If you host large family dinners or prep meals for events, a 20 cup rice cooker can be a kitchen game-changer. These machines handle big batches with little fuss, keep rice warm for hours, and often double as steamers or slow cookers. Below you’ll find a focused roundup of top-rated 20 cup rice cooker models, honest pros and cons, and tips to help you pick the right one.
Contents
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 8 20 Cup Rice Cooker Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. Aroma Professional 20-Cup Digital Rice Cooker, 5Qt Multicooker with 10 Smart Modes and Sauté-then-Simmer
The 20 cup rice cooker from Aroma is a versatile 5‑quart multicooker with smart controls. It offers 10 cooking modes and the Sauté‑then‑Simmer feature, so you can sear ingredients then finish them in the same pot.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 10 smart cooking modes for rice, soup, and more
- ✓ Sauté‑then‑Simmer (STS) one‑pot cooking
- ✓ 5‑quart pot holds up to 20 cups cooked rice
- ✓ Removable steam tray for multi‑tasking meals
Why We Recommend It
This Aroma model is great when you want a reliable 20 cup rice cooker that also doubles as a slow cooker and steamer. The STS feature makes weeknight one‑pot meals quick and simple.
Best For
Best for families who want a multi‑use cooker that handles batches and simple stovetop-style searing in one appliance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Large capacity for gatherings
- Flexible cooking modes for varied meals
- Easy-to-clean removable parts
- Good value for the feature set
Cons:
- Controls can feel basic compared to premium models
- Sauté temperature is limited versus dedicated stovetop pans
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: We absolutely love this rice cooker . Don’t let its small size fool you . This thing is a rice cooking machine . Price is very affordable. Love the timer option to have it automatically start and ready at desired time . We like the Calrose sticky rice . We have enjoyed it so much that we brought a c
Customer Review: Works great and very easy to use. Cooks rice perfectly and the extra functions like slow cook, steam, and soup are really handy. The digital controls are simple, and it heats evenly every time. Solid build, easy to clean, and saves a lot of counter space. Very happy with this purchase.
2. Aroma 20-Cup One-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer with Auto-Warm, 10-Cup Uncooked Capacity
This one-touch 20 cup rice cooker makes feeding a small crowd easy. The auto-warm switch and included steam tray are perfect for simple meal prep.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ One‑touch operation for hands‑off cooking
- ✓ Auto‑warm keeps rice ready for serving
- ✓ 5‑quart pot cooks 2 to 10 cups uncooked (up to 20 cups cooked)
- ✓ Steam tray for veggies or proteins
Why We Recommend It
It’s ideal if you want a fuss‑free cooker that reliably produces even rice. The steam tray helps stretch one-pot meals into full dinners.
Best For
Best for busy households that want simple, consistent results without complicated controls.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Very easy to use
- Consistent cooking results
- Compact footprint for large capacity
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Limited advanced controls
- Noisy when steam finishes
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: Been using it for about 3 months and it hasn’t let me down. Cooks rice consistently well and is the perfect size for a 2-person household. Very happy with the purchase.
Customer Review: There’s not much to a rice cooker so you don’t need the fancy dials settings and timers. It’s kinda like a potatoe peeler, it doesn’t require written instructions. Rinse the rice, put in water (One nuckle deep from top of rice) and push one button! My previous rice cooker was a cheap model from t
3. Aroma 40-Cup Commercial Rice Cooker and Warmer, 20-Cup Uncooked Capacity, Durable Design
This heavy‑duty model is built for events and big family meals. It cooks up to 20 cups uncooked (about 40 cups cooked) and keeps rice hot for serving lines.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Extra‑large capacity for large crowds
- ✓ One‑touch cooking and automatic switch to keep warm
- ✓ Durable stainless steel construction
- ✓ Nonstick inner pot for easier cleaning
Why We Recommend It
When you need quantity and durability, this commercial cooker delivers steady results without fuss. It’s a smart budget pick for fundraisers and big family get‑togethers.
