Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White
Customer Review: This thing is incredible!
Summary: 5 Stars
I admit, first off, that I have never used a rice cooker before. However, we wanted one because we love rice and most of the time whe we did it 'by hand' or 'according to instructions' it was really delicious or pretty good, and sometimes 'not quite right'.We've had this a few months now. Let me tell you this thing makes it 'delicious' every time. It's great.
We love the rice from it (we have tried white, mixed, and brown).
What's more this makes DELICIOUS oatmeal!!!! We tried the 'instant oats' in it, and those are way too mushy for our taste -- very creamy. I suppose if you like it like that, it's OK -- but we don't. At the same time I bought the cooker, I bought a rice cooker cookbook from Amazon at the same time, and it said for oatmeal to use 'steel cut oats' (also called pinhead oats) in the rice cooker. My goodness!!! What a difference. The steel cut oats have wonderful flavor, and a much firmer, much more delicious texture. We some cinnamon, brown sugar, maybe some dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, whatever), and maybe a touch of ground nutmeg, and WOW! Wake up in the morning with incredible oatmeal smell in the air - it's heaven. The porridge setting makes the oatmeal virtually perfect every time (You MUST read the instruction book first -- it looks complicated but after you actually use the rice maker a couple times it's really easy!!)
Anyway -- I've never written a review here before, but after buying this rice cooker I just had to. When I ask my wife "Want oatmeal in the morning"? usually I get the response "Yummy! I'd love it."
We both love this rice cooker with it's fuzzy logic that makes porrige and rice taste great. I highly recommend it.
To those (very few) people that don't like it I say "READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE USING!!" And to the person that said it's hard to clean - BS. This thing is so easy to clean. Pop the inner lid out and rinse or wash it, and pop the inner bowl in the dishwasher and you're ready to go for the next day.
I just set the rice cooker for oatmeal at 6:30 tomorrow morning. Know what? I'm going to wake up to a delicious, healthful breakfast. My thanks to all the previous reviewers who gave this good reviews.
This thing is great.
Customer Review: An Excellent Choice
Summary: 5 Stars
Neat machine - the instruction booklet is minimal and difficult to use as a reference or for help with specific completing times for various recipes. BUT - help is on the way if you choose to also purchase (from Amazon) "The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook" for $12.21. (Preview can be read on-line.)
The "cooker" produces delicious rice. It is very convenient to put in a completion time and let the "cooker" decide to start the rice when it needs to. Oatmeal (use the steel-cut variety from Bob's Red Barn") even tastes best when set up the night before.
The "timer" can be set for various finishing times but the "cooker" conveniently will default to 6 AM and 6 PM automatically, until you enter a different time.
The suggested (above) cookbook truly is worth the expense. It has many delicious recipes WITH clear and easy preparation instructions and times. It talks about "cookers" in general and is an excellent guide to adapting various recipes to this machine.
The unit is easy to clean and takes only a minute or two after each use to do.
It is now a great experience to check out the many varieties of rice at the "natural foods' grocery and health food stores. Basmati and Jasmine will become a favorite. We are definitely eating rice with meals more often - a suggested healthily thing to do! (Also eating less amounts of meat and more veggies and fish - they go better with various rices.)
This "machine" is not cheap but it is also not the most expensive "cooker" available. I would choose this specific machine again and - of course - when purchased from Amazon - delivery and shipping and (generally) price and availability are never a problem.
This machine also will satisfy - if there there is one - a need for new technology-type gadgets! There are lights and push-pads and two cute timer "melodies." The machine has an easy to clean sleekness in its design.
It will help if you understand 24-hour time. 1 PM = 1300 - so 6 PM = 1800. 6:30 PM = 1830/6 AM = 630. Not difficult - just a different way for many of us in the US. Hey, America can adjust, right?
Customer Review: Don't look at the price tag and you'll love this cooker
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this rice cooker for about a week now and I must say that I'm fairly pleased with my purchase. As with most, I was hesitant based on the price tag, but when it comes to making rice, this bad boy is top notch.
I've made a couple of batches with some cheap long grain rice and both times the rice came out perfect. The first batch was with the normal setting and the cooked batch was nice and fluffy. The rice was not mushy or hard, all the kernels/grains were very distinct and separate. The second batch was with the softer setting and sure enough, it came out a little moister and softer than the first batch.
