Price: $49.99
(as of Mar 25, 2025 08:55:23 UTC – Details)
From the makers of Instant Pot, the Instant Zest Rice and Grain Cooker with 8-cup capacity is the perfect combination of value, convenience and cooking ease. Smart cooking programs help you save time and ensure dishes turn out exactly as you want them to. Fine-tune and save cooking times and temperatures that suit your family’s tastes. In addition to the smart program presets for white and brown rice, quinoa and oatmeal, you can cook any type of rice and grain fast and perfectly — from millet, farro and freekeh, to polenta, barley, rice pudding and more. Even hearty grains like spelt and wheat berries, which typically require lots of cooking time. More than just a rice cooker, the Instant Zest quickly steam veggies, fish, dumplings, tamales, cabbages, wontons and more with ease. Bright, bold display and status indicators let you know exactly where your food is in the cooking process. Delay start and keep warm functions make sure your rice, grains and more are ready when you are.
4 SMART PROGRAMS: make cooking your favorite rice, oatmeal, and grains to fluffy perfection super-fast and one touch easy!
STEAM VEGGIES: Easily steam veggies, fish and more!
DOUBLES AS A WARMER: Keep foods nice and warm during pot lucks, parties, picnics and more!
8 CUP CAPACITY: 4-Cup (Uncooked)/8-Cup (Cooked). Its compact capacity is perfect for preparing small individual meals, or meal prep side dishes.
ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: In addition to the non-stick ceramic coated pot, the Zest Plus also comes with a dishwasher-safe steamer tray, rice measuring cup and rice spoon.
SAFETY FEATURES: Includes over 10 safety features, plus overheat protection and safe-locking lid.
DISCOVER AMAZING RECIPES: Includes the free Instant Brands Connect App, where you can find new recipes to create quick favorites and prepare delicious meals, available for iOS and Android.
13 reviews for Instant Pot Zest 8 Cup One Touch Rice Cooker, From the Makers of Instant Pot, Steamer, Cooks Rice, Grains, Quinoa and Oatmeal, 8-cup cooked/4-cup uncooked, No Pressure Cooking Functionality
Add a review

$49.99
Jovita G –
Rice cooker
The taste and smell of the rice is anything but delicious. It’s very easy to cook, especially when you have too much on your plate. Within a few minutes the rice is ready to serve. And not only is easy to prepare but easy to clean afterwards.
M. Birkett –
Best COVID purchase for the kitchen
With all that’s going on, we’ve been cooking at home a lot more. In the past, we used the instant rice pouches. After watching a few online recipe videos, it became clear we needed a rice cooker.This one has been fantastic. We’ve used it probably 30 times and rice has been great every time. We typically make 1-3 servings, so the smaller size is exactly what we need. This unit may be too small for a larger family, but I would think you could get at least 6 servings of rice out of this without too much trouble.Never having owned a rice cooker before, I didn’t realize how inexpensive rice is when you don’t buy in the pouch. Instead of $1.50 or $2 for a single-use pouch, it’s now $1-$2 for a bag that will last ~10 meals. And the rice tastes better.Usage couldn’t be easier. Follow the recommended water/rice ratio provided with the cooker, hit the button an just wait. The only downside is that there isn’t a timer from the beginning of the cycle, though a countdown time kicks in at some point through the process. What I have done is time how long it takes to make 1 portion and 2 portion of rice so I can now plan the rest of the meal accordingly. It takes about 22-24 minutes to make really tasty rice. And with the warming function, you don’t need to be all that precise in timing out your meals. The rice can sit in the cooker for a while without any negative effect.Lastly, clean up is easy with the non-stick interior bowl. I’ve been hand-washing the bowl to avoid potential damage to the non-stick surface in the dishwasher, but cleaning that takes all of 10 seconds. A serving spoon, that works well with rice, steaming basket (haven’t used it) and measuring cup also come with the cooker. The measuring cup uses the term “cup” but it isn’t a true 8oz cup. It’s more of a generic unit for measuring rice and water in the correct ratio, so don’t lose the included cup.
Zada –
Make room on the counter!
Breakfast is served! Set the timer and your oatmeal is ready when your alarm goes off.Perfect steel cut oats! Perfect rice! Start cooking at your convenience and keep warm until you are done. Seems to be well constructed and has a solid feel.I do not collect appliances! This was a replacement for a rice cooker that had a wiring issue so I went to Consumer Report and did some research. Some negative comments were about cleaning up rice, and I only make one cup, so have no issue.Great value for the price.
