Zojirushi is a Japanese company founded in 1918. It originally produced glass vacuum bottles, but has expanded over the decades and now produces a range of high-tech cookery and kitchen appliances. One of their products is the Zojirushi rice cooker. They manufacture two models in different sizes, the 1L capacity NP-HCC10XH and the 1.8L capacity NS-TSC18.
Let’s look at, and compare them.
These rice cookers both employ a method known as induction heating, in which an electro-magnetic current generates heat in a metal object without making direct contact.
Features
The generic features of both rice cookers are the color, a metallic grey that can fit in with the décor of most kitchens, a measuring cup, spoon and spoon holder, a removable internal bowl, and marked measurement scales on the inside of the bowl to indicate the level of water for each portion of rice. The bowls in both models are non-stick and easy clean;
Both cookers come with a one-year guarantee; BUT, a warning, I came across a review on Amazon from a customer who was happy with the product, but he had purchased it from a seller who was not authorised, consequently the guarantee was invalid and he could not get it replaced.
On the technological side, both cookers use the induction heating method, both have bright orange LCD screens, making settings that you input easy to see, both have “set and forget” cooking and timing functions, both have a keep warm function, which enables you to maintain your cooked rice at a certain temperature until you are ready to eat it, and both of them use Micom and Fuzzy logic technology;
Micom is short for microcomputer, these cookers each have one built into them, enabling them to do all of the actual cooking automatically after the person has put the rice and water into the pot and input the settings;
Fuzzy logic is a kind of smart programming that enables a device to choose any one of several different actions, unlike a computer, which only recognises two courses of action, yes or no. A computer only has courses 0 or 1, while a technical device using