4 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Rice Cooker

One of the most frequently asked question we get during our onigiri-making workshops is "Which is the best rice cooker?". So, we will explain some points about rice cookers to help you make the best decision when shopping for yours.

As it is with many other products in this modern era, when it comes to rice cooker options, we have too many choices. If you visit Amazon.com, you will find 180 pages for this category. Each brand emphasizes the unique benefits of their products, and with prices ranging from around $20 to over $1,000 for one machine, it really becomes difficult to make an informed decision.

If you go to the 価格.com website, the most popular rice cooker in Japan is this.(10/06/2016)

ZOJIRUSHI NP-VN10-TA 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) IH Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1.0-Liter

In the reviews, people who own this machine mention both pros and cons, but without a consolidated overview, it becomes very tricky to assess the feedback.

So how can you choose the best one for your needs and budget?

Before you start browsing Amazon and reading other people's reviews, you need to first understand your needs by answering these four questions:

Assess Your Rice Cooker Needs

1. How much rice would you like to cook regularly?

2. What type of machine do you prefer?

There are two main types of rice cooking machine; IH (Induction heating) and Microcomputer. We will explain the difference between the two.

3. What kind of cooking method do you prefer?

There are 3 different cooking method exists. 

4. What kind of material do you prefer for the inner cooking pot?

There are so many kinds of materials used. 

Let's have a look at the first point of consideration.

1. How much rice would you like to cook regularly?

 *Illustration credit: Justine Wong 

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