Rice Cookers

[2298754]

My wife is Japanese, she is pretty serious about her rice cooker. Not only does she have to have a Japanese rice cooker she only cooks Japanese rice.

We went to Mitsuwa supermarket in NJ for our cooker. It is a chain, there might be one in Boston.

I think current model rice cookers are technically pressure cookers, so Alliflowers might be on to something though.

We don't have one in Boston

Closest one is the one in NJ. We have HMart in Burlington/Cambridge, but their rice cookers seem super overpriced, compared to Amazon.

So, rice lovers, is Zojirushi really as good as everyone has written here?

I never understood it, but my Japanese friend swears by Zojirushi and Toshiba.

He brought something like this back from Japan a few months back. Ridiculous...

http://www.amazon.com/TOSHIBA-vacuu...449938604&sr=8-1&keywords=toshiba+rice+cooker

 

[LizKat]

I never understood it, but my Japanese friend swears by Zojirushi and Toshiba.

He brought something like this back from Japan a few months back. Ridiculous...

http://www.amazon.com/TOSHIBA-vacuu...449938604&sr=8-1&keywords=toshiba+rice+cooker

I have sometimes wanted a rice cooker but so far have resisted since I do hear about sticking issues with smaller amounts of rice, and most often that's all I require. But I keep drifting into Amazon now and then to have a look.

Still, three hundred bucks?! That one looks really nice but,,,, wow.

I think I will stick to my two-burner saucepan method which is almost how I have to cook rice, since I'm stuck w/ an electric rangetop. One burner on high, one on low, stand there and shuffle the thing back and forth so it doesn't boil over, but does keep steaming, leaving the pot covered all the time. You have to measure the water precisely for that and by experience know how much water for how much of what kind of rice. I admit all that is a bit of a drag and has a learning curve, but for three hundred bucks left in my pocket, hey.

When I'm lazy I just boil the rice in a lot of water until it's almost to where I like it and then drain off all the water, put a lid on it, set pan off the heat and let it steam a minute or two, fluff with a fork, done.

And YET I still dream of pushing that button for rice on demand, like I do w/ Keurig for first cuppa java in the morning!

 

[JamesMike]

I use a Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer, it is excellent for 3 cups of rice, and you can get for under a $150.00.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm fully sold on Zojirushi. I have the 5.5 cup induction. It makes perfect rices, porridge, and keeps them fresh for a couple days.

View attachment 604353

I never understood it, but my Japanese friend swears by Zojirushi and Toshiba.

He brought something like this back from Japan a few months back. Ridiculous...

http://www.amazon.com/TOSHIBA-vacuu...449938604&sr=8-1&keywords=toshiba+rice+cooker

I use a Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer, it is excellent for 3 cups of rice, and you can get for under a $150.00.

The reason I asked is that we have a live in Filipina carer, (for my Mom, who has dementia) who has a rice cooker (a pretty basic model) and who - essentially - just cannot live without rice. Preferably daily.

For myself, I am a pretty accomplished cook, but rice has never featured terribly much as a staple until the Filipina carer arrived the best part of three years ago.

Given that it would be nice to master the cooking of consistently good quality rice, and given that I expect that the Filipina carer will be with us for some time yet, it occurs to me that obtaining a really good quality rice cooker might not be a bad idea. Until I read this thread, I'll admit that this had not even crossed my mind.

 

[LizKat]

I use a Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer, it is excellent for 3 cups of rice, and you can get for under a $150.00.

That sounds more along the lines of my requirements (including the budget). Thanks.

 

[JamesMike]

The reason I asked is that we have a live in Filipina carer, (for my Mom, who has dementia) who has a rice cooker (a pretty basic model) and who - basically - cannot live without rice.

For myself, I am a pretty accomplished cook, but rice has never featured terribly much as a staple until the Filipina carer arrived the best part of three years ago.

Given that it would be nice to master the cooking of consistently good quality rice, and given that I expect that the Filipina carer will be with us for some time yet, it occurs to me that obtaining a really good quality rice cooker mint not be a bad idea. Until I read this thread, I'll admit that this had not even crossed my mind.

I can only give you my personal experience with it; it has always given me a nice pot of rice and the warmer does a good job of keeping the rice consistent.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

When Mother and the Filipina carer return, I'll raise this matter with the carer, and see what her preferences - and more importantly what her rice needs - are.

Any particular preferences re the Zojirushi rice cookers available?

Having been reading this thread, I spent some time earlier this week looking at the various models currently on offer, but have no real idea of what would be best. My own preference has always been to try to buy the best version of something that is available and that seems relatively reasonably priced. Quality, not cost, tend to be my guiding principles.

