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Rice cookers under $25 · Rice cookers $25 – $100 · Rice cookers from $100

Deciding which is the best value rice cooker to purchase is an important decision. Value does not necessarily mean cheap. If you plan on using your rice cooker regularly then it makes sense to get one of the best machines on the market. If you want the best 3 cup rice cooker sold in North America and Canada today you should buy a Zojirushi NP-GBC05. This rice cooker features their Induction Heating System and this is the only 3 cup device to have it. Larger units feature Induction Heating, Fuzzy Logic technology and some even have a pressure cooking component.

For anyone searching for a cheap rice cooker then there are plenty of options. An important step is to compare rice cooker prices. This helps you to find out who is offering the best deal. There are many low cost machines made by companies such as Aroma, Panasonic and Black & Decker.

While rice cookers with a pressure are the newest style, it is widely recognized that rice cookers with an Induction Heating System are able to produce rice that tastes equally as good. Therefore before you rush out and buy a Zojirushi NP-HTC10 you may want to compare its price with the Zojirushi NP-HBC10. Admittedly the styling is different but there seems to be quite a large price difference to get your hands on a pressure rice cooker. The cheaper machine is still one of the best rice cookers on the market today which actually makes its price rather attractive.

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However if you are keen on the pressure cooking option, you should look at the Sanyo ECJ-PX50S which is a 5 cup rice cooker. This one does not have an Induction Heating System so is actually about half the price of the more expensive Zojirushi models. You can check the latest price here. This just goes to show that it is really the Induction Heating technology that is the expensive part.

Currently the best value rice cookers on the market are Zojirushi Induction Heating System machines without the pressure cooking feature. They are still not cheap but if you want a machine that makes the best rice then these are the best value deals around.

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When you compare prices for the Zojirushi Micom NS-LAC05 3 cup rice cooker you will find that Amazon offer one of the lowest prices. If you are looking for a top quality reasonably priced model, then this may be perfect for your needs. A feature of this kitchen appliance is that it has a spherical inner cooking pot. This means that the rice should be heated more evenly. The end result is that the rice that comes out always tastes great. The cooking bowl has a non-stick coating so cleaning it after use is easy. Once you have scooped out all your rice let it cool and allow the remains to dry out completely. Then simply wipe with a piece of kitchen paper. This should be enough to remove most of the “rice paper” covering that remains. Then simply soak in warm soapy water for a little while and the rest is easy. The inner lid also comes off making it easy to clean this part too.

The Zojirushi Micom NS-LAC05 is a three cup rice cooker and is the perfect size for singles, couples and small families. It makes enough rice for 4 or 5 people when filled to capacity. When you buy a Zojirushi micom rice cooker you get a machine that is rated as a 5 star appliance on Amazon with about 200 customer reviews. Having a maximum score after so many customers have added comments goes to show that it is impressing a lot of people. For me Zojirushi produce the best rice cookers. They are good value for money but this does not mean that they are necessarily cheap. The micro computer chip set inside this machine gives it the capability to make small temperature adjustments as your rice is cooking.

You can read a further Zojirushi Micom NS-LAC05 rice cooker review here.

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This device is actually two in one called the Sanyo ECJ-HC55S 5-1/2-Cup Micro-Computerized Rice Cooker and Slow Cooker. Of course it can be used to cook restaurant quality rice but it also has the additional option of being used as a slow cooker and can cook things such as soups and stews. You can also easily use it as a vegetable steamer. Further it comes with a tofu making function to allow you to prepare your own home made tofu. That said, it is primarily sold as a rice cooker.

If you decide to buy a Sanyo ECJ-HC55S you will discover that it has not one inner cooking bowl but two. This means that it is technically possible to cook both rice and a slow cook dish at the same time. However please be aware that one bowl sits inside the other. Therefore this actually as an impact on the amount of rice that you can cook. Further the inner bowl has plastic feet and these would sit in the rice and boiling water as it cooks. There do not seem to be any warnings not to do this however personally the thought of cooking my rice with plastic is not very appealing. I am sure that Sanyo must have tested this thoroughly for safety though.

