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A Persian rice cooker is a must for perfect Persian rice every time.

A Persian Rice Cooker (Polo Paz) is a secret weapon to good tahdig. Be sure that when you purchase your rice cooker that you buy the Persian style rice cooker. Currently there are 2 types of electric rice cookers on the market. The Asian style rice cooker that steams the rice but doesn’t produce that amazing rice crust for which Persian rice is renowned, and the Persian rice cooker. 

An automatic Persian rice cooker can be used for all kinds of Persian cuisine and rice dishes from Polo rice to steamed rice and Tahcheen. The non-stick pan and the controlled heating through the timer results in perfect rice and tahdig every time. Great for both plain steamed rice with a rich tahdig, and any layered rice dish such as Baghali Polo and Sabzi Polo. Our easy Adas Polo, where we use the lamb stock to cook the rice, also forms amazing tahdig with a set and forget feature. Just perfect every time.

Best rice for Persian Rice Cookers

It is important that you use a good long grain rice for your Persian Polo rice dishes. Basmati rice is fairly easy to find now in the west, and more and more middle Eastern grocers are stocking the good quality long grain Persian rice. When you prepare Persian rice it is also important that you wash it well to make sure you remove all the excess starch.

Features of the Iranian Rice Cooker

The authentic polo paz has a non-stick pan so when you turn out the rice it comes out perfectly every time. The design of the rice cooker allows that high heat towards the end of the cooking to create the crunchy tahdig, but you have to remember to place the tea-towel under the lid. This absorbs the excess steam to ensure that the tahdig doesn’t go soggy. Also remember the rice steaming pot will be very hot when the rice is cooked, so be sure to use oven mitts when turning over the rice.

The electric rice cooker is a must in a busy Persian family, where rice would be served at least 4 – 5 times a week. For our family of 5 we have 2 rice cookers, a 15 cup and a 7 cup. We use the smaller one when it is just our family and the larger one when we have guests, and when we have a lot of guests we will often us both. We use the Pars rice cooker as available from Amazon with the links below.  We have been using the smaller one for more than 20 years and still running perfectly.

Buy a Persian Rice Cooker

Some Recipes using the Persian Rice Cooker

I love Persian cooking and it is amazing how man different versions of Polo rice there are. Below are some of my favorite Persian rice recipes using the Polo Paz.

Good quality saucepans are a must for Persian Cooking, as an even transfer of heat will result in even cooking.

A large saucepan is required for the cooking of rice as the rice will double in size in the cooking process and the rice grains need to freely move in the water when being boiled for the steamed or Polo rice.

A colander is needed for straining the rice once it has been par boiled ready to put back into the saucepan for the steaming process. Too big holes will result in the rice falling into the sink. The water must run freely around the cooked rice grains while rinsing.

A round serving dish is essential for serving a good rice. The dish must be about 4 – 6 cm in diameter larger than the container in which the rice is cooked. This will ensure that as the rice is served and the sides of the rice dish collapse it stays on the dish.

Traditionally the serving plate is placed on top of the container where the rice is cooked (either a saucepan or a rice-cooker) and then it is inverted upside down displaying the beautiful crispy tah-deeg.

I have 2 different sized dishes depending on which rice cooker I use.