People planning to take a trip to Tokyo, Osaka, or any other city of Japan will most likely be told to buy the latest electronic gadgets and cameras that the country has to offer. With the number of shopping districts and gigantic malls that can be found in Japan, the act of shopping feels more like a one-day job than an activity meant to pass the time.
Tourists up to the task of facing one of Japan’s massive shopping complexes can expect to find a wide array of products that walk the thin line of being useful and impractical. But, of course, each person has his own preferences.
Foreign travelers are advised to go through the many floors and aisles of these establishments, with or without intent. A lot of Japan’s products may seem unusual but are actually valuable things that one would only realize to be true when provided the opportunity of seeing them in person; the rice cooker being a perfect example.
The Science Behind Rice Cookers
Rice is a staple food for many Asian countries and is slowly becoming popular in western countries, as well. Making rice using traditional methods requires certain skills to avoid ending up with a burnt, undercooked, or uneven result.
As a solution, Toshiba, a well-known Japanese multinational conglomerate, worked on creating a device that could produce perfectly cooked rice every single time. The rice cooker was introduced in 1955 and has since evolved to include different specifications under various brands and models.
Generally, the rice cooker features four main components – a heating plate, a thermal sensing device, an inner cooking pan, and the overall body. These elements work together to monitor the temperature and cooking process of the rice from start to finish.
The thermal sensing device, located under the heating plate, is fairly small and features a spring-loaded thermometer that is able to consistently measure the heat inside. When the cooking pan, with all its contents, is placed into the body, the thermometer takes on a depressed position.
Upon pushing the appropriate button, the heating plate will immediately turn on and continue to become hotter until the water boils. The temperature will remain constant at the boiling point. This stabilized atmosphere allows the rice grains to soak up moisture from the steam and water, which basically completes the cooking process.
The absence of water will cause the temperature in the cooking pan to rise, which will be sensed by the thermometer. Consequently, this will cause the rice cooker to automatically turn off or switch to a low setting.
Cooking time, rice consistency, and doneness varies from model to model. The components of the rice cooker can be made using countless materials, which may be more or less conductive than others. Furthermore, the growing advancement in technologies has produced several other concepts such as induction cooking and fuzzy logic, which have been incorporated with rice cookers for better accuracy and efficiency.
Things to Note when Picking a Rice Cooker
Rice cookers, especially those made in Japan, are undoubtedly clever devices that allow a person to save time and effort. Purchasing one will not disappoint but there are a few things that must be noted when browsing through various brands and models. These key points do not really tackle the technology itself, but rather concentrate on helping a person find the perfect rice cooker that would satisfy his needs.
Cup Capacity
The range of Japanese rice cookers in terms of capacity is from 0.5 to 10 cups of uncooked rice, one cup measuring six ounces. This is important because it directly correlates to the size of one’s family. People living alone can opt to purchase a rice cooker meant to produce just a single serving of rice, while those with families may find larger sizes to be more useful and efficient.
Cooking Settings
As previously mentioned, there are several rice cookers that come with additional features. These components make it possible for a person to use the cooking product to make other foods besides rice. By having different settings to adjust the cooking process and temperature, sushi rice, quinoa, porridge, or even cake can be made using the rice cooker. Although these kinds of devices often come at higher prices, they do cancel out the need to buy other cooking equipment.
Dimensions
Given the high cost of land in Japan, a lot of their products come in various sizes to help individuals save space, which is a practical idea. Foreigners may also want to take note of this when picking out a rice cooker to preserve significant kitchen space. Although larger rice cookers may be able to produce greater amounts of rice at a time, finding a proper storage space for them or transporting them from one place to another can be quite troublesome.
Weight
Standard rice cookers weigh about 9 pounds but there are others that go up to 15 pounds. People living in apartments may want to purchase lighter ones for convenience and portability. However, it should also be noted that the weight of a rice cooker indicates its quality. Heavier devices often feature sturdier materials such as stainless steel, while lighter usually make use of aluminum.
