I have only had this rice cooker for a couple of days, but have already made rice and oatmeal with great results. I didn't know much about rice cookers, and really doubted that I need one at all until I realized they could be used for other things - like oatmeal. I don't eat rice every day, but I do eat oatmeal every morning. I prefer the long-cooking kind, steel cut or rolled oats, and usually make it in the microwave, which is fine if not special. But recently I have gotten into batch cooking and wanted to make enough to last several days. Not so easy in the microwave. I had tried overnight oats, and discovered that this method is acceptable only if one likes raw, uncooked oats. So, I decided to research rice cookers. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information about batch cooking oatmeal in one, so I had to make a blind purchase. I decided to go for broke and get one with fuzzy logic (why not?) I chose a smaller and cheaper competitor's product first. Wrong decision - no beep at the end of the cycle to let you know it is finished and an thin, cheap-looking inner pot that was too small for cooking more than 3/4 cup of raw oats on the porridge setting. Plus the inside measurement markings were impossible to see once placed in the cooker. Though less expensive than this model, we were still taking a lot of money, so that one went back and I purchased this Zojiruchi 1.8 L model instead. This one is a keeper! Large enough for my 4-days of oatmeal recipe that uses almond milk and a mixture of steel-cut and rolled oats with farro grain thrown in for good measure (makes 4, 12-oz servings.) Perfect, creamy results in about an hour using the porridge setting, and I can do other things during that hour - much better than standing at the stove stirring the pot for at least 30 minutes. No boil-over at all, and super easy clean-up due to the inner pot's non-stick coating and the removable cover plate under the top. I don't write many reviews, just the ones that I might have appreciated reading before making a purchase for a slightly different reason than the usual. Read more
The process of cooking rice with this cooker is very simple, you just measure out how much rice you want to use with the measuring cup provided with the cooker, then dump the rice into the cooking pot, and rinse it a few times in the pot, then fill the pot with water to the inside line that corresponds with how many cups of rice you put in, and then put the cooking pot back in the cooker, select which type of rice you're using, (which is usually sushi rice for me,) and press start. the cooking time is about 20 mins, but there is also a quick cook setting if you want your rice to be ready asap. I haven't tried the timer function, I don't really think it's necessary. I just leave my rice to cook on the normal setting, and then once it's done cooking, I'll leave it on the keep warm setting. You can leave it on the keep warm setting for literally days, and it will stay fresh and warm, ready to eat. The quality of the rice produced by this cooker is top notch, restaurant quality. I previously owned a very cheap rice cooker that produced terrible quality rice, so this is a world's difference for me, and I'm very very happy with my purchase. When I was looking at reviews before buying this, I didn't see a lot of people explaining the cleaning process, so I want to go into depth on that. I asked on the official Zojirushi website before buying, if the inner cooking pot was dish washer safe, and it is NOT, so keep that in mind. The cooking pot as well as the metal tray attached to the lid are HAND WASH ONLY, however both components are VERY non-stick and can be easily cleaned. Even just wiping the inside down with a wet paper towel is enough to remove all traces of rice and any seasoning used from the pot. This cooker arrives fully equipped with two measuring cups, a rice scooping spatula, a holder for the spatula, a cord to plug in the rice cooker, instruction manuals, and of course the rice cooker, inner cooking pot, and metal lid component, which is pretty much all you need to use this cooker (besides the rice.) Read more
I'm not yet sure what to think of this item. I ordered it from Amazon Marketplace - Warehouse Deals. It was described as used but in like new condition. When I received it, 3 items were missing from the box and the manual was not in English. At least the box was in great shape and the rice cooker, manual and power plug look new. The sticker was still on the top of the rice cooker. I had to call Amazon several times to get this missing items sent to me, and I have not yet had time to test the appliance to see if it works. It does come on, and I have set the clock. I just haven't cooked in it yet. I am confident that it will be fine, as Zojirushi makes great appliances. I have owned and used a Zojirushi on/off rice cooker for years; still have it, and it is going strong. I just wanted to try an electronic model so I can make better brown rice and try other types of rice. I also own a Zojirushi bread machine. As soon as I put this model to the test, I will post an updated review. UPDATE: I cooked brown rice in it today, following the instructions in the manual. The cooker was very easy to use, and the rice was perfect. I reserve a 5-star rating for how it performs with other rices and for its durability and reliability. Stay tuned for further updates. UPDATE 2: This little appliance is great! Easy to clean, easy to use, and it cooks brown rice so well. We are really enjoying it. Read more
