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COOK WITH COLOR Rice Cooker Review

By Nolan Crest Jul 20, 2026 ⏱ 12 min read Updated: Aug 18, 2026
rice cooker product review

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By Editorial Team · Reviewed for accuracy · Last updated August 2026

A low-starch rice cooker only makes sense if its extra cooking steps solve a problem you actually care about. The COOK WITH COLOR Glass Mini Low Carb Rice Cooker, model WGRC1 GRN, uses an automatic lifting basket to move rice out of the cooking water before the final steaming stage. Its transparent 3-liter vessel and adjustable hotpot controls make it more versatile than a basic mini rice cooker, but the low-starch program is limited to 2 cups of uncooked rice. This review helps you decide whether that small-batch capacity, extra versatility, and hand-wash care fit the way you cook.

Quick Verdict

Rating: 8.0/10, Recommended with caveats

Best For: Couples, small households, meal preppers, and buyers who specifically want an automatic starch-draining rice cooker.

Bottom Line: The auto-lifting basket, clear glass vessel, and adjustable 100W to 700W hotpot mode give you more flexibility than a basic mini rice cooker. The main tradeoff is capacity, because the low-starch rice cycle is designed for no more than 2 cups of uncooked rice.

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Key Specifications

Specification Detail
Brand COOK WITH COLOR
Model WGRC1 GRN
ASIN B0DJRRWV1X
Product type Glass low-starch rice cooker, steamer, and adjustable hotpot
Design Transparent glass vessel with automatic lifting stainless steel basket
Color reviewed Dark Sage
Vessel capacity 3 liters
Rice capacity Up to 2 cups uncooked, advertised to make up to 6 cups cooked
Dimensions 11"D x 10.5"W x 9.5"H
Weight About 6.6 lb
Power 700W maximum
Voltage 110V
Hotpot adjustment 100W to 700W in 100W increments
Main cooking materials Borosilicate glass, 304 stainless steel, and heat-resistant plastic components
Low-starch cycle Approximately 15 minutes boiling followed by 15 minutes steaming
Convenience functions Delay timer and keep-warm function
Included components Spatula, measuring cup, steamer basket, glass lid, and power cord
Best use Small rice batches, steaming, braising, stewing, and hotpot-style cooking
Care Hand wash

Key Takeaways

  • The automatic stainless steel basket lifts rice away from the starchy cooking water before the steaming stage.
  • The low-starch cycle uses roughly 15 minutes of boiling followed by about 15 minutes of steaming.
  • You should not exceed 2 cups of uncooked rice during the low-starch cycle.
  • The 100W to 700W adjustable hotpot setting adds flexibility for steaming, braising, stewing, and hotpot-style meals.
  • The transparent borosilicate glass vessel lets you watch cooking without repeatedly removing the lid.
  • Hand washing is specified, so this is not the best choice if dishwasher cleanup is a priority.

What Is the COOK WITH COLOR Glass Mini Low Carb Rice Cooker?

The COOK WITH COLOR WGRC1 GRN is a compact electric cooker built around a 3-liter transparent vessel and an automatic lifting filter basket. In the low-starch program, the rice boils first, then the basket raises the grains above the cooking water so they finish with steam.

The cooker is designed for up to 2 cups of uncooked rice, which the product information describes as producing as much as 6 cups cooked. Beyond rice, the adjustable heating system supports steaming, braising, stewing, and hotpot-style cooking. That makes it useful when you want one small countertop appliance to handle more than a basic rice cycle.

Who Should Buy It?

Best For

  • Couples and smaller households that normally cook 1 to 2 cups of dry rice.
  • Buyers who specifically want rice separated from its starchy cooking water before steaming.
  • Small kitchens where one appliance for rice, steaming, stewing, and hotpot-style cooking is useful.

Skip If

  • You regularly cook more than 2 cups of uncooked rice at one time.
  • You want a simple conventional rice cooker with fewer parts and less hands-on cleaning.
  • You need dishwasher-safe components or confirmed compatibility with a different electrical voltage.

How Does the Starch-Draining Process Work?

The main feature is a two-stage cooking cycle. Rice first boils in water for about 15 minutes. During this stage, some starch moves from the rice into the cooking water.

The stainless steel basket then lifts the rice out of that water automatically. The grains finish with roughly another 15 minutes of steaming, so they are no longer sitting in the same starchy liquid.

This is a real design difference from a conventional absorption-style rice cooker, but you should treat it as a cooking method rather than a medical treatment. The manufacturer markets the process for lower-starch or lower-carb rice, while the nutritional result can still vary with rice type, portion size, preparation, and the rest of your meal.

Before You Buy: The low-starch program is not designed for more than 2 cups of uncooked rice. The 3-liter vessel sounds roomy, but it should not be mistaken for a large rice-batch capacity.

