My expertise in the area of rice cookers stems from the time I have spent in Japan. Before I lived in Japan, the idea of eating rice on a daily basis was not appealing. However once you try eating rice that has been prepared properly you begin to see why rice is a staple food for a huge number of people across the world. I now consider myself an ambassador for the simple rice grain and genuine Japanese rice cookers. On this site you will find a wide range of online rice cooker reviews manufactured by a range of companies.

My focus will be on discussing Japanese rice cookers that have been designed for the Western market. In effect these machines are very similar to those sold in Japan itself. However important differences include working at the correct voltage as well as having buttons and instructions in the English language. I use my rice cooker on an almost daily basis and specialize in making all in one mixed rice dishes, or as the Japanese would say, takikomi-gohan. I am compiling a list of my favorite rice cooker recipes on this site.

In Japan, the rice cooker market leader is the company, Zojirushi. Many people decide to buy a Zojirushi rice cooker because of their excellent reputation. They make a wide range of top quality rice cooking appliances, including the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10, Zojirushi NP-HBC10 and the brand new Zojirushi NS-YAC10 machines. By clicking the picture links above you are able to find the cheapest prices for these machines on Amazon.com.

To find out more on me, you can click the About link at the top of this page or read about my rice cooker. If you have any questions or comments regarding rice cookers, please leave a comment or contact me via the contact page above. Let me help you find the best rice cooker.

My most recent addition to my collection is a Sanyo ECJ-JG10W IH Pressure Rice Cooker. This is a 5.5 cup family sized rice cooker. I am a self confessed Zojirushi rice cooker fan but it has to be said that I am really impressed with this unit from Sanyo. I like how it offers some features that Zojirushi machines do not have. For instance, the Steamer Plate and steaming function for vegetables and eggs is really cool. I also like how there is a cleaning function setting which can be used if the cooker seems to be retaining odors, e.g. if garlic or onions are added to a dish.

Check out my Sanyo ECJ-JG10W review on Youtube.

Sanyo ECJ-JG10W Review

As far as the quality of the rice that it makes, I am also very happy with that. Admittedly I have not used this machine a great deal yet but I feel that the quality of the rice it makes is as good as I get from my Zojirushi NP-GD05 (EDIT: After using the Sanyo a few more times, I’ve decided that I think my Zojirushi Induction Heating rice cooker makes a better quality rice). Where the Sanyo impresses me is that as soon as I set the rice to start cooking it showed on the timer display how long it would take. This machine is faster than my Zojirushi NP-GD05. This is because the Sanyo has a pressure cooking function which helps to reduce the cooking time.When I made 2 cups of white Japanese rice (at regular texture) it took 37 minutes. This is about 10-15 minutes quicker than I would have expected. This just goes to show that the pressure cooking feature is more than just a gimmick. I’m not sure whether the pressure cooking ability actually makes the rice taste any better but it definitely reduces the cooking time. If you’re not to fussed about the pressure feature then I’d recommend the Zojirushi NP-HBC10 Induction Heating Rice Cooker.

With this unit I also get the choice of choosing the texture of the rice. The options are regular, firm and soft. Another thing that I like, although have not used yet is the Sleep operation. Once the rice has been cooked and the unit has switched to Keep Warm mode, if you know you’re not going to need the rice for a long time, e.g. overnight, you can set it to Sleep. This switches the rice cooker to a slightly lower Keep Warm temperature. The benefit is that is should keep the rice in a more succulent condition. After 8 hours, it will automatically switch back to the normal Keep Warm temperature. The manual states that rice can be kept in the Keep Warm state for a maximum of 30 hours.

Sanyo ECJ-JG10W vs Zojirushi NP-HTC10

If you look on the Amazon website you’ll see that both of these machines are around about the same price. If you want a cheap Sanyo ECJ-JG10W, then you are out of luck. These rice cookers are two of the most expensive available in the U.S.

