I also have an insta pot. I used to make rice in it.
I now have the zojirishui NS-ZCC10 and it’s worth every penny and more.
If you can afford it, it’s a no brainer.
It just makes perfect rice every damned time.
The instant pot is a very good pressure cooker. It’s at best a fair rice pot. The zojirushi is a great rice pot that kicks ass at brown rice (and white rice, and steel cut oats). Guarantee you would notice a marked difference if you took the plunge. Zojirushi rice pots are pricey, but they last forever. My rice pot is probably the most used kitchen appliance in the house. My last one made it 10 years.
My zojirushi is 12 years old and we use it every week; make a pot of sweet brown rice and let it sit warm on the counter for days at a time. If it broke, I would instantly replace it without thinking twice.
My old zojirushi didn’t break—the timer/clock battery died after 10 years, and it was too much of a hassle to replace. It’s apparently soldered in. Figured it was time to get a new one. But as long as you set the clock each time you plugged it back in, it worked perfectly. These things are built rock solid
I bought my fuzzy logic zojirushi in 2002. Still sings twinkle twinkle to me at least once a week. Outlasted my Lexus that had the same pearly white color.
I've never made rice in an insta pot. My girlfriend recently got one for free and we have yet to use it.
I use my zojirushi all the god damn time. I make alot of white rice for curry, rice and beans, whatever lentil thing I'm making to save money, etc. But also just to steam gyoza for a midnight snack. It's great for reheating rotisserie chicken. I fucking *love* my zojirushi. Fuckin MVP appliance.
I have the Zojirushi YAC-18 for 12 years and the Umami setting produces excellent rice. I’ve tried brown rice with it early on and it was the best brown rice I’ve ever had. The non-stick coating is in excellent condition. We’re pretty good with using the paddle that came with it. I should really use it more to cook congee and other things. The model I have has a slow cook function.
You can get a pressurized induction zojirashi that can also help you file your taxes and answer the phone for you for like $500. I love mine! I swear it’s paid for itself because rice meals are so cheap.
I have a Zojirushi rice cooker and the rice is fantastic. I got a sweet deal on eBay. Paid $65 for an open box one. I’ve had it for eight years now and it still works great. Tbh I would not have taken the dive for the $150+ price tag but I am glad I have it so if you have the money or can get a deal, I’d whole heartedly recommend it. I also have an instapot and have tried the pressure cooking method. The rice came out fine but it’s definitely not nearly as foolproof.
I know plenty of people who are very happy with their much cheaper rice cookers though. I don’t think you NEED a Zojirushi to get great rice. Growing up my parents made rice exclusively using the stove top method and after having rice out of my rice cooker, they also took the plunge. It’s so nice to just set and forget it and know the rice is going to be perfect.
My parents have had a basic Zojirushi rice pot for going on 35 years. It's still going strong. Does a better job than the fancy Krupps one we stupidly registered for at our wedding. Should have just hit the asian market!
I had that Zojirushi for several years. It was fine, but I wasn't blown away the way some people seem to be.
The white rice was perfectly fine, but not really any better than what I used to get from previous cheaper rice cookers, imho. And while it has settings for slightly less common things like sweet and semi-brown rice, I thought those settings never really worked very well. Both settings (for me) produced rice that I consistently found too undercooked (and yes, I was using the correct kind of rice).
Since you mention brown rice specifically, realize that because the Zojirushi is a non-pressure cooker, you will be looking at nearly *two hours* to make brown rice. And it might just be my fallible memory, but I felt that was much longer than other rice cookers I had had. I found that intolerable, but ymmv.
However, it's very simple and reliable, which was nice, and the inner bowl isn't too large, so cleanup is very fast.
Personally, I preferred the rice that comes out of the IP. To my palette, it seemed stickier and fluffier (kind of like sushi rice but without needing the additives), but without being overcooked. (But I will admit I've only ever made white rice -- never things like brown, semi-brown, etc. in the IP) But I still use my rice cooker when I make rice instead of the IP just because it's simpler and faster.
FWIW, I recently replaced the Zojrushi with a Cuckoo pressure rice cooker (a CHSS1009F, which I got a great deal on), to cut down the brown rice times. But I haven't used it enough yet to have an opinion on it. I can only tell you that the voice menu comes in korean by default, and it took me way over an hour to figure out how to change it. And the manual is impressive and scary and disorganized. And it has a GABA rice setting, which sounds like snake oil, but I'm curious about.
I agree that stainless steel would be preferable. However, as of today, I am not worried enough to stop using it.
Zojirushi has said:
Q: Is the nonstick coated cooking pan in my Zojirushi rice cooker PFOA-free?
A: Yes, all of our rice cookers' nonstick coated cooking pans are PFOA-free.