 

[JamesMike]

When Mother and the Filipina carer return, I'll raise this matter with the carer, and see what her preferences - and more importantly what her rice needs - are.

Any particular preferences re the Zojirushi rice cookers available?

Having been reading this thread, I spent some time earlier this week looking at the various models currently on offer, but have no real idea of what would be best. My own preference has always been to try to buy the best version of something that is available and that seems relatively reasonably priced. Quality, not cost, tend to be my guiding principles.

I'm particular about my rice, and this one has met mine needs.

http://www.surlatable.com/product/P...ED5YLJ5N90uXHarVw4PGZTK2XNRgZyCAT4aAriG8P8HAQ

 

[puma1552]

When Mother and the Filipina carer return, I'll raise this matter with the carer, and see what her preferences - and more importantly what her rice needs - are.

Any particular preferences re the Zojirushi rice cookers available?

Having been reading this thread, I spent some time earlier this week looking at the various models currently on offer, but have no real idea of what would be best. My own preference has always been to try to buy the best version of something that is available and that seems relatively reasonably priced. Quality, not cost, tend to be my guiding principles.

This is the one we have (the smaller NS-YAC10 model). Certainly on the higher end of the price scale, but is fantastic. I'm sure you can get one that works just as well for a bit cheaper though. I can't tell you too much about it though, as I never use it, I just eat the rice that comes out of it, lol. I can confirm the rice that comes out of it is identical to what I get in Japan. We paid $250 in 2011 for it, but it looks like it shouldn't be too hard to find it for more like $200 now.

https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/nsyac

EDIT: It also won best rice cooker 2014, lol:

http://www.techlicious.com/review/the-best-rice-cooker/

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm particular about my rice, and this one has met mine needs.

http://www.surlatable.com/product/P...ED5YLJ5N90uXHarVw4PGZTK2XNRgZyCAT4aAriG8P8HAQ

Thanks a lot.

Online, it is clear that the Zojirushi models available vary widely in terms of cost, availability, and I assume functions. While I have absolutely no doubt that any model I buy will be used, (as the carer eats rice more or less daily), as this is outside my expertise it is something I'd like to get right.

I'll show this - and a couple of others - to the carer when she returns and see what she says. If necessary we can order after Christmas.

This is the one we have (the smaller NS-YAC10 model). Certainly on the higher end of the price scale, but is fantastic. I'm sure you can get one that works just as well for a bit cheaper though. I can't tell you too much about it though, as I never use it, I just eat the rice that comes out of it, lol. I can confirm the rice that comes out of it is identical to what I get in Japan. We paid $250 in 2011 for it, but it looks like it shouldn't be too hard to find it for more like $200 now.

https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/nsyac

EDIT: It also won best rice cooker 2014, lol:

http://www.techlicious.com/review/the-best-rice-cooker/

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to post this, along with the links.

To be honest, cost is not the key issue. Quality - that is build quality, and cooking quality (along with the knowledge that it will be used) is. Thanks a lot - I'll look into that model, too.

Very good to know that it won the accolade of 'best rice cooker in 2014' - that is a serious recommendation.

 

[puma1552]

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to post this, along with the links.

To be honest, cost is not the key issue. Quality - that is build quality, and cooking quality (along with the knowledge that it will be used) is. Thanks a lot - I'll look into that model, too.

Very good to know that it won the accolade of 'best rice cooker in 2014' - that is a serious recommendation.

Yeah when my wife and I came here from Japan in 2011, I pretty much knew not to impose any type of financial limit on a rice cooker whatsoever, as it is the sole thing from Japan that she has used every single day without fail and she did not want to get one that would result in substandard rice and I didn't want to bear the brunt of that, had I imposed a dollar limit.

Note I did scan through that best rice cooker article and noticed it said people complained it got hard to wash the bowl out after a couple years, we do not have any issues with cleaning the bowl after four years - as I'm sure my wife follows the instructions to the letter (or, more appropriately, inherently knows how to care for it anyway). It's just as non-stick as the day we bought it.

 

[LifeIsLikeABoxOfRocks]

Note I did scan through that best rice cooker article and noticed it said people complained it got hard to wash the bowl out after a couple years

If you use a scrub pad(scotchBrite) on the bowl, it will be toast in a short time. I killed a bowl on my cooker, because I left town for three weeks, while leaving some brown rice and better than bouillon in the bowl. The BTB destroyed the coating on the bowl, and I had to buy a new one.

 

[Gutwrench]

So, rice lovers, is Zojirushi really as good as everyone has written here?

