Zojirushi NHS-10 6-Cup Rice Cooker/Steamer & Warmer, White
006 4 I like this rice cooker - it's simple but well made and does exactly what it's supposed to do . Perfect for this family of 4 . ( Makes OK rice pudding too . ) But throw out the instructions , they are useless . I added 1.5x the recommended amount of water and it works much better . You can also eliminate the spray all over the counter by leaving the steaming tray in when cooking rice .
127 4 It's fast and easy to use . You can basically steam your vegetables while making your rice .
181 4 Hi , friend , if you are thinking buying a cooker , do not buy this one . Japanese goods are ofter quite good , but that idea is not for this cooker . Your rice , your meal will be worse than ever if you use this .
014 4 I bought the metallic gray rice cooker . It's very attractive , a refreshing change from the standard white rice cooker . It works great , cooks brown rice to perfection . I haven't used the steamer much because it's rather shallow and doesn't fit the amount of vegetables I usually want to cook , but it would be great for steaming a few , quick stems of anything . I love the nonstick surface , great for cooking and cleaning . The price is right for this high-end brand . I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a smaller rice cooker .
024 4 This rice cooker works better than most others I have encountered . Simple to use , easy to clean , and most of all makes great rice !
025 4 After years of using rice in a boil-in bag , I discovered my husband really does like rice - he just didn't care for the kind I'd been making . After purchasing the rice cooker , we have added rice back to our regular menus . The rice cooker is so easy to use , the non-stick finish is unbeatable and the size is perfect for the two of us ! We've tried different kinds of rice , even those with seasonings added and have been completely satisfied every time .
081 4 This cooker has made perfect rice every time , except for the time that I made the full 6 cupfuls ; the top layer of the rice didn't get done . I would recommend this cooker to anyone - just make 5 cups or less . The bowl is so easy to clean . The rice in the very bottom only turns very slightly brown , hardly noticeable .
122 4 We have used this a couple times now to make rice for family functions and it has worked perfectly ! It cooks the rice quickly , evenly and keeps it warm in case the rest of the dinner isn't quite ready ! I love it .
141 4 I have only used this three or four times so far but the results have been excellent . The size is perfect for a small family and the no-stick feature is a real plus . I would highly recommend this rice cooker .
150 4 After reading lots of reviews about a lot of rice cooker / steamers , I thought I'd made a good choice . Right out of the box I saw that it really isn't designed to cook rice and use the steamer insert at the same time , but I thought it might make such great rice that I wouldn't mind the inconvenience of steaming separately . Nope . The rice burned on the bottom even though I didn't leave it on keep warm for more than 5 - 6 minutes .
168 4 I am ready to throw this rice cooker in the garbage . It has a small hole in the lid , and spews ricey , white liquid all over the counter when cooking . So much water is lost through this stupid hole , that the rice is never cooked properly . I must have a defective one , if anyone can rate this higher than a 0 star . I had an old rice cooker that lasted for decades , and worked just fine . Wish I could remember the brand !
178 4 Too small for a family of four . It's very messy - goop all over the counter and floor . And , after I bought it I found out that it's really only meant for white rice . We mostly eat brown rice . Overall , the old fashioned method with a pot and stove works much better . I'm not really sure what the point is for a rice cooker . . . .
026 4 I purchased this after buying some terrible ones at the local department store . I cook rice probably 3 - 4 times a week , if not more . If you plan on cooking rice this often invest in this rice cooker . Zojirushi knows their cookers and this is as quality as they come . The size is perfect for my little family of 3 . If you have a bigger family or if you enjoy cooking for plenty of people - get the bigger size . Rice turns out perfectly steamed each time . Acutally this cooker can double as a steamer also . I purchased the black / silvery metallic color and it looks lovely in my kitchen - not so boring appliance color . I love it . I've owned it for 3 years and it works as well as when Ifirst purchased it . My rice cookers by other brands in the past broke within the first year .
036 4 We read the reviews pro and con , and were concerned about the reports of sputtering on the counter , but decided to give it a try since most of the reviews were positive and some stated specifically they had not had this problem . Well , we should have listened to the warnings . For the first 2 - 3 months , the cooker was fine , with no splatter . Then , for no apparent reason , it began to splatter nearly every time we used it . We have no idea why this happens , as we have not changed the type of rice ( even the brand is the same ) , the amount of water , or anything else . Totally bizarre ( not to say annoying ) . We have solved the problem by placing a small piece of aluminum foil over the handle on the cover , so that part of it extends over the blow hole .
048 4 This item is top notch , following along with the Zodjirushi line of appliances . . . we have purchased their electric cooker and fry pan also and they all are the best . . . This Rice cooker also cooks other items in timely fashion and perfectly . . . the rice comes out absolutely perfect & is done very quickly . . . it is large enough to cook a huge amount for many servings to use of freeze . . . it cleans easily and looks nice . . . we recommend it to anyone who is thinking about buying a rice stamer . . . even tho it costs most , it doesn't hold a candle to any others . . . my previous steamer was plastic & not worth spending any money on . . . the best ever !
091 4 I have always used rice cookers to cook my rice , and have never had problems with the texture and consistency of my rice . After purchasing the Zojirushi , I was disappointed in its performance . The lid definitely does not stay secure and thus does not keep the steam in . It also creates quite a mess unless I put a towel over the lid . I will more than likely purchase another rice cooker to replace this one . I do not recommend this rice cooker .
121 4 Have had it about 6 weeks and no problems . Rice does not stick to container . Rice cooked according to rice container instructions comes out great . Easy to clean .
044 4 Like a few other reviewers , we bought this cooker to replace a long-serving rice cooker . We eat , almost exclusively , brown rice and our old rice cooker only provided 3 cup capacity , so we decided to upgrade to this 6 cup capacity one . Unfortunately when this cooker arrived , in my enthusiasm , I tossed away all the packaging , believing that this Japanese manufacturer ( my partner is Japanese American ) could be relied upon to produce a quality product . Wow , was I wrong . First , if you cook brown rice , then they only recommend a 3 cup capacity - - so there went one of our goals . Second , and as others have noted , this is the messiest kitchen device I have ever seen . It splutters and spits starchy water out of every direction from the lid rim , and then that hole in the lid forces more messy steam onto all the cabinets . Frankly , I cannot believe it passed any kind of test from the manufacturer . It must be OK for cooking white rice , otherwise the reviews would all be much lower . . . . but be warned . This WILL NOT COOK BROWN RICE . We are now looking for another model . . . $50 bucks poorer . Ugh !
009 4 This is the best rice cooker I've ever had and I've had one ever since I got out of college . I'm 44 . I particularly like the instructions . I never knew there was a difference between old and new rice . I've always measured my rice in regular American cups . This is the first time the instructions were translated well enough to use the Japanese cups and the markings on the inside of the rice cooker . They even explain how to wash your rice properly . Now my rice comes out perfect every time : ) Can you tell how much I like rice ? !
BTW you can order Japanese sushi rice from Asiafoods.com .
037 4 Overall , this device makes rice quite well . .
I have one quick suggestion for the spirting that many have noted . . I notice the spirting when making 2 or less cups of rice as well .
I balance the plastic , white spatula on top of the lid and position the spoon part over the steam hole . When the spirting occurs , it hits the spatula and drops back onto the top of the lid . No more mess all around the counter !
Hope this helps .
047 4 First of all , the steamer basket is tiny . Maybe enough room to steam vegetables for 1 person , 2 people max .
Besides that , this rice cooker is awesome . No more burnt , stuck rice at the bottom of the pan . Cooks rice fast , cleans real fast and easy . I'm so glad I finally have a good rice cooker . Now I dont dread making rice anymore because I always hated scraping out the burnt rice on the bottom of my old one .
049 4 This is my first rice cooker . I spent a lot of time searching for an affordable rice cooker that could get the job done . I have found that this cooker meets my needs perfectly .
The key thing to this cooker ( and I now believe with any rice cooker ) is that you use quality rice . You don't have to look too hard to find it , most stores carry some sort of specialty rice these days . I have switched from using standard American rice ( I tried it - what a mess ! ) to Jasmine or Basmati . The cooker handles these without any boil over or gooey starch mess . 1 1 / 3 cups water to 1 cup rice seems to be the trick with most types of rice that I have tried .
I have only cooked 1 to 2 cups uncooked rice . It handles it beautifully , making this the perfect size for an individual or small family . The warming feature is great , especially when I followed the advice of another reviewer and fluff the rice at some point after the cooking cycle has ended - anywhere from 5 - 15 minutes . I have then left the rice warming for hours without trouble .
Clean up is a breeze with the non-stick pot . Both it and the lid can go right into the dishwasher , although I do tend to wash out the pot by hand , hardly a chore .
You do have to plug it in to start ( and make sure it is set to cook rather than warm ) and unplug it to turn it off , however , it's hardly a hassle . It's relatively small size and light weight make it easy to store and use .
All said , this is great bang for the buck .
019 4 This rice cooker makes perfect rice , clean-up is a breeze , the Keep Warm setting is great .
I usually cook store-brand long-grain white rice , I do not rinse it before cooking . I have experienced no problems with excess moisture or spitting or any other problems . However , I do feel the need to point out that I do not use the amount of rice water specified in the rice cooker manual . If you get the rice / water ratio correct , this rice cooker will make perfect rice . If you follow the directions in the manual find that the rice doesn't cook properly , you need to experiment around with the proportions of rice water until you find what works for you .
Because the manual is not that great , I can't give this appliance a 5 - star rating . The manual only contains a couple of recipes , there are no instructions regarding how to cook American-grown rice that doesn't need to be rinsed or about how to cook packaged rice mixes .
020 4 Used this for 2 years now . . And I remembered to write review for this item only because this deserves the best rating I can . Even 10 Stars is less to describe this product .
Always perfect rice . . Never need to think or worry . . even if you add more rice or less water . . u will still get well cooked rice .
Think no further . good for 1 to 4 people family . It turs off automatically and keeps rice warm / fluffy . . No need of expensive programable controls as this one cooks rice in reasonable wait time even when u are most hungry . .
027 4 This was our first experience with a rice cooker , having never used one before . We were blown away with how simple and fast it is to cook perfect rice . The instructions are very simple , but also include directions on steaming vegetables , cooking eggs ( you can actually hard-boil eggs with this ) , and miscellaneous other things . The unit is very easy to operate , and extremely easy to clean as well ( although I do not recommend putting the pan in the dishwasher since it might get scratched ) . We have not had any trouble with it ever boiling over , even when making a full batch of rice . It does have a tendency to spit a little bit of water out of a hole in the lid , but it isn't a big deal and can be cleaned up with a paper towel .
In case you haven't used a rice cooker before , this unit makes the rice very quickly . It takes maybe twenty minutes , and the rice is done ! Much faster and easier than cooking it on the stove top . And the quality of the cooked rice is perfect , neither gummy nor undercooked .
This unit is just the thing when you want good , fast rice without any hassles . It takes care of the guesswork and produces consistent results every time . And its cheap too !
Highly recommended !
* * Update 11 / 2 / 09 * *
Still have this rice cooker , and it still works great ! We've started using it to cook brown rice , you just add about 2 / 3 more water and it cooks longer ( automatically ) . The results are perfect and it couldn't be easier .
031 4 I have had this thing for about a month now and have used it about 12 times I'd guess . I've only cooked short grain high quality sushi type rice from California that I always wash thoroughly before cooking in it .
