Hoper Layer 6-Cup Stainless Steel Rice Cooker: An Australian Review

Hoper Layer is a new brand in the Australian market. This article examines its 6-cup Stainless Steel Rice Cooker to determine if its performance and features meet common household needs.

This detailed review by cookware specialist Kai breaks down how the cooker works, its performance in testing, and its overall design.

What is Hoper Layer?

A common question we get is, what is this brand? Hoper Layer is the Australian brand extension for Joyoung, a major global manufacturer of small appliances famous for its soy milk makers. The Hoper Layer brand brings Joyoung's products to the Australian market with local SAA electrical safety approval.

This model is a multi-function rice cooker that uses conventional base heating. It does not incorporate pressure or induction technology, placing it in the category of standard, mid-range cookers.

It is positioned as an option for users seeking a durable, stainless steel pot without the complexity of high-end models. 

Cooking Performance and Functions

First, let me briefly introduce the basic functions of this rice cooker.

Rice Cooking Modes

The cooker has three settings for rice:

• Fine Rice: A standard cycle of about 60-70 minutes, depending on quantity.
• Quick Cook: A faster cycle of about 35-50 minutes.
• Multigrain: A fixed cycle of 1 hour and 15 minutes for harder grains. For mixed grains, users may need to test both the 'Fine Rice' and 'Multigrain' modes to find the preferred texture.

Note: The 'Fine Rice' and 'Quick Cook' times vary with the volume of rice, while other functions have fixed or manually adjustable timers.

Specialty Functions

The unit includes several pre-programmed modes for other dishes:

• Porridge: 55 minutes, adjustable.
• Congee: 1 hour 30 minutes, adjustable.
• Soup: 2 hours, adjustable.
• Steam: 30 minutes, adjustable.
• Reheat: An automatic cycle for rice only.
• Preset: A timer to delay the start of cooking by up to 24 hours.

Function Times at a Glance

The following table lists the default and adjustable timings for each function.

Key Features and Design

Interface and Ease of Use

What I like about this rice cooker is its straightforward interface. It avoids the complicated menus of some cookers (like those from Cuckoo), favouring the simplicity often found in Japanese models.

Operation is intuitive: press the 'Menu' button to cycle through functions, an indicator light shows your selection, and you press 'Start'. The '+' and '–' buttons for adjusting time are easy to understand; for anyone who has used a rice cooker before, reading the manual is likely unnecessary.

Overall, the available functions are comprehensive enough to cover what you would typically expect from a multi-function rice cooker. Turning to the physical design, the quality of the inner pot is crucial for both cooking performance and durability.

Stainless Steel Inner Pot

A notable feature is the 304 food-grade stainless steel inner pot. Unlike some rice cookers that use a very thin steel pot, the Hoper Layer pot is thick, heavy, and sturdy.

A significant advantage is that the inner pot is durable enough to be placed directly on a gas or electric cooktop.

The main challenge with a stainless steel pot, however, is preventing rice from sticking. This is where the cooker's most unique feature comes into play.

The 'Anti-Stick System'

Rice sticking is a common issue with stainless steel cookers. Hoper Layer addresses this with a built-in fan system. After cooking, the fan cools the pot to create moisture between the pot wall and the rice, which helps prevent sticking.

In my opinion, this fan system is a more practical solution than the common advice for other stainless steel cookers (like those from Buffalo) which requires users to let the rice sit for ten minutes after cooking.

Potential Downsides: Material Choices

The primary downsides of this cooker relate to a single issue: the materials used for some components. Consumers who specifically seek out a stainless steel appliance are often sensitive about all the materials that come into contact with their food. While the main inner pot is solid stainless steel, two parts may be a concern for these users.

The Inner Lid: The first concern is the inner lid, which is made of anodised aluminium. While this is a durable and food-safe material, it isn't steel, which can be a drawback for the purist. However, it is worth making a comparison. The 5-cup Buffalo rice cooker has a stainless steel lid, but its steam valve—which comes into direct contact with steam during cooking—is made of plastic.

In that context, one could argue that the anodised aluminium in the Hoper Layer is a more reliable material than the plastic food-contact parts on a competitor's model.

The Steamer Basket: The second point of criticism is the included plastic steamer basket. For those who want to avoid plastic accessories, I recommend purchasing a separate stainless steel steamer rack.

However, if you only plan to use the cooker for making rice and have no need for the steamer, then this accessory is not an issue.

The Verdict

A primary advantage of the Hoper Layer rice cooker is its heavy-duty stainless steel construction. Its interface is straightforward and it is simple to operate. These qualities make it suitable for users who prioritise a durable, non-coated cooking surface.

In terms of performance, the cooker delivers consistent results across its main functions. However, as the brand is still new to the Australian market, the limited long-term user feedback is a minor drawback.

So far, the manufacturer’s warranty response has not been as prompt as Buffalo — another stainless steel rice cooker provider. For these reasons, this review gives the model a rating of three out of five stars.three out of five stars.

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