In the bustling world of kitchen gadgets, finding an appliance that truly earns its counter space is a treasure. The Breville The Risotto Plus Rice Cooker aims to be that versatile workhorse, promising perfect risotto without the endless stirring, alongside flawless rice, steaming, sautéing, and slow-cooking capabilities. But does this multi-cooker truly live up to its “Plus” moniker, or are there hidden caveats behind its sleek stainless steel exterior? This in-depth review explores every facet of its performance, helping you decide if it’s the right addition to your culinary arsenal.
Beyond the Name: What is the Breville Risotto Plus?
The Breville The Risotto Plus is more than just a rice cooker; it’s a multi-cooker designed to simplify several common cooking tasks. Sporting a minimalist design with an attractive metal build and clearly labeled light-up buttons, it offers intuitive control over its various functions. The unit includes a removable non-stick cooking bowl, a tempered domed glass lid with a steam vent, a special rice scoop, and a serving spoon, all powered by a removable cord for convenience.
With a generous 4-quart capacity, this appliance can handle up to 20 cups of cooked rice, making it suitable for small to medium-sized households or for preparing meals and leftovers. Its core functions include dedicated settings for Risotto, Rice, Sauté, Steam, Slow Cook (High and Low), and an Auto Keep Warm feature. This broad range of settings positions it as a genuine all-in-one solution, potentially reducing the clutter of multiple single-purpose appliances in your kitchen.
Performance Deep Dive: How Does It Cook?
Understanding how the Breville Risotto Plus performs across its various cooking modes is crucial for any potential buyer. Each function offers unique benefits and, in some cases, specific considerations.
The Stir-Free Risotto Revelation
Table is empty.One of the standout features of the Risotto Plus is its promise of perfectly creamy risotto without the traditional arduous stirring. Many users laud this function as a game-changer, describing the results as “perfectly soft and creamy” with an enticing aroma. The appliance’s electronic controller is designed to maintain a precise temperature, allowing the simmering stock to gently agitate the rice grains, cooking them to perfection without manual intervention.
The ability to sauté ingredients like onions and mushrooms directly in the cooking bowl before adding the rice and stock further streamlines the process, transforming a typically demanding dish into a convenient one-pot meal. While cooking times can vary, typically ranging from 30 to 45 minutes, the outcome often justifies the wait, delivering delicious, restaurant-quality risotto with minimal effort.
Rice Cooking Capabilities
As a “rice cooker,” the Risotto Plus generally performs well with long-grain rice, producing moist, fluffy, and mostly well-separated grains in about 13-15 minutes. However, its performance with short-grain rice has drawn mixed reviews. Some experts noted that while edible, the texture could be “a little springy” compared to more expensive, dedicated rice cookers, with occasional “soggy patches” or “overcooked and crusty” areas.
A significant concern reported by users is the appliance’s tendency for the rice cooking function to stop multiple times when preparing more than 1.5 cups of raw rice, interrupting the “set and forget” convenience. This can lead to frustration and a need for manual intervention, which detracts from the intended ease of use. Additionally, some users have experienced rice at the bottom of the bowl becoming overcooked or crusty.
Slow Cooker Performance
The slow cook function is another highly praised aspect of the Breville Risotto Plus, offering both high and low settings. Many reviewers commend its effectiveness, with some even stating they’ve owned their unit for nearly a decade and still find the slow cooking performance excellent. It’s ideal for preparing tender, slow-cooked meals like stews and bolognese.
When adapting traditional recipes, users are advised to “halve the amount of liquid and increase the cooking time” to achieve optimal results, as demonstrated by experiences with soupy outcomes when this advice isn’t followed. This function truly adds to the appliance’s versatility, allowing users to brown ingredients using the sauté setting before slow cooking, all within the same pot.
Sauté and Steam Functions
The built-in sauté function is a practical inclusion, allowing users to brown meats and vegetables directly in the cooking pot, eliminating the need for an extra pan. This feature is a huge plus for one-pot meal preparation and simplifies cleanup.
For steaming, the Risotto Plus comes with a dedicated steam basket, thoughtfully designed with a handle for easy removal from the hot pot. It efficiently steams vegetables, with cooking times varying based on desired crispness, adding another layer of versatility to this multi-cooker.
The “Keep Warm” Mode
After cooking, the appliance automatically switches to a “Keep Warm” mode. While convenient in theory, this function has received criticism for not always being effective. Some users reported that rice left on warm overnight became “inedibly hard and crusty, as well as cold,” suggesting its limitations for extended warming periods.
Pros and Cons of the Breville Risotto Plus
Like any kitchen appliance, the Breville The Risotto Plus has its strengths and weaknesses that potential buyers should consider.
Pros:
- Exceptional Stir-Free Risotto: Delivers creamy, perfectly cooked risotto with minimal effort.