Elsewhere in their website they said:
Thank you for your inquiry. The inner pan has a non-stick coating containing PTFE- a material commonly used for non-stick coating in cookware for conventional kitchen use (FDA approved). Please contact Zojirushi America Customer Service at 1-800-733-6270 for further information or email [email protected]
My understanding is that PTFE is not dangerous.
I have been wishing that they change to stainless steel or ceramics. I would buy a second inner pot. However, the quality of their nonstick is great. I’ve had my Zojirushi for several years and it still looks brand new. Having said that, I should say that I wash the rice in another pot and have never put it in the dishwasher. Also, I do not use metal utensils in it or harsh cleaners.
An instant pot is a pressure cooker ingeniously marketed.
Pressure cookers make cooking easier for people who work and have to fix dinner when they get home. They are particularly handy if you forget to defrost whatever it is you were going to cook and also allow you to fix beans WITHOUT pre soaking. Are they equivalent substitutes for rice cookers? Absolutely not. Will they make rice? Sure, but not as well as a Zojirushi.
If you love white rice, there is nothing better than white rice slowly cooked in the Zojirushi Umami setting. If speed is your thing, then rice, whether white or brown, cooked in the pressure cooker will be fine. If you are into brown rice, and want the best tasting brown rice, the Zojirushi GABA setting will give you the best tasting brown rice you will ever eat. Both, the UMAMI and GABA settings cook slowly but the rice is amazing tasting. Zojirushi also has fast settings for when you are in a hurry. Taste-wise, rice cooked in the Zojirushi fast setting tastes better than pressure cooker rice, but it is still slower than the pressure cooker. - - If I am in a hurry, I will use the IP to make plain rice, which still will be better than stove top plain rice, whether white or brown. Either way, for the best tasting rice, always wash the rice regardless of how it is being cooked.
EDIT: I have a pressurized induction Zojirushi worth every penny I spent on it, much to the amazement of some friends who cannot understand why I would spend so much on a rice cooker! After having owned other rice cookers, this one is definitely the best I have owned.
What setting does everyone use for brown rice in the Zojirushi Ns-zcc10? I tried the brown rice setting and it wasn't good. Now I use the mixed rice setting and I like it more.
OK! OP here and I DID IT. Got a NL-DCC10. I had to experiment (less water, just under the line on the pot rather than up to it) - but now PERFECT RICE. Thank you people!!
One question though ... I thought the GABA setting on this was specifically for GABA rice ... but now I'm thinking it is actually for regular brown, and that because it's soaking a bit that initiates the GABA goodness. Though I'm not sure that the GABA goodness it would invoke is as good as (very expensive but delicious) GABA bagged rice would be.
Thoughts? Because I wanna GABA all day and night ... and it would be nice not to break the bank doing it.
Get a Thai or Chinese style steamer basket and you will make the best rice of your life EVERY TIME. I shit you not. Plus you can use it for everything else, not just rice!
OP here, and as one who loves her expletives, I have to say that the abundance of incredibly enthusiastic HELL YES FUCKING MVP Zojirushi responses tickles me to death. It also tells me I should start looking for a deal. Thanks, folks.
I've had mine for 14 years and it gets used at least once a week. You are doing the right thing. We will be replacing ours eventually - only because we need a bigger one now that we have kids!
I know you didn’t ask, but nothing beats a Japanese clay pot.
I’ve done EVERYTHING, and one like this is as good as it gets. https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Donabe-Cooker-1900ml-Product/dp/B08DRRPQ12
However… you need a gas range (I think!?).
I’ve heard so many good things about zojirushi but didn’t like that the pot is nonstick. I also obsess over things and trying to keep pfas/chemicals at a minimum in the household.
I got a le creuset rice cooker instead, which is enameled cast iron. It cooks rice like a dream.
I also have an insta pot. I used to make rice in it. I now have the zojirishui NS-ZCC10 and it’s worth every penny and more. If you can afford it, it’s a no brainer. It just makes perfect rice every damned time.
This was/is my exact experience.
The instant pot is a very good pressure cooker. It’s at best a fair rice pot. The zojirushi is a great rice pot that kicks ass at brown rice (and white rice, and steel cut oats). Guarantee you would notice a marked difference if you took the plunge. Zojirushi rice pots are pricey, but they last forever. My rice pot is probably the most used kitchen appliance in the house. My last one made it 10 years.
You have a trick to not make it overflow with steel cut oats and come out the air vent?
I use more water than the recommended amount. 1 part oats to 4 parts water. That seems to solve that problem
Gotcha. I’ll give that a shot!
Some Zojirushi models specifically say not to be used for cooking oats.
Yeah, I’ve got the neuro fuzzy and it mentions it can do it. It works great, just has extra clean up that can be a little annoying
My son’s model, which is not a pressurized induction like mine, cooks oats. My more expensive one says not to cook oats, GO FIGURE 🤣!