Design and Build Quality

The transparent cooking vessel is one of the most distinctive parts of this model. COOK WITH COLOR identifies borosilicate glass, 304 stainless steel, and heat-resistant plastic components, while the product details also list ABS and a glass lid.

The clear vessel lets you see boiling, steaming, and hotpot cooking without repeatedly opening the cooker. That is especially useful with a two-stage rice cycle because you can watch the process while the appliance changes from boiling to steaming.

At 11 inches deep, 10.5 inches wide, and 9.5 inches high, the cooker has a compact footprint. Its weight of about 6.6 pounds also makes it practical to move into a cabinet if you do not want to leave it on the counter.

Controls and Cooking Methods

The digital controls include dedicated rice functions plus a delay timer and keep-warm function. The adjustable hotpot setting runs from 100W to 700W in 100W steps, which gives you more control than a cooker with only fixed low and high heat.

That variable power is most useful when you move beyond rice. Lower settings suit gentler heating, while higher settings provide more power for boiling and hotpot-style cooking. The listed cooking methods also include steaming, braising, and stewing.

The tradeoff is simplicity. This model does not aim to match a feature-heavy induction rice cooker with a long list of grain-specific presets. It makes more sense if you value visible cooking, the lifting-basket system, and flexible manual heat over a large preset menu.

How It Performs in Real Use

For Small Daily Rice Batches

The 2-cup uncooked limit fits one- or two-meal batches better than large family cooking. The automatic basket is the key convenience because you do not need to stop the cycle and manually drain the rice between boiling and steaming.

For Meal Prep

A full low-starch batch is advertised to make up to 6 cups cooked, which can cover several modest portions. If your normal meal prep requires more rice than that, a larger-capacity cooker will reduce the need to run repeated cycles.

For Steaming and Hotpot Cooking

The 100W to 700W heat adjustment gives the appliance a useful second role after rice. You can use the same cooker for steaming, braising, stewing, or hotpot-style meals instead of storing a separate small hotpot.

For Small Kitchens

The roughly 11 by 10.5-inch footprint suits kitchens where counter and cabinet space are limited. It can also be practical in other small cooking spaces where countertop appliances are permitted and the electrical supply matches the cooker.

Setup Tips for Better Results

  • Stay within the rice limit: Do not load more than 2 cups of uncooked rice for the low-starch program.
  • Use the supplied measuring cup: Follow the product instructions for rice and water ratios rather than assuming the included cup matches a standard U.S. measuring cup.
  • Check basket placement: Make sure the lifting basket is seated correctly before starting the cycle.
  • Leave safe steam clearance: Keep the cooker on a stable, heat-resistant surface with room for steam to escape.
  • Match the outlet: This model is listed for 110V operation. Do not assume it is compatible with a different electrical system.
  • Follow the hand-wash care instruction: Do not assume the glass vessel, basket, or other removable parts are dishwasher safe.

Pro Tip: If your household often needs more than 2 cups of uncooked rice, choose a larger cooker instead of planning to overfill this one. Staying within the intended batch size helps the lifting and draining system work as designed.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Hand washing is the main cleanup limitation. Because the cooker uses a glass vessel, stainless steel basket, lid, and lifting parts, you have more pieces to clean than with a very basic one-pot rice cooker.

Let hot components cool before washing, and follow the supplied care instructions for each removable part. Keep the powered base and electrical connection away from water, and make sure food residue is removed from the removable basket and vessel before the next cycle.

If dishwasher cleanup is one of your main buying priorities, this model is a weaker fit. The visible glass construction is useful during cooking, but the listed hand-wash care means convenience comes more from the automatic cooking process than from cleanup.

Food Safety and Materials

Because the appliance directly contacts food, the listed materials matter. The product information identifies borosilicate glass, 304 stainless steel, and heat-resistant plastic components, and the product details also list ABS and a glass lid.

Use normal caution around hot glass, boiling liquid, steam, and the lifting mechanism. Let hot parts cool before cleaning, keep the electrical base dry, and stop using the cooker if the glass, power cord, lifting mechanism, or another structural part becomes damaged.

If you are using lower-starch rice as part of a medically directed diet or for blood-glucose management, base dietary decisions on guidance from a qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on the appliance alone.

What Are Buyers Saying?

Buyer feedback highlights the same strengths that stand out in the design. Positive comments commonly focus on rice texture, the convenience of the lifting basket, the visible glass vessel, and cleanup that feels manageable when the parts are washed soon after use.

The main concerns are also practical. Some buyers want a larger rice capacity, while others have raised questions about long-term durability or obtaining support if a problem develops. Those reports do not predict what every unit will do, but they matter more if easy access to replacement parts or service is a high priority for you.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Automatic basket separates rice from starchy cooking water without manual draining.
  • Transparent borosilicate glass lets you monitor food while it cooks.
  • Adjustable 100W to 700W hotpot power adds useful cooking flexibility.
  • Delay timer and keep-warm functions improve everyday convenience.
  • Compact dimensions work well for smaller kitchens and modest rice batches.

