Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Zojirushi NHS-10 6-Cup Rice Cooker/Steamer & Warmer, White


Product Description

Plump, tender and moist grains of rice, with the option of colorful steamed veggies, can be yours with this cooker/steamer. No need to worry about rice drying out and sticking to the sauce pan either, as the "keep warm" function will maintain ideal temperature and consistency until you're ready to serve. Use the steamer basket for chicken, seafood, or vegetables - healthy cooking was never this easy!

Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #570 in Kitchen & Housewares
* Color: White
* Brand: Zojirushi
* Model: NHS-10
* Number of items: 1
* Dimensions: 9.40" h x 9.40" w x 9.30" l, 4.70 pounds

Features

* 6-cup cooker/steamer and warmer steams foods to perfection and keeps them warm
* Stainless steel steaming tray and removable, easy-to-clean, nonstick inner cooking pan
* See-through glass lid and automatic keep-warm function that activates immediately after food is cooked
* Durable stay-cool handles for safe handling
* Includes measuring cup, spatula, and removable cord for easy storing


Amazon.com Review
From carrots to cauliflower, cabbage to eggs, and rice to potatoes, this 6-cup cooker/steamer and warmer from Zojirushi steams foods to perfection and keeps them warm. The set includes a removable steaming tray, nonstick cooking pan, measuring cup, and spatula--the removable parts make this steamer easy to clean, and a removable cord makes it easy to store. Watch the foods while they cook through the clear glass lid or watch the cooking switch that pops up when the food is ready. There's also an automatic keep-warm system activated immediately after rice is cooked, and durable stay-cool handles make for safe handling. This attractive rice cooker measures 9-1/4 by 9-1/4 by 9-1/4 inches. --David Drury


Customer Reviews

Best thing next to the fuzzy-logic units5
I love my rice cookers. I use them not only to make rice, but for all sorts of one-pot meals. Put in a cup of rice, vegetables, meats or seafood, seasonings, tofu... and a half hour later you have a steaming hot one-pot meal. They're also good for pilafs and other grain dishes.

The Zojirushi and Panasonic units are all first rate, BUT you need to know a little something about cooking rice beyond what's in the poorly worded manuals.

Different rice takes different amounts of water. The long-grained rice Americans are used to should be cooked with 1-3/4 cup of water for each cup of rice. Japanese rice needs only 1-1/4 cup of water for each cup of rice, or 1 cup of water for each cup of washed, wet, rice.

Many Americans (and Europeans) have problems with these cookers because the measure ments are calibrated for Japanese short grain rice, and the Westerners are cooking long grain rice. Get the ratios correct, and everything works out fine.

I've had a number of rice cookers of different sizes. My Panasonic has lasted over 20 years, and my Zojirushi looks like it'll last just as long, while my South Bend gave up the ghost after only a year. Go with the top Japanese models; they're made for day-in and day out cooking.

An excellent rice cooker5
For a long time, I didn't see a need for a rice cooker. What's the big deal, I thought, of cooking rice on the stove? However, as my life got busier and busier, I began to want one. For one, I cook rice at least twice a week, often more. Second, I thought it would be convenient to start up a rice cooker and then not worry about the rice until I was ready to put dinner on the table. This Zojirushi model is perfect for this. After the rice is cooked, it automatically switches to a "Keep Warm" setting.

A few tips about cooking rice in this model:

1. Follow the water/rice ratio directions on the rice box, NOT in the manual.

2. Fluff the rice when the cooking is complete and then let it steam longer on the "Keep Warm" setting. If you don't fluff, sometimes the rice browns a little on the bottom.

3. Use high-quality rice.

Although I rarely use converted rice (Uncle Ben's Original), I decided to give it a shot in this cooker. The results were barely satisfactory, since the rice browned on the bottom. I don't have this problem with jasmine and other premium rices. I suppose unplugging the appliance immediately after the cooking is done (and letting it steam without the warmer on) might help. My own solution is to stick with the better rices.

Other reviewers have noted a spitting through the steam hole during cooking. This is less of a problem with small quantities than large. The starchy steam doesn't bother me since the same thing happens to the side of a saucepan when I cook a lot of rice on the stove. The cooker is SO easy to clean that I can't imagine complaining about a wipe down of the counter. (Hey, I have to do that anyway!)

You'll be surprised by how simple this appliance is - and how well it works. Recommended for people who cook small to medium amounts of rice at least two times a week.

Perfect rice, every time5
I've used less expensive rice cookers, but they don't measure up to the Zojirushi rice cookers. I used to have the 10 cup model, but that one was a little too large for me (it would be great if you're cooking rice for more than 5 or 6 people). This 6-cup cooker is perfect whether you are making 1 cup or 6. Just put the rice in (remember to wash it first), add water up to the line indicated, and push start ... when it turns off, you have perfect rice. No more boiling water, stirring, boiling over, or burned pans!

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