The rice cooking pot is relatively think at 3mm. It is coated with a non-stick finish that makes it easy to scoop your rice out. As with most “non-stick” coatings you may actually find that brown rice does have a habit of sticking to the pot. Personally I primarily eat white rice so I do not really encounter this issue but it is worth being aware of. You can read more customer reviews on Amazon to get a more rounded picture. The rice cooking pot has a round bottom. This means that heat is distributed more evenly which is ensures the best results. As noted above, this is a 5 1/2 cup rice cooker which provides enough rice, when filled to capacity, for about ten people. It is just the right size for a family and it gives you a bit of leeway should you be entertaining guests. There are a whole range of settings that allow you to make a wide variety of rices, for example, you can cook Japanese white rice, brown rices, mixed rices, sushi rices amongst others. This really is a top quality rice cooker. Like Zojirushi rice cookers, this Sanyo machine is able to adjust the temperature automatically to prevent the rice from burning and ensure that it comes out perfectly every time.

When you buy a cheap Sanyo ECJ-HC55S you will notice that there is a 24 hour LCD clock which can be set as a 12 hour clock. Similar to other rice cookers it has a keep warm function. This can be used for up to about 12 hours before the rice starts to dry out. Another option is to not bother with this setting. As the lid fits on so well, just leaving the machine once your rice has cooked will keep the rice warm for a couple of hours anyway with absolutely no loss of moisture. If you would like to find a cheap Sanyo ECJ-HC55S, some of the best online prices can be found on Amazon.

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The Zojirushi NS-LAC05 Micom rice cooker is the little brother of the Zojirushi NS-TGC10 Micom. This machine is a 3 cup rice cooker which makes it perfect for people living alone, couples or small families. This machine is able to feed up to four people comfortably. This compact rice cooker features Zojirushi’s patented advanced Neuro Fuzzy logic technology which ensures evenly cooked rice every time. This feature means the steamer is able to make small temperature adjustments while your rice is cooking.

There are a whole range of rice cooking settings on this machine. The fact that it is smaller than many of Zojirushi’s other models does not mean it has less functionality. The machine features the following settings: white rice, sushi rice, rice porridge, brown rice, and a quick cooking option. On top of this is the standard keep warm function that allows you to keep ready to eat rice in your machine for hours after it has cooked. Personally I find that much longer than 12 hours and my rice begins to harden. That said, my machine is an older model than the NS-LAC05 Micom.

Features of this machine that draw me towards it include its attractive clear coated stainless steel design. It is very easy to clean on the outside and is designed to suit the most stylish of kitchens. As with all other Zojirushi rice cookers the Micom NS-LAC05 cooks rice flawlessly every time. It has a spherical cooking pan that ensures your rice is always cooked evenly. Cleaning up is easy too. The inner bowl is non-stick, which means it is easy to get your rice out as well as wash up afterwards. The power cord is retractable which helps to keep the counter top clutter free.

The smaller capacity of this machine is a factor in its lower cost when compared to other Zojirushi machines. Therefore if you do not have a need for the extra capacity then this is a great option, a high quality Zojirushi appliance at a very reasonable price. I hope you have found this Zojirushi Micom NS-LAC05 review useful.

Finally, if you want to buy a Zojirushi NS-LAC05 then you can get the lowest price online from Amazon. They offer a secure order system as well as speedy delivery.

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There are a wide range of Zojirushi rice cookers sold all over the world today. The NS-TGC10 Micom cooker is another strong performer in their product line up. This rice cooker is a 5.5 cup capacity machine which makes it perfect for families. This is the same size as the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 rice cooker. However, the Micom is actually the cheaper of the two. This is why I like this machine so much. Another feature of this machine that caught my eye is the fact that the inner lid is detachable. This makes for much easier cleaning.

As with the NS-ZCC10, the NS-TGC10 Micom also features Zojirushi’s advanced Fuzzy Logic logic technology. This is what allows the rice cooker to think for itself and make slight temperature adjustments to ensure perfectly cooked rice every time. The majority of the features of both these rice cookers are the same. For example, they both feature a wide range of cooking settings from plain white rice, to their keep warm function through to even cooking cakes. Of course there are a whole variety of styles of rice that can be prepared by using the machines’ specific settings.

The main differences between the Zojirushi NS-TGC10 Micom and the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 rice cooker are the way they look. You can check them out below. The NS-TGC10 is on the left. The NS-ZCC10 looks smaller here but that is just due to the pictures sizes. They are in fact very similar in size. Personally I prefer the styling of the NS-TGC10 Micom machine as I like the stainless steel coloring and to me the unit looks more robust. Click the images for more customer reviews on Amazon.com.

Another difference between these two Zojirushi rice cookers is the inner cooking pan. The Zojirushi NS-TGC10 Micom has a black thick flat bottomed cooking pan while the NS-ZCC10 rice cooker has a spherical bottomed pan. Some people feel that the spherical style allows for more even cooking of the rice. I have used rice cookers with both styles of cooking pans. My current machine has the flat bottomed style and I am more than happy with the rice that it produces. Although I am once again thinking of getting a new rice cooker with the spherical cooking bowl.

