CUCKOO CR-0655F Review: Best Budget CUCKOO Rice Cooker?

I have seen that the CUCKOO CR-0655F rice cooker earns high praise as one of the best budget options, offering convenient cooking features at an affordable price. This 6-cup capacity cooker uses a microcomputer to control preset functions that customize cooking times for rice and other dishes. For the most part, users love the size and stylish look of the CUCKOO CR-0655F model. However, some feel the cooking times can be too slow, and that the display can be hard to read.

What is the rice cooking capacity of the CUCKOO CR-0655F?

The CUCKOO CR-0655F rice cooker has a 6-cup uncooked or 12-cup cooked rice capacity. Like most electric rice cookers, it comes with a 180ml measuring cup, which is smaller than a standard US cup. It’s important to note this smaller cup size when measuring rice. Despite the smaller cup, the CR-0655F provides adequate serving sizes for small groups or small to medium families. Just be aware that the included measuring cup differs from a standard US cup.

What type of pot does the CUCKOO CR-0655F have?

The CUCKOO CR-0655F does not have a stainless steel cooking pot. Rather, it features a nonstick-coated inner pot, which is typical of fuzzy logic rice cookers. The nonstick coating helps make cleaning easy after each use. Stainless steel pots seem to be limited to certain rice cookers with glass lids, such as Aroma’s Select Stainless models.

What menu options does the CUCKOO CR-0655F have?

The CUCKOO CR-0655F model is supposed to have eleven menu options, so let me see if I can find and list them all.

  • Glutinous
  • Turbo
  • Mixed
  • Brown GABA
  • Porridge
  • Steam
  • Baby Food
  • Multi Cook
  • Auto Clean
  • Warm
  • Reheat

So, the functions listed above must be the eleven menu options that is mentioned in the product description. Although, I would not personally include the warm and reheat functions as menu options.

Which setting do you use for cooking white rice?

The Glutinous setting is designed for cooking short grain white rice in the CUCKOO CR-0655F rice cooker. For jasmine rice, use the Glutinous setting and fill to the water line marked for white rice. This 6-cup model is ideal for rice lovers, as it cooks white rice perfectly when you follow the recommended rice-to-water ratio. Regular white rice cooks in the expected 35-50 minutes on the Glutinous setting, while the Turbo mode reduces cooking time to 30-45 minutes. Most reviewers love how it reliably cooks delicious white rice fast.

How do you select the quick-cooking Turbo function?

To use the Turbo quick-cooking function, first select Glutinous from the menu, then press the Cook/Turbo button twice. This activates the Turbo mode, reducing the cooking time for white rice to about 35 minutes. For best results, soak the rice in water for 20 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor. The Turbo function streamlines cooking glutinous rice, cutting the overall cooking time by a few minutes while still delivering delicious results.

Which setting is used for cooking brown rice?

The CUCKOO CR-0655F fuzzy logic rice cooker has a Brown GABA menu option specifically for cooking brown rice. Navigate to this setting by repeatedly pressing the menu button until you reach the Brown GABA option. Using this preset program avoids any complexity or confusion in preparing brown rice.

This compact model is popular for frequently cooking brown rice. Though some find the directions complicated at first, many are impressed by the moist, perfectly cooked brown rice it produces every time. Satisfied owners use it to cook brown rice almost daily in 60 to 90 minutes. While some complain it is slow, most agree it cooks brown rice well.

What are the approximate cooking times of the CUCKOO CR-0655F?

I will now try to list the cooking times for the different menu options. I will exclude the Steam, Baby Food and Multi Cook functions, which has customizable cooking times, for which you can change the desired cooking time with the Hrs and Min/My Mode buttons. Keep in mind that the microcomputer will adjust the cooking times automatically, so I can only provide an approximate cooking time for each setting.

  • Glutinous (for cooking white rice): 35 to 50 minutes
  • Glutinous with Turbo function: 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Mixed/Brown (for cooking either long grain rice or brown rice): 55 to 70 minutes.
  • Brown GABA (for cooking germinated brown rice): 80 to 90 minutes.
  • Porridge (not used for oatmeal, but rather for cooking rice porridge): 90 minutes.
  • Auto Clean (for steam cleaning the rice cooker): 25 minutes.