Melanie Reed –
Quality
Easy to use. Cooks the best fluffy rice ever. I only wish I could remove the lid to clean it.
Cecil K. Curtis –
Simple and easy to use rice cooker.
The Instant Zest rice cooker is basic but adequate in its performance. I have used a couple of frankly cheap rice cooker and it’s true you get what you pay for. Those cheap cookers, no more than $25 spued, hissed, and foamed with rice sticking to the pot’s bottom. I just wasn’t going to spring for a$200 fuzzy logic rice cooker. The Instant Zest has none of the issues of the cheap rice cookers and can be purchased in the $50 to $40 range. If you have an Instant Pot it will cook rice to, but it’s much to large and difficult to clean whereas the Zest can be cleaned up with a damp sponge and takes up little space on your counter. Its features are basic , but it cooks good rice steams shrimp for fried rice and heats frozen tamales in no time.
Amazon Customer –
The bad reviews are user error.
Excellent! I almost didn’t buy this due to the bad reviews BUT one great review saved it. This rice cooker works as advertised. User error causes the overflow of water. YOU MUST READ THE DIRECTIONS. The rice is fluffy and sticky like the rice you get from a restaurant. It tastes just like rice should.
Ben –
convienent
I use this every morning to make a simple oatmeal , I’ve been really impressed with it and it’s made it simple to eat healthy. the cook time is a bit long and requires me to plan ahead a bit but it’s mostly set it and forget.
AZAQUABOY –
The Instant Pot Rice Wizardry: From Skeptic to Rice Enthusiast!
I recently took the plunge into the mystical world of the Instant Pot Rice Cooker, and let me tell you, my skepticism was diced finer than finely chopped onions. But oh, how wrong I was! This contraption is like having a rice wizard in my kitchen, casting flavorful spells with every grain.At first, I couldn’t believe that a kitchen appliance could make such a difference in the rice game. I mean, come on, it’s just rice, right? Wrong! From the very first batch, I knew this Instant Pot had some serious culinary sorcery up its sleeve.The rice that emerged from this magical metal cauldron wasn’t just rice; it was an experience. Each subsequent batch somehow managed to outshine its predecessor. It’s like the Instant Pot whispers ancient rice wisdom to each grain, urging them to reach their full potential.But wait, there’s more! This pot doesn’t just cook rice; it turns your kitchen into a flavor battleground. It forces broth flavors into the rice like a seasoned general leading an army into tasty victory. The rice becomes a canvas, soaking up all the savory goodness, turning even the most basic grains into culinary masterpieces.And let me tell you about the basmati rice—I summoned the most amazing basmati dish that would make Aladdin jealous. The Instant Pot coaxed out the fragrant aroma and delicate texture of the basmati, transforming my kitchen into a Persian spice bazaar. I half-expected a magic carpet to appear, carrying my taste buds on a flavorful journey.In conclusion, I went from rice skeptic to Instant Pot disciple in a flash. The Instant Pot Rice Cooker is no mere kitchen appliance; it’s a rice alchemist, a flavor enchanter, a grain guru. If you’re still cooking rice the old-fashioned way, it’s time to level up and let the Instant Pot weave its rice magic. You’ll never look at a grain of rice the same way again!
MARTIN GUERRERO HERNANDEZ –
Buenisima
Mike –
Finally writing a review after a couple months with the rice cooker. It’s a must buy if you don’t want to go out to buy a rice cooker and want to save huge. I eat quite a bit of rice per serving, and I can make enough to have left overs. No mess(maybe a bit of water from the steam, easily wiped with a towel), super easy to clean, and I don’t like cleaning things, its a simple rinse.It’s also non stick ceramic, so its not toxic if it peels, WHICH is HUGE for me.
Jorge Luis –
Sencilla y muy práctica
Verified –
I use to make horrible rice and stress over it. This little machine cooks it for me and it comes out like restaurant quality. So consistent. Its very simple to use and works. You don’t need an expensive one if this one makes such good rice. How much better do you want rice to be😂😂🤣
CGS Accouning & Bookkeeping –
I loved it makes no noise nor water comes out of it.It does its job so quitely