- Versatile Multi-Cooker: Combines risotto maker, rice cooker, slow cooker, steamer, and sauté pan in one unit.
- Convenient One-Pot Cooking: The integrated sauté function allows for browning ingredients in the same pot, reducing washing up.
- Easy to Use and Clean: Generally intuitive controls and a removable, easy-to-wash non-stick bowl.
- Compact Design: Despite its multi-functionality and generous capacity, it maintains a relatively small footprint.
- Good for Small Households: Ideal for individuals or small families looking for diverse meal options.
Cons:
- Non-Stick Coating Durability: Several users have reported issues with the non-stick coating peeling or degrading over time, even with careful use.
- Inconsistent Rice Cooking: Can be problematic for larger quantities (over 1.5 cups of raw rice) or certain types of rice, with reports of the cycle stopping prematurely or uneven cooking.
- Ineffective “Keep Warm” Function: May not adequately keep food warm without altering texture, leading to hardened or crusty results.
- Potential for Mess: Cooking short-grain rice or risotto can sometimes result in splattering or a thin residue around the lid and countertop.
- No Built-In Slow Cooker Timer: While a minor issue, the absence of a dedicated timer for slow cooking can be an inconvenience.
- Function Switching: Some users noted they had to turn the appliance off and on again to switch between cooking functions, rather than simply pressing a new button.
User Experience & Ease of Use
The general consensus on the Breville Risotto Plus is that it’s largely user-friendly. Its clear controls and simple operation make it accessible even for those new to multi-cookers. The inclusion of a steam basket with a handle is a small but appreciated design detail. Cleanup is typically straightforward, with the removable non-stick cooking bowl being easy to wash.
However, the reported issues, particularly with the non-stick coating and inconsistent rice cooking for larger batches, can lead to a “love-hate relationship” for some users. The manual’s advice on adapting recipes for slow cooking (halving liquid, increasing time) highlights the need for a slight learning curve to maximize its potential.
“This is a great multi cooker. It cooks risotto perfectly without having to stand over it and add stock ladle bit ladle. I highly recommend it.” – LJ, Verified Customer
Is the Breville Risotto Plus Right for You?
Deciding whether the Breville The Risotto Plus is the perfect fit for your kitchen depends on your primary cooking needs and priorities. If delicious, stir-free risotto is high on your list, and you appreciate the convenience of a single appliance that can sauté, steam, and slow cook, this machine offers significant value. Its multi-functional nature and compact size make it an excellent choice for smaller households or those with limited kitchen space.
However, if consistently perfect rice is your absolute top priority, especially for larger quantities or diverse rice types, you might consider a dedicated, higher-end rice cooker. While the Breville Risotto Plus handles many tasks well, its rice performance can be a point of contention for avid rice eaters. Weigh its versatility against these potential quirks to make an informed decision that aligns with your culinary lifestyle and expectations.
Conclusion
The Breville The Risotto Plus Rice Cooker stands out as a highly versatile multi-cooker, excelling particularly in its namesake risotto function and offering solid slow-cooking and sautéing capabilities. Its ability to simplify complex dishes and consolidate several kitchen appliances into one compact unit makes it an attractive option for many home cooks. While minor drawbacks like the non-stick coating’s longevity and occasional rice-cooking inconsistencies exist, its overall convenience and performance are commendable.
Ultimately, for those seeking a kitchen companion that brings ease to a wide array of recipes, from creamy risottos to hearty slow-cooked meals, the Breville Risotto Plus warrants serious consideration. Are you ready to embrace the convenience of a multi-functional appliance that truly aims to do it all?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rice can the Breville Risotto Plus cook?
The Breville Risotto Plus has a 4-quart capacity, which translates to a maximum of 20 cups of cooked rice. However, some users report optimal performance when cooking 1.5 cups of raw rice or less to avoid interruptions in the cooking cycle.
Can you really make risotto without stirring in the Breville Risotto Plus?
Yes, the Breville Risotto Plus is specifically designed for stir-free risotto. Its precise temperature control and simmering action effectively agitate the rice grains, allowing you to achieve a perfectly soft and creamy texture without constant manual stirring, making it a highly convenient feature for this classic dish.
Is the inner pot of the Breville Risotto Plus non-stick?
Yes, the Breville Risotto Plus comes with a removable non-stick cooking bowl. While this feature makes cleanup easier, some customer reviews indicate concerns about the non-stick coating’s durability, with reports of it peeling over time, even with careful use.
What are the main functions of the Breville Risotto Plus?
The main functions of the Breville Risotto Plus include dedicated settings for cooking risotto and rice, as well as versatile modes for sautéing, steaming, and slow cooking (both high and low). It also features an automatic “Keep Warm” setting to maintain food temperature after cooking.