To me, the cheaper Zojirushi NS-TGC10 Micom is the machine of choice out of the two discussed in this review.

The Zojirushi NP-HBC18 is the big brother to the Zojirushi NP-HBC10 rice cooker. While the smaller machine has a capacity of 5.5 cups, the NP-HBC18 can cook 10 whole cups of rice at once. This makes it perfect for large families (over 8 people) as well as great for entertaining and dinner parties. Typically 2 cups is enough for 3 people so this machine is capable of preparing rice for up to 15 people at once.

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The larger machine also gives you the option of simply cooking more rice for yourself. Storing rice in tupperware containers and then freezing it is a perfectly good way to save yourself time and on washing up. There are special containers that you can get to store your rice in. These are easy to find in Japan however I am not altogether sure about their availablity in the U.S. and Europe. Wraping portions of rice up plastic wrap is another option to consider.

The features of this rice cooker are literally the same as the smaller machine. The only really difference being the size. Therefore it really depends upon your own situation as to which machine would be best suited to your needs. If you are looking for a top of the range machine then a Zojirushi rice cooker may be your best option. The NP-HBC18 uses induction heating technology to ensure even heating of your rice and avoid burning. There are a wide range of cooking options that can be used to prepare a variety of different kinds of rices and recipes. Of course if all you want is standard white rice then the Zojirushi NP-HBC18 excels and, provided you wash and prepare your rice correctly, guarantees you perfect rice every time.

The NP-HBC10 is Zojirushi’s latest Induction Heating System rice cooker. It can also be used to keep rice warm and includes induction heating and micro-computer technology. There are a variety of features and settings on this Japanese rice cooker. These include superior induction heating technology when you compare the machine to other manufacturers.

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The NP-HBC10 has a range of healthy cooking options which include brown rice, GABA brown rice and germinated brown rice. There are also a variety of multi-menu cooking functions. These include options for making white rice, mixed rice, sushi rice, rice porridge, sweet rice as well as quick cooking. The NP-HBC10 is a 5.5 cup Zojirushi rice cooker. If you require a rice cooker with a larger capacity you may want to buy a Zojirushi NP-HBC18. This is the big brother of the device featured on this page. This makes is perfect for many different sorts of households. It is small enough not to take up too much space. Deciding to buy a Zojirushi NP-HBC10 will suit those living alone as well as families. It is a well designed piece of kitchen equipment and has an easy to clean clear coated stainless steel exterior. The cooking pan is thick and hard wearing. Fortunately there is a detachable and washable inner lid. This is useful because it means it is easy to get all parts of the rice cooker clean. The machine also has an easily readable LCD control panel incorporating both clock and timer functionality. Induction heating is a special type of technology that Zojirushi employ. It involves the use of magnetic heating coils that produce a magnetic field that allows for instant heating of the contents of the non-stick inner cooking bowl. This heating method that the NP-HBC10 uses means that rice simply will not burn while it is cooking. Also it seems to be even better than the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 at cooking brown rice.

You can find the best price Zojirushi NP-HBC10 on Amazon. They have a huge range of cheap rice cookers as well as the best rice cookers on sale. I hope you have found this review useful.

Browse more Panasonic rice cookers

The Panasonic SRG06FG 3 cup rice cooker is a great budget model Japanese rice cooker. It is designed for household use. Its relatively small size being able to cook up to three cups of un-cooked rice is perfect for couples and people living alone as well as students. The machine is very reasonably priced on Amazon at under $25 which makes it an excellent entry model for anyone interested in starting to eat rice more regularly. This cooker has a clear glass lid which allows you to see the food that you are cooking. This makes the Panasonic SRG06FG great for things other than just rice like vegetables for instance.

The Panasonic SRG06FG does not have all the fancy options that you will find on Zojirushi rice cookers however it has all that is required to be able to cook standard varieties of rice. Once you have cooked your rice in this rice cooker there is a setting that allows you to keep it warm until required. This is all that I typically do with my Japanese rice cooker even though I have many more fancy options. The price of this model means that even if you do not plan on eating rice more than once a week, it is still great value for money.