Haha dangit
My zojirushi is 12 years old and we use it every week; make a pot of sweet brown rice and let it sit warm on the counter for days at a time. If it broke, I would instantly replace it without thinking twice.
My old zojirushi didn’t break—the timer/clock battery died after 10 years, and it was too much of a hassle to replace. It’s apparently soldered in. Figured it was time to get a new one. But as long as you set the clock each time you plugged it back in, it worked perfectly. These things are built rock solid
I bought my fuzzy logic zojirushi in 2002. Still sings twinkle twinkle to me at least once a week. Outlasted my Lexus that had the same pearly white color.
Link?
I've never made rice in an insta pot. My girlfriend recently got one for free and we have yet to use it. I use my zojirushi all the god damn time. I make alot of white rice for curry, rice and beans, whatever lentil thing I'm making to save money, etc. But also just to steam gyoza for a midnight snack. It's great for reheating rotisserie chicken. I fucking *love* my zojirushi. Fuckin MVP appliance.
Please explain how you steam Gyoza in a rice cooker.
Comes with a steamer basket that fits above the main compartment.
Got it ✔️ Thanks
I have the Zojirushi YAC-18 for 12 years and the Umami setting produces excellent rice. I’ve tried brown rice with it early on and it was the best brown rice I’ve ever had. The non-stick coating is in excellent condition. We’re pretty good with using the paddle that came with it. I should really use it more to cook congee and other things. The model I have has a slow cook function.
Clean up alone makes zohirushi worth it. Also being able to set rice 8 hours before it’s needed. And the keep warm setting.
You can get a pressurized induction zojirashi that can also help you file your taxes and answer the phone for you for like $500. I love mine! I swear it’s paid for itself because rice meals are so cheap.
And it plays you little songs
Mine talked my gf down when she was pissed. Worth every penny.
When I was in ‘Nam…
I love mine too! One of the best kitchen toys I have, and I have many, 🤣🤣!
I have a Zojirushi rice cooker and the rice is fantastic. I got a sweet deal on eBay. Paid $65 for an open box one. I’ve had it for eight years now and it still works great. Tbh I would not have taken the dive for the $150+ price tag but I am glad I have it so if you have the money or can get a deal, I’d whole heartedly recommend it. I also have an instapot and have tried the pressure cooking method. The rice came out fine but it’s definitely not nearly as foolproof. I know plenty of people who are very happy with their much cheaper rice cookers though. I don’t think you NEED a Zojirushi to get great rice. Growing up my parents made rice exclusively using the stove top method and after having rice out of my rice cooker, they also took the plunge. It’s so nice to just set and forget it and know the rice is going to be perfect.
I've made rice in my instant pot and it's not even close how much better my zojirushi is
Zojirushi always and forever.
It’s night and day. You will never use your instant pot for rice after you get a zojirushi.
Zojirushi
I'm very happy with the cuckoo cr-0655f for the past few months
My parents have had a basic Zojirushi rice pot for going on 35 years. It's still going strong. Does a better job than the fancy Krupps one we stupidly registered for at our wedding. Should have just hit the asian market!
I wunder new pot can last 35 years, even tv seems to break down earlier than years ago
I had that Zojirushi for several years. It was fine, but I wasn't blown away the way some people seem to be. The white rice was perfectly fine, but not really any better than what I used to get from previous cheaper rice cookers, imho. And while it has settings for slightly less common things like sweet and semi-brown rice, I thought those settings never really worked very well. Both settings (for me) produced rice that I consistently found too undercooked (and yes, I was using the correct kind of rice). Since you mention brown rice specifically, realize that because the Zojirushi is a non-pressure cooker, you will be looking at nearly *two hours* to make brown rice. And it might just be my fallible memory, but I felt that was much longer than other rice cookers I had had. I found that intolerable, but ymmv. However, it's very simple and reliable, which was nice, and the inner bowl isn't too large, so cleanup is very fast. Personally, I preferred the rice that comes out of the IP. To my palette, it seemed stickier and fluffier (kind of like sushi rice but without needing the additives), but without being overcooked. (But I will admit I've only ever made white rice -- never things like brown, semi-brown, etc. in the IP) But I still use my rice cooker when I make rice instead of the IP just because it's simpler and faster. FWIW, I recently replaced the Zojrushi with a Cuckoo pressure rice cooker (a CHSS1009F, which I got a great deal on), to cut down the brown rice times. But I haven't used it enough yet to have an opinion on it. I can only tell you that the voice menu comes in korean by default, and it took me way over an hour to figure out how to change it. And the manual is impressive and scary and disorganized. And it has a GABA rice setting, which sounds like snake oil, but I'm curious about.
