consistent heat prevents scorching and results in a texture that’s impossible to achieve on the stovetop without constant stirring. From quinoa and farro to soups and steamed dumplings, this cooker handles it all with ease.
Ease of Use and Cleanup
From start to finish, the entire process is designed for convenience. The non-stick inner pot ensures that rice releases effortlessly, and cleanup is usually as simple as a quick rinse with soap and water. The inner pot, steam tray, and accessories are all dishwasher safe, which is another huge plus. One minor issue some users have noted is that starchy water can sometimes sputter out of the steam vent on the lid, creating a small mess on the countertop. I’ve found this happens mostly when cooking at max capacity, but it’s a minor inconvenience for an otherwise flawless performance.
What Other Users Are Saying
I wasn’t the only one impressed. After looking through online feedback, I found that the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. Many users echo my love for the easy-to-read water lines inside the pot, praising how it eliminates the need to remember ratios. People frequently celebrate its “set it and forget it” nature and the consistently perfect rice it produces. The versatility is another common point of praise, with many, like me, discovering its talent for making amazing oatmeal. A few users did mention the sputtering steam vent and some frustrations with customer service on the rare occasion that a unit malfunctioned.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
The daily frustration of cooking rice on a stovetop—with its unpredictable and often disappointing results—is a problem that deserves a simple solution. Wasting time and food is something no one wants to deal with. For that reason, this specific multicooker from AROMA is an excellent choice. It provides unwavering consistency for perfect rice every time, and its additional functions for steaming, slow cooking, and making soups add incredible value that justifies its counter space. It’s user-friendly, easy to clean, and built for modern, busy lifestyles.
If you are ready to say goodbye to bad rice days forever, this is the appliance for you. Click here to check out the latest price and details.
Last update on 2025-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API