How do you cook rice with the CUCKOO CR-0655F?

First, press the Menu button and select a cooking option like Glutinous, GABA, Mixed/Brown, Porridge, Steam, or Multi Cook. Then, press the Cook/Turbo button to begin cooking. Avoid pressing Cancel mid-cook, as this will stop the process prematurely.

The display only shows the estimated time left in the final 10 minutes. The total cook time isn’t shown since the microcomputer makes small timing adjustments during cooking. The remaining time varies by menu option.

When cooking finishes, indicated by a beep, the Keep Warm function activates. After cooking rice, remember to stir the cooked rice immediately to prevent discoloration or odors.

It seems like the CUCKOO CR-0655F can at least cook white rice (using the Glutinous menu option).

Where is the steamer basket for steaming food?

So, the CUCKOO CR-0655F has a menu option called Steam, but it seems like the steam plate is not included when you purchase the rice cooker. In fact, the manual says that the steam plate is not included, and must be purchased seperately. The only accessories that are included with the CUCKOO CR-0655F rice cooker are the manual, rice scoop, and rice measuring cup.

I am disappointed that a steaming basket is not included with the other accessories. In my simple opinion, if the CUCKOO CR-0655F rice cooker has a menu option for steaming food, then a steamer basket should be included when you purchase the rice cooker.

How do you set the current time on the CUCKOO CR-0655F?

It seems to me that you can set the current time displayed by the CR-0655F rice cooker by pressing and holding the Hrs and Min/My Mode buttons for longer than one second. From what I can gather, each time you press the Hrs button, the time should increase by 1 hour. In contrast, each time you press the Min/My Mode button, the time should increase by one minute at a time. Once the time is set, the set time should be displayed after a few seconds with an audible beep.

To be honest, the instructions in the CUCKOO CR-0655F manual seem to have been directly translated out of Korean without taking into account proper grammar, which makes it somewhat frustrating to figure out. Thus, it is no wonder that some users complain that the instructions for the CR-0655F rice cooker is difficult to follow.

CUCKOO CR-0655F vs. CR-0351F

Cuckoo CR-0351F
The CUCKOO CR-0351F is a 3-cup rice cooker.

The key difference is that the CUCKOO CR-0351F only has a 3-cup uncooked, or 6-cup cooked, rice capacity (1.5 quarts). Not only is the CR-0351F model smaller than the CR-0655F, but it also has fewer menu options. The CUCKOO CR-0351F model only has 6 menu options, which are Glutinous, Turbo, Steam, Mixed/Brown, Porridge, and Reheat.

Similar to the CR-0655F model, it has a steam function, but a steaming plate is not included with the rice cooker. In addition, this 3-cup model does not seem to have an auto clean function. If you are interested in this 3-cup model, then you can get pricing and more details for the CUCKOO CR-0351F on Amazon (paid link).

CUCKOO CR-0655F vs. CR-0632F

CUCKOO CR-0632F White Grey
The CUCKOO CR-0632F has a white and gray color scheme.

The CUCKOO CR-0632F rice cooker has a 6-cup uncooked capacity (3 quarts) and can make white rice, GABA rice, multigrain rice, brown rice, porridge, and more using its multi-cook function. It offers preset programs for cooking grains like quinoa and oatmeal. The specific menu options are White, Quick, GABA, Multigrain, Brown, Porridge, Multi Cooker, Slow Cook, Warm, and Reheat. The My Mode feature allows you to customize rice texture and flavor.

This model has a non-stick inner pot for easy cleanup and an automatic keep warm function to hold rice for up to 48 hours. The detachable inner lid distributes moisture evenly for consistent results. Fuzzy logic technology cooks rice faster and adjusts time and temperature for perfect rice. It also has a water drainage system in the back.

