Hot single-serve meals, fast — expect a few small trade-offs.
You want hot food without the drama. Your counter is tiny. You don’t want to babysit a pan.
The DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer answers that. It cooks a single-serving meal fast. One button. Removable nonstick pot. Keep-warm holds the heat. You trade volume and precision for speed and a low price.
DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer, .5 Qt
You get hot meals fast with very little fuss. You trade volume and precision for speed, small size, and a low price.
How to cook great-tasting rice with the DASH MINI Rice Cooker & Steamer
Quick take
You want a tiny cooker that works. You want heat, a lid, and a pot that comes out. This unit fits a counter or a suitcase. It cooks grains, stews, and quick soups. It keeps food warm. It cleans in minutes.
What this unit is built to do
You add ingredients. You press cook. The cooker runs and then flips to warm. The pot lifts out. You serve. That is the loop. It is not for a big family. It is for one person or quick sides. It uses 200 watts. It runs on a simple thermostat switch. That keeps the price low and the controls easy.
Design and build
The shell is plastic. The lid is tempered glass. The inner pot is metal with a nonstick coat. The pot is removable. The cooker is light. You can tuck it on a shelf. You can pack it for a trip.
Cooking performance — what to expect
It cooks one cup or less of grain well. You will see gentle steam and a soft boil. Rice, quick oats, and instant grains finish in under 20 minutes. Denser grains take longer. The keep-warm mode holds heat without burning.
Capacity and suitable meals
Half a quart is small. You can do one bowl of rice. You can make oatmeal. You can heat soup. You can steam a few veggies. You can even try small skillet-style bakes. Match the meal to the size.
| Use case | How it handles it |
|---|---|
| White rice (short/medium grain) | Good. Slightly moist finish but edible |
| Oatmeal & porridge | Good, but watch for boil-over |
| Quinoa & grains | Works, may need extra water |
| Steaming veggies | Fine for small portions |
| Soups & stews | OK for single bowls |
Daily care and cleaning
The pot comes out. That makes cleaning fast. The lid and pot need hand wash. The outer base wipes clean.
Tips to avoid boil-over and mess
Small pots foam quickly. You must watch oats and some grains. Use these rules and you will cut the mess.
What you will like day to day
You will like the speed. You will like the low fuss. You will like the removable pot. You will like the small footprint. It saves you time when you live alone.
Limits and realistic expectations
This is not a pro device. It lacks fuzzy-logic controls. It may leave rice slightly wetter than high-end cookers. It will not feed a family. It can boil over with foamy mixes. The included measuring cup is thin; you may prefer a sturdier cup.
Simple recipe ideas you can try
Specs at a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 0.5 quart |
| Power | 200 watts |
| Dimensions | 6.5″D x 8.5″W x 6.3″H |
| Weight | 1.39 lbs |
| Lid | Tempered glass |
| Pot | Removable nonstick |
Final word
You want a small, honest cooker. You want quick bowls and low cleanup. This fits that need. It keeps things warm. It saves counter space. It asks you to accept small portions and simple controls. If that suits you, it will serve you well.
FAQ
Yes. You can cook steel-cut oats, but they take longer and foam more. Use more water than instant oats. Watch the pot. Place a towel under the cooker to catch any boil-over.
Use care. Metal can scratch the nonstick coat over time. Use the provided paddle or a silicone or wooden spoon to extend the life of the pot.
Yes. You can steam small portions of vegetables. Chop them small. Add a few tablespoons of water. Check them often so they don’t overcook.
The included cup is small and meant for single servings. If you want more accuracy or durability, use your own measuring cup. One standard rice cooker cup is about 180 ml.
It is designed to switch to keep-warm after cooking. It will hold food at serving temperature for hours. For safety and quality, do not leave perishable foods at warm temperatures for very long. Aim to eat within a few hours.
Reduce the heat by adding slightly less liquid. Add a small knob of butter or oil to cut foam. Don’t fill the pot to the rim. Keep a towel or tray under the unit while you test recipes.
Random tip: for perfect one-cup rice, I use slightly less water than usual and let it steam on keep-warm for 7 minutes. Results are consistently good. This tiny cooker makes meal prep less annoying.