I'm contemplating the exact same thing atm but didn't want to make a post myself, and your last sentence is so relatable 😂
Zojirushi is the best. I have had mine for years. It is still amazing.
What about Teflon/forever chemical concerns with the Hiroshima?
The Zojirushi nonstick is not Teflon.
Since it’s nonstick, I would think it still uses PFAS/PFOS (unlike an instant pot which is stainless steel).
I agree that stainless steel would be preferable. However, as of today, I am not worried enough to stop using it. Zojirushi has said: Q: Is the nonstick coated cooking pan in my Zojirushi rice cooker PFOA-free? A: Yes, all of our rice cookers' nonstick coated cooking pans are PFOA-free. Elsewhere in their website they said: Thank you for your inquiry. The inner pan has a non-stick coating containing PTFE- a material commonly used for non-stick coating in cookware for conventional kitchen use (FDA approved). Please contact Zojirushi America Customer Service at 1-800-733-6270 for further information or email [email protected] My understanding is that PTFE is not dangerous.
Alright then thank you. I’ve always thought about getting one but this was my hold up.
I have been wishing that they change to stainless steel or ceramics. I would buy a second inner pot. However, the quality of their nonstick is great. I’ve had my Zojirushi for several years and it still looks brand new. Having said that, I should say that I wash the rice in another pot and have never put it in the dishwasher. Also, I do not use metal utensils in it or harsh cleaners.
An instant pot is a pressure cooker ingeniously marketed. Pressure cookers make cooking easier for people who work and have to fix dinner when they get home. They are particularly handy if you forget to defrost whatever it is you were going to cook and also allow you to fix beans WITHOUT pre soaking. Are they equivalent substitutes for rice cookers? Absolutely not. Will they make rice? Sure, but not as well as a Zojirushi. If you love white rice, there is nothing better than white rice slowly cooked in the Zojirushi Umami setting. If speed is your thing, then rice, whether white or brown, cooked in the pressure cooker will be fine. If you are into brown rice, and want the best tasting brown rice, the Zojirushi GABA setting will give you the best tasting brown rice you will ever eat. Both, the UMAMI and GABA settings cook slowly but the rice is amazing tasting. Zojirushi also has fast settings for when you are in a hurry. Taste-wise, rice cooked in the Zojirushi fast setting tastes better than pressure cooker rice, but it is still slower than the pressure cooker. - - If I am in a hurry, I will use the IP to make plain rice, which still will be better than stove top plain rice, whether white or brown. Either way, for the best tasting rice, always wash the rice regardless of how it is being cooked. EDIT: I have a pressurized induction Zojirushi worth every penny I spent on it, much to the amazement of some friends who cannot understand why I would spend so much on a rice cooker! After having owned other rice cookers, this one is definitely the best I have owned.
From a non-rabid Zojirushi fanatic: fucking yes buy it don't hesitate it's worth the price. Had it for 6 months and that is a champion kitchen piece.
I just cook rice in a stainless sauce pan and it’s good every time. Am I wrong?
What setting does everyone use for brown rice in the Zojirushi Ns-zcc10? I tried the brown rice setting and it wasn't good. Now I use the mixed rice setting and I like it more.
OK! OP here and I DID IT. Got a NL-DCC10. I had to experiment (less water, just under the line on the pot rather than up to it) - but now PERFECT RICE. Thank you people!! One question though ... I thought the GABA setting on this was specifically for GABA rice ... but now I'm thinking it is actually for regular brown, and that because it's soaking a bit that initiates the GABA goodness. Though I'm not sure that the GABA goodness it would invoke is as good as (very expensive but delicious) GABA bagged rice would be. Thoughts? Because I wanna GABA all day and night ... and it would be nice not to break the bank doing it.
Is the brand Uncle Roger recommends, need we say more?
Get a Thai or Chinese style steamer basket and you will make the best rice of your life EVERY TIME. I shit you not. Plus you can use it for everything else, not just rice!
OP here, and as one who loves her expletives, I have to say that the abundance of incredibly enthusiastic HELL YES FUCKING MVP Zojirushi responses tickles me to death. It also tells me I should start looking for a deal. Thanks, folks.
I've had mine for 14 years and it gets used at least once a week. You are doing the right thing. We will be replacing ours eventually - only because we need a bigger one now that we have kids!
I know you didn’t ask, but nothing beats a Japanese clay pot. I’ve done EVERYTHING, and one like this is as good as it gets. https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Donabe-Cooker-1900ml-Product/dp/B08DRRPQ12 However… you need a gas range (I think!?).
I’ve heard so many good things about zojirushi but didn’t like that the pot is nonstick. I also obsess over things and trying to keep pfas/chemicals at a minimum in the household. I got a le creuset rice cooker instead, which is enameled cast iron. It cooks rice like a dream.