A rice dispenser is not exactly a ‘must-have’ device. However, it is certainly a really convenient thing to have around.
Rice dispensers can make your life much easier, especially if rice is a common ingredient in your day-to-day menu.
What are the best rice dispensers? The best rice dispenser for your needs should have a large enough capacity while being reasonably sized for your counter/shelf space. It should be made of high-quality materials, easy to clean, and dispense a reasonable amount of rice (or let you control the quantity).
In this article, you will learn what to consider when buying a rice dispenser. We have also picked nine of the best rice dispensers on the market for you to choose from.
Choosing a Rice Dispenser
If you are someone that uses rice more often than any other grain, then a rice dispenser is something for you to consider.
Rice dispensers feature a storage unit with a large container and a built-in dispenser that allows quick and easy access to a certain set quantity of rice. Some rice dispensers operate with a button while others have pull-out drawers
You can store your rice alongside oats, cereals, and other grains in regular plastic containers. However, there are too many benefits to rice dispensers.
The Benefits of Using a Rice Dispenser
Rice dispensers have multiple benefits. If you purchase one, you will certainly start appreciating this ingenious kitchen device.
Here are the benefits of rice dispensers:
- Rice dispensers provide excellent conditions for grain storage. You don’t need to worry about moisture or bugs getting into the rice. The container of any good rice dispenser is airtight and will keep the grains fresh as long as possible.
- Rice dispensers are tidy. If your kitchen counter is small, you may be bothered by the rice dispenser sitting on it. But if you have room for a rice dispenser in your kitchen, don’t sleep on it, especially if you are someone that leaves the grains in half-open bags that spill everywhere. Messes are much rarer with rice dispensers.
- Rice dispensers will save you money. Buying rice in bulk is usually cheaper. However, we don’t always have room for it. Rice dispensers typically fit many, many pounds of rice. Thus, instead of buying small bags of rice at a higher price, you will only need to buy bulk rice from time to time, saving you money.
- You don’t have to measure the rice. With rice dispensers, rice comes out in a pre-selected amount. Depending on the particular dispenser you are using, you will get a specific amount of rice with just a press of a button. This amount typically ranges from a quarter of a cup to a cup.
- You always get fresh rice. With rice dispensers, you fill up the container from the top. Thus, you finish the old batch of rice before you start using the new one. You practically never have to worry about getting old rice unless you haven’t used your rice dispenser in years.
How to Choose a Rice Dispenser?
When buying a rice dispenser, there are a few key things to consider to ensure you’re getting the right product:
Material
If you have decided to buy a rice dispenser, then you most likely use rice often. Thus, the dispenser should be well-constructed and made of durable materials in order to last long.
Most rice dispensers are made of plastic. This is okay so long as it is high-quality and non-toxic. None of the parts of the dispenser, especially the buttons and the drawer, should be flimsy.
Capacity
The capacity of the rice dispenser is one of the key properties to consider. Before you buy a rice dispenser, think about how much rice you usually buy.
Do you buy rice in 25-pound bags? Then make sure the container of the dispenser will fit all of it, otherwise, you will have to store the rest of the rice in the cupboard. This defeats the purpose of having a rice dispenser.
If you don’t use rice very often, then buying a dispenser that is on the smaller size will certainly work, and it will be easier to store on your counter.
Design
Regular rice dispensers don’t come in ground-breaking and fashionable designs. They are typically white or cream-colored and look like desktop computer towers.
This will work if you don’t mind simple designs or will be putting the dispenser somewhere in the kitchen where it won’t grab too much attention.
But of you search well, you will certainly find good-looking rice dispensers too.
Rice dispensers with modern minimalistic design and soft edges will fit most kitchens. The ones with stainless steel constructions, on the other hand, look especially beautiful in cooking areas with lots of steel details and devices.
Size
The size of the rice dispenser largely depends on its capacity.
Before buying a rice dispenser, consider your kitchen counter area, as well as how much rice you like to buy at a time. See how much space you have and order a dispenser with measurements that will fit your space.
Cleaning
Rice dispensers make your job easier. However, you should never forget to clean them regularly. You don’t want to eat dirty rice due to a dirty dispenser!
When buying a rice dispenser, make sure you can remove the parts of the dispenser that are in contact with the grains so you can clean them easily.
Performance
Before making a purchase, read the reviews to see how the device performs. Does the rice spill out even though it’s not supposed to? Does the container seal tightly?
Another important property to consider when buying a rice dispenser is its dispensing qualities. Many rice dispensers allow you to control the amount of rice that spills with each press of a button.
9 Best Rice Dispensers
If you have been looking for the perfect rice dispenser for your kitchen, then this list of the 9 best rice dispensers is what you need.
| Rank | Product | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Aroma Housewares Rice Dispenser | Smooth operation |
| 2. | Letusto Rice Dispenser | First in = first out |
| 3. | CookMax Rice Dispenser | Control amount |
| 4. | Vinyl Etchings Rice Dispenser | Dispenses into cup |
| 5. | i Kito Rice Dispenser | Spill-free |
| 6. | Sinil Luxury Rice Dispenser | Wheels around |
| 7. | TAYAMA Rice Dispenser | 50 lb capacity |
| 8. | Samick Rice Dispenser | 150/300g at a time |
| 9. | Asvel Rice Dispenser | Easy to clean |
No matter what design or capacity you are looking for, at least one of these options will fit your needs. So keep reading for more about the best rice dispensers out there!
1. Aroma Housewares Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 7.1 x 17.3 inches
- Material: Aluminum
- Capacity: 22 pounds
This Aroma Housewares white aluminum rice dispenser is one of the best grain dispensers on the market. You can use this rice dispenser not only for rice but for other small grains too.
