Reddit reviews Zojirushi NS-LAC05XA Micom 3-Cup(Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer

Also, don't cheap out and get the $20 one. Spend the money for a quality unit with "fuzzy logic" like a Sanyo, Zojirushi (the one we have), or Panasonic (for example) and get excellent results every time, every grain cooked perfectly.

And on the topic of how you can use it for more than just rice, we are addicted to steel-cut oats cooked in our rice cooker. This is the recipe we use. You can double the amount of cinnamon and substitute raisins for dates to good effect.

I have this little guy and in addition to cooking my rice perfectly, it sings a little song when the rice is done.

My Zojirushi Rice Cooker. This thing is amazing.

> Being a college freshman now who doesn't have the time cook on a daily basis

Think again. I work full time, and I long for all the free time I had during college! Don't fool yourself, you can make time.

Step number one is to pony up on a good rice cooker - not the cheap kind, but a computerized "fuzzy logic" model. I've been using my Zojirushi rice cooker practically every day for the last three years, and can recommend it highly, but I've heard that there are less expensive models from Sanyo that are just as good.

The feature that's going to make a big difference in your life is the timer function. Before you leave for the day, put in the rice, add water and a some cooking oil, toss in some spices, chop up some vegetables and throw them in (maybe tofu too, anything that can be steamed), then set the timer for when you'll get back from class.

While you're gone, the cooker will wake up, figure out how much stuff is inside (determined from how much water you added, assuming you added the right amount of water for the amount of rice you put in), and figure out when to start cooking. Your meal will finish cooking and be ready to eat right when you get home. I usually make a double serving, eat one half for dinner, and save the other half for lunch the next day.

You can also use the cooker to make your breakfast. Set it at night for when you will wake up in the morning. You can use either rice or gluten-free oats. Instead of spices and vegetables, add cinnamon; when it finishes cooking and wakes you up in the morning, toss in some brown sugar or fruit preserves and eat. Your alarm clock cooks your breakfast! You are living in the future.

Uh... 2nd or 3rd tier Zojirushi

/thread

Seriously, we have one of these and love it. The rice it makes is always perfect and the timer and 'keep warm' function gives you so much flexibility.

> They're a PITA to clean

They don't have to be. I have a rather nice Zojirushi (yeah, it's a spoil-myself item) with a removable non-stick inner pan. I plunk it in the sink to soak with soap and warm water for five minutes, wipe it out with a sponge, dry it, and it's done. Definitely not a PITA.

> after a little time, the rice is mushy.

Again, my Zojirushi keeps things perfect for as long as I want them. It never burns the rice, always cooks perfectly, and keeps it warm (without getting mushy) for many hours.

I use my rice cooker at least once a day, sometimes twice. If you're going to get one, do it right and go for something with a fuzzy logic processor. It will make anything you throw in there perfectly every time, and you can get that "Chinese food restaurant" kind of rice that so many people like. I make oatmeal, rice, soup, veggies, pilaf, even small cakes in that thing. Don't know how I'd ever live without it.

Rice is also one of the easiest things to fuck up. If you have the money to buy a decent rice cooker, it's worth it just for the ease. And a bonus, many rice cookers have a "hold" option, that keeps your rice warm for several hours. However, if you don't eat tons of rice, or don't want to spend the money, it is perfectly fine to use a pot.

At home, I use this one, but it was a gift from a family member.

I use this every morning. The price tag is horrifying, but the machine is amazing. It has dual timers, so you setup your oatmeal the night before (one cup of oats, one and 1/4 cup water) and then tell it the time. The rice cooker will have it done by that time. When it finishes cooking, it turns on a gentle warmer. No fuss, no muss. It requires zero oversight. With the dual timers, its also a great way to have rice done when you get home. Pull out oats, put in rice.

The first thing to look for is that the brand is Zojirushi. Don't listen to the people saying that the $15 rice makers are just as good. They've never owned a higher end fuzzy logic model.

If you don't need a huge capacity, this and this are probably the best ones on the market.

I got a rice cooker similar to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000G30ESY/ref=psdc_678540011_t1_B001KVZZH6

It cooks brown rice perfectly... practically just push-button. It does take a while though, over an hour. But then it switches to a keep-warm setting. Often enough I will start a batch before I go out riding, and then when I get back the rice is cooked and waiting for me. It's great to have healthy food ready for eating after a ride! I can get quite hungry so if no healthy alternatives are at hand it is too tempted to dive into whatever is quick and easy but not so nutritious.

Here's one from the same brand as my bread machine. The smallest size of rice cooker available seems to be 3 cups, which this is.

I was looking at this one. It seems like a good balance between price and fancy options. Plus I like stainless steel.

My friend, lend me your ear. The Zojirushi rice cooker: https://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-NS-LAC05XA-Uncooked-Cooker-Warmer/dp/B000G30ESY. You can get a larger one. Perfectly cooked fresh brown/white/sushi rice every day. It's easily the most used piece of equipment in my kitchen.