Review of Zojirushi 6 Cup Rice Cooker / Steamer

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List Price: $67.00
Sale Price: $56.56
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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.

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(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)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.

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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!

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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.

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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.