To be honest, if I had to choose one, I’m not sure exactly which one I would pick. Before purchasing the Sanyo for myself, I would have always suggested going with Zojirushi. I have been using their machines for years and know that they are top quality. On top of this, when I ask Japanese people about rice cookers, they talk a lot more about Zojirushi than they do Sanyo. At the same time, the Sanyo rice cooker is working really well for me so far. The fact that it offers the steamer functionality is a big plus for me. It doesn’t have a GABA brown rice setting though. This is something that Zojirushi IH rice cookers have. If I’m honest, I hardly ever cook GABA brown rice because it takes so long (about 3 hours) but it’s nice to have the option.

So what I’m saying is that both these IH Pressure Rice Cookers are top quality kitchen appliances. They are a bit different so if you want a top of the range model, just decide for yourself which you prefer. I’m sure you’ll be very happy with either of them.

In this video, I demonstrate three different rice porridge recipes.

Check the Current Price

If you are concerned about purchasing a rice cooker that was actually made in Japan then Tiger is a good choice. This is their top level electric model. It does not come with the Micom component. This is a solid device that is great for making white rice. It does not have a wide variety of different cooking settings though. You can either turn it on or off.

The simplicity of the Tiger JNPS10U serves it well. It is sturdy and very easy to use. Once you have washed and rinsed your rice, just close the lid and switch the unit to on. Then once your rice is done, it will automatically switch over to its keep warm mode. Be warned that this model is primarily for cooking white rice. So if you want to eat lots of brown rice then this might not be the best choice for you. Instead you should pick a Micom rice cooker that has a specific brown rice cooking setting. The Zojirushi NS-YAC10 makes a good choice because this unit can also make GABA brown rice.

What I like about the Tiger machine pictured above is its brushed stainless steel colored exterior. Also the inner lid is removable. For me, this is an essential feature. It makes it easy to wash away any rice scum/crust that may begin to build up. In addition, if you choose to cook mixed rice dishes, washing the inner lid helps to remove unwanted food odors.

Go to Amazon if you would like to get hold of a discount Tiger JNPS10U as they offer the best prices available online for these kitchen appliances..

If you have any particular video requests. Please let me know.

You can get a discount 8 cup rice cooker on Amazon. These devices are cheaper than most Japanese brands and offer pretty good value for money. The issue is that they do not have quite the same level of electronic components. So if you require a Micom rice cooker, then you would be better off with a Zojirushi, Panasonic or other Japanese brand.

However, if you are more interested on saving money on the purchase of your unit then an 8 cup rice cooker makes a great choice. There are a few Western brands to choose from. The machines featured above are produced by Aroma and Cuisinart (then Aroma again).

The beauty of these 8 cup rice cookers is that they are capable of preparing more than just rice. In effect they also have some slow cooker functionality as well. You can make soups, stews and use them to steam vegetables too. For well under $100, these appliances might be the right option for you.

To be honest, I personally prefer the functionality of rice cookers that have the Micom (Micro Computerized) chip. But this sort of device is more expensive than the 8 cup rice cookers pictured above. If you take a look on the Amazon website, you will be able to find out more about their specifications.

1. Measure your rice accurately
2. Wash the rice thoroughly
3. Add the exact amount of water

The procedure is not particularly difficult. If you want to make the best tasting rice, it is worth taking the time (6 minutes or less) to prepare it properly. When I learned about how to wash rice, I was taught by the most experienced group of people, Japanese women.

Browse The Full Range

The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme® Breadmaker bakes a large 2 lb. rectangular loaf of bread. It has menu settings for a range of other cooking needs such as cakes, dough, sourdough starter, jam and it can even be used to make meatloaf. As you can see, this breadmaker from Zojirushi comes in two different colors, black/silver and white.

Breadmakers like this one from Zojirushi are very popular in Japan. In case you do not already know, Zojirushi are actually a Japanese company. The reason that these machines are so common in Japan itself is that ovens are particularly rare. Therefore using a machine such as this one is one of the only feasible ways of making bread at home.

Best Price Zojirushi BB-CEC20

If you are looking to purchase a cheap bread machine then it makes sense to check out prices from a variety of sources. From the searching that I have done myself online, it looks like Amazon are currently offering the lowest price on the Home Bakery Supreme BB-CEC20 as well as a wide range of other breadmakers. I would say that this is a good place to start your price comparisons. If you can find a cheaper retailer than Amazon, please leave a comment to let myself and my readers know the good news.

Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Review

Making bread at home is a good idea for a few different reasons, we can get that homemade taste, there are health benefits to being able to make our own food, it is economical and can save us money. This is why purchasing a high quality bread maker such as the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 can be money well spent. Their products can be expected to last for years therefore the price tag can easily be justified. But maybe you are wondering what this machine can do for you.

This kitchen appliance is more than just a bread maker. You can use it to make jams and cakes too. Of course, spending time reading through the instruction manual and recipes will give you a better idea about how you can make the best use of this machine. There are a whole host of different settings that you can choose from using the LCD panel including Basic, Basic Wheat, Basic Dough, Quick, Quick Wheat, Quick Dough, Jam, Cake, Sour Dough Starter, and Home Made. Making bread is actually pretty straight forward. In many respects it is similar to using a Zojirushi rice cooker. This is because the important part is measuring out your ingredients. As long as you do this part accurately, you can expect the machine to take care of the rest. As long as you get your measurements correct, this bread maker pretty much guarantees that you will get a perfect loaf.

If you look at the pictures at the top, you will see the large viewing window on the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 makes it easy for you to see what is going on inside the machine. It comes with all the accessories that you need to get started making your own great tasting homemade bread. Included in the package, you will find a double-ended teaspoon/tablespoon measuring spoon; an 8-ounce measuring cup;and a user manual that has a variety of recipes.

The Japanese are certainly not as famous for eating bread as they are for eating rice. However, Zojirushi have done a great job with their Home Bakery Supreme® Breadmaker and it is well worth considering if you are looking for a high quality product that makes it easy for you to bake your own bread at home.

Browse All Panasonic Rice Cookers

The Panasonic SR-DE102 is a decent option if you are looking for a low priced yet high quality rice cooker. It is Micro-computer controlled with Fuzzy Logic, in other words, an Advanced Micom rice cooker.

What makes this unit special is the fact that it is produced by a Japanese company and it is one of the few Micom units that you can find for under $100. In fact, the list price of this unit is $109.95 which you can check for yourself on the Panasonic website. A cheaper option is to shop on Amazon. They offer the lowest price that I have been able to find for this unit online.

The SR-DE102 is a 5.5 cup device that can prepare up to 10 cups of cooked rice. It has all of the following options: white, brown, sticky, quick cook, slow cook, cake, porridge and steam.

It comes with a special steaming tray for you to prepare things like vegetables, steamed seafood and so on. This is a really healthy way to cook that involves no fats or oils at all.

As with the more expensive Zojirushi models, this unit has a detachable inner lid. It was not all that long ago that this feature was introduced. It makes a tremendous difference as far as keeping your rice cooker clean is concerned. I would go so far as to say that any Micom rice cooker that does not offer this feature, should be avoided.

If you are looking for the best price Panasonic SR-DE102 then as I mentioned above, Amazon is the place to look.This model is a slightly cheaper version of the Panasonic SR-MS102 and there are only really a few minor differences.

There are many more rice cooker reviews on this site if you are not yet sure which model to choose.

Browse The Full Range

For many people, a stainless steel rice cooker is the most attractive choice. The model that I have myself, the Zojirushi NP-GC05 is this style. For me, they are the most attractive sort that are on sale today. They are really easy to keep clean too.

We have to remember though that as far as their functionality is concerned, they are still just machines for making rice. This is all about the design and styling. Of course, this is something that is very important if you want to leave your machine on display in your kitchen. The best rice cooker is one that not only makes great tasting rice but also looks good.

As always, you can find these machines for sale on the Amazon website at decent prices. Just having the stainless steel styling does not seem to alter the price of the units significantly. Instead, it is the technology that they contain, e.g. Micom, Induction Heating and so on that affects the price to a much greater extent.

The Zojirushi NP-HTC10 is a pretty cool machine. This is in fact the top of the range model sold in the U.S. today. The price of the unit reflects the fact that it is a feature packed model. It includes, Micom, Induction Heating and Pressure Cooking. On top of this, it has a unique stainless steel body. Zojirushi call the coating, stainless brown.

When you look at rice cooker reviews, the main choices that you have are the size of machine as well as the price of the unit. Design is of course a very important issue, but I would personally class this as an item of secondary significance.