First off, it has a neutral design and will go nicely with almost any kitchen aesthetic. Secondly, it is so slim and compact that even if you don’t want to leave it on the kitchen counter, you can easily fit it in a cupboard or on one of your pantry shelves.
Lastly, the Aroma Housewares rice dispenser fits 22 pounds of rice!
The dispensing mechanism is pre-set at 1 cup. While it would be better to be able to customize the amount, rarely does it happen when you need less than one cup of rice for a dish, and many measure their rice portions by the cup or so anyway. Thus, this won’t cause you any trouble.
The funneling design that provides rice with a press of a button is well-thought-out for the rice dispenser to operate smoothly without clogging.
2. Letusto Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 16.1 x 16.5 x 7.5 inches
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Capacity: 26 lbs
If you are not looking for a rice dispenser with an extraordinary design but for one that will perform well and keep your rice fresh, then this Letusto rice dispenser is something to consider.
This white device made of BPA-free plastic easily fits 26 pounds of rice. Due to each detail of the dispenser being manufactured with consideration, the rice will stay dry and fresh as long as possible.
Additionally, the funnel is designed in a way that ensures the ‘first in first out’ pouring method. This means that you will use the “older” rice before you reach the new batch of rice that you just filled up the container with.
The small window on the front will help you see how much rice there is in the container. This eliminates the risk of having no rice when cooking a dish that calls for it.
To fill up the rice bucket all you need to do is to press the button. The bucket also comes with measurements for convenient use.
3. CookMax Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 12 x 8.5 x 27 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 50 lbs
If you think rice dispensers look old-fashioned, then this CookMax rice dispenser is here to convince you of the opposite.
This sleek-looking grey stainless steel rice dispenser will fit into your modern looking kitchen. If you don’t want to display it, you can also fit it in the cupboard as this rice dispenser is quite slim.
But slim doesn’t mean small. As this dispenser is also very tall, it can fit up to 50 pounds of rice!
One of the best features of this rice dispenser is that you are able to control the dispensing amount. You can choose between 100, 150, and 250 grams of rice per button push. Now that’s convenient.
4. Vinyl Etchings Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 16.1 x 13.4 x 6.7 inches
- Material: Polypropylene (plastic)
- Capacity: 26.5 lbs
This rice dispenser from Vinyl Etchings will protect your rice against moisture, humidity, and bugs until you use it all up. It will fit up to 26.5 pounds of rice. So, you can buy rice in bulk once and not worry about it going bad for weeks.
The design of this rice dispenser is what sets it apart from its counterparts. It is minimalistic yet impactful and very neutral.
What makes this rice dispenser different is the measuring cup that replaces the drawer that almost all rice dispensers come with. This measuring cup not only helps you see how much rice you have poured but it also has a comfortable handle and draining holes for you to wash the rice conveniently.
With each press of a button, you are getting a cup of rice with this Vinyl Etchings rice dispenser. The transparent element in the front will help you see when you are running low on rice.
5. i Kito Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 16.1 x 7.5 x 16.5 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 26.5 lbs
The i Kito rice dispenser is the perfect device for those who aren’t after modern and elegant design solutions. You may think that this rice dispenser isn’t as good looking. But the numerous positive revues suggest that it certainly does its job well.
This rice dispenser will keep your rice fresh and free from bugs. You will also be able to top up the container anytime there is space in it and not worry about the former batch remaining unused.
This rice dispenser is also easy to use. Press the button and it will pour a cup of rice into the drawer.
6. Sinil Luxury Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 12 x 8.5 x 27 inches
- Material: Metal
- Capacity: 28 lbs
The Sinil (SIF-505) ‘luxury’ rice dispensers are some of the most unique rice dispensers you can find on the market as far as the design is concerned.
They have a vintage feel, are made in pastel and red colors, and come with wheels so that you can move them around the kitchen easily.
Despite the unique design, rice is dispensed normally and conveniently. Each press of a button pours one cup of rice into the drawer. The rice is dispensed smoothly due to the well-designed funnel.
7. Tayama Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 13x 14 x 22 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 50 lbs
If all you need is enough storage to fit a lot of rice that you buy and use on the daily basis, then this Tayama rice dispenser might be the best pick for you as it fits up to 50 pounds of rice and any other small grains of your choice. You can use it for beans and cereal too.
The Tamaya rice dispenser is one of the few dispensers not operating with a button. Instead, you have to pull out the flat shelf that is above the drawer that will be catching the rice.
The marks on the drawer will indicate how much rice you are discharging – 1 cup or ½ cup, which are convenient options for most uses.
8. Samick Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 15 x 25 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 50 lbs
The Samick rice dispenser is a good option if you are looking for a simple-design rice dispenser with a large capacity. This rice dispenser will keep up to 50 pounds of rice nice and fresh.
This rice dispenser is a little plain, but is a good-quality and convenient model. When it comes to rice dispensers, it’s usually about function over form anyway.
The built-in mechanism allows you to control the amount of rice discharge. It can be 150 or 300 grams. In addition to this, there is a roller at the bottom of the dispenser for you to be able to move it around the kitchen with ease.
9. Asvel Rice Dispenser
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 7.5 x 16 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 26.5 lbs
All-plastic rice dispensers may not look the best. But they get the job done well and they certainly have some advantages. The Asvel one, at least, certainly does.
First, the transparent plastic container allows you to see how much rice you have left, which is especially convenient for grocery list making. As soon as you start running low, just purchase more and fill up the container!
Second, as all parts of the dispenser are made of plastic, it is very easy to clean. And as we have mentioned earlier, it is of key importance to regularly clean your rice dispenser.
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