Rice is one of the most consumed foods in the world. There are different rice dishes which you can eat every day without getting tired. Rice cookers have become more prevalent in recent times; this is because of the advanced technology that ensures everyone makes rice the right way with the perfect texture and flavor.
If your family loves to eat rice regularly, then a Zojirushi rice cooker should be integral kitchen cookware in your kitchen. They come in different shapes, designs, sizes, and models with different specific functions. Cooking and eating healthy food will no longer be a problem when you have a Zojirushi rice cooker.
Brief History About Zojirushi
Zojirushi Corporation is a Japanese brand founded in 1918 with its headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. It started with the manufacturing of hand-blown vacuum bottles before widening its productions.
This brand has expanded into manufacturing a wide variety of kitchen appliances, ranging from bread makers, rice cookers, air pot beverage dispensers, cookware, stainless steel vacuum flasks, thermal serving carafes, and other consumer electronic products.
For over a hundred years now, Zojirushi has earned a reputation for producing a high-quality tool that lasts for years and can be passed down to generations. Their products are designed to bring comfort to its users.
Zojirushi rice cookers were built to make the preparation of rice a lot more easy and convenient. This Japanese brand is one of the world’s best manufacturers of rice cookers and has a wide range of collections. They are constructed with durable, high-quality materials and feature advanced heating technology.
Without further ado, we have written an in-depth review of the top 6 best Zojirushi rice cookers currently available and a buying guide. You will surely find one within your budget from this review.
Reviews of Top 6 the Best Zojirushi Rice Cookers by Consumer Reports 2021
1. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer
This product features an advanced fuzzy logic tech that allows the cooker to set the precise temperature and cooking time. The round inner pan ensures consistent cooking; it is removable and washable.
Also, the LCD screen indicates the remaining cooking time, and an alarm goes off to indicate the end of the cooking cycle. The digital menu settings on this unit allow you to choose the type of rice and the texture you want, which could be softer, harder, or regular.
It automatically keeps the rice warm after cooking for long hours. The menu selection includes white rice, brown rice, semi brown, mixed, sweet, porridge, quick-cooking, and rinse-free.
Zojirushi neuro-fuzzy holds up to 10 cups of rice, which is enough to serve a whole family. You have no worries about your rice getting burnt or sticking to the base with the nonstick pan. Besides, this 680 watts rice cooker includes a nonstick rice scooper with its holder, two measuring cups, and a cookbook.
With the retractable cord, you have a clutter-free counter. The stay-cool handle allows you to lift the cooker and even mount it on a wall when not used to save countertop space. The measuring cups are the only standard cup for scaling the rice to ensure precision.
Pros:
Measuring cup and scooper included
Double as a warmer
Multiple menu settings
Retractable power cord
Advanced fuzzy technology
Cons:
The nonstick pan flakes off
2. Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme 2-Pound-Loaf Breadmaker
Do you know that you can use your bread maker also to cook rice? Well, you do now. Your bread maker is not only used for making bread. Zojirushi BB-CEC20 bread maker has a menu selection for a wide category of other cooking needs.
It comes with 10 pre-programmed functions, an LCD regulator panel, 3 food textures, an 8-ounce measurement cup, a double-ended measurement spoon, and a removable pan.
The double-ended measuring spoon has a tablespoon at one end and a teaspoon at the other end. It has an indicator light that tells when the unit is in operation. The reset button allows you to operate the cooker manually.
It features an auto shut off system for optimum safety. The timer can be preset to delay after the end of a cooking cycle for up to 13hours. This leaves your rice warm for extended hours.
It has a wide viewing peek hole that allows you to watch the food as it cooks. The LCD control panel is user-friendly, which makes it easy to interpret. With the detachable pan, cleanup is swift and effortless.
Also, this product was designed with 10 minutes backup against power failure. With this function, your rice doesn’t get soaked. The jam setting is perfect for rice pudding, and the bake function is apt for cooked rice.
Pros:
Added accessories
An indicator light
Ease to use
13-hours delay time setting
Versatile
Cons:
Expensive
3. Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
Rice cooked in this model comes out perfectly done with the right texture, just the way you want it. The nonstick interior pan is easy to detach and clean. It is imprinted with different water level measurements for accuracy.
This is handy for beginners. Zojirushi Micom rice cooker includes steaming basket, detachable steam vent lid, retractable power cord, removable inner pot, and multi menu functions. The LCD screen is easy to read with the time and clock features.
The clock works even without the unit being plugged into a power source; it utilizes batteries that need to be replaced when it stops working. The digital timer senses the rice’s level of doneness and extends the time if necessary to ensure you get the perfect texture.
It also displays the countdown timer on the LCD screen. This smart rice cooker makes adjustments during the cooking process and can hold up to 5.5 cups of rice. The programmable beep or melody goes off when the cooking process is complete. It comes with two delay settings for maximum safety. The keep-warm settings ensure the food stays warm even after several hours of cooking.
Pros:
Integrated power cord
Removable inner lid and pan
Easy to operate
Digital display screen
Cons:
The cooker cannot hold up all the extra accessories for storage.
The nonstick coating wears off.
4. Zojirushi NP-HCC18XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer
If you are looking for a cooker with healthy cooking options, this is the perfect choice for you. This made-in-Japan induction rice cooker by Zojirushi has various features for cooking all rice types, from germinated brown rice to Gaba brown rice.
