Hamilton Beach 37518 Review: The Best Budget Rice Cooker?

Overview & Features

This isn’t a tiny appliance. It’s designed to cook anywhere from 4 to 20 cups of cooked rice (approximately 2-10 cups uncooked). It uses standard heating plate technology but adds a digital brain that allows for timed cooking and specific modes.

The Heat/Simmer function is unique — it lets you use this for soups, beans, or pasta mixes, turning it from a single-purpose rice cooker into a genuine multi-cooker.

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Performance

In our analysis, the 37518 handles large batches of white rice surprisingly well. It doesn’t scorch the bottom as much as cheaper one-button cookers, thanks to the digital temperature management. Brown rice turns out decent, though not as soft as a pressure cooker model or a fuzzy logic unit.

Test Results

Rice Type	Quantity	Cook Time	Result
White long-grain	6 cups (raw)	~35 min	Even, fluffy, no scorching ⭐⭐
White long-grain	10 cups (raw)	~50 min	Slightly denser at bottom
Brown rice	4 cups (raw)	~65 min	Usable but firmer than Micom models
Jasmine	4 cups (raw)	~30 min	Fragrant, good separation

The sweet spot is 4-6 cups of raw rice. At maximum capacity, the bottom layer gets a bit more heat than the top — a limitation of plate-based heating.

Capacity Planning Guide

The 20-cup capacity sounds massive, but here’s what it looks like in practical serving terms:

Raw Rice	Cooked Rice	Serves	Best For
2 cups	~4 cups	2-3 people	Weeknight side dish
4 cups	~8 cups	4-5 people	Family dinner
6 cups	~12 cups	6-8 people	Dinner party
10 cups	~20 cups	10+ people	Potluck or meal prep

Tip: For best results at high volume, stir the rice gently halfway through the Keep Warm period. This redistributes moisture from the top (steamier) to the bottom (drier) for more even texture.

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The Steamer Basket: The Real Star

The real star is the Steamer Basket. You can steam salmon, chicken, broccoli, or dumplings while your rice cooks below. It’s a complete meal solution in one pot.

In practice, this works best when you start the rice, wait about 15 minutes, and then add the steamer basket on top. This ensures the protein finishes at the same time as the rice without overcooking.

Pro Tip: Steam frozen dumplings over jasmine rice for a 30-minute dinner that tastes like takeout. Season the rice water with a splash of sesame oil for extra flavor.

Steaming Technique Guide

Getting the timing right for simultaneous cooking requires understanding how different foods steam:

Food	Steam Time	When to Add (after rice starts)
Broccoli florets	8-10 min	20-25 min into cook
Chicken breast (thin)	15-18 min	15 min into cook
Salmon fillet	12-15 min	18 min into cook
Frozen dumplings	10-12 min	20 min into cook
Shrimp	5-7 min	25 min into cook

Key principle: Add fast-cooking items later and slow-cooking items earlier. The steam is hottest and most vigorous during the final phase of rice cooking, so delicate items like shrimp should go in last.

The steamer basket fits securely above the rice without touching it — maintaining about 2 inches of clearance. This prevents dripping juices from affecting the rice flavor, though if you want that flavor transfer (chicken-flavored rice, for example), place the protein directly on top of the rice without the basket.

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Cleaning and Maintenance

The 37518 is relatively easy to clean, but its size means you’re dealing with a larger pot to wash. Key maintenance points:

Inner Pot: The non-stick coating is thinner than Japanese brands. Hand wash with a soft sponge — never use metal utensils or abrasive scrubbers. Expect 2-3 years before noticeable wear.

Steam Basket: Dishwasher-safe. The perforations can accumulate starchy residue over time — soak in warm soapy water for 15 minutes monthly.

Heating Plate: Wipe with a damp cloth after every 5-6 uses. Starch drips from the steam basket can bake onto the plate, causing hot spots and burning smells.

Lid: The lid gasket collects condensation. Wipe the gasket and inner lid after each use to prevent stale-smelling buildup.

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Who Is This For?

The Hamilton Beach 37518 serves a very specific niche:

• Large families (5+ people) who need volume over nuance
• Meal preppers who cook big batches on Sunday for the week
• Budget-conscious households who want digital features without the $100+ price tag
• Anyone who needs steaming — the basket is genuinely useful

Who should skip it: If you care about texture nuance (the difference between “good rice” and “perfect rice”), a Micom or IH model will serve you better. This machine makes good rice, not exceptional rice.

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Hamilton Beach 37518 vs. Instant Pot Zest

Both are 20-cup budget machines, so here’s how they compare:

Feature	Hamilton Beach 37518	Instant Pot Zest
Price	~$50	~$50
Capacity	20 cups	20 cups
Steamer	Yes (basket included)	Yes (steam rack)
Timer	Digital delay start	Digital delay start
Inner pot	Non-stick aluminum	Ceramic-coated
Unique feature	Heat/Simmer mode	Multi-grain presets

Both are excellent value. The Hamilton Beach edges out for soup/stew versatility; the Instant Pot edges out for grain variety.

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The Heat/Simmer Function: Beyond Rice

One underappreciated feature is the Heat/Simmer mode. This turns the cooker into a slow-cooking vessel for:

• Chili and stews — Brown ingredients on the stove, transfer to the cooker, and simmer for 2-3 hours
• Beans — Soak dried beans overnight, then cook on Simmer for 2-4 hours with seasoning
• Pasta and grains — Cook orzo, farro, or barley with broth for a hands-off pilaf
• Soup — Add ingredients, broth, and seasoning — the simmer mode keeps a consistent low temperature without boiling over

This isn’t a pressure cooker replacement, but for gentle, extended cooking tasks, it’s a genuine value-add that most budget rice cookers don’t offer.

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Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Fix
Bottom layer crunchy	Too much rice for plate heating	Cook 6 cups max, rest 10 min on Warm
Rice overflows	Starchy water foams	Rinse rice 3-4 times before cooking
Steamed food undercooked	Added too late	Add protein 15-20 min into cook cycle
Timer not starting	Power interruption	Keep plugged in during delay period
Inner pot discolored	Normal mineral deposits	Boil water + 1 tbsp vinegar for 10 min

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Final Thoughts

Don’t expect Zojirushi perfection, but do expect a reliable, hearty meal maker. The Hamilton Beach 37518 is the perfect “starter” rice cooker for large families who need volume without breaking the bank. It’s also an excellent secondary cooker for dinner parties.

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