Keep Warm Function
People who want to have cooked rice available throughout the day but do not want to be bothered with the task of preparing rice more than once should make it a point to look for a rice cooker with a keep warm function. A lot of properly insulated Japanese rice cookers come with this feature but not all models are able to automatically switch to this setting from the cooking process.
Watts
The wattage of a rice cooker is a clear indicator of its power and speed. Larger models commonly feature 600 watts while smaller ones, 300 watts. At full capacity, these rice cookers can produce a perfect batch of rice in about forty minutes or an hour.
Buying a Zojirushi Rice Cooker – China- vs Japan-Made
Among the many Japanese companies (Hitachi, Tiger, Panasonic, etc.) that produce a series of rice cookers, Zojirushi has built a reputation for being a trusted brand in the field. Members of the local community consistently post positive feedback about the brand, talking about their high-quality and durable items.
Those who will be going to Japan can choose to go for models under this name without worrying about possible flaws. However, it is worth noting that Zojirushi rice cookers, as well as those from other brands, are also manufactured in other countries.
Foreigners who happen to come across a Zojirushi rice cooker outside of Japan must not get too excited as these products are usually of lower quality. These devices made in the Philippines, Thailand, or China are produced for export purposes. Although they are equally capable of producing decent rice, they are not at par with those made in Japan, which are designed to reflect the local community’s attention to quality.
It is always best to purchase a rice cooker in Japan or at online stores with international shipping. The majority of these kinds are available at higher costs but are appropriately priced for their use of premium materials. Unlike rice cookers made in other countries, Japanese models can last for a much longer time than a year or two.
List of Zojirushi Rice Cookers Made in Japan with 3-Cup, 10-Cup, and Other Capacities
Zorijushi has four main kinds of rice cookers that each consists of several models, which differ in terms of capacity and additional functions.
Conventional
Zojirushi rice cookers that fall under the conventional category are usually inexpensive. They are ideal for beginners and are able to efficiently cook white rice at the push of a button.
Electric Rice Cooker & Warmer (NS-PC10 / 18)
● Capacity: 5 cups / 10 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 9.75 X 12.5 X 8.75 / 10.5 X 13.5 X 7.875
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 420 W / 120 V, 600 W
● Color/s: Herb White
● Additional Feature/s: None
Automatic Rice Cooker & Warmer (NS-RNC10 / 18A)
● Capacity: 5.5 cups / 10 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 10.25 X 10.5 X 10.125 / 11.75 X 11.625 X 11.5
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 485 W / 120 V, 750 W
● Color/s: Champagne Gold and White Ballerina
● Additional Feature/s: None
Rice Cooker/Steamer (NHS-06/10/18)
● Capacity: 3 cups / 6 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 9.125 X 7.5 X 7.5 / 10.125 X 8.875 X 8.875
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 300 W / 120 V, 500 W
● Color/s: White
● Additional Feature/s: None
Micom
The Micom category consists of rice cookers that have built-in computer chips that allow them to decide the correct cooking temperature and time needed to produce a perfect batch of rice.
NS – LGC05
● Capacity: 3 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 9.125 X 11.875 X 7.5
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 450 W
● Color/s: Stainless Black
● Additional Feature/s: Can cook white or mixed rice, brown rice, GABA brown rice, sushi rice, long grain white rice, and steel cut oatmeal; quick cooking function; LCD panel; clock; timer.
NS – LHC05
● Capacity: 3 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 9.125 X 11.875 X 7.5
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 450 W
● Color/s: Stainless Dark Brown
● Additional Feature/s: Can cook white or mixed rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, GABA brown rice, sushi rice, and porridge; quick cooking function; LCD panel; reheat function
Umami NS-YAC10/18
● Capacity: 5.5 cups / 10 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 10.125 X 15 X 9.375 / 11.125 X 16 X 10.75
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 610 W / 120 V, 820 W
● Color/s: Pearl White
● Additional Feature/s: Can cook white or mixed rice, umami rice, porridge, sweet rice, GABA brown rice, sushi rice, and brown rice; quick cooking function; slow cooking function; LCD panel; delay timer; extended keep warm function; reheating function.
