REVIEW: Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH (5.5 cups), NP-HCC18XH (10 cups), Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, Stainless Dark Gray

Review

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Made in Japan
✅ High-end rice cooker, provides delicious,
perfectly cooked rice every time.
✅ Superior induction heating technology.
✅ Thick inner cooking pot.
✅ Delay timer and Keep warm options.
✅ Practical carrying handle and rice
scooper holder.
✅ Detachable inner lid set and
the steam vent cap for easy cleaning.
✅ Cooking options include jasmine rice
and GABA brown rice.
Expensive.
Heavier than micom rice cooker.
No steam/slow cooking option.

Reviews

Customer Reviews

Good/Positive Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews

Very noticeable difference in rice!
Without a doubt the best rice cooker on the market.
Perfect rice quickly, kept perfectly warm for over 24 hours!
SHOULD have bought this years ago.
Well worth the investment
Who knew rice could taste this good?
Excellent unit – Superlative Japanese quality

Source: www.amazon.com

Bad/Negative Reviews

Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews

 Peeling Teflon on Rice Pot
– it renders a horrible smell to the rice after 24hrs of warming

Source: www.amazon.com

It is recommended to use the bowl or strainer to wash rice to preserve the inner pot. Read this article for more tips on how to preserve the inner pot for a longer time!!

It is not recommended to keep rice warm for more than 12-24 hours in a rice cooker. It is recommended to freeze cooked leftover rice to keep the freshness.

Make sure to wash/rinse rice before cooking to avoid the odor after cooking as the rice bran can be the cause for the odor.

In addition, improperly stored uncooked rice can be the cause for the odor after cooking. it is very important to store uncooked rice in proper temperature and place. It is recommended to store them in temperature below 15 °C with 70% humidity in a place not exposed to direct sunlight.

Click the below link to find top 3 Made in Japan, IH Japanese rice cookers!

Why IH Rice Cooker made in Japan is the Best Choice?

The Induction Heating (IH) rice cooker is a popular mid-range rice cooker in Japan, first invented in 1988. It has revolutionized the way rice is cooked in Japanese homes since. The IH source generates a magnetic field that heats the inner cooking pan directly, allowing for more even cooking and better heat distribution than traditional heating methods, making it a preferred option over micom rice cookers.

Compared to the micom (microcomputer) rice cooker, the IH rice cooker is a better option for cooking larger quantities of rice. The location of the heating source in micom rice cookers can make it challenging to cook large batches of rice evenly, whereas the IH rice cooker’s advanced heating function is better suited for this purpose. However, due to its advanced heating function, the IH rice cooker typically has a higher price tag.

“Made in Japan” products are known for their high quality, reliability, durability, and cutting-edge technology. The craftsmanship and attention to detail that go into producing these rice cookers is second to none. Japanese engineers have a passion for creating the best products possible, and their kaizen mindsets drive them to continuously improve their work.

The Japanese IH rice cooker is a game-changer in the world of rice cooking. With its advanced heating function, even cooking, and longer-lasting warmth, it is no wonder that it has become the preferred choice of many Japanese households. If you are looking for a high-quality rice cooker that will provide delicious, perfectly cooked rice every time, consider investing in a Japanese IH rice cooker.

Product Details

Brand: Zojirushi
Type: IH (Induction Heating)
Item Number: NP-HCC10XH (5.5 cups), NP-HCC18XH (10 cups)
Size: 5.5 cups, 10 cups
Voltage:
120 Volts
Weight:
Approx. 9 lbs (5.5 cups), Approx. 11 lbs (10 cups)
Dimensions: 10″D x 14″W x 8″H (5.5 cups), 9.5″D x 15.5″W x 11″H (10 cups)
Country of origin: Japan
Date First Available: March 20, 2015
List price*: $347.49 (5.5 cups), $363.37 (10 cups)
*At the time of publication. List price is the suggested retail price (USD) of a product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller.

Cooking options

Rice (white) cook time: Approx. 51 – 57 min (5.5 cups)
Quick cook time:Approx. 23 – 41 min (5.5 cups)
Keep warm time: Up to 12 hours
Cooking options: white rice (regular, softer or harder)
jasmine white rice
mixed rice
sushi rice
porridge
sweet rice
brown rice
GABA brown rice
quick cooking

Accessories

Rice scooper, rice scooper holder, measuring cup

Image credit: www.amazon.com

Cleaning Instructions

The steam vent cap and the inner lid set are detachable for easy cleaning.

