ice can be hard to cook and can take up a fair amount of effort. Therefore, it's a smart idea to invest in a good rice cooker. When it comes to rice cookers, there are a hundred different brands in the market (and we’re not joking). Each brand claiming to be the best and better than all. This creates a lot of confusion in the minds of anyone searching for a quality rice cooker. To avoid such confusion, it's better to consider rice cookers made by one country that makes some of the best things in the world. Yes, you guessed that right, Japan.
Made In Japan
What makes Japanese-made rice cookers special, is that their features actually work. There are no false advertisements for them. For instance, features like cooking settings, keep warm functions, cup capacity, etc. All work as described and are ideally suited for cooking rice. To corroborate our statement, we have brought the reviews of two top of the line rice cookers, which of course are made in Japan. These rice cookers are the best of the best. They are high-quality, sophisticated rice cookers capable of making any type of rice you like. From mixed rice to sushi, brown rice, or porridge – you name it. And, these cookers will be sure not to disappoint over the decades they are intended to last.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the reviews of the most prestigious "Made in Japan" rice cookers!
The ZOJIRUSHI NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer
Perfect rice every time. This 5.9 kg rice cooker has one 1 liter size, which is rather small. Therefore if you have a bigger family, this product may not be suitable for you. However, this is the only major limitation of this product. Otherwise, it is ideal for small families. With its multi-menu cooking functions, you can cook almost any type of rice from basmati to mixed and sushi (to name a few).
In terms of design, it looks very similar to any modern induction cooker with durable stainless steel construction. Besides, it comes equipped with a vivid and reasonably easy to read LCD control panel. Moreover, the panel has a delay timer and clock for straightforward setting changes. You can use the delay timer to program the induction cooker’s start time.
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The induction heating pressure cooker is one of the most intelligent pressure rice cookers. The advanced fuzzy logic technology with AI, intelligently adjusts the cooking cycle to obtain the perfect results. It selects one of the three settings from the cooking options. These settings include an "Umami" setting that extends the steaming and soaking time for better cooking. The steam - reduction feature of the cooker reduces the steam to almost 50 percent. Lastly, the Scorch setting toasts the rice to a crispy brown color, perfect for special dishes on several occasions.
The inner nonstick pan is infused with platinum that changes the water quality and allows rice to absorb water in requisite quantities for better taste. It also includes superior induction technology, a beep function to indicate the end of the cooking cycle, an interchangeable melody, a detachable inner steel cover, auto keep warm, and multiple cook functions. For safety reasons, it features a pressure control valve, a backup valve, a lid filter, and a pressure indicator located on top of the control panel.
Finally, the cooker comes with a spatula holder, rice spatula, and two different measuring cups. You can use the cups to measure rice quantity. The green one is ideal for rinse-free rice, as it can hold over 5 and a half ounces. On the other hand, the clear cup has six ounces of rice capacity.
All in all, this marvel of Japanese cookware comes with induction heat, fuzzy logic, pressure cooking capabilities, and platinum infused pan. Its capacity is five cups of uncooked rice. Therefore if you live with extended family, you may want to check out our next review. This ultimate rice cooker provides a variety of warming and cooking options that allow users to cook their ideal meals. Highly programmable and useful, you have complete control over the cooking process, which is what most people are looking for.
Advantages
• Cooks perfect rice every time
• Can cook different varieties of rice
• Comes with three reheating options
• Very durable and easy to clean
• Inner non-stick platinum coated pan
• Programmable and fuzzy logic
• Beginner-friendly cooker
Disadvantages
• Mediocre in size (5 cups). If you live with a larger family, you will need to invest in the bigger cooker.
• The front paneling is not backlit
• It cannot steam veggies
Zojirushi NP-NVC18 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer
Perfect rice texture each and every time, as well as a much larger cooking capacity, 1.8 liters to be exact. The NP-NVC18 is the pinnacle of pressure cookers. And we don’t think anyone can beat this model for a very long time. Its “pressure” function is an absolute kicker that can cook any variety of rice you throw at it perfectly. Let’s take a look at what makes this cooker superior than its competitors.
The Fuzzy logic technology is even better than the previously noted model. It remembers the rice capacity you often consume, and picks the ideal cooking flow from the start of the process. The rice cooker has built in logic and sensors to determine the best cooking time and temperature. Now, you don’t even need to set the pre-soaking time for rice. This appliance does it automatically. Plus, it also sets the final waiting period for steaming.
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The induction heating pressure system ensures that all the cooking is done inside a completely sealed and airtight vessel. It doesn't allow liquid to dissipate below a specific pressure cooking setting. Hence, it boosts the quality of the end product because pressure cooked rice stays soft and delicious longer than traditionally cooked rice.
Like the previous model we reviewed, it also has a platinum infused nonstick inner pan. It alkalizes water, that disintegrates the proteins on the surface of rice grains. Therefore, enabling water to penetrate much more easily. Furthermore, the Umami setting, Steam-Reduce setting, and Scorched setting work the same way, allowing you to cook rice to your requirements.
Additionally, the Extended Keep Warm feature works automatically and maintains rice warmth even at much lower temperatures than the Regular Keep Warm feature. This prevents rice from drying and yellowing. You can also use this feature when you want to keep rice warm for more than 24 hours. If you want to reheat rice, forget about the microwave and use the Reheat feature to re-warm rice within 5 to 8 minutes. The Keep-Warm monitor records the duration and number of times the lid has been opened, then computes the rice quantity left in the pan. This sensor makes the cooker calculate the exact amount of heat required to attain perfectly cooked rice.
Another area where the NP-NVC18 trumps its competitors is the safety features. Usually, the lower-quality smart induction pressure cookers aren't as reliable to control the pressure levels during the cooking session. This model, however, has a pressure control valve that comes with a pressure release ball to keep the pressure levels always within spec. It also has an inner lid filter to stop any particles from getting stuck in the valve. Furthermore, the control valve has another safety valve that releases excessive steam pressure if the control valve gets clogged accidentally. Thus providing an extra layer of protection. Moreover, the pressure indicator turns on when any pressure is applied and securely locks the lid. In case everything fails and the control valve gets clogged anyway, its whistling noise alerts you that you need to clean the clogged valve. All of this adds to a very safe cooking experience.
Overall, this induction cooker will exceed your expectations every time you use it. Any chef would be impressed with the number of cooking settings this rice cooker has to offer. However, it is rather pricey. Therefore, we recommend it only if you consume rice often and need a durable piece of equipment that will last decades.
Advantages
• Induction and pressure cooking system
• Multi-use cooking settings for a variety of rice grains
• Inner non-stick platinum coated pan
• Fantastic safety features for secure cooking
• Well-made and solid design that performs as expected
• The idiot-proof buttons for added security
• Detachable inner lid that you can easily wash
• Easy to clean
• Suitable for extended families
• Makes up to 10 cups of uncooked rice
Disadvantages
• This one will cost you a fortune as it is more expensive than the previous model