NL-AAC10/18
● Capacity: 5.5 cups / 10 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 10.5 X 14.625 X 8.625 / 11.875 X 15.75 X 10
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 610 W / 120 V, 820 W
● Color/s: Beige
● Additional Feature/s: Can cook white or mixed rice, sushi rice, brown rice, porridge, and sweet rice; quick cooking function; steam cooking function; LCD panel; delay timer; extended keep warm function; reheating function; interchangeable sounds and beep signals.
Induction Heating (IH) and Micom
Induction Heating (IH) and Micom capable Zojirushi rice cookers are equipped with the latest heating technologies that precisely adjust heating temperatures at significantly smaller intervals than other types.
NP-HCC10/18
● Capacity: 5.5 cups / 10 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 10 X 14 X 8 / 11 X 15.5 X 9.5
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 1,230 W / 120 V, 1,350 W
● Color/s: Stainless Dark Gray
● Additional Feature/s: Can cook white or mixed rice, sushi rice, porridge, brown rice, sweet rice, GABA brown rice, and jasmine rice; quick cooking function; LCD panel; extended keep warm function; delay timer.
NP-GBC05
● Capacity: 3 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 9.125 X 11.875 X 7.5
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 700 W
● Color/s: Stainless Dark Brown
● Additional Feature/s: Can cook white or mixed rice, brown rice, sushi rice, GABA brown rice, and porridge; quick cooking function; LCD panel; delay timer.
Pressure, Induction Heating (IH), and Micom
The premium line of Zojirushi rice cookers serves as their prime star and features a built-in vacuum pressure system that produces softer rice, which remains soft for a much longer time than those cooked using other types.
NP-NVC10/18
● Capacity: 5.5 cups / 10 cups
● Dimensions (Width X Diameter X Height in inches): 10.125 X 15.375 X 8.625 / 11.125 X 16.5 X 10.125
● Electrical Rating: 120 V, 1,240 W / 120 V, 1,370 W
● Color/s: Stainless Brown
● Additional Feature/s: Can cook white or mixed rice, sushi rice, sweet rice, umami rice, GABA brown rice, brown rice, and porridge; quick cooking function; three pressure levels; extended keep warm function; reheating function; steam-reduce function; scorch function.
Using a Japanese Rice Cooker – English Translation of the Main Panel
Most of the rice cookers sold in Japan come with instruction manuals that have English, Chinese, French, and other translations. However, the main panel of the rice cooker itself rarely provides such conveniences and often feature Japanese characters. The basic settings to found in most Japanese rice cookers include:
● メニュー – which refers to menu
● 白米 (はくまい) – which is read as hakumai and refers to white rice
● 早炊き (はやだき) – which is read as hayadaki and refers to quick cooking
● 無洗米 (むせんまい) – which is read as musenmai and refers to rinsed rice
● 炊込み (たきこみ) – which is read as takikomi and refers to mixed rice
● おかゆ – which is read as okayu and refers to porridge
● 玄米 (げんまい) – which is read as genmai and refers to brown rice
● 予約 (よやく) – which is read as yoyaku and refers to time delay
● 炊飯 (すいはん) – which is read as suihan and refers to cook rice
● 保温 / 取り消 (ほおん/しとりけし) – which is read as hoon / torikeshii and refers to keep warm or cancel
The Biggest Sales of Japan
Trips to Japan are known to be expensive and have led many to believe that shopping in the country would burn holes in their pockets. However, Japan holds several sales throughout the year which can save a person at least 40% in total. The biggest sales a tourist must watch out for include:
● January – New Year Sales
● February-March – Winter Clearance Sales
● April-May – Golden Week Sales
● July-August – Summer Sales
● December – Year-End Sales