How to Use a Zojirushi Rice Cooker
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A rice cooker is a kitchen gadget that has considerably decreased human error and minimized effort when it comes to making perfectly cooked rice. Whether you like to cook by yourself or you have a small kitchen team to depend on, rice cookers can help make cooking less of a chore.
Rice cookers have a permanent residence in most Asian households and the market for them is rising steadily due to their ease of use and versatility. As a result, the market is saturated with brands of different cookers, from high-quality rice cookers with simple lever mechanisms to expensive models with Micom and induction heating.
One of the more popular brands of rice cookers is Zojirushi. In this article, we’ll take a look at how Zojirushi rice cookers work and how to use a Zojirushi rice cooker to cook jasmine rice, white rice, or brown rice. Read below to learn more.
About Zojirushi
Zojirushi began as a manufacturer of hand-blown vacuum bottles in 1918. Plastic glass vacuum bottles, rice cookers, breadmakers, Air-Pot beverage dispensers, thermal carafes, culinary appliances, tiny electric kitchenware, and more are all part of their collection. The company has claimed to have been dedicated to keeping loyal to the ideals that reflect the business’s first hundred years as an ever-growing innovative company.
Zojirushi Fuzzy Logic Technology
The brand is well-known for its Micom rice cookers with fuzzy logic, which enables a Zojirushi rice cooker to think for itself and make micro-adjustments to the cooking cycles. Most Zojirushi rice cookers have menu options you can use to cook rice grains and meals such as mixed or white rice, porridge, brown rice, whole grains, and more. The units also come with freebies such as a special nonstick rice spatula, measuring cup, and steam tray.
Which Zojirushi Rice Cookers to Buy and How to Get the Most Out of it?
The first thing you should consider before choosing which unit to purchase is to know what your household really needs in a rice cooker. There are two factors to consider:
1. Capacity
Rice cookers come in a variety of sizes, with some cookers even having the same capacity as a small saucepan. A large household can get away with purchasing a 6-cup rice cooker, but purchasing a 10-cup Zojirushi rice cooker when you live by yourself is a bit of an overkill.
Try to see how much rice your family cooks before making any decisions. A cooker’s rice cooking capacity is something you’ll have trouble finding solutions to if you get stuck buying a smaller or larger one that you need.
It is also important to see if your counters can fit the full rice cooker, as this appliance needs to be on a flat surface.
2. Features
The second important thing to keep in mind is the features you want your rice cooker to have. Do you need a unit with induction heating? Do you need a unit with plenty of menu settings like a quick rice option for your culinary experiments? Or would you rather prefer conventional rice cookers with their straightforward function?
Remember that while having the best unit with tons of menu options might sound desirable, it’s only a waste of your money if you don’t use them.
3. Budget
You don’t need to buy the most expensive unit on the market to enjoy great rice. However, buying the cheapest model might backfire. It’s always ideal to invest in a high-quality rice cooker you can depend on for cooking rice.
For a more detailed rice cooker buying guide, check out our blog. If you’re on a tight budget, have a look at the best cheap rice cookers in the market.
How Does Zojirushi Rice Cooker Work?
A rice cooker features a thermostat source and a heating element that consistently heats the inner cooking bowl of the cooker. The thermostat regulates the temperature and monitors the temperature of the unit as it cooks.
When you place rice and water in the cooking dish and push the menu button or lever, the temperature rises to 100°C and the water begins to boil. When all of the water has been absorbed by the rice, the temperature climbs beyond 100 °C, signaling the end of the cooking process, and the rice cooker turns off or continues to keep the rice warm inside the cooking bowl.
Different types of Zojirushi rice cookers cook rice differently. Some models may use resistive heating instead of induction heating, with an inner pot lined with diamond powder for optimum heat conductivity.
How to Use a Zojirushi Rice Cooker in Cooking Rice
Ingredients:
- Rice (short grain or long-grain, sticky rice, Japanese rice, and more)
- Water
Instructions:
1. Measure Rice
Using the measuring cup that came with the rice cooker, measure your uncooked rice accurately. Fill the cup to the brim with rice, then level it off using a spoon or your finger.
2. Wash Rice
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear then drain the excess water. Add the rice into the empty inner cooking pan.
3. Add Water
Add the appropriate amount of water. You can use the cup to get a more accurate measurement.
4. Cook Rice
Wipe off any excess water from the outside of the inner cooking pan and place it in the rice cooker. Select the appropriate menu setting for the grain you’re cooking or press start. Cook and wait for the rice to boil.
5. Serve
Allow the cooked rice to rest for 15 minutes once it is done. You won’t have to wait if you use a Micom rice cooker because this is done automatically. Fluff the grains with a fork and serve your cooked perfect rice. One cup of uncooked rice will yield two cups of cooked rice.
There’s no need to worry about watching over your cooker as rice cookers automatically shut off or switch to the keep warm feature once the cooking completes.
How Much Water Do I Put in My Zojirushi Rice Cooker?
Like any rice cooker, you should add water to your Zojirushi rice cooker depending on its capacity and depending on how many cups of rice you want to cook. If you’re cooking cakes or any rice dishes, refer to the recipe.
What is the Ratio of Rice to Water in a Rice Cooker?
Most rice cookers utilize a one-to-one ratio of rice to water, regardless of its short-grain or long-grain. However, some types of rice may need more water than others. Basmati rice, black rice, and white rice for example all need different levels of moisture. To have your perfectly cooked rice, try to experiment until you finally have the consistency you like.
How Long Can You Leave Rice in Zojirushi?
Some users keep their rice warm for 4-5 days, however it is recommended to simply store it for 12 hours to get the best flavor. You can quickly reheat your brown or white rice using the reheat function or the steaming function of your unit.
Instead of leaving your rice in the rice cooker for days, it’s better to store it refrigerated or frozen for later use. Leftover rice like this is best for fried rice recipes.
Final Word
Navigating through your unit might take a bit of familiarizing, particularly if you’re using a more advanced model. It’s always ideal to read through the user’s manual that your purchased unit came with to ensure you don’t make any mistakes.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be cooking rice like a pro in no time!