I went out and purchased some nicer Japanese short grain rice yesterday and again, the rice was done perfectly. I actually prefer this type of rice (a little sticky) for general purposes, and I was really surprised how well it came out. I meant to turn off the rice cooker last night, but when I left the house this morning, I realized that I had left it on over night. The indicator stated that the rice had been warming for 14 hours. When I turned it off, I peaked inside to see what the rice looked like and it still looked pretty good, just slightly dry. My old rice cooker would have turned that into a big brown mess already.
I have yet to try brown rice, but I will be soon. For now, I'm glad I bought this cooker. I was considering the Sanyo ECJ-D55S one instead, which is closer to $100 dollars. The reviews say that those two are pretty much the same in terms of quality, the consensus being that they are both 1/2 interchangeably, but I opted for the Zojirushi one instead since I already have a Zojirushi airpot. Plus, if I'm going to spend that much on a rice cooker, I would hate to buy the Sanyo for a little less and wonder if I cheaped out and didn't get the better one.
That said, today's price for the cooker is $200! I paid over $30 less for mine last week! If you are planning on buying this cooker, check out your local asian supermarket instead. The 99 Ranch in the Bay Area sells this for $140, but of course, you have to factor in tax.
Customer Review: 50 yrs old and still making discoveries
Summary: 5 Stars
After 50 years, I finally discovered rice. Not the junk we Caucasians have been eating in the US for decades, but short grain rice that has been grown in Asia for thousands of years. The Zojirushi helps me to realize and to enjoy that discovery.
Being a highly addicted (and critical) cook, I find the Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker to be unbelievably good. It was easy to set up, the directions (for a 34 yr computer geek) were simple and to the point. Put in measured rice, water to designated level, push the button, come back and enjoy perfect rice. Simple for a computer, not so simple for the stovetop.
The NS-ZAC10 seems to be well designed and put together. The measuring cups are simple but effective and the strange but essential rice paddle holder is great, the paddle itself is a dream come true. The inner lid is well designed and cleans up easily. The top above this lid will retain about 1/2 teaspoon of water and that is the only oddity about cleaning it out. The inner cooking pot is unbelievable, I wipe it with a clean damp sponge and the rice starch just slips off without a hitch. I can only hope this continues after long-term use. The cord is not as long as I was expecting, only about 4 feet, but adequate for most kitchens. The buttons are easy to use and seem very clear to their purpose once the function of the machine is understood. This device was designed by someone who actually used one before. Hats off to the designers.
I have cooked long grain American and short grain Asian white rices, short grain brown rices and they all come out perfect. Better than I have had anywhere, except in an Asian household. I am now cooking rice 4 times a week, and I use it for lunches and dinners. I am very happy with this cooker and would recommend it for any individual or couple who wish to eat perfect rice. Anyone regularly serving more than 2 people, don't think about it, just get the larger 10-cup cooker. I would certainly buy another of these if the need arose.
If only I had discovered this 10 years ago.... *smile*
Customer Review: Cooking crow in this rice cooker
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, OK, my husband was right! We've been married for over 27 years, and it isn't that I mind being wrong - I just hate admitting he's right.
I was a cook and have been making rice on the stove-top forever. During a dinner party, one of our guests asked why we didn't have a rice cooker. Well... that got my husband researching rice cookers. He read EVERY Amazon.com review as well as the Zojirushi website. You have no idea how bitterly I complained about "wasting" money on a rice cooker. Boy was I wrong. This rice cooker is awesome and makes really fabulous rice. Yes, the rice actually is more delectable.
Some observations -
Similar to coffee makers, the capacity refers to 6 oz cups. However, for best results, Zojirushi recommends using no more than 4 - 6 oz cups of dry rice SO this machine machine comfortably feeds 4 adults. If you plan on feeding more people or want leftovers, consider getting the larger capacity rice cooker.
Hands down makes the best brown rice! It comes out perfectly and is delicious! We always knew brown rice was healthier, but just never liked it. Now, it is a regular part of our repertoire.
If you've never had rice porridge, you are in for a real treat! You can set the rice cooker up in the evening to have the porridge ready in the morning. We often add thinly sliced black mushrooms and ginger. What a fabulous, healthy warm breakfast.
I haven't even touched upon sticky rice or mixed grain recipes. Thus far, everything has come out perfectly. I wish I could say the same of some for my other cooking experiments!
So, fair is fair. I'm eating crow and writing this review. I imagine my husband will bookmark this one. Purchasing the Zojirushi Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker was money well spent. I highly recommend the machine and give it 8 out of 5 stars.