Cons

  • The low-starch rice cycle is limited to 2 cups of uncooked rice.
  • Hand washing takes more effort than dishwasher-safe removable components.
  • Some buyer reports raise concerns about long-term durability and access to product support.
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Is It Worth the Price?

This is a specialty-feature rice cooker rather than a bare-bones model. Its value comes from the automatic starch-draining system, transparent glass vessel, and adjustable hotpot function, so paying more than you would for a basic mini cooker only makes sense if you expect to use those features.

It is worth considering for a small household that wants the lifting-basket design and prefers one appliance for several countertop cooking jobs. It is less compelling if your priorities are large capacity, many rice-specific presets, dishwasher cleanup, or the fewest possible moving parts.

How It Compares to Alternatives

The Aroma ARC-1120SBL SmartCarb is a much larger rice multicooker that also uses a carb-reducing pot, so it is a more natural comparison if batch capacity matters most. The Toshiba RC-10IRVCA is another larger low-carb rice option and uses induction heating with multiple preset cooking programs.

The COOK WITH COLOR model makes more sense when you prefer a compact format, transparent glass cooking, an automatically lifting basket, and adjustable hotpot power. Buyers focused mainly on larger batches or more advanced rice programming may prefer one of the bigger alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much uncooked rice can the COOK WITH COLOR cooker handle?

The low-starch program is designed for no more than 2 cups of uncooked rice. The product is advertised to make up to about 6 cups cooked, so follow the supplied measuring and water instructions instead of overfilling the basket.

How does the automatic lifting basket reduce starch?

The rice boils first, allowing some starch to move into the cooking water. The stainless steel basket then lifts the rice out of that water so the grains finish with steam rather than continuing to sit in the same liquid.

How long does the low-starch rice cycle take?

The listed two-stage process uses about 15 minutes of boiling followed by roughly 15 minutes of steaming. Total time can vary slightly with setup and the appliance cycle, so use the supplied instructions as your operating guide.

Can it cook foods other than rice?

Yes. The cooker supports rice and grains as well as steaming, braising, stewing, and hotpot-style cooking. The 100W to 700W adjustable heat gives you more control for those non-rice uses.

Is the COOK WITH COLOR rice cooker dishwasher safe?

The product care instruction is Hand Wash. Follow the supplied care directions rather than assuming the glass vessel, basket, lid, or other removable parts can go in a dishwasher.

What comes in the box?

The listed components include a spatula, measuring cup, steamer basket, glass lid, and power cord. Check the package after delivery so you can address any missing component promptly.

Can I use this rice cooker outside the United States?

The Dark Sage WGRC1 GRN is listed for 110V operation. If your local electrical supply differs, confirm compatibility before connecting the appliance rather than assuming a plug adapter alone is enough.

Who should skip this rice cooker?

Skip it if you routinely need more than 2 cups of uncooked rice per batch, want dishwasher cleanup, or prefer a cooker with many specialized rice presets. A larger household may get better value from a higher-capacity model.

The Bottom Line

The COOK WITH COLOR Glass Mini Low Carb Rice Cooker is a strong fit when you want small-batch rice, automatic separation from starchy cooking water, transparent glass construction, and flexible hotpot controls in one compact appliance. Its 2-cup uncooked-rice limit and hand-wash care are the main reasons larger households or convenience-first buyers may want another model. For the right small household, the WGRC1 GRN earns its 8.0/10 recommended-with-caveats verdict.

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Nolan Crest
Nolan Crest is the founder and lead editor of Nordic Design Blog, a home design publication focused on Scandinavian-inspired interiors, minimalist living, and practical product recommendations for modern homes. With a strong interest in clean design, functional spaces, and calm everyday living, Nolan writes guides that help readers create homes that feel simple, useful, and beautiful. His work covers living room design, space planning, furniture arrangement, home styling, cleaning tools, and product roundups for homeowners who want a more organized and comfortable home. Nolan believes good design should not feel complicated. His writing style is practical, clear, and reader-friendly, making interior design ideas easier to understand and apply. At Nordic Design Blog, Nolan also reviews home products that support clean, functional, and low-maintenance living. His product guides focus on useful features, real-world benefits, pros and cons, and design fit, especially for readers who prefer simple and modern home solutions. Through Nordic Design Blog, Nolan Crest aims to make Scandinavian-inspired living more approachable for everyday homeowners, renters, and design lovers. His goal is to help readers choose better products, improve their rooms with confidence, and build a home that feels calm, balanced, and easy to live in.

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