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Kitchen

Rice Cooker Running Costs in Australia and Keep-Warm Costs

A rice cooker costs very little per cook. Here is what it uses on 2026-27 electricity prices and how keep-warm adds to the total.

Checked against regulator sources, October 2026

Typical draw
600 W
Standard rice cooker
Usage assumed
47 kWh
a year
NSW cost
$16
a year, Ausgrid
Cost an hour
20c
NSW reference rate
watts
hrs
days

Use decimals for short times. 15 minutes is 0.25 hours.

State or territory

Rice cooker: cost a year

$16

19.9c an hour4.3c a day29.8c a week$1.30 a month
Energy usedper year47 kWh
Electricity priceAusgrid, flat rate33.14c
Share of a typical homeagainst 4,000 kWh a year1%
Cost a year, GST included$15.55

Appliances on a thermostat cycle on and off, so real use is often lower than the full power draw.

Prices are 2026-27 regulated rates including GST. Market offers can be cheaper. Estimates only.

What a rice cooker costs to run in each state

The table assumes a 600 W rice cooker running for 30 minutes, three times a week.

Rice cooker: standard rice cooker, 600 w, 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week
StateRateA monthA year
TasmaniaAurora Energy24.75c$0.97$12
QueenslandEnergex27.97c$1.09$13
Victoriaaverage of five networks28.2c$1.10$13
Northern TerritoryJacana Energy31.68c$1.24$15
New South WalesAusgrid33.14c$1.30$16
Western AustraliaSynergy33.26c$1.30$16
Australian Capital TerritoryEvoenergy network36.95c$1.45$17
South AustraliaSA Power Networks41.91c$1.64$20
Flat regulated usage rate for each state's main network in 2026-27, including GST. Victoria uses the average of its five networks.

Running costs by cooker size

Running costs by type, 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week
TypePowerCost an hourA year
Small rice cooker, 350 W350 W12c$9
Standard rice cooker, 600 W600 W20c$16
Large rice cooker, 900 W900 W30c$23
Priced at the Ausgrid reference rate of 33.14c/kWh. Use the calculator for your own state and hours.

Induction and multi-function rice cookers often have higher ratings than basic models but cook more evenly. The rating on the base is the most it will draw.

The keep-warm setting

Keep-warm draws much less than cooking, but it runs for as long as you leave it. A few hours a day adds up over a year. If the rice will not be eaten soon, turn the cooker off, cool the rice quickly and refrigerate it instead.

  1. Cook what you need

    A full bowl takes longer than a half bowl.

  2. Turn off keep-warm

    Switch off once the rice is served.

  3. Unplug when not in use

    Many models have a display or light that draws standby power.

Rice cooker or the stove?

A rice cooker is sealed and switches itself down when the water is absorbed, so it usually uses less energy than a pot on a cooktop. See our cheapest way to cook guide.

Questions about rice cooker running costs

About 10c for a 30-minute cook in a 600 W rice cooker on the Ausgrid reference rate.

Each hour costs little because keep-warm draws much less than cooking, but leaving it on all day adds up. Turn it off once the rice is served.

Most draw between about 350 W and 900 W while cooking, depending on size and type. The rating is on the base.

Sources

Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.