AROMA 12-Cup Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker - Versatile 6-Function

In this review of the AROMA 12-Cup Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker, the bottom line is simple: this cooker is for households that want one reliable appliance to handle rice, grains, steaming and simple one-pot meals with minimal fuss. The cooker stands out for its combination of an easy-to-use digital interface, a 15-hour Delay Timer and six preset functions, which together make meal planning and hands-off cooking straightforward. For anyone who values consistent rice results plus the ability to steam proteins or slow cook a dinner without cluttering the kitchen, this unit delivers practical performance.

Key Features

• 12-Cup Capacity: Prepares 2 to 12 cups of cooked rice or grains so it fits both small families and meal-prep batches.
• Programmable Digital Controls: The simple digital panel and preset functions reduce guesswork and let users start cooking with a few button presses.
• Automatic Keep Warm: After cooking finishes the unit switches to Keep Warm, keeping food ready without overcooking or drying out.
• Steam Tray Included: The provided steam tray lets you steam vegetables, fish or meat above the rice for true one-pot meals and faster weeknight dinners.
• 15-Hour Delay Timer: The Delay Timer enables flexible meal planning so ingredients can be added early and finished when needed.
• Multiple Cooking Functions: Built-in options for Multigrain, Slow Cook, Saute, Steam and Soup/Broth expand the cooker beyond plain rice to soups and slow-simmered meals.

Who It's For

This multicooker is a good fit for small families, busy professionals, and anyone who wants a compact countertop appliance that handles both everyday rice and a variety of other dishes. Users who appreciate straightforward controls and the convenience of a Delay Timer will find it especially useful for planning dinners or cooking grains for meal prep.

Those who need very large batch cooking for a crowd or want advanced programmable features beyond the included presets should look elsewhere. Also, if you require a cooker with a large repertoire of specialty settings or gourmet controls, a more advanced multicooker model may be a better match.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consistently cooks white and brown rice well with minimal monitoring.
• Easy-to-use digital presets and an automatic Keep Warm mode simplify everyday use.
• Steam tray and Steam function allow quick, healthy one-pot meals while rice cooks below.
• Includes helpful accessories such as a rice measuring cup and serving spatula for immediate use.

Cons

• Cooking time opinions are mixed among users; some may find cycles slower than expected for certain grains.
• Controls are straightforward but lack the fine-grain customization of higher-end models.

Specifications

Brand	AROMA
Model	12-Cup Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker (ARC-966BD)
Capacity	2 to 12 cups cooked rice
Preset Functions	Rice, Multigrain, Slow Cook, Steam, Saute, Soup/Broth
Delay Timer	15-Hour Delay Timer
Accessories Included	Steam tray, rice measuring cup, serving spatula
Color	Black

Our Verdict

The AROMA 12-Cup Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker is a practical, value-minded appliance for anyone who wants reliable rice and flexible cooking options in one compact unit. It is especially well suited to families and busy cooks who will use the Delay Timer, Steam tray and preset functions to streamline meals without extra cleanup. For the price and included accessories, it offers strong everyday performance even if users seeking very fast cycle times or advanced customization may find it limiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this cooker steam meat and vegetables while rice cooks?
Yes; the included steam tray and Steam function let you steam meats and vegetables above the rice so both can finish at once.

Does it keep rice warm after cooking?
Yes; the cooker switches to an automatic Keep Warm mode when a cooking cycle completes to maintain serving temperature.

Is the unit easy to clean?
Customers report that the inner pot and accessories are straightforward to clean, making post-cook cleanup quick.