Image credit: Amazon

Replacement Parts

https://www.zojirushi.com/app/spare_parts/category/rice-cookers/NP-HCC10/18

Instructions Manual

Warranty Information

Parts and Labor: 1 year
Eligible Country: U.S.A. and Canada

Product Summary

The size 5.5 cups is prefect for a family of 4 and 10 cups is perfect for a family of 6 +. It is made in Japan, high-end, quality rice cooker.

Zojirushi is one of the most popular brand for the rice cooker in Japan. The company was founded in 1918 and it has obtained top market share in the industry.

The IH (Induction Heating) rice cooker was invented in 1988 and uses the IH source to cook rice. It can cook rice more evenly and keep rice warm for a longer period of time without being dried out thanks to the induction heating source compared to the micom rice cooker. Because of this advanced heating function, hence the price tag is higher for the IH rice cooker.

If you are making more than 3 cups of rice, the IH rice cooker is better option as the micom (microcomputer) rice cooker is not good for making a large batch of rice due to the location of the heating source.

The delay timer function is great for a busy household (you can set the timer in the morning and it will be ready by the time you get home!).

The accessories include the rice scooper holder which can be attached to the rice cooker. It is a nice added bonus!

Is Zojirushi good rice cooker brand?

You have started searching for Japanese rice cookers and wondered:

  • There are too many options to choose from!
  • Which brand is best for my needs..? Tiger, Toshiba, Panasonic, Zojirushi..?
  • I have decided on Zojirushi rice cooker but is Zojirushi a good rice cooker brand?

Zojirushi is one of the best Japanese rice cooker brands. Here are why:

  1. Holds the top market share in Japan.
  2. Is a well-established company which celebrates 105-year anniversary in 2023.
  3. A top class knowledge and expertise in the heat insulation technology.
  4. Has been developing the top-of-the-line rice cookers in pursuit of the cutting-edge technology over many years.
  5. Has been creating and assembling 130 models of rice cookers in Osaka, Japan under the strict quality standards by craftsman.

Company History

The Zojirushi rice cookers hold the top market share in Japan.1 The Zojirushi corporation (it started as Ichikawa Brothers Trading Company) was founded in 1918 in Osaka, Japan.

The company’s philosophy is “Creating a Quality of Life” and their slogan is “Inspirations from everyday life“. Their detailed attentions to their products come from their slogan.

You might have wondered why their company logo is the cute elephant. “ZO” means elephant in Japanese, which symbolizes strength, intelligence and familiarity.2

Product Line

The company released its first electronic rice jar in 1974 and released its first micom (microcomputer) rice cooker in 1979.

They also produce the variety of electronic kitchen tools, the heat insulation water bottles, bento/lunch jars, and the home appliances such as the humidifiers, the futon dryers, and the air purifiers.

The company’s first released product was a glass-lined vacuum bottle. This bottle for home use was created using vacuum insulation which was the breakthrough technology at the time. 2

Made in Japan – High Quality Rice Cookers

The Zojirushi has been developing the top-of-the-line rice cookers in pursuit of the cutting-edge technology over many years. It is needless to say they are the leading company in the industry.

Their passion and pursuit of developing the top-of-the-line products does not just end in relying on the machines. They also excel in creating and assembling the product by hand as well. Japan is know for its craftmanship and 130 models of rice cookers are made in Osaka, Japan. Their products are developed under the strict quality standards and their top-of-the-line model “Nanbu Iron Kiwame Hagama” is assembled by hand by 46 skilled craftsmen.3

Image Credit: 日本経済新聞 (http://nikkei.com)

The Zojirushi rice cookers might not be the most stylish and the instagrammable design and the company is well aware of these feedbacks, however, their passion and focus is to produce the best rice cooker which can cook the best tasting rice. I think this story defines their brand, company’s focus, and strengths.

This is one of many reasons why Zojirushi brand is trusted, admired, and loved by both new and repeated customers internationally over many years.

References:
1https://www.itmedia.co.jp/business/spv/2108/16/news002.html
2 https://www.zojirushi.com/zojirushi/about.html
3
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASHD22H1N_S6A120C1AA2P00

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