Best For
Best for caterers, church groups, and anyone who cooks rice for large events.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Huge capacity for batch cooking
- Sturdy build and reliable heating
- Relatively affordable for its size
Cons:
- Bulky to store and transport
- Not as feature-rich as smaller digital models
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: This is my first huge rice pot purchase, and I am happy with it. The price for this is actually very reasonable! So far, cooking large amounts of rice has been very easy and our rice has come out perfect – every time. We bought this to do fundraising events to make plate lunches, and I probably w
Customer Review: The size is perfect for my needs, making it incredibly versatile. Whether I’m using it for decor or practical purposes, it suits every requirement beautifully. The design is both modern and stylish, making it a great addition to any room. I highly recommend Arôme Home Products for anyone looking to
4. Aroma Housewares ARC-360-NGP 20-Cup Pot-Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer, White Finish
This classic pot-style 20 cup rice cooker gives simple, reliable results. It’s a family‑favorite model with a no‑fuss design and a handy steam tray.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Simple one-touch operation
- ✓ Included steam tray for steaming veggies
- ✓ Auto keep-warm for serving flexibility
Why We Recommend It
If you like a straightforward cooker that just works, this Aroma model is a safe bet. The pot-style shape cooks rice evenly and cleans easily.
Best For
Best for families who want a proven, easy-to-use cooker without many bells and whistles.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Reliable basic performance
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Good value for everyday use
Cons:
- Lacks advanced digital controls
- No multi-program presets
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: This rice cooker is very easy to use and works perfectly. The rice comes out fluffy and evenly cooked every time. It’s a great size for daily use and also works well for steaming vegetables. The design is simple, easy to clean, and very reliable. For the price, this is an excellent kitchen appliance
Customer Review: This is my step up from a previous Aroma Rice Cooker. I was working with a Aroma four cup rice cooker that I bought in 2012. It lasted me until January 2022 when it no longer would heat up when plugged in. I’m for ten years I had no issues so I knew exactly what brand to look for when trying to find
5. Aroma Professional Plus ARC-5000SB 20-Cup Digital Rice Cooker, Steamer and Slow Cooker, Stainless Exterior
The ARC‑5000SB is a multi‑function digital cooker with steamer and slow cook options. It’s a modern take on the larger 20 cup rice cooker that adds more program choices.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Digital presets for rice, steam, slow cook and more
- ✓ Stainless exterior with a durable inner pot
- ✓ Large 20‑cup cooked capacity
- ✓ Easy-to-use controls and keep-warm function
Why We Recommend It
This unit works well for cooks who want preset programs and a sleeker finish. It simplifies meal planning and holds heat well for serving.
Best For
Best for people who want more digital control and a polished look for the countertop.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Multiple cooking functions
- Attractive stainless design
- Large capacity with reliable keep-warm
Cons:
- More settings add slight learning curve
- Controls are basic compared to high-end brands
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: I’m not one for writing reviews but after almost being dissuaded from purchasing this product by reading a slew of dumb reviews (like who decides to bake a potato in a rice cooker or who is confused at reading the simple instructions?) I decided to write one in the hopes that you will find this and
Customer Review: Very easy to use and cooks rice perfectly. Automatically keeps rice warm and is easy to clean. Great for daily meals.
6. Aroma Professional ARC-5200SB 10-Cup (Uncooked) Digital Multicooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Egg and Oatmeal
Though listed as 10‑cup uncooked, this multicooker yields up to 20 cups cooked. It’s versatile and packed with presets for grains, eggs, and oatmeal.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 15 automated controls for varied dishes
- ✓ Up to 20 cups cooked capacity (10 cups uncooked)
- ✓ Durable nonstick inner pot
- ✓ Presets for rice, grains, and oatmeal
Why We Recommend It
This is a flexible cooker for folks who like presets for non‑rice dishes too. It’s perfect for varied weekly breakfasts and dinners using one pot.
Best For
Best for families wanting a multi-use cooker for both rice and grain-based breakfasts.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Wide range of cooking presets
- Compact but yields large cooked volume
- Good nonstick surface for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Smaller uncooked capacity means larger batches require time
- Preset labels can be small and hard to read
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: I love this rice cooker, with all the convenience it offers. It not only make your rice and grains in it, you can also sauté aromatics to flavor your food. I found this extremely useful, when I wanted to make a pilaf or something else in it. So far I’ve only used it for rice and grains like farro an
Customer Review: Cooks rice perfect easy to use and clean. I do Recommend this cooker
7. Aroma Housewares ARC-1033E 60-Cup Commercial Rice Cooker, 30-Cup Uncooked Capacity, White Finish
A true commercial unit for those who need maximum volume. It’s built to fill platters, buffet pans, or community events with steady, warm rice.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Largest capacity in the list for big events
- ✓ One‑touch operation and solid keep‑warm
- ✓ Heavy duty insulation and stainless lid
Why We Recommend It
Choose this if you cook for very large groups and need a cooker that holds up to repeated, heavy use.