For daily rice I think definitely. I'm on my second Zojirushi cooker and I won't buy anything else. It makes almost all rices to perfection. I generally cook white but also make sushi, brown, and sticky rice. (Sticky rice drizzled with lightly sweetened coconut milk and topped with sliced mango....mm-mm-mmmm!) I also make porridge and occasionally even beans.

It keeps the rice excellently for a couple days. One trick to help keep it is to spoon it into a ball/lump after cooking/serving. Then stir it just before the next meal. Buying good quality rice that you like is important but that goes without saying.

The coated removable inner pan rinses clean for me.

Not to be a snob, but the cheaper cookers tend not make as good of quality rice, in my opinion. It's often soggy or undercooked. Over the past 18 years I've never, ever had a bad pot from the two Zojirushis. I measure out the rice, rinse it, add water to the appropriate line and press "on." It sings a nice little tune to start and another song when it's done.

I'm also sold on other Zojirushi products, like the water dispenser. It keeps the water at the set temp and even dechlorinates.

 

[Cobalt50]

I have a Zojirushi and it is a no-brainer. Just put the rice and water in in the right proportions and you are good to go. There is one model that can double as a crock pot and I wish I had gotten that one. Otherwise, just a nice competent rice cooker and doesn't require monitoring to get a good pot of rice.

 

[zen97]

Zojirushi makes the best rice cookers.... ours is 16 yrs old and still running strong ($120):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1HS6WN79MKZT9G7TS984

 

[BernyMac]

Zojirushi. Any model as long as it is Zojirushi.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Okay, Zojirushi, it is, then.

I mentioned this today to the Filipina carer, and she was delighted at the thought that she (we) might be getting a new rice cooker. A 5.5 cup one would be fine.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I just got a Zojirushi NS-LAC05 (it still left a US$130 hole in my wallet even from Amazon).

But wow, I didn't know the changes in rice cooker technology in the last 25 years (I'm replacing a 25-year old Zojirushi model!). Long-grain Thai Milagrosa rice comes out quite fluffy, unlike what you get with older rice cookers; I can just imagine what Japanese-style Calrose rice will be like cooked in this rice cooker.

 

[Lone Deranger]

Another Zojirushi fan here. Bought a Zojirushi NS-LAQ05 from yumasia.co.uk earlier this year and it's been awesome. The rice it makes is perfect every single time. Well worth the expenditure.

 

[Gutwrench]

Okay, Zojirushi, it is, then.

I mentioned this today to the Filipina carer, and she was delighted at the thought that she (we) might be getting a new rice cooker. A 5.5 cup one would be fine.

Well, did you pull the trigger? You know the old saying, pix or it...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, did you pull the trigger? You know the old saying, pix or it...

Well, I think I'll wait until after the New Year to do so, possibly January 4 or 5 before placing an order. This is because the postal system is still clogged up with the backlog of the stuff that they had failed to deliver during the Christmas break and need to clear that first. Indeed, the first post Christmas post was delivered only today - and we are facing almost immediately into yet another public holiday (New Year). In my experience, service deteriorates at that time.

I'll let them get their breath back, and then place a fresh order.

While we're on that topic, do you recommend yumasia over Amazon?

 

[tmstffrd]

I hear Apple is getting into the Rice cooker market. . . . :sarcasm:

 

[Lone Deranger]

While we're on that topic, do you recommend yumasia over Amazon?

My experience with yumasia was flawless. Well packaged, and shipped quickly. The units they sell are all equipped with British power plugs (and of course 220-240 voltage capable) and have English controls and instructions.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, did you pull the trigger? You know the old saying, pix or it...

Well, @Gutwrench, even when I get it, there won't be pictures, as 1) my camera - while wonderful, it's a Leica M6 - still runs on film, and 2) my mobile phone is an antique Nokia.

But, you will get the details in due course.

My experience with yumasia was flawless. Well packaged, and shipped quickly. The units they sell are all equipped with British power plugs (and of course 220-240 voltage capable) and have English controls and instructions.

Thanks hugely for drawing my attention to this company, I am most grateful to you, @Lone Deranger, and will most certainly order through them. Given that I am from these parts, it is brilliant to see a company based in the UK actually sell such stuff, and UK plugs, power supplies and instructions are a most welcome bonus.

In fact, I have spent the past twenty minutes on to their website, comparing and contrasting a few of the 5.5 cup models, which are the ones the carer has suggested we take a look at.

 

[Policar]

Got a Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 for Christmas.

Now the question is what rice do I put in it? I like Japanese style rice, but also basmati rice like I get at Zankou Chicken. I think they must put salt in their rice, it's way too delicious.