Pros , in about 15 minutes I have AWESOME rice , hot and ready to eat . Before on the stove top using a regular pot , it took a few minutes to get the water boiling , then 20 minutes to simmer , then 30 minutes off the heat with the top on to get rice that was not quite as good as this turns out . So , it's very nice now to get super awesome tasting rice in only about 15 minutes .
Cons , if I don't remove the rice immediately when it switches to warming mode the stuff will burn . I've only cooked one and two cups at a time , maybe if I cooked more it would be better , but seriously , the second the switch pops from cooking to warming mode I whip off the top and fluff the rice and then get it out of there . So as far as setting it and forgetting it , this ain't going to happen , at least not with this type of rice .
After dumping the rice into the pot , and then filling with water , I would recommend that you stir it up thoroughly . This helps prevent clumping and assures that all the rice is cooked evenly . The first time I just dumped it in there , along with the water , and some pieces were not cooked . after learning to stir it up good it has turned out excellent each time . Also , like others have pointed out , the non-stick coating will scratch if you even look at it wrong . Don't even use a plastic spoon . I use a soft rubber spatula to fluff the rice when it's done , scoop the rice out when it's done , and also for the initial stirring .
The rice I cook DOES turn out MUCH better using this than a regular pot on the stove . As long as you can get it out of the pot as soon as it's done you'll probably love it also . Was it worth $50 ? Well , before it could take me as long as an hour to get rice that wasn't quite as good as this . Now I can get AWESOME rice fully cooked hot and fresh ready to serve in about 15 minutes ( not including rice washing time ) . So , if eating your rice a lot sooner and having it taste a lot better , in my opinion , then $50 is a pretty darn good deal . I hope this helps somebody decide ! : )
033 4 As soon as I got this little device I unpacked it , plugged it in , and put on 3 cups of Kokuho brand short grain rice . Even though I experimented with the water level ( 3 cups rinsed rice to 4 cups water ) and erred a little on the wet side , the very first batch came out great . I had none of the problems some have reported with water spurting out the vent hole on the lid . This is my first rice cooker , and already I am thrilled with it . I think this is a good choice for those who want enough capacity to do some vegetable steaming and one-pot cooking as well , but only need 3 - 4 cups of rice every few days . The only complaint I have is that there is no real off switch , only cook and keep warm . But unplugging the cord is no problem since you can unplug at the cooker and not the outlet ( not so on the smaller models , I believe ! ) .
Overall , I am quite pleased ( I researched rice cookers for several weeks before making my purchase ) and I hope that this model will last me over the next several years .
040 4 This rice cooker is probably one of the best gadgets I've bought in a while .
Not only does it make cooking fresh rice extremely easy , but it also steams vegetables and cooks hard and soft boiled eggs perfectly .
I've used this cooker to cook both white and a variety of brown and other types of rice with no problem .
Do be sure to use the measuring cup provided with the cooker , and use the rice cooker's instructions in conjunction with the directions on the package of rice you want to cook .
This cooker has an automated keep warm function that allows you to do things like go out and run errands and come back to have your rice warm and ready for your meal .
043 4 My family loves rice , but I have disappointed them many a time . Finally , I've achieved perfect rice .
I did considerable research on rice cookers as it seemed kind of lame to purchase an appliance for something that I could do in the sauce pan I already have except that I wasn't doing a great job with that sauce pan . I was inconsistent at best , unless I was using Minute Rice which is not the greatest culinary experience , but at least I could do it . We love Jasmine Rice and some of the other more exotic rices and I finally broke down and purchased this one which seemed to have the most favorable reviews for the investment price .
So , rice cooker comes , I immediately break out the Jasmine Rice and it was perfect . I read other reviews prior to starting and followed the tips that I found from other users ( Thanks everyone ! ! ! ) My rice was perfect .
I recommend this snappy little cooker ! ! !
I recommend washing rice first .
I recommend 1 3 / 4 water to 1 cup rice .
I'm using it several times a week . Family loves it ! ! !
051 4 My wife , the amateur chef , and I , the professional eater , love this product . Makes great rice every time ; even brown rice which I never used to like much ( too hard and dry when made the old way ) . The steamer basket is quite handy . Still learning how to use it to make all kinds of stuff come out right .
Don't understand other reviews which complained about the hole in the lid . Advice : WAKE UP ! ! ! This is a whistle which lets you know that things are going well .
We got the small size for just two people . For any more , get the large size .
056 4 I've waited to review this product for a while hoping to master perfect rice Although this does make pretty good white rice , I actually purchased it to make brown rice . It has yet to present perfect rice . It always browns the bottom rendering that rice inedible . I have experimented with different ratios of rice / water and always rinsed my rice as directions list . I bought this product with the expectations of perfect rice , with a long holding time . If the rice is brown at bottom directly after cooking , how will it be after holding an hour ? I made better rice stove top , and will continue to cook it that way .
Does anyone want to buy a cheap rice cooker ? LOL
058 4 The good : the non-stick surface works great and is easy to clean .
The bad : does a terrible job cooking rice . White , basmati , jasmine , brown . . . rinsed or not , 1 : 1 through 2 : 1 water-to-rice ratio , half a cup of dry rice to two cups of rice - it doesn't matter . The bottom always burns and the rice comes out gummy . It seems like the heating element is too strong - it finishes up far faster than it should . Add to that the fact that the hole in the lid sputters far more than any rice cooker I've ever used , and the keep warm function only serves to burn the bottom rice even more .
I wish I hadn't thrown out my el-cheapo cooker when this arrived . It was tiny and didn't have a non-stick pot , but at least it made good rice . I know 2 stars is a little harsh , but if a rice cooker doesn't make good rice , there's no point .
061 4 This is a great rice maker except for the fact the water runs all
over the counter . The rice never comes out soft and tender . It's sticky and dry . If anyone has any suggestion , please let me know . Postive aspect of this rice maker is are the fact it's easy to clean and takes up less space than other rice maker .
062 4 Easy to use , easy to clean , perfect for work , where you can make a quick meal with almost no prep time , and save a LOT of money ( guess where this one is going . . . )
Definitely a recommended buy .
We have one in my current common room ( 3 - cup model ) , but I'm switching buildings , so I decided to buy one for the new common room , and get the bigger model so i could steam some vegetables and eggs in there .
070 4 First of all , this rice cooker is very easy to use and I was very happy with the results on the first try . I cooked brown rice and it turned out fluffy with just the right amount of moisture left behind . It took a little longer to cook than what the instructions indicated , but that wasn't a problem .
I read a lot of reviews before purchasing this model and a common complaint was the mess that was made during the cooking process . I agree with those comments . This rice cooker did splatter pretty much everywhere . Using the rice spatula that comes with the unit to cover the exhaust hole in the lid ( as another reviewer recommended ) did help somewhat , but there still a pretty big mess .
However , the mess cleaned up very easily and I was very surprised with how easy it was to clean the cooker itself as it had a lot of residue on it as well .
I was very pleased with the amount of rice that this cooker made . The amount of rice is easily enough for a family of four if you are using the rice as a side dish and not attempting to make four large bowls of rice .
079 4 I LOVE rice . This is one of my best purchases ever . I cooks rice as good as or better than I can . I have owned this rice cooker for more than two months and I am VERY impressed ! It just does its thing and the rice is better than I could make it on the stovetop .
There is only one thing to be aware of . . . to avoid the ricey steam deposits from the steam hole in the lid you should cover the top with a paper towel . Otherwise you will have a ricey layer on any nearby surface .
I don't see any manufacturing solution to this . . . steam has to escape somehow .
Overall this is a great appliance . Easy to use and to clean .
088 4 I am very happy with my rice cooker .
It works well , cooks rice , oatmeal and steams vegetables .
This is just what I was looking for .
092 4 The rice that we've made has tasted great . The problem that we had was with the water that comes out of the thing . We washed the rice as told in the manual and by other reviewers , but we still have water that leaks all over the counter when you make it .
It seems that it needs a heavier lid or one that fits better to stop the water that spatters through . A bit comes from the hole in the lid , but the majority of the mess comes from around the lid . Putting some weight on the lid while cooking , or even lifting the lid for a few seconds to release some of the pressure helps .
If it didn't leak so much water , I could give it a 5 . Needs some minor redesign and it would be great !
093 4 It is a quick rice cooker . Only about 15 - 20 minutes I got the rice ready .
And also easy to wash . No issues so far .
Just one thing to mention , the lid is little bit smaller than the container's up open , it seems not match perfectly . But it doesn't impact the function .
101 4 It cooks rice excellent and is easy to clean .
The only problem for this cooker is when you cook 4 cups or more , there'll be some water come out ~
105 4 I like the non-stick container , easy to serve , clean without waste .
One feature I don't like is the hole on the cover , sputting
liquid out of the container to the counter top . I have to
place a wet paper towel to cover it and the gap between the
glass cover and the container .
107 4 I don't know why I resisted buying a rice steamer for so long , especially when I eat rice so often !
I really enjoy using this steamer . . . it's a treat to know the rice will turn out perfectly without having to fuss over the pot while it's cooking .
I don't rinse my rice because I only use Organic Basmati or Brown . I also add a pat of butter , and never fill it all the way to the top , so I've had no problems with messy overflow .
I like the smaller size of this cooker ( it stores easily when I'm done ) and the easy clean-up . I'm very pleased !
113 4 This was my first rice cooker . I bought it based on the reviews on this site . The two problems that stood out in other reviews was the spitting steam hole and the possibility of burnt rice at the bottom of the pot . I thought they didn't sound like deal breakers . With a few adjustments I could deal with those problems or fix them .
Well . The spitting steam hole is a major irritation . Especially if you cook brown and black rice . I prefer to not rinse my rice either , so that probably doesn't help with the spitting . I had black spots up the wall , under the cabinets behind the rice cooker , all over the counter and even on the floor . It was a MESS . Stained the wall . I now have a towel that is specifically for covering the cooker .
As for the browned or burnt bottom of the rice , that is just a waste of about a cup of rice . I can live with that and am still tinkering with the water amount . Who knows , maybe i'll get the exact amount of water someday , so i'll have perfect rice .
And yeah , use good rice . I cooked with some old rice and YUCK . . . gelatinous goo . The new stuff comes out pretty good .
If you can find another cooker that doesn't have the spitting problem and is around the same price , i'd say buy that other one .
115 4 I have been using rice cookers for over 20 years now , and owned more than 10 rice cookers . I have been using this one for over 4 months , and use it every other day . Now , I can say , this rice cooker is a good basic one , makes good rice , and meantime , inexpensive .
The only complain I have with it is it is kind of small when you use the tray . Also , if you want to make congee , this rice cooker is way too small .
Next time , I would buy a 10 cup one .
119 4 Works as advertised . Just follow the directions . Simple and easy to use .
I live at 8,000 feet , where it's very hard to cook rice properly . I just use about a cup more water than specified . I get perfect rice every time . Best part is that I don't have to stand over the pot and watch it . Just turn it on and 45 minutes later it's done !
145 4 The perpetual bachelors dream come true ! After being tied to the microwave ( and nuking most everything to sustain a simple life ) , into my life came this little marvel , and I haven't used the microwave since ( and shudder at that thought of having to do so ) , on anything that passes my gullet .
Simple , efficient and amazes me every time . As I am learning , I find that I can throw just about anything into it , turn my back on it , and like magic I end up with some of the best food I remember tasting . The S.S . tray and non-stick pot are a must have . Great buy , for a guy , and the price . I never realized how badly a microwave screwed up the taste and texture of my food till now .