Unlike the CUCKOO CR-0655F model, the CR-0632F displays text in English only, without any Korean letters underneath the buttons. The white and gray color scheme is attractive, though some may prefer the similar CUCKOO CR-0631F model which has a white and pink design but identical features. You may find more information about the CUCKOO CR-0632F on Amazon (paid link).

CUCKOO CR-0655F vs. CR-0675F

CUCKOO CR-0675F White 6-Cup Uncooked
The CUCKOO CR-0675F is a newer model.

The CUCKOO CR-0675F is a popular 6-cup fuzzy logic rice cooker. This versatile appliance makes preparing delicious meals easy. It can cook a variety of rice dishes, savory stews, and more with its range of menu options. The rice cooker has three rice cooking settings for sticky, soft, and savory rice.

Several features help keep the cooker clean and meals tasting fresh, including a detachable lid, nonstick inner pot, excess water drainage system, and automatic steam cleaning program. With a generous 6-cup uncooked rice capacity, you can cook larger portions at once. The Quick Cook mode reduces cooking times for faster meals.

The nonstick pot simplifies cleanup. The detachable lid also aids cleaning. The drainage system and steam clean program help prevent odors and bacteria buildup.

Overall, the CR-0675F seems to be a newer model than the CR-0655F and costs more, though it’s unclear which model is better. Neither includes a steam plate basket. Click here to view the CUCKOO CR-0675F on Amazon (paid link).

What are the pros and cons of the CUCKOO CR-0655F?

The CUCKOO CR-0655F is a fuzzy logic rice cooker with a nonstick inner pot that is easy to clean. While it may take longer to cook rice compared to conventional rice cookers, it offers multiple cooking functions and has a cute design.

Users praise this rice cooker for its ability to make perfect rice every time, though some find the instructions confusing and the display difficult to read. The rice cooker is easy to clean but requires caution to avoid damaging the thin interior nonstick coating of the cooking pot. On balance, users recommend the CUCKOO CR-0655F for its performance and versatility, especially for small families or those starting out on their own.

The CUCKOO CR-0655F rice cooker is a budget-friendly option made in China, unlike the Korean-made versions. The rice cooker does its job of cooking rice well, including GABA rice, but it only keeps rice fresh for a day compared to the Korean models that keep it fresh for multiple days.

Some users find the rice cooker bulky, slow, and complicated to use, with hard-to-read buttons and spewing water during cooking. The cooking pot’s interior coating may peel off after a few uses, and replacement pots are difficult to find.

Overall, the CUCKOO CR-0655F may not live up to the expectations of users accustomed to the Korean-made CUCKOO rice cookers, leading some to consider it a backup option or to look for models made in South Korea instead.

CUCKOO CR-0655F: My Verdict

I think that the reason why the CUCKOO CR-0655F microcomputer fuzzy logic rice cooker is so cheap is that it is made in China instead of in Korea (check price on Amazon – paid link).

In contrast with the CR-0655F which has the words “Korea No. 1” printed on its control panel, the CR-0632F (and CR-0631F) specifically has the words “Made In Korea” printed on its control panel. Of course, many rice cookers are made in China, so that is not the issue. The main concern is that the overall quality of this model might not be the same as the other more expensive CUCKOO rice cookers that are actually made in South Korea.

Anyway, while the CUCKOO CR-0655F cooks a great bowl of rice, the instructions in the manual might not always be properly translated, and somewhat confusing to understand in certain places. Also, the display can be difficult to read, especially if your eyesight is not that good anymore.

At the end of the day, the CUCKOO CR-0655F is definitely a low-budget fuzzy logic rice cooker that might appeal to people looking for a cheap CUCKOO microcomputer rice cooker. I mean, it is a decent rice cooker for the price, but I think that I would rather consider buying the CUCKOO CR-0632F model, which seems to have similar specifications and menu options, but might be a better model overall (buy it on Amazon – paid link).

To conclude, I do not think that the CUCKOO CR-0655F is the best budget CUCKOO fuzzy logic rice cooker, although that might just be my pessimistic opinion. Some people who like the CUCKOO CR-0655F might disagree with my overall verdict.