The Panasonic SRG06FG 3 cup rice cooker boasts some useful features including a non-stick coated cooking dish. Admittedly any decent rice cooker will have this. It also comes with some stay cool handles. These are positioned on either side of the rice cooker as well as on the lid. This means that should you need to take the lid of while it is cooking then it is quite easy to do so. That said if you are cooking rice, simply leaving it to do its job is the best idea. Inside the cooking bowl are marks that tell you how much water is required for varying amounts of rice. For example if you want to cook two cups of rice, after the rice has been washed, you would have the rice in the cooking bowl and then just add water up to the “2″ mark on the inside. This ensures you have the exact amount of water that is necessary to cook perfect rice. This is why opening the lid while the machine is cooking rice is not best practice. The non-stick cooking bowl is by virtue very easy to wash up afterwards.

You can find this cheap rice cooker on Amazon for a very reasonable price. I hope this Panasonic SRG06FG 3 cup rice cooker review has been of some use.

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The Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker was specially designed for the overseas market. Overseas in this case being the United States, Canada and Europe. Unlike all the Japanese rice cookers available in Japan, the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 comes with English buttons as well as instructions written in English. In effect bringing the excellence of real Japanese rice cookers to the Western market.

This Zojirushi rice cooker comes with a wide range of features and has everything you could possibly want in a rice cooker. For me, some of the features are somewhat supurfluous BUT it does have some amazing points that other brands don’t come close to matching. The question really is whether you think the price, at over $100 is worth paying for this piece of kitchenware technology.

Rather than simply list all the features that this rice cooker sports, I will discuss the points that make this machine the best rice cooker available in the West. If you want a full feature list run down you can find all the details on Amazon.

Zojirushi rice cookers are the number one selling rice cooking appliance in Japan. Of course there are a variety of models, much more than are available on the Western market. But as far as what is available to the English speaking world, the NS ZCC10 offers some top Zojirushi features.

The mark of a quality rice cooker is the standard of the white rice that it is able to prepare. Forgetting about all the different types of rice that a Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 will allow you to prepare, as far as standard Japanese white rice is concerned, it does an excellent job. The cooking bowl has a spherical bottom shape which allows for even cooking every time. There are special handles attached to the cooking bowl that do not heat up. These can be used to easily transport the hot rice cooking bowl from cooker to work surface.

One thing that I really like about this machine is the detatchable inner lid. As the rice cooks and steam rises, over time the inner lid becomes covered with a white film. With many older style Zojirushi appliances you just had to wipe the lid down as best you could. But now being able to completely remove this section means you can clean it 100%. As I like a spotless kitchen, this feature alone is enough to justify the price for me! These are all good reasons to get a Zojirushi NS-ZCC10.

As with most Japanese rice cookers this appliance comes with a rice measuring cup and a serving spoon. Admittedly this “feature” is not unique to the NS-ZCC 10 but is notable all the same. When using one of these electrical cookers it is necessary to measure out a specific amount of rice as this makes it easy to measure how much water you need too. Therefore the fact that they come with the steamer just adds to the package. There are many other Zojirushi rice cooker reviews available online. Some are better than others. I like to think that the one you are reading is a good one.

I hope this Zojirushi NS ZCC10 rice cooker review has been of use. If you would like further details of this machine you can get a full technical rundown as well as read customer reviews on the Amazon website.

Despite this site being primarily about Japanese rice cookers we also want to provide as complete information as we can. So with that in mind we want to mention the Aroma ARC-838TC rice cooker which in not actually Japanese but is manufactured by the Aroma Housewares Company based in San Diego. This is a great rice cooker if you want to start eating more rice but do not want to buy an expensive appliance. This is a basic model BUT to cook plain brown or white rice it has all the functionality you need.

This rice cooker from Aroma is a fairly large model that can cook up to 8 cups of rice at one time. This is enough to feed about 12 people. If you do not need a rice cooker this size, you could instead buy an Aroma ARC-733G which is a 3 cup rice cooker. The Aroma ARC-838TC certainly looks more basic than many of the top of the range Japanese rice cookers. However you have to ask yourself how much functionality you really need. My Zojirushi rice cooker has settings for normal rice, a speed cook setting, rice porridge and one for rice with red beans as well as a warming setting that can be used to keep the rice ready to be eaten for up to 12 hours. After living in Japan for over 5 years, I have only actually used the first of the cooking settings and the warming functionality.

U.S. made Aroma ARC-838TC rice cooker

The Aroma ARC-838TC appears to have just the basic options of cooking and warming. For me, that’s all I really need. So before going out and splashing over $100 on a luxury rice cooker, think about a cheaper model from a U.S. company and consider buying an Aroma ARC-838TC rice cooker. At under $35 they are a very affordable entry model into the world of rice cooking. You can find a host of cheap rice cookers on Amazon. They are a great place to find the best price.

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