154 4 Love this rice cooker . It is so simple to use and has lasted well . Sure it spits towards the end of the cooking but I just place a paper towel over the vent which works fine .
It is fabulous . Would highly recommend as it is a durable product .
165 4 Before buying this rice cooker , I hunted for the reviews for all the rice cookers in the market and found this one the best that just suits my requirement . Although I read somewhere that it boils eggs as well . . that was the only disappointment . But this product does what it supposed to do perfectly with out any problems .
I wished there was a intermediary between 6 - 10 cups . . I was initially looking for a rice cooker that could cook 8 cups of uncooked rice .
Overall its a very good product .
174 4 - When you plug it in , the ' warming ' light comes on , even though it's not doing anything . Really irritating if you set it up early , and don't realize it's not cooking ( becuase you look at see a light on , which is will be when it's done )
- When cooking , the vent in the lid ' whistles ' , and moisture sputters out of it
- The rice at the bottom is typically ' brown ' and stuck together
177 4 If you want to cook just one cup of rice , this is not the rice cooker . The rice becomes too dry on the bottom .
Also , the magnetic cord gets loose easily . It's really frustrating .
180 4 A total waste of money . The keep warm feature is on by default and cannot be disabled.It keeps on heating long after the Energizer Bunnies 5th generation is dead and gone.There is no way to stop it .
The result ? The bottom of the food is always burned .
This is the biggest pile o crap I've ever wasted money on .
053 4 Typically I just make one cup of rice . However it does just fine for that amount . I agree with others that this is a fine piece of equipment . I just wanted to add that it works well when you primarily cook for only yourself ( and cook mabye a cup of rice ) . You have to plug it in ( it does not have a power switch ) . I would rather have that , but no big deal . You flip a switch down to cook , it does the job ( quickly ) and the flip switches up and goes into warm mode . I just unplug it , the rice stays warm for awhile even if you unplug it , I don't want to forget about it and leave it plugged in all night . The non-stick surface works fine . Just don't use metal items in it . I know people that do that , and you see that they scratch the non-stick surface after awhile . I expect that if you are careful about not scratching the surface ( and not putting the bowl in the dishwasher ) , and don't drop the glass lid , you will get a long life out of this . I know the company has a reputation for that . Based on my experience now , this is the brand name I would look for if I needed another .
015 4 I bought this rice cooker based on the first two reviews and I was very disappointed . I have used it three times with mediocre results . My biggest complaint is that a crust forms on the bottom of the rice which is precisely what I had hoped to avoid by purchasing a rice cooker . I also don't like the fact that you cannot store the paddle and measuring cup in the rice cooker ( they don't fit ) . On the positive side it is easy to clean and the fact that the lid is removable is a big plus - - in the past , I have used rice cookers where the lid is attached to the cooker itself and they are horrendous to clean .
045 4 I was really excited when I got this rice cooker , but have had mixed results with it . Sometimes the rice at the bottom gets brown , though I see that previous reviewer Debbie has a good suggestion for how to avoid that problem . Another difficulty is that rice blends ( e.g . , mixtures of wild and brown rices ) don't cook through properly , and some of the rice is cooked while , say , the wild rice is still kind of hard .
068 4 This really is a great item to have . Not too big , not too small . Just the right size for 2 to 3 people . My wife and I have used this cooker several times already and we haven't experienced the venting or burning problems that other people have had with this unit . We have followed the other reviewers advice though , and have added a little extra water to the mix , and the white rice comes out perfect every time .
The other bonus is that the actual cooking bowl is non-stick , and removes from the cooker for an extremely easy clean up . Yeah , it might have been a little nicer if they designed it with an on / off switch . But how hard is it to plug something in to turn it on , and unplug it to turn it off ? So in my opinion , spend the money on this one !
097 4 This is a perfect product for those who want a rice cooker , but don't need something as expensive , large or all-inclusive as a fuzzy logic cooker . Cooks both white and brown Asian rice perfectly ( but do follow the directions ) and steams food well . Very easy to use . With a little adjustment of the liquids , it will also cook pretty much any other kind of rice or quick cooking grain ( I've cooked quinoa , bulgar , rolled oats , couscous and kasha in it ) . It does not work too well for the long cooking stuff , like barley or spelt , but I don't really cook those often enough to warrant a fuzzy logic cooker . The 6 - cup is a great size for a single person or a couple ; it's very easy to cook just what you want and no more . If you regularly cook for a family , I would suggest going up to the 10 - cup cooker . The only negative is that it spits a bit through the steam hole and around the edges of the lid and can make a mess if you aren't paying attention . This is easily fixed by draping a paper towel over the lid - lets the steam escape , but catches the mess . Highly recommended .
013 4 This 6 - Cup rice cooker makes excellent rice and does it easily and in a predictable fashion . However , I found the rice-cooking instructions to be useless and the markings on the cooker difficult to see . Instead , I measure rice and water in a measuring cup according to rice package instructions , and fluff rice after just 5 minutes steaming ( instead of suggested 15 minutes ) . This earlier fluffing seems to reduce crusting . A power switch seems logical , but isn't provided . Easy to clean and a nice size for a small family . I have no regrets . Buy one now !
022 4 First time we used this rice cooker it spit starchy water all over the countertop , what a mess . Next time , I took the useless steamer pan ( it is to small to cook veggies for any more than one person at a time ) , and turned it upside down on top of the glass cover . This has completely solved the splatter problem and cleanup is a breeze .
124 4 cooks rice perfectly but splatters alot , only good on less than 2 cups of rice . Also must disconnect the minute it's done or develops crust on the bottom . ( must be good for individuals only ( no family portions ) . Does have a nice compact size .
137 4 This rice cooker is great for a small family . I tried 3 - 4 cups of rice and washed the rice as the instruction said . If one needs to cook more than 4 cups ( although it's a 6 cup cooker ) , you better to buy a larger rice cooker than this .
179 4 I filled it up with the proper amounts of water and rice as directed . I plugged it in and depressed the lever so the cooking light came on . Within seconds , that lever popped up and then the keep warm light came on instead and the lever did not return . If I depress the lever again so the cooking light comes back on , within seconds that lever pops back up again and the keep warm light comes on . I thought maybe this is some sort of safety feature like you have with some electric heaters where it shuts off if it gets too hot but when it cools down acceptably , they cycle back on again . Of course , I thought it odd that sufficient heat would build up to shut it off so fast . Anyway , no matter how long ( over half an hour ) I leave it plugged in , once that lever pops up , neither the lever ever goes back down nor does the cooking light ever come back on again . Nor does the rice cook . Water stays lukewarm .
100 4 I purchased this rice cooker over three years ago , we use it about once a week either for rice , or steaming veggies . It spatters water through the vent , but a dish towel draped over the lid took care of that problem . Its quiet , and it prepares rice to the perfect done-ness quickly . As for the browning issue by other reviewers , I stir once about midway , and that problem is gone too ! And sooo easy to clean ! Compared to several other brands I've used , I've been very happy with this one .
064 4 This rice cooker is an exact replacement for one that we have had for the past 10 years . It is the perfect size for making rice for two to four people , without taking up a lot of counter space . It's reliable and always makes perfect rice . It works well as a steamer for small amounts of food . The removable insert is easy to clean .
169 4 It spit water all over the counter even though we put exactly what the instructions said . Maybe we are not meant to be good cookers of rice , or maybe this isn't a good rice cooker . I am not sure , but we returned it .
103 4 I had a little cheapy rice maker before that wasn't bad , but was pretty difficult to clean up , not to mention that it stopped working for me after about a year . This Zojirushi really wasn't that much more expensive and feels like a much better product . The pan is coated with something that keeps the rice from sticking , which is wonderful when it comes to cleaning up ; just rinse and wipe it out . I wish the steamer section sat on top of the rice pan , but on this model it sits down into it , which loses you a little space . Since it's pretty big anyhow it's not a big deal unless you want to do a LOT of rice and some veggies . If you're into eating healthy and cheap , this machine is awesome . . . some rice and broccoli with a little bit of chicken or something makes a good low fat meal . Highly recommended machine .
029 4 Great machine , great rice . Two things that I don't like are : 1 ) The steam that comes out of the lid tends to get the area around it pretty wet . 2 ) The lid is a pain to clean .
095 4 I've had various rice cookers over the years . There's always been some problem mainly not cooking the rice well . The last one was Faberware which often didn't cook the rice completely so we'd have to recook it . Brown rice was even worse . The new Zojirushi has cooked white and brown rice excellent - perfect every time , just one click . Just make sure you follow the directions for brown rice and put the right ratio rice to water . I highly recommend this one .
108 4 Good rice cooker ; just follow the instructions with the accompanying cup and it cooks rice perfectly . The nonstick lining makes for easy cleanup . Only problem is that it tends to sputter when cooking less than 2 cups of rice , so keep a tray under it or put it on a counter that can be easily cleaned . The steamer is great for cooking small amounts of vegetables or meat . Beware though ! After steaming some foods , I noticed the nonstick coating on the pan began to peel and had to get a replacement pan ( almost the same price as the cooker itself ! ) Still , after 2 or 3 years of relatively frequent use , this rice cooker works great !
125 4 The Zojirushi rice cooker is very simple to use - - Just put in your rice and water , push a button and forget it . No need to watch it and turn it off . It will turn off when the rice is done and keep it warm for you . The pot has a non-stick surface that is very easy to clean up . Only drawbacks are that it spurts a little through the lid which then needs to be cleaned up more thoroughly and sometimes the bottom layer of the rice gets a bit crusty . Great for cooking brown rice and mixed wild rice . Not only did I buy one for myself - I bought one for my sister-in-law who loves it too .
131 4 I bought this product because of the brand reputation . It's alright , but smaller than I imagine , and nothing special . Just buy a $20 something rice cooker it might do the same thing .
140 4 Great rice cooker for the price . Non-Stick , doesn't burn your rice and is QUICK ! Two cups of rice cooks in less than 5 minutes ! Highly recommended !
176 4 I bought this on the high reviews and I am returning it because it is a sputtering mess maker ! I had a rice cooker i loved but gave it to my college son . Bought this one to replace it and what a mess ! ! ! ! It sputters yucky water all over itself and the counter ! Not just a little either ! Back to the store for it ! Reject ! ! ! I loved my Zo bread machine but this is a turkey !
135 4 No doubt that this rice maker makes awesome rice . As mentioned in earlier reviews - make sure you take the rice-water proportion as mentioned on your rice packet . I am an Indian and use Basmati rice and didn't have a problem at cooking them . But I do have other issues with this product
1 . It DEFINITELY cannot make 6 - cups uncooked rice . In fact even if you use 4 cups uncooked rice , it starts touching the lid
2 . I have been using this product twice a week for a month now and heating plate is turned brown in color due to the burn marks . The cooking vessel is also starting to show some burn marks now - this is very disappointing
123 4 I like this rice cooker and even better that it can be used as a steamer . I like that the rice doesn't stick to the bottom .
167 4 I purchased this as a gift for my college aged son . He has tried it twice and is very pleased with it .
171 4 I bought this rice cooker because of the majority of good reviews . Well , I should have listened to the bad reviews . This rice cooker shot out starchy water through the hole in the top all over my kitchen ! I even carefully followed all the directions . Unfortunately , I let the 30 day return window close before using this product . I really wish I could return it . Do not buy this rice cooker ! ! ! I am EXTREMELY dissapointed and can't believe I paid as much as I did . Listen to the negative reviews !