Best For
Best for commercial kitchens, fundraisers, and large family gatherings.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Huge capacity for large batches
- Durable commercial construction
- Simple and reliable operation
Cons:
- Heavy and takes storage space
- Few electronic controls or presets
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: This is my first huge rice pot purchase, and I am happy with it. The price for this is actually very reasonable! So far, cooking large amounts of rice has been very easy and our rice has come out perfect – every time. We bought this to do fundraising events to make plate lunches, and I probably w
Customer Review: The size is perfect for my needs, making it incredibly versatile. Whether I’m using it for decor or practical purposes, it suits every requirement beautifully. The design is both modern and stylish, making it a great addition to any room. I highly recommend Arôme Home Products for anyone looking to
8. CUCKOO Basic 20-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer with Nonstick Inner Pot, Steam Tray, Auto Warm
CUCKOO’s basic 20‑cup cooker focuses on safety and reliability with a nonstick inner pot and steady keep‑warm. It’s a simple unit that does its job well.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Nonstick inner pot for easy cleaning
- ✓ Steam tray included for balanced meals
- ✓ Auto warm keeps rice ready for hours
- ✓ cETLus certified for safety
Why We Recommend It
Pick this CUCKOO if you want a safe, dependable cooker with straightforward operation and a focus on durability.
Best For
Best for households that value quality construction and straightforward use for family meals.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Durable nonstick inner pot
- Simple controls and reliable warming
- Good safety certifications
Cons:
- Few advanced features or presets
- Basic styling compared to premium models
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: Hello everyone. If you are wondering if you should buy this rice cooker. I would say absolutely. I needed one because I just love rice and wanted the convenience as well. The main reason I choose this one is because it comes with a steam tray so its easy to get veggies in. The texture of the rice co
Customer Review: Hello everyone. If you are wondering if you should buy this rice cooker. I would say absolutely. I needed one because I just love rice and wanted the convenience as well. The main reason I choose this one is because it comes with a steam tray so its easy to get veggies in. The texture of the rice co
Complete Buying Guide for 20 Cup Rice Cooker
Essential Factors We Consider
When choosing a 20 cup rice cooker, look at capacity, cooking modes, build quality, and ease of cleaning. Capacity matters: confirm whether the spec lists uncooked cups (commonly 10 uncooked = ~20 cooked) or cooked cups. Also check if it includes a steam tray and preset programs for easy one‑pot meals. For tips on grain selection that affect cooking times and texture, see Types Of Rice And Best Uses Guide.
Budget Planning
Set a budget based on use: basic pot-style units are affordable and reliable, while digital multicookers add presets and sauté functions for more money. For first-time users, aim for a mid-range model that balances durability and features. If you need help with timing and technique to get consistent results, check How To Cook Rice Perfectly Every Time.
Final Thoughts
Pick a cooker that matches how you cook: big batches often mean a commercial or large consumer model, while multifunction models suit varied weeknight meals. After you buy, try a simple recipe like a rice-and-beans combo to test capacity and texture—see an easy idea here: Easy Rice And Beans Recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much rice does a 20 cup rice cooker actually make?
A: Most manufacturers report capacity as cooked cups. If a model lists 20 cups cooked, it typically holds about 10 cups uncooked rice. Always confirm the spec to match your needs.
Q: Can I steam vegetables while cooking rice?
A: Yes. Many 20 cup rice cooker models include a steam tray that stacks above the rice so you can steam veggies or proteins at the same time.
Q: Are commercial rice cookers worth it for home use?
A: If you regularly cook for large groups or host events, a commercial cooker is worth the durability and capacity. For occasional big meals, a large consumer model is usually sufficient.
Q: How do I clean the inner pot safely?
A: Let the pot cool, then wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge. Avoid metal scrubbers to protect nonstick coatings. Dry fully before storage.
Picking the right 20 cup rice cooker comes down to how much you cook and which extra features you value. If you need volume and durability, go commercial; if you want presets and multi-function use, choose a digital multicooker. Ready to buy? Click a model above to check current prices and pick the one that fits your kitchen.