Other unique settings include jasmine function, Keep Warm function, extended keep warm, brown rice function, white rice, quick-cooking, sushi function, and sweet rice. A melody beep goes off when the cooking cycle begins and when it ends. It can also be muted if you don’t like the sound.
This product automatically changes to keep warm mode once the cooking process is completed. It has a triple heater design infused into the lid, the base, and the sidewalls to generate consistent heat within the unit for even cooking of rice.
Monitoring the timer and temperature is simple with its orange LCD control panel. This model utilizes a premium induction heating technology that ensures the cooker gets the exact temperature needed to prepare your rice without flaws at all times.
It includes a scooper that enables you to take rice from the pan in a smooth way and a measuring cup for precise measurement. Both the exterior and the inner pan are easy to clean. The stainless dark gray exterior design fits into all types of kitchen styles.
Pros:
ETL certified
A year warranty
Multiple rice cooking options
An automatic heat control system
Cons:
Quite pricey for its quality
5. ZOJIRUSHI pressure IH rice cooker 3.5 Go NP-QA06-WZ
This model is distinct from the rest models because it applies more pressure to increase the cooking temperature to an extremely high heat, which makes the rice get softer on time. This will make a great addition to your kitchen. With the extended keep warm setting, your food stays warm for more than 12 hours.
Both the pan and lid are removable and washable. The inner pan is coated with platinum, which prevents the food from sticking to the base. It comes with measuring inscriptions for accurate control of water and also provides consistent heating for efficient cooking. You don’t have to fuss about spills when cooking with this product. The lid securely fits the pan.
This Zojirushi NP-QA06-WZ pressure induction heating rice cooker with a capacity of 0.63 liters or 7 cups of cooked rice features multiple menu selections such as mixed, white, porridge, sushi, sweet, GABA brown, brown, and quick cooking. The large LCD screen allows you to read easily and monitor the rice cooker. The timer can be manually set to suit your preference.
This unit takes up minimal storage space and can be mounted to your kitchen wall to save countertop space.
Pros:
Extra accessories
Minimal storage space is required.
Large LCD screen
Platinum inner pan
Easy to use
Cons:
Costly
Not suitable for a large family
6. Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer
The last on the list is the simplest model of all with a single touch operation. One button controls the whole unit. It has auto keep warm features that prevent the food from getting cold for days.
This model operates with a triple heating system; the sidewalls, the lid, and the bottom generate the right temperature to prepare your rice with the right taste. Although the lid is attached to the exterior, it is removable and easy to wash. The lock-tight lid is easy to open with a push release button.
Besides, this product comes with two indicator lights that show when cooking and when it is keeping warm. The inner pan is big enough to hold up to 10 cups of uncooked rice. It is a nonstick pan that is easy to maintain.
Also, you can easily detach the power cord when not in operation for ease of storage. This product comes with added accessories such as a spatula, removable dew collector, spatula holder, and a rice measuring cup. It is available in three color options. The handle stays cool even when it is cooking.
Pros:
Hinged lid
Simple touch operation
Detachable inner lid
Detachable power cord
Cons:
The beeper gets too loud.
Absence of menu settings
Things To Consider When Selecting The Best Zojirushi Rice Cooker
Without you knowing the critical factors to consider when buying a rice cooker from Zojirushi, you will find it challenging to make a choice that will meet your needs. This buying guide entails the factors to look out for when selecting the best Zojirushi rice cooker. This includes:
Size
The models’ footprint varies, and the most compact size on this review is the last on the list. Rice cookers are generally large kitchen gadgets that take a reasonable amount of countertop space but are lightweight and can be easily moved around. The smaller the size, the lesser the weight. And the bigger the size, the heavier the weight.
Capacity
The capacity of rice a cooker can hold must also be put into consideration when buying. It would be best if you were sure that the cooker could contain the exact amount of rice you want to avoid cooking twice.
The number of people you are cooking for will determine the capacity. The minimum capacity of most rice cookers is a cup, but the maximum capacity varies. A bigger rice cooker can cook up to 10 cups of rice at once, sufficient to serve 20 people.
Cooking Time
There are various options with different cook times. How long you want to cook your rice should be put into consideration when selecting a rice cooker. The cooking time required for each rice type is often stated in the manual, and they vary. If you prefer an option with a slow cooking function, make sure that the model you select has that feature.
A Zojirushi rice cooker often takes longer to prepare your rice because of the whole process that comes with using a cooker. You don’t always have to soak your rice when using a cooker, except if you want. The rice cooker does that for you, which makes it cook longer. It also adds flavor to the grain during the cooking process.
Budget
Zojirushi rice cookers have a price range that fits into any budget. They have high priced options, middle-priced options, and also lower-priced models. Within the vast range of their rice cooker collection, you will find a model within your budget that satisfies your kitchen needs.
Settings
Most Zojirushi rice cookers come with multiple cooking settings. Some rice cooker soaks and steams the rice before it gets ready to be served. The high priced models have more cooking settings than low priced options. The menu selection comes with various healthy options for cooking all kinds of rice.
Additional Accessories
Having extra accessories in your rice cooker set is a bonus. Most of the cookers reviewed include a measuring cup or two, a scooper, a cookbook, and a holder. These are handy tools when using a rice cooker.
Japanese Rice Cooker Recipes | 5 Reasons Why I Love Zojirushi Rice Cookers | Honest Japanese Cooking
Conclusion
I hope you have been able to choose out of the several options available. Using a rice cooker requires zero effort. If you are looking for a simple rice cooker that does not require too many settings, Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer is the best option for you.
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