142 4 We returned this item without using it . A six cup rice cooker should be large emough for three people - - we thought . When we saw the vegetable steaming basket my wife didn't know whether to laugh or cry . It was large enough for no more than two normal size servings . No second helpings , please ! The instructions say that the steamer basket should not be used when rice is being cooked .
011 4 We bought another brand and the rice stuck , and it was a mess to clean . Someone told us about the elephant on the front and we got one , little more money but well worth it . The non stick pot is great , and very easy to clean . Tips : For less mess when the water boils to the top of the lid , take the lid off until the water boils down to the rice then put the lid back on . When it shuts off stir with the spatula . Another tip : Use one more cup of water than the book says . It comes out great ! try it you'll like it .
156 4 I owned an oster rice cooker and never liked it . Then I heard zojirushi is the best so I decided to try it . I love it . The rice is cooked perfect and does not burn on the bottom . The only thing I would warn is that the steam tray is metal so be careful pulling it in and out because mine got stratches on the non stick surface . I don't even store it with the tray inside anymore . enjoy ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
034 4 I loved how simple this was to use . The warm setting let me tell my son to start the rice before I got home and I did not have to be concerned that it would be burned . I like Jasmine rice and the directions for brown rice work great . I tried it both ways-rinse and not rinse . I only found slight difference in texture . Mainly-the rice tasted great ! I recommend this for its price range .
041 4 I can't believe how easy it is to make rice and steam vegetables . I love this thing . Based on other customer reviews , I followed the directions on the rice package and my rice turned out great . Steamed vegetables are done perfectly . I love the warming feature .
073 4 Works a lot better than a 3 cup panasonic one we use when we're just cooking for two . Not sure why , but the rice seems to be fluffier w / this one , and that's before fluffing it . I think it's because of the vent hole on top of the glass that the smaller one doesn't have .
099 4 Use this all the time , works great and is easy to use and clean up . The rice does get slightly brown on the bottom every time . I have tried to problem solve to prevent but haven't been able . The rice is not dry or burnt and it never seems to affect the taste .
130 4 It seems to work great with any short to medium grained rice . The rice is very fluffy and tasty with this rice cooker . I haven't tried this one with long-grained rice , but I think it will work also fine with it .
146 4 This is the second rice cooker we have bought from this manufacturer . I think they are the best .
166 4 Very disappointed after reading so many good reviews . I run to the pot as soon as the cooking light switches off , but the rice is already burnt . First time I used it , it was barely burnt , but with each use it is getting worse , so now a lot of rice comes out burnt . I did some research as to why this might be happening , but there does not seem to be anything wrong with what I am doing . Instead some people blame the heating plate for being too powerful . I am going to try to return it , if we are still within the time limit .
084 4 Very good and easy to use . The rice gets ready in about 15 minutes .
Good value for the money .
rice spatula , rice measuring cup , and a steaming tray . I haven't used the steaming tray , so I can't comment on it . The spatula is standard-issue plastic spatula , durable , easy to clean . The measuring cup is used in conjuction with the marks on the inner pan of the rice cooker - measure one cup of rice , put it in the rice cooker , fill it up with water until the 1 mark - that easy ! Sometimes I have to add a little more water than the mark - it depends on the kind of rice I'm using . That's something you'll have to figure out yourself for the rice you use .
The inner pan of the rice cooker is non-stick and removable for easy cleaning . I think it's very worthwhile to invest in a rice cooker with a non-stick interior .
The rice cooker has three settings - off , keep warm , and cook . To have the rice cooker off , it must be completely unplugged . Plugging the rice cooker in puts it in keep warm mode . There is only one button on the rice cooker , pushing it puts it in cook mode . When the dish is done , the button pops up and the rice cooker automatically goes to keep warm mode . Unplug to turn it off and complete the cooking cycle .
This rice cooker can be used to cook all kinds of white / brown rice , as well as specialty rices you can buy at the supermarket , such as pilafs and risottos . Just follow the directions on the back - combine the specified amount of water , spice / flavor packet , butter / oil , rice , and turn on the rice cooker ! Comes out perfect every time .
My only complaint about the rice cooker is that the food burns and sticks to the bottom of the inner pan . If I'm cooking white rice , the bottom layer turns filmy and sticks all together . If I'm cooking flavored rice , the bottom layer simply burns . This doesn't bother me too much because the non-stick inner pan is so easy to clean . It just means I waste a little bit of food every time I use the rice cooker .
I think that the rice cooker works well for the price . If I cooked more rice , I would favor a more expensive model that wouldn't burn the bottom of the dish .
007 4 A rice cooker is a necessity if you cook rice at least once a week . It's much easier to cook it in the rice cooker than on the stovetop . I've had this rice cooker for about 7 - 8 months and I'm fairly satisfied .
On the outside it is very stylish - smooth and the indigo color is nice . The following accessories are included : rice spatula , rice measuring cup , and a steaming tray . I haven't used the steaming tray , so I can't comment on it . The spatula is standard-issue plastic spatula , durable , easy to clean . The measuring cup is used in conjuction with the marks on the inner pan of the rice cooker - measure one cup of rice , put it in the rice cooker , fill it up with water until the 1 mark - that easy ! Sometimes I have to add a little more water than the mark - it depends on the kind of rice I'm using . That's something you'll have to figure out yourself for the rice you use .
The inner pan of the rice cooker is non-stick and removable for easy cleaning . I think it's very worthwhile to invest in a rice cooker with a non-stick interior .
The rice cooker has three settings - off , keep warm , and cook . To have the rice cooker off , it must be completely unplugged . Plugging the rice cooker in puts it in keep warm mode . There is only one button on the rice cooker , pushing it puts it in cook mode . When the dish is done , the button pops up and the rice cooker automatically goes to keep warm mode . Unplug to turn it off and complete the cooking cycle .
This rice cooker can be used to cook all kinds of white / brown rice , as well as specialty rices you can buy at the supermarket , such as pilafs and risottos . Just follow the directions on the back - combine the specified amount of water , spice / flavor packet , butter / oil , rice , and turn on the rice cooker ! Comes out perfect every time .
My only complaint about the rice cooker is that the food burns and sticks to the bottom of the inner pan . If I'm cooking white rice , the bottom layer turns filmy and sticks all together . If I'm cooking flavored rice , the bottom layer simply burns . This doesn't bother me too much because the non-stick inner pan is so easy to clean . It just means I waste a little bit of food every time I use the rice cooker .
I think that the rice cooker works well for the price . If I cooked more rice , I would favor a more expensive model that wouldn't burn the bottom of the dish .
039 4 Plus - - Cooks rice to the correct consistency when following directions
Minus - - like many rice cookers , pressure release hole tends to sputter ricey water all over counter on which it rests
The cooker put out a lot of steam from the vent hole in the cover . After steaming for a while , it started spitting . I actually held a rag above the cover for a while so the counter didn't get messed up . When the cooker clicked off , the rice was not completely cooked , probably because too much water had vented out as steam . Adding more water would probably solve that problem ; but since I don't want to stand by the machine with a rag each time I cook rice , I rate the product unsatisfactory .
083 4 It took me a long time to find a replacement for our old rice cooker . I am really pleased with this one as it works as advertised and does an excellent job at making rice . I have even used it for steaming vegetables and it worked equally well .
086 4 I read all the comments , bought the cooker and love it . I experienced none of the faults that were written about . Perfect rice and easy to clean . I use jasmine rice and cook it according to the rice bag instructions . This is the best small appliance I own .
112 4 makes everything from rice and porridge to steamed vegetables , easy to clean , no more burnt pots , I use it everyday , worth the investment , but if you want to slow cook a stew or soup , better get a slow cooker . The rice cooker will boil the liquid out of your recipe too fast .
126 4 I am a big fan of this brand so I decided to stick with it when it came time to buy another cooker . It does more than cook rice , I made bread pudding in it and it turned out great . The only problem I have is my rice would have some browness on the bottom , did it overcook the rice ? The warmer feature is nice to have to keep things warm for awhile . Overall , I am happy with it .
132 4 Most reviewers before me loved this product . I was not at all satisfied . I cooked brown rice . I rinsed it before putting it in the cooker . I read and followed all directions . Here's the problem : The cooker put out a lot of steam from the vent hole in the cover . After steaming for a while , it started spitting . I actually held a rag above the cover for a while so the counter didn't get messed up . When the cooker clicked off , the rice was not completely cooked , probably because too much water had vented out as steam . Adding more water would probably solve that problem ; but since I don't want to stand by the machine with a rag each time I cook rice , I rate the product unsatisfactory .
160 4 Purchased rice cooker for a gift . Recipient seems to really love it . I have been able to share a delicious dinner where the new owner used the cooker to steam vegetables and make the brown rice . This particular one was definitely a good choice for the money .
170 4 The rice first time was nearly perfect , but found several light browish clumps of rice , what causes them ? ? I did stir at least twice during cooking time . I also want to know why the rice must be washed first , I did wash it but why ? ? This extra step is alot more , and it is messy , and makes the cooker less attractive . I will use again , but could use some tips from someone who knows more about these machines . The keep warm part is a plus .
173 4 I purchased this after looking at all of the reviews . What a mistake ! After using this to cook single cup servings of several types of rice , there was one thing in common - a huge mess . Even after rinsing the raw rice several times , the unit still spatters out to about a two foot radius . I may try it with a wet dish towel on top to contain the mess , or I may just stick it in the basement and forget about it .
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
I have had this thing for about a month now and have used it about 12 times I'd guess . I've only cooked short grain high quality sushi type rice from California that I always wash thoroughly before cooking in it .
Pros , in about 15 minutes I have AWESOME rice , hot and ready to eat . Before on the stove top using a regular pot , it took a few minutes to get the water boiling , then 20 minutes to simmer , then 30 minutes off the heat with the top on to get rice that was not quite as good as this turns out . So , it's very nice now to get super awesome tasting rice in only about 15 minutes .
Cons , if I don't remove the rice immediately when it switches to warming mode the stuff will burn . I've only cooked one and two cups at a time , maybe if I cooked more it would be better , but seriously , the second the switch pops from cooking to warming mode I whip off the top and fluff the rice and then get it out of there . So as far as setting it and forgetting it , this ain't going to happen , at least not with this type of rice .
After dumping the rice into the pot , and then filling with water , I would recommend that you stir it up thoroughly . This helps prevent clumping and assures that all the rice is cooked evenly . The first time I just dumped it in there , along with the water , and some pieces were not cooked . after learning to stir it up good it has turned out excellent each time . Also , like others have pointed out , the non-stick coating will scratch if you even look at it wrong . Don't even use a plastic spoon . I use a soft rubber spatula to fluff the rice when it's done , scoop the rice out when it's done , and also for the initial stirring .
The rice I cook DOES turn out MUCH better using this than a regular pot on the stove . As long as you can get it out of the pot as soon as it's done you'll probably love it also . Was it worth $50 ? Well , before it could take me as long as an hour to get rice that wasn't quite as good as this . Now I can get AWESOME rice fully cooked hot and fresh ready to serve in about 15 minutes ( not including rice washing time ) . So , if eating your rice a lot sooner and having it taste a lot better , in my opinion , then $50 is a pretty darn good deal . I hope this helps somebody decide ! : )
001 4 I love my rice cookers . I use them not only to make rice , but for all sorts of one-pot meals . Put in a cup of rice , vegetables , meats or seafood , seasonings , tofu . . . and a half hour later you have a steaming hot one-pot meal . They're also good for pilafs and other grain dishes .
