Instant Pot Zest Rice Cooker Review: A Versatile Giant

Overview and Features

The Instant Pot Zest is more than just a rice cooker. It’s designed to be a versatile kitchen assistant, handling everything from standard white rice to tricky grains like quinoa and oatmeal. With a massive 20-cup cooked rice capacity (10 cups raw), it laughs at standard 5-cup cookers.

Key features include:

• Multi-grain presets: White rice, brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and more
• Delay Start: Up to 24 hours in advance
• Auto Keep Warm: Maintains serving temperature after cooking
• Ceramic-coated inner pot: More durable and scratch-resistant than thin non-stick

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Versatility Check

We tested the Zest with more than just plain white rice:

Grain/Food	Water Ratio	Cook Time	Result
White rice (4 cups)	Standard	~25 min	Fluffy, consistent ⭐⭐
White rice (10 cups)	Standard	~45 min	Good but slightly denser at bottom
Quinoa	1:1.25	~20 min	Perfectly cooked, not mushy
Steel-cut oatmeal	1:3	~30 min	Creamy, no burning
Brown rice	1:2	~55 min	Edible but uneven — some grains firm

The oatmeal performance is a pleasant surprise. Setting it up the night before with the delay timer means hot, creamy oatmeal waiting when you wake up — a game-changer for families with morning routines.

Cooking at Max Capacity

When we pushed the Zest to its full 10-cup (uncooked) capacity, the results were mixed. The bottom 2 inches of rice tends to compress slightly under the weight of the rice above, resulting in a denser texture compared to the top layer. This is a physics problem, not a design flaw — every plate-based cooker has this issue at full volume. The solution: cook 6-8 cups for the best consistency, and reserve the full 10 cups for dishes where texture precision doesn’t matter (fried rice, rice bowls with heavy sauce).

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The Ceramic Pot: Handle With Care

⚠️ Important: The inner pot is ceramic-coated. Use wood or silicone utensils ONLY! Metal spoons will scratch the coating faster than a cat on a sofa. Treat it nice, and it’ll treat your rice nice.

The ceramic coating is actually a step up from the thin non-stick found in cheaper cookers — it’s harder, more scratch-resistant, and PTFE-free. But it does require mindfulness about utensil choice.

Replacement inner pots are available directly from Instant Pot for ~$20, which is reasonable insurance.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The ceramic pot cleans up easily with warm water and a soft sponge — food rarely sticks if you let the rice rest for 10 minutes after cooking. For stubborn residue, soak the pot in warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda for 20 minutes. Never use steel wool or abrasive cleaners on the ceramic surface.

The lid is removable for cleaning, which is a welcome design choice. The steam vent should be rinsed after each use to prevent starch buildup that can affect the seal. Every 2-3 months, wipe down the heating plate with a damp cloth to remove any residue that could cause uneven heating or burning smells.

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The Delay Start Feature

The 24-hour delay start is one of the Zest’s best features and deserves special attention. Here’s how to use it effectively:

1. Add rice and water as normal
2. Press the delay button and set your desired start time
3. The cooker will begin cooking at the specified time and switch to Keep Warm when done

Safety considerations: Never delay-start with raw meat, dairy, or eggs in the cooker — bacteria can grow at room temperature. Rice and water are safe for up to 12 hours at room temperature. For overnight oatmeal, add the oats dry and set the delay timer for 30 minutes before your alarm goes off.

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Instant Pot Zest vs. Hamilton Beach 37518

Both target the “large capacity budget” market:

Feature	Instant Pot Zest	Hamilton Beach 37518
Price	~$50	~$50
Capacity	20 cups	20 cups
Inner pot	Ceramic-coated	Non-stick aluminum
Grain presets	5+ presets	3 basic modes
Steamer	Steam rack included	Full steamer basket
Delay start	Up to 24 hours	Up to 15 hours
Unique feature	Oatmeal/quinoa modes	Heat/Simmer for soups

The verdict: If you cook a variety of grains (quinoa, oatmeal, mixed), the Instant Pot Zest is more versatile. If you want steaming capability for complete meals, the Hamilton Beach 37518 has the better basket.

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Noise and Build Quality

The Zest is relatively quiet during operation — no louder than a standard electric kettle. The “click” when switching from Cook to Keep Warm is audible but not disruptive. Build quality is solid for the price: the body is sturdy plastic with no flex, and the lid hinge feels secure. The control panel is responsive and intuitive with clear labeling for each preset.

One minor complaint: the cord is permanently attached (not detachable), which makes storage slightly awkward given the cooker’s large footprint.

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Who Is This For?

• Large families (5+ people) who need volume
• Meal preppers who cook a week’s worth of rice on Sunday
• Health-conscious eaters who want quinoa, oatmeal, and mixed grain presets
• Busy parents who set the delay timer at bedtime for hot breakfast

Who should skip it: Texture purists. If you can taste the difference between “good rice” and “Zojirushi rice,” this won’t satisfy you. It’s a volume machine, not a precision instrument.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem	Cause	Fix
Rice is mushy	Too much water	Reduce by 2 tbsp per cup
Bottom layer is crunchy	Normal for plate heating at high volume	Rest 10 min on Keep Warm, or reduce quantity
Steam vent spitting starch	Rice not rinsed	Rinse 3-4 times until water is mostly clear
Delay timer not working	Power was interrupted	Ensure cooker stays plugged in during delay period
”E1” or “E2” error code	Sensor issue	Unplug for 5 min, clean the heating plate, retry

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Final Thoughts

The Instant Pot Zest Rice Cooker sits in a sweet spot. It’s smarter than a one-button cook/warm pot but simpler (and cheaper) than a high-end induction cooker. If you need volume and versatility without breaking the bank, this is a solid winner.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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• 📖 Rice Cooker 101 →
• 🥄 Rice Cooker Oatmeal →
• 📊 Water Ratio Guide →
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