The Zojirushi and Panasonic units are all first rate , BUT you need to know a little something about cooking rice beyond what's in the poorly worded manuals .
Different rice takes different amounts of water . The long-grained rice Americans are used to should be cooked with 1 - 3 / 4 cup of water for each cup of rice . Japanese rice needs only 1 - 1 / 4 cup of water for each cup of rice , or 1 cup of water for each cup of washed , wet , rice .
Many Americans ( and Europeans ) have problems with these cookers because the measure ments are calibrated for Japanese short grain rice , and the Westerners are cooking long grain rice . Get the ratios correct , and everything works out fine .
I've had a number of rice cookers of different sizes . My Panasonic has lasted over 20 years , and my Zojirushi looks like it'll last just as long , while my South Bend gave up the ghost after only a year . Go with the top Japanese models ; they're made for day-in and day out cooking .
002 4 For a long time , I didn't see a need for a rice cooker . What's the big deal , I thought , of cooking rice on the stove ? However , as my life got busier and busier , I began to want one . For one , I cook rice at least twice a week , often more . Second , I thought it would be convenient to start up a rice cooker and then not worry about the rice until I was ready to put dinner on the table . This Zojirushi model is perfect for this . After the rice is cooked , it automatically switches to a Keep Warm setting .
A few tips about cooking rice in this model :
1 . Follow the water / rice ratio directions on the rice box , NOT in the manual .
2 . Fluff the rice when the cooking is complete and then let it steam longer on the Keep Warm setting . If you don't fluff , sometimes the rice browns a little on the bottom .
3 . Use high-quality rice .
Although I rarely use converted rice ( Uncle Ben's Original ) , I decided to give it a shot in this cooker . The results were barely satisfactory , since the rice browned on the bottom . I don't have this problem with jasmine and other premium rices . I suppose unplugging the appliance immediately after the cooking is done ( and letting it steam without the warmer on ) might help . My own solution is to stick with the better rices .
Other reviewers have noted a spitting through the steam hole during cooking . This is less of a problem with small quantities than large . The starchy steam doesn't bother me since the same thing happens to the side of a saucepan when I cook a lot of rice on the stove . The cooker is SO easy to clean that I can't imagine complaining about a wipe down of the counter . ( Hey , I have to do that anyway ! )
You'll be surprised by how simple this appliance is - and how well it works . Recommended for people who cook small to medium amounts of rice at least two times a week .
004 4 I've used less expensive rice cookers , but they don't measure up to the Zojirushi rice cookers . I used to have the 10 cup model , but that one was a little too large for me ( it would be great if you're cooking rice for more than 5 or 6 people ) . This 6 - cup cooker is perfect whether you are making 1 cup or 6 . Just put the rice in ( remember to wash it first ) , add water up to the line indicated , and push start . . . when it turns off , you have perfect rice . No more boiling water , stirring , boiling over , or burned pans !
005 4 Six cups is the perfect size for a small family . All rice cookers tend to make rice exactly right unless there is too much or too little water . The most important feature for me was the nonstick pan - and what a difference from my old rice cooker !
I had no trouble with excess moisture as some reviewers wrote . The glass lid fits well with or without the steamer , and moisture vents through the little hole on the top . It never boils over - but as with all rice cookers , it is important to rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch .
The steamer insert is small , since the cooker is small , but this is a plus for compact storage . I can usually fit all or most of a pack of frozen vegetables in the steamer , but not too many fresh veggies . It makes perfect rice for me , following the simple measuring and cooking directions , and the keep warm feature is very welcome . If you do not need all the bells and whistles of a programmable machine , be sure to choose one with a nonstick pan and the keep warm feature .
The indigo blue color is so unusual and attractive - also a big plus to have a good looking appliance if you leave it on the counter much of the time .
Quality = 5 , Features = 5 , Style = 5 , Compact Storage = 5 , CLEANUP = 5
In my opinion , Zojirushi is very much worth the cost and you will use this for a lifetime unless someone comes out with a model that measures , rinses , cooks , and cleans itself .
008 4 My husband is asian and between him and all of his family , I have been around MANY rice cookers - all different brands . And I just want to say that NONE of them have EVER spit water on the counter or got the counter wet , or even moist . It is an obvious flaw in this appliance , and definately not worth the . . . price tag . You can get much higher quality rice cookers for that price . All the ones I have seen used in my husband's family have the flip top lids ( look at the other Zojirushi models ) . You may want to try one of them instead of the glass lids . And don't worry , the rice will still come out perfect .
012 4 A great addition to any kitchen . I first tried a $39 Oster 6 - cup model from Sears , which was horrible ! The rice burned on the bottom every time , leaving the top rice smelling like smoke . The Oster ended up burning itself out on the third use .
The Zojirushi is by far the way to go ( no comparison ! ) . Perfect rice each time ( and I'm Chinese so I should know ) ; ) Even premixed rice ( such as Spanish yellow rice ) turns out wonderful . A worthwhile investment .
016 4 I purchased this rice cooker 5 months ago and use it 2 times per week . It is a great product for the price . I've read some of the other reviews and have to agree that the lid is a bear to clean . The nonstick interior is a must and cleans easily . I had some problems with spitting but found that it only sprays when I make small amounts of rice . As long as I make more than 2 cups I have not had this problem . If you unplug the rice cooker when it finishes cooking , you do not have big problems with browning . I did a lot of research and even bought ( and returned ) an inexpensive brand prior to getting this Zojirushi . It has all the features you need at an excellent price . By the way , since trying jasmine ( Thai ) rice I can't get my family to eat any other type . It is so fragrant and delicious . You can buy it inexpensively at any Asian market . Eat more rice !
030 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
I have had this thing for about a month now and have used it about 12 times I'd guess . I've only cooked short grain high quality sushi type rice from California that I always wash thoroughly before cooking in it .
Pros , in about 15 minutes I have AWESOME rice , hot and ready to eat . Before on the stove top using a regular pot , it took a few minutes to get the water boiling , then 20 minutes to simmer , then 30 minutes off the heat with the top on to get rice that was not quite as good as this turns out . So , it's very nice now to get super awesome tasting rice in only about 15 minutes .
Cons , if I don't remove the rice immediately when it switches to warming mode the stuff will burn . I've only cooked one and two cups at a time , maybe if I cooked more it would be better , but seriously , the second the switch pops from cooking to warming mode I whip off the top and fluff the rice and then get it out of there . So as far as setting it and forgetting it , this ain't going to happen , at least not with this type of rice .
After dumping the rice into the pot , and then filling with water , I would recommend that you stir it up thoroughly . This helps prevent clumping and assures that all the rice is cooked evenly . The first time I just dumped it in there , along with the water , and some pieces were not cooked . after learning to stir it up good it has turned out excellent each time . Also , like others have pointed out , the non-stick coating will scratch if you even look at it wrong . Don't even use a plastic spoon . I use a soft rubber spatula to fluff the rice when it's done , scoop the rice out when it's done , and also for the initial stirring .
The rice I cook DOES turn out MUCH better using this than a regular pot on the stove . As long as you can get it out of the pot as soon as it's done you'll probably love it also . Was it worth $50 ? Well , before it could take me as long as an hour to get rice that wasn't quite as good as this . Now I can get AWESOME rice fully cooked hot and fresh ready to serve in about 15 minutes ( not including rice washing time ) . So , if eating your rice a lot sooner and having it taste a lot better , in my opinion , then $50 is a pretty darn good deal . I hope this helps somebody decide ! : )
046 4 I researched several rice cookers on this site , and I read every single review for this Zojurishi before making my decision to order it . I was aware of the warnings about the sputtering , but I decided to take a chance on it anyway . I'm very glad I did . I've been using it for months now , and I'm incredibly happy with it . It cooks rice wonderfully , and it's the perfect size for a small family ( there's three of us ) . Taking the recommendations of previous reviewers , I follow the directions on the package of rice as opposed to the cooker's instructions , and it's worked quite well . I've used it for jasmine rice and sushi rice and both have come out great . Had a little trouble with brown rice . I have had the sputtering happen once , but it was because the cooker was too full , and now that I'm aware of that , I haven't had the problem since . I definitely recommend the Zojirushi rice cooker to anyone that needs a small , easy-to-use , reliable rice cooker that can stand up well to frequent use .
July 9 , 2009 - Nearly three years after my initial purchase ( September 2006 ) of this rice cooker , I just had to come on here and add that I'm still using it regularly ( several times a week most weeks ) , it's in great shape , and still cooks rice wonderfully . This has been one of the best appliance investments I've ever made - it was more than worth every penny . I might eventually upgrade to one of the fuzzy logic models , but this serves my needs perfectly for now .
065 4 I started looking for a decent rice cooker after going through 2 cheaper brands and one that would allow you to cook the rice in a microwave ( horrible ) . For most Caribbean Hispanics like my self rice is a staple of our diet , which basically means that we eat it almost everyday . In my case it is consumed in our home about 2 / 3 times a week . I became pretty frustrated with the different brands and didn't have a clue as to which one would be the better one . After doing extensive research considering pricing and all that , Zojirushi had to be one of the better brands and considering where the company originated from I decided to take chance . My previous rice cooker , by the way , was an Oster brand which worked marvelously until the Teflon which lined the cooker started to wear out .
After purchasing the Zojirushi cooker the first thing which I noticed was the high quality lining of the cooker it self . It will not generate any burned over cooked rice at the bottom if you follow the correct water to rice instructions . Unlike the Oster which after some use it started to deteriorate and scorched the bottom of the rice . I would have liked a nicer cooker with more bells and whistles but hey IT'S A RICE COOKER ! Keep it simple and that is exactly what Zojirushi has done with this model . I love it , and its pretty easy to clean after every use because the rice will not stick to the lining , at all . I have not used it as a steamer but I would not be surprised if it performes extremly well
Great buy for rice cooker beginners , regardless of the price tag .
066 4 Grew up in Texas . Never heard of a ' rice cooker ' . Married a Louisianan . . . . Saw no less than 3 rice cookers going at any time during the prep of a holiday meal . Bought this one . LOVE IT !
Bought the mother-in-law one , too . ( the bigger one ) . She loved it !
Zojirushi rocks !
071 4 I have had many other rice cookers but I am a fan of Zojirushi . I have their bread machine also . This cooker model is a little more expensive than similar cookers because you are paying for the Zojirushi quality and name . My Aroma 10 cup cooker heat function cracked from the heat and my Salton 3 cup cooker heating element stopped working after a short time . I like the fact that I can put rice in the bottom and fish or veggies on the top steamer and have a complete meal in one pot . Definitely make sure that you get the teflon coated bottom as it makes a world of difference when it comes to cleaning ( I have had both ) and this model cleans like a dream . I also like that it stays warm for hours , but you have to unplug the cord to turn the warmer off ( ? ) Maybe Zojirushi will take note of this . The 6 cup cooker size seems to serve a medium to large sized portion meal ( both top steamer and bottom cooker ) for two people and an extra large meal for one person . I am looking forward to a long lasting relationship with my Zojirushi .
072 4 I never give anything 5 stars for a review with the feeling that nothing is perfect . However , I have no complaints with this unit . My former cooker made the a golden crust on the bottom that was a pain to clean , not this one , the Zojirushi is very easy to clean , even the steam vent which is removable . I had considered buying one of the fancier Zojirushis but was concerned about the ease of cleaning , having had a deep fryer constructed the same way ( attached lid ) that was impossible to clean . The non-stick coating on the cooking pan makes for perfect release everytime . The rice is perfectly cooked , we use only Jasmine rice and I have found that I need to add just a touch more water than it calls for however . I am looking forward to trying brown rice in it . I am very happy with the unit and would recommend it to others .
078 4 Ditto what others have said about washing your grains - it's imperative . As it is I stand the cooker on a dishtowel and drape a couple of floursack towels around it . The vent hole does spit and a film will cover anything that is not covered .
That being said , this cooker makes some fabulous brown rice and oatmeal . It's my first one . Up until I bought it I wasn't much of a rice eater at all , and I was microwaving McCanns Quick Cooking Steelcut oatmeal since boiling oatmeal can be a chore . Now I use the real steel cut not the quick cooking and I can cook oatmeal either the night before or even in the morning . It comes out perfect every time if you use the instructions on the can ( 1 cup oatmeal / 4 cups water ) . Milk is not necessary as it's creamy and chewy at the same time .
I cook brown rice only and so far , so good - - again using the package instructions . I couldn't figure out the Zojirushi instructions . I find it's better to add the oil after cooking rather than before and I don't use the warm feature as it's too hot and will scorch the bottom of the rice . The Zojirushi is pretty easy to clean . The part that gets the grittiest is the lid , but it cleans up with a tough sponge . For the money , this is an excellent rice cooker . I don't know what fuzzy logic does , anyway .
082 4 Most of the time I used this unit for steaming vegetables , and less often for cooking rice . I always used the rice paddle that came with it , never a metal utensil , and I washed the pan by hand . Within 6 months the teflon coating started to bubble up and then peeled off in spots . Zojirushi replaced the pan under warranty , but accused me of using wrong utensils with it and said they wouldn't replace any more pans under warranty . I soon had the same problem with the replacement pan . I can order a replacement pan from Zoji , but with shipping it would cost me even more than purchasing an entirely new rice cooker .
I think the problem is that when the vegetables have finished steaming and the unit shuts off the cooking cycle , the liquid in the pan is entirely gone . Even though I unplug the unit when it switches to the warm cycle , the bottom of the pan gets too hot during the cooking cycle for the teflon coating . If I had used the rice cooker exclusively for cooking rice and grains , perhaps the teflon wouldn't have peeled off . I'll never know .
The only rice I cook is brown or wild . I'm happy with how my rice cooks in this unit . I usually soak my rice overnight , which improves it's nutritional benefits and is a traditional way of cooking it . This minimizes any splatter problem . Because of the problem with the teflon , I wouldn't recommend steaming in this unit . I use a Black & Decker steamer now for cooking vegetables , and I'm very happy with it .
089 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
I must admit I was a little skeptical about how a dedicated rice maker was going to improve the quality of the rice over my trusty stove pot . I mean , it's just boiling water , right ? But after using my new Zojirushi rice cooker I can honestly say the rice is vastly superior to my old school method . The rice that comes from is cooker is perfect !
I wrestled with whether I needed the fuzzy logic but I don't really eat enough rice to justify the additional expense . This cooker / warmer is simple and works effortlessly .
BTW , get the 6 - cup model . It does the warming and it's still small on the countertop .
090 4 I must admit I was a little skeptical about how a dedicated rice maker was going to improve the quality of the rice over my trusty stove pot . I mean , it's just boiling water , right ? But after using my new Zojirushi rice cooker I can honestly say the rice is vastly superior to my old school method . The rice that comes from is cooker is perfect !
I wrestled with whether I needed the fuzzy logic but I don't really eat enough rice to justify the additional expense . This cooker / warmer is simple and works effortlessly .
BTW , get the 6 - cup model . It does the warming and it's still small on the countertop .
094 4 My last non-Zojirushi rice cooker was supposed to be non-stick , but each time I use it , I end up with so much rice sticking to the base of the inner pan ( enough to fill one bowl ) !
I've used my new Zojirushi 6 - cup rice cooker twice so far . . . once to cook two cups and the 2nd time to cook one cup of rice . The rice was cooked to perfection each time with not even one grain of rice sticking to the base !
104 4 I owned a large , family-sized Zojirushi rice cooker several years ago and liked it . This cooker makes rice just as well as its more sophisticated ( and considerably more expensive ) brother , and is just right for a one - or two-person household . I have used it several times now and have produced excellent results each time . Steamed vegetables come out very well , too .
My biggest concern was how well it would do with one-cup loads , but they come out just as perfect as any other size .
The only special thing I did was go to my local Asian mart and pick up 2006 new crop jasmine rice from Thailand . Just follow the directions , and you'll have perfect rice every time !
109 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
I had never owned a rice cooker before I bought the Zo . I absolutely love it . It does not take up much counter space and is great for 2 - 3 people .
The first time I used it , I only made a cup of rice to see how it would turn out . I used the measurements I always use to cook rice on the stove :
1 cup of rice
1 and 3 / 4 cup water .
After the rice was done , I opened the lid and thought it was going to be soggy rice . Not so ! While it was on the warming cycle , I stirred it and put the lid back on . After 5 minutes , I checked it and it was terrific ! I think it is very important to stir the rice after it is done and in the warming cycle .
I am so happy with this rice maker . I was torn between this one and the 10 - cup model , but am happy I got this size . It makes plenty of rice for my needs .
Oh , and I had no trouble with the rice spraying gunk out of the hole in the top . I did rinse the rice before I put it in the cooker , though .
Love it !
110 4 I had never owned a rice cooker before I bought the Zo . I absolutely love it . It does not take up much counter space and is great for 2 - 3 people .
The first time I used it , I only made a cup of rice to see how it would turn out . I used the measurements I always use to cook rice on the stove :
1 cup of rice
1 and 3 / 4 cup water .
After the rice was done , I opened the lid and thought it was going to be soggy rice . Not so ! While it was on the warming cycle , I stirred it and put the lid back on . After 5 minutes , I checked it and it was terrific ! I think it is very important to stir the rice after it is done and in the warming cycle .
I am so happy with this rice maker . I was torn between this one and the 10 - cup model , but am happy I got this size . It makes plenty of rice for my needs .
Oh , and I had no trouble with the rice spraying gunk out of the hole in the top . I did rinse the rice before I put it in the cooker , though .
Love it !
114 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
I have been using rice cookers for over 20 years now , and owned more than 10 rice cookers . I have been using this one for over 4 months , and use it every other day . Now , I can say , this rice cooker is a good basic one , makes good rice , and meantime , inexpensive .
The only complain I have with it is it is kind of small when you use the tray . Also , if you want to make congee , this rice cooker is way too small .
Next time , I would buy a 10 cup one .
117 4 This rice maker just works - - you will want to add a bit more water than it says , and I haven't tried a lot of hard / brown rice - - but it cooks quickly with only minimal sticking . It's a bit more expensive than similar other brands , but you tend to pay for Zojirushi quality . The only problem is that , although it has an automatic warming mode ( works great ! ) , to turn it off completely you have to unplug it .
118 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
Works as advertised . Just follow the directions . Simple and easy to use .
I live at 8,000 feet , where it's very hard to cook rice properly . I just use about a cup more water than specified . I get perfect rice every time . Best part is that I don't have to stand over the pot and watch it . Just turn it on and 45 minutes later it's done !
128 4 I have used a Zojirushi rice cooker in the past and have found them to be very good and consistent . I hadn't had one for a while up until buying this one a couple of months ago .
When using a regular pot I often burned the rice after forgetting about it in the kitchen . With this rice cooker you cannot burn it . It shuts off automatically and just keeps the rice warm while it is plugged in .
It comes with a plastic rice scoop so that you do not scrath the interior of the cooking pot . It also has a nice steaming basket which I have used often to steam spinach .
This is a great rice cooker / steamer for the money .
149 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
After reading lots of reviews about a lot of rice cooker / steamers , I thought I'd made a good choice . Right out of the box I saw that it really isn't designed to cook rice and use the steamer insert at the same time , but I thought it might make such great rice that I wouldn't mind the inconvenience of steaming separately . Nope . The rice burned on the bottom even though I didn't leave it on keep warm for more than 5 - 6 minutes .
153 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
Love this rice cooker . It is so simple to use and has lasted well . Sure it spits towards the end of the cooking but I just place a paper towel over the vent which works fine .
It is fabulous . Would highly recommend as it is a durable product .
157 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer ( Kitchen )
Makes rice in short time.Great taste.Some tips to make rice.First the type of rice is important.I buy basmatic rice , you can get it from costco.Add one and half water for each cup of rice , add one tea spoon salt and two table spoon vegetable oil.You will have great tasty rice to eat .
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
In general , this product works well except the heating system is too powerful that the steam / water from the rice always spill over my countertop .
What bothered me the MOST was the product description did not say it was made in Thailand . I assumed I was getting a good deal for a Japanese rice cooker . DISAPPOINTED !
144 4 In general , this product works well except the heating system is too powerful that the steam / water from the rice always spill over my countertop .
What bothered me the MOST was the product description did not say it was made in Thailand . I assumed I was getting a good deal for a Japanese rice cooker . DISAPPOINTED !
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
TThis brand is usually very good , but this unit is just too cheap and flimsy to provide results that are any better than making rice on the stove . If you live in a dorm where you don't actually have a stove , this product is better than nothing , and very well be better than some of the other products out there , but it isn't going to make any serious cook very happy .
It may have been too large for our needs , but every time we used it to make one cup of rice ( it can make up to 6 ) , it scorched the bottom . And it just feels and looks cheap . We did not have the problem with the water everywhere because we inverted the steamer tray and placed it over the top as suggested by another reviewer .
We returned it for the same brand , but more expensive NS-LAC05 that is more than double the price and about half the capacity ( 3 cups ) . The description doesn't mention that this other one uses fuzzy logic to cook it , but it in fact does , and any serious cook should require that feature . The NS-LAC05 has a much higher quality feel , the steam vent isn't a problem , the cord retracts into the unit ( unlike the NHS - 10 ) and there is a slot for the spoon you can add to either side ( unlike the NHS - 10 ) . It's more expensive , but it doesn't scorch the bottom of small quantities of rice . I realize that $127 is a lot to pay for a rice cooker , but to pay about $50 for this product ( NHS - 10 ) made me feel like we didn't really get anything . At least for $127 , we got a cooker that we don't have to monitor , yet turns out perfect rice .
Again , in defense of this cooker , we were only cooking 1 cup in a 6 cup cooker , so it may just not have been suitable for that small amount . Normally , anything from this brand is a cut above , and so I'd suspect that it is probably as good as you can get for $50 . But that isn't really enough .
003 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I've used less expensive rice cookers , but they don't measure up to the Zojirushi rice cookers . I used to have the 10 cup model , but that one was a little too large for me ( it would be great if you're cooking rice for more than 5 or 6 people ) . This 6 - cup cooker is perfect whether you are making 1 cup or 6 . Just put the rice in ( remember to wash it first ) , add water up to the line indicated , and push start . . . when it turns off , you have perfect rice . No more boiling water , stirring , boiling over , or burned pans !
018 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10AW 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer , Indigo Blue ( Kitchen )
This rice cooker makes perfect rice , clean-up is a breeze , the Keep Warm setting is great .
I usually cook store-brand long-grain white rice , I do not rinse it before cooking . I have experienced no problems with excess moisture or spitting or any other problems . However , I do feel the need to point out that I do not use the amount of rice water specified in the rice cooker manual . If you get the rice / water ratio correct , this rice cooker will make perfect rice . If you follow the directions in the manual find that the rice doesn't cook properly , you need to experiment around with the proportions of rice water until you find what works for you .
Because the manual is not that great , I can't give this appliance a 5 - star rating . The manual only contains a couple of recipes , there are no instructions regarding how to cook American-grown rice that doesn't need to be rinsed or about how to cook packaged rice mixes .
023 4 I bought this Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - cup pot-type rice cooker two years ago , mostly as a convenience while preparing other parts of the meal . Alton Brown hates rice cookers , because ( aside from a little steamed vegetable tray ) they don't ' multi-task ' . Well I ' multi-task ' while the rice is cooking , and I find using the NHS - 10 frees up two extra stove burners , while taking up little counter space itself .
Now let's face it , an electric rice cooker is going to be used most frequently by rice-loving cultures who have DAILY need of it . So I'm not going to buy any U.S . - brand rice cooker designed by some guy in upstate New York ( even if it is more or less copied from a foreign model and built in China ) , but one designed by people who use the thing every day . Nor am I interested in Red Chinese-made replicas ( the Japanese company Toshiba invented the first successful electric rice cooker of this type in 1956 - the USA and China are mere imitators in this field ) . At present , this means getting a Japanese name-brand rice cooker built outside mainland China . Even mainland Chinese who can afford it insist on a Japanese-brand rice cooker like Panasonic or Zojirushi . That tells you something .
Unlike some other rice cookers out there , my Zojirushi was made in a factory in Thailand . Some Japanese companies who desire tighter quality control in some of their better products pay a little more in labor costs than they would in the Great Workers ' Paradise to have their appliances assembled in Malaysia or Thailand . In the case of my Zoji , I found no fit or finish problems . The modern FDA-approved nonstick coating on the rice pot was applied flawlessly and is quite durable ( use only soft plastic serving utensils such as the one supplied with the cooker ) .
These pot-type rice cookers use a simple , proven-technology thermostatic control to turn the appliance off , and mine has been trouble-free for over two years . I decided against the more expensive variant with the locking lid and complex electronics , and I'm glad I didn't spend the extra cash . I notice that other reviewers for the computer-controlled rice cookers are now reporting failures after several months of use . Another disadvantage to the ' brain ' or ' fuzzy logic ' models is that the built-in battery dies ( for lack of recharging ) , unless kept constantly plugged into an outlet . This is no problem for people who cook rice every single day and simply leave the appliance on their countertop , but I prefer to store our cooker in a cabinet . Furthermore , some of the fuzzy logic rice cookers take up to TWICE as long to cook a cup or two of white rice ( forty minutes versus twenty ) , and have no steamer tray , either . With its separate glass lid and removable rice pot and tray , the 6 - cup NHS - 10 is also significantly easier to clean than a closed cooker with a non-removable lid and tiny grille vents . A bit of hot water , soap , a light swipe with a soft cloth , and you're done . No scrubbing required .
Most rice cookers ( any style ) have best results when used to cook rice amounts within their design capacity range . That seems obvious to most of us , but you'd be surprised at the number of people who get confused by the manufacturer's directions , and put 6 cups of raw rice into a 4 - cup cooker , or one cup of raw rice into a 10 - cup cooker , then complain about the results . What constitutes a cup can vary too , along with the usual ambiguities caused by measuring dry foods like rice using liquid volume measurements instead of a standard based on weight . For example , Zojirushi lists the maximum ( dry , uncooked ) rice capacity of the 6 - cup NHS - 10 at 1100 cc , which works out to 37.195 U.S . fluid ounces , or only 4.6494 U.S . cups ( 8 fl . oz . ) of dry rice ( using a level measure ) . It turns out that Zojirushi uses a Japanese cup size of only 6.087 fl . oz . ( 180cc ) , to achieve its quoted 6 - cup capacity . So , this 6 - cup rice cooker is actually , to most U.S . consumers , a 4.6494 - cup rice cooker . However , when the NHS - 10 has finished cooking , what results is still plenty of cooked rice for a family of thee or four .
Having cooked white and wild rice of varying styles ( long-grain , medium-grain , short-grain ) for some time in a stove pan I KNEW ENOUGH TO RINSE AND SOAK THE RAW RICE THOROUGHLY UNTIL THE RINSE WATER RUNS CLEAR BEFORE PLACING IT INTO THE COOKER to remove excess starchy residue and prevent boilover or splattering from around the lid and vent hole . Rice cooking involves water , salt , and rice . The water / rice ratio and proportion is the most important aspect of rice cooking . I always follow the water amount instructions printed on the bag of rice I'm using at the time , and use that as a starting point to perfect the EXACT water proportion needed with a particular style , crop , or brand of rice . After all Zojirushi has no idea what style or type of rice you're trying to cook in the NHS - 10 . I also NEVER use mass-market brand rice , precooked or otherwise . As a result I never experience splattering or boilover , I don't have to monitor the rice cooker , and I get excellent tasting , properly-prepared rice . Indian basmati , wild rice , and the short-grain Japanese ( California ) ' sushi ' types seem to come out particularly nicely .
If you are getting browning rice at the bottom of the cooker or too-soft rice that mashes together , it's cooking too long : try reducing the amount of liquid just a tiny bit at a time . Some people use a small amount of oil as well , but I haven't needed that .
Oh , by the way , my rice-loving brother visited me last year . When he saw my trusty Zoji-san in action he immediately ordered the 10 - cup version for his larger family ; it too has worked flawlessly .
032 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
As soon as I got this little device I unpacked it , plugged it in , and put on 3 cups of Kokuho brand short grain rice . Even though I experimented with the water level ( 3 cups rinsed rice to 4 cups water ) and erred a little on the wet side , the very first batch came out great . I had none of the problems some have reported with water spurting out the vent hole on the lid . This is my first rice cooker , and already I am thrilled with it . I think this is a good choice for those who want enough capacity to do some vegetable steaming and one-pot cooking as well , but only need 3 - 4 cups of rice every few days . The only complaint I have is that there is no real off switch , only cook and keep warm . But unplugging the cord is no problem since you can unplug at the cooker and not the outlet ( not so on the smaller models , I believe ! ) .
Overall , I am quite pleased ( I researched rice cookers for several weeks before making my purchase ) and I hope that this model will last me over the next several years .
035 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
We read the reviews pro and con , and were concerned about the reports of sputtering on the counter , but decided to give it a try since most of the reviews were positive and some stated specifically they had not had this problem . Well , we should have listened to the warnings . For the first 2 - 3 months , the cooker was fine , with no splatter . Then , for no apparent reason , it began to splatter nearly every time we used it . We have no idea why this happens , as we have not changed the type of rice ( even the brand is the same ) , the amount of water , or anything else . Totally bizarre ( not to say annoying ) . We have solved the problem by placing a small piece of aluminum foil over the handle on the cover , so that part of it extends over the blow hole .
050 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
My wife , the amateur chef , and I , the professional eater , love this product . Makes great rice every time ; even brown rice which I never used to like much ( too hard and dry when made the old way ) . The steamer basket is quite handy . Still learning how to use it to make all kinds of stuff come out right .
Don't understand other reviews which complained about the hole in the lid . Advice : WAKE UP ! ! ! This is a whistle which lets you know that things are going well .
We got the small size for just two people . For any more , get the large size .
052 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
Typically I just make one cup of rice . However it does just fine for that amount . I agree with others that this is a fine piece of equipment . I just wanted to add that it works well when you primarily cook for only yourself ( and cook mabye a cup of rice ) . You have to plug it in ( it does not have a power switch ) . I would rather have that , but no big deal . You flip a switch down to cook , it does the job ( quickly ) and the flip switches up and goes into warm mode . I just unplug it , the rice stays warm for awhile even if you unplug it , I don't want to forget about it and leave it plugged in all night . The non-stick surface works fine . Just don't use metal items in it . I know people that do that , and you see that they scratch the non-stick surface after awhile . I expect that if you are careful about not scratching the surface ( and not putting the bowl in the dishwasher ) , and don't drop the glass lid , you will get a long life out of this . I know the company has a reputation for that . Based on my experience now , this is the brand name I would look for if I needed another .
054 4 Through college and the years following I have used many different rice cookers and this one is by far the best .
Using a 1 to 1 ratio with regular white rices and 1 to 2 with brown rice has always yielded perfect rice every time . The rice has never burned ( assuming you stick to the ratios ) and never sticks to the container .
An important note : Make sure you ONLY USE PLASTIC OR WOODEN UTENSILS ! While I personally haven't experienced this , metal utensils will scratch the non-stick lining on the pot .
That said , I have been using the same rice cooker for 4 years now and it still works like the day I bought it .
055 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I've waited to review this product for a while hoping to master perfect rice Although this does make pretty good white rice , I actually purchased it to make brown rice . It has yet to present perfect rice . It always browns the bottom rendering that rice inedible . I have experimented with different ratios of rice / water and always rinsed my rice as directions list . I bought this product with the expectations of perfect rice , with a long holding time . If the rice is brown at bottom directly after cooking , how will it be after holding an hour ? I made better rice stove top , and will continue to cook it that way .
Does anyone want to buy a cheap rice cooker ? LOL
057 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
The good : the non-stick surface works great and is easy to clean .
The bad : does a terrible job cooking rice . White , basmati , jasmine , brown . . . rinsed or not , 1 : 1 through 2 : 1 water-to-rice ratio , half a cup of dry rice to two cups of rice - it doesn't matter . The bottom always burns and the rice comes out gummy . It seems like the heating element is too strong - it finishes up far faster than it should . Add to that the fact that the hole in the lid sputters far more than any rice cooker I've ever used , and the keep warm function only serves to burn the bottom rice even more .
I wish I hadn't thrown out my el-cheapo cooker when this arrived . It was tiny and didn't have a non-stick pot , but at least it made good rice . I know 2 stars is a little harsh , but if a rice cooker doesn't make good rice , there's no point .
059 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
When I opened the package , I was a bit nervous at first , because this rice cooker looked so much smaller than I expected . Now that I have used it several times , though , I couldn't be more pleased - I love rice , and the Zojirushi NHS - 10 makes some very good rice . It's perfectly steamed ( I use 3 1 / 4 cups of water to 2 cups rice ) when it's done , and the warmer function holds the rice nicely . I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good , basic rice cooker .
063 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
This rice cooker is an exact replacement for one that we have had for the past 10 years . It is the perfect size for making rice for two to four people , without taking up a lot of counter space . It's reliable and always makes perfect rice . It works well as a steamer for small amounts of food . The removable insert is easy to clean .
067 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
This really is a great item to have . Not too big , not too small . Just the right size for 2 to 3 people . My wife and I have used this cooker several times already and we haven't experienced the venting or burning problems that other people have had with this unit . We have followed the other reviewers advice though , and have added a little extra water to the mix , and the white rice comes out perfect every time .
The other bonus is that the actual cooking bowl is non-stick , and removes from the cooker for an extremely easy clean up . Yeah , it might have been a little nicer if they designed it with an on / off switch . But how hard is it to plug something in to turn it on , and unplug it to turn it off ? So in my opinion , spend the money on this one !
069 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
First of all , this rice cooker is very easy to use and I was very happy with the results on the first try . I cooked brown rice and it turned out fluffy with just the right amount of moisture left behind . It took a little longer to cook than what the instructions indicated , but that wasn't a problem .
I read a lot of reviews before purchasing this model and a common complaint was the mess that was made during the cooking process . I agree with those comments . This rice cooker did splatter pretty much everywhere . Using the rice spatula that comes with the unit to cover the exhaust hole in the lid ( as another reviewer recommended ) did help somewhat , but there still a pretty big mess .
However , the mess cleaned up very easily and I was very surprised with how easy it was to clean the cooker itself as it had a lot of residue on it as well .
I was very pleased with the amount of rice that this cooker made . The amount of rice is easily enough for a family of four if you are using the rice as a side dish and not attempting to make four large bowls of rice .
075 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
Rule # 1 - - follow the directions , especially about rinsing the rice .
Rule # 2 - - buy the cooker size that is larger than you think you need .
We use it every week and for 4 months have never had a problem .
Perfect rice .
077 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
Ditto what others have said about washing your grains - it's imperative . As it is I stand the cooker on a dishtowel and drape a couple of floursack towels around it . The vent hole does spit and a film will cover anything that is not covered .
That being said , this cooker makes some fabulous brown rice and oatmeal . It's my first one . Up until I bought it I wasn't much of a rice eater at all , and I was microwaving McCanns Quick Cooking Steelcut oatmeal since boiling oatmeal can be a chore . Now I use the real steel cut not the quick cooking and I can cook oatmeal either the night before or even in the morning . It comes out perfect every time if you use the instructions on the can ( 1 cup oatmeal / 4 cups water ) . Milk is not necessary as it's creamy and chewy at the same time .
I cook brown rice only and so far , so good - - again using the package instructions . I couldn't figure out the Zojirushi instructions . I find it's better to add the oil after cooking rather than before and I don't use the warm feature as it's too hot and will scorch the bottom of the rice . The Zojirushi is pretty easy to clean . The part that gets the grittiest is the lid , but it cleans up with a tough sponge . For the money , this is an excellent rice cooker . I don't know what fuzzy logic does , anyway .
080 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
This cooker has made perfect rice every time , except for the time that I made the full 6 cupfuls ; the top layer of the rice didn't get done . I would recommend this cooker to anyone - just make 5 cups or less . The bowl is so easy to clean . The rice in the very bottom only turns very slightly brown , hardly noticeable .
087 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I am very happy with my rice cooker .
It works well , cooks rice , oatmeal and steams vegetables .
This is just what I was looking for .
106 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I don't know why I resisted buying a rice steamer for so long , especially when I eat rice so often !
I really enjoy using this steamer . . . it's a treat to know the rice will turn out perfectly without having to fuss over the pot while it's cooking .
I don't rinse my rice because I only use Organic Basmati or Brown . I also add a pat of butter , and never fill it all the way to the top , so I've had no problems with messy overflow .
I like the smaller size of this cooker ( it stores easily when I'm done ) and the easy clean-up . I'm very pleased !
111 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
makes everything from rice and porridge to steamed vegetables , easy to clean , no more burnt pots , I use it everyday , worth the investment , but if you want to slow cook a stew or soup , better get a slow cooker . The rice cooker will boil the liquid out of your recipe too fast .
116 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
This rice maker just works - - you will want to add a bit more water than it says , and I haven't tried a lot of hard / brown rice - - but it cooks quickly with only minimal sticking . It's a bit more expensive than similar other brands , but you tend to pay for Zojirushi quality . The only problem is that , although it has an automatic warming mode ( works great ! ) , to turn it off completely you have to unplug it .
120 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
Have had it about 6 weeks and no problems . Rice does not stick to container . Rice cooked according to rice container instructions comes out great . Easy to clean .
133 4 I bought this as a replacement to my old Hitachi rice cooker . The NHS - 10 does a fine job at cooking rice . I've had soft , sticky rice with no burning issues since using this rice cooker . I do have 1 big issue with it though . THERE IS NO POWER BUTTON ? Why on earth would any appliance maker make anything without a power button ? I find it quite annoying to have to plug and unplug this thing each time I want to use it .
It's my fault for not looking for a power button prior to purchasing , but come on , it's 2009 and they couldn't add it in ( especially for it's price ? ? ? ) .
If I had to do it all over again , I would not buy this product specifically for that reason . No quality issues , just a serious design flaw .
134 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
No doubt that this rice maker makes awesome rice . As mentioned in earlier reviews - make sure you take the rice-water proportion as mentioned on your rice packet . I am an Indian and use Basmati rice and didn't have a problem at cooking them . But I do have other issues with this product
1 . It DEFINITELY cannot make 6 - cups uncooked rice . In fact even if you use 4 cups uncooked rice , it starts touching the lid
2 . I have been using this product twice a week for a month now and heating plate is turned brown in color due to the burn marks . The cooking vessel is also starting to show some burn marks now - this is very disappointing
136 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
This rice cooker is great for a small family . I tried 3 - 4 cups of rice and washed the rice as the instruction said . If one needs to cook more than 4 cups ( although it's a 6 cup cooker ) , you better to buy a larger rice cooker than this .
138 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I really like the Rice Cooker / Steamer , I just need to remember its not Minute Rice & that it takes as long to cook the rice as it does to cook some meat dish's ! The quanity it makes is great for 2 people ( my husband is a hardy eater to ! ) , but if you have children , I suggest you get the bigger one . I have always wanted one & this Zojirushi is a great one to get !
147 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I am really enjoying this cooker . I took another brand back to the store and even though some people said this was a messy cooker , I decided to take my chances . Well I love it ! All white rice cooks fine . Long grain brown rice bubbles for some reason but short grain sweet brown rice only bubbles a little and is not messy at all . Black rice did fine also . What works for me when I'm doing long grain brown is to simply throw a damp paper towel over the whole lid . I have also steamed fish and it turned out great . Just follow the directions . At first I thougt there would not be enough water ( per directions ) to steam the salmon but it was PERFECT . I spread a little thai curry paste over some of the salmon before steaming and it was yummy . Always looking for new things to do in this cooker .
151 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
This was a gift to a family member to replace another brand that didn't last 2 months . It cooks well , looks great on the buffet table and was a fair price for the value .
155 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I owned an oster rice cooker and never liked it . Then I heard zojirushi is the best so I decided to try it . I love it . The rice is cooked perfect and does not burn on the bottom . The only thing I would warn is that the steam tray is metal so be careful pulling it in and out because mine got stratches on the non stick surface . I don't even store it with the tray inside anymore . enjoy ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
159 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
Purchased rice cooker for a gift . Recipient seems to really love it . I have been able to share a delicious dinner where the new owner used the cooker to steam vegetables and make the brown rice . This particular one was definitely a good choice for the money .
162 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
TThis brand is usually very good , but this unit is just too cheap and flimsy to provide results that are any better than making rice on the stove . If you live in a dorm where you don't actually have a stove , this product is better than nothing , and very well be better than some of the other products out there , but it isn't going to make any serious cook very happy .
It may have been too large for our needs , but every time we used it to make one cup of rice ( it can make up to 6 ) , it scorched the bottom . And it just feels and looks cheap . We did not have the problem with the water everywhere because we inverted the steamer tray and placed it over the top as suggested by another reviewer .
We returned it for the same brand , but more expensive NS-LAC05 that is more than double the price and about half the capacity ( 3 cups ) . The description doesn't mention that this other one uses fuzzy logic to cook it , but it in fact does , and any serious cook should require that feature . The NS-LAC05 has a much higher quality feel , the steam vent isn't a problem , the cord retracts into the unit ( unlike the NHS - 10 ) and there is a slot for the spoon you can add to either side ( unlike the NHS - 10 ) . It's more expensive , but it doesn't scorch the bottom of small quantities of rice . I realize that $127 is a lot to pay for a rice cooker , but to pay about $50 for this product ( NHS - 10 ) made me feel like we didn't really get anything . At least for $127 , we got a cooker that we don't have to monitor , yet turns out perfect rice .
Again , in defense of this cooker , we were only cooking 1 cup in a 6 cup cooker , so it may just not have been suitable for that small amount . Normally , anything from this brand is a cut above , and so I'd suspect that it is probably as good as you can get for $50 . But that isn't really enough .
163 4 TThis brand is usually very good , but this unit is just too cheap and flimsy to provide results that are any better than making rice on the stove . If you live in a dorm where you don't actually have a stove , this product is better than nothing , and very well be better than some of the other products out there , but it isn't going to make any serious cook very happy .
It may have been too large for our needs , but every time we used it to make one cup of rice ( it can make up to 6 ) , it scorched the bottom . And it just feels and looks cheap . We did not have the problem with the water everywhere because we inverted the steamer tray and placed it over the top as suggested by another reviewer .
We returned it for the same brand , but more expensive NS-LAC05 that is more than double the price and about half the capacity ( 3 cups ) . The description doesn't mention that this other one uses fuzzy logic to cook it , but it in fact does , and any serious cook should require that feature . The NS-LAC05 has a much higher quality feel , the steam vent isn't a problem , the cord retracts into the unit ( unlike the NHS - 10 ) and there is a slot for the spoon you can add to either side ( unlike the NHS - 10 ) . It's more expensive , but it doesn't scorch the bottom of small quantities of rice . I realize that $127 is a lot to pay for a rice cooker , but to pay about $50 for this product ( NHS - 10 ) made me feel like we didn't really get anything . At least for $127 , we got a cooker that we don't have to monitor , yet turns out perfect rice .
Again , in defense of this cooker , we were only cooking 1 cup in a 6 cup cooker , so it may just not have been suitable for that small amount . Normally , anything from this brand is a cut above , and so I'd suspect that it is probably as good as you can get for $50 . But that isn't really enough .
164 4 I have a fair amount of experience cooking rice and I know the general tips and tricks for getting a good batch ( e.g . , soaking the rice for about half an hour prior to cooking , and letting the rice sit for several minutes after it is done ) . BUT : when it comes down to it , cooking rice should NOT be hard , and contrary to what other reviewers here might have you believe , it should NOT be an experiment . It IS if you use a mediocre rice cooker , and unfortunately I'm going to have to put this product in that category . I had the NHS - 10 for a few months and was never able to get a satisfactory batch out of it , no matter what I did and no matter what kind of rice I was using . The bottom was almost always burnt , and the rice was always unevenly cooked . I also had unsatisfactory experiences using it as a steamer ( do YOU like having burnt liquid collect at the bottom of the cooking pot ? ) . Again , experiment all you want , but the bottom line is it really shouldn't be difficult to get good results out of a product like this .
172 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I purchased this after looking at all of the reviews . What a mistake ! After using this to cook single cup servings of several types of rice , there was one thing in common - a huge mess . Even after rinsing the raw rice several times , the unit still spatters out to about a two foot radius . I may try it with a wet dish towel on top to contain the mess , or I may just stick it in the basement and forget about it .
175 4 This review is from :
Zojirushi NHS - 10 6 - Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer & Warmer , White ( Kitchen )
I bought this on the high reviews and I am returning it because it is a sputtering mess maker ! I had a rice cooker i loved but gave it to my college son . Bought this one to replace it and what a mess ! ! ! ! It sputters yucky water all over itself and the counter ! Not just a little either ! Back to the store for it ! Reject ! ! ! I loved my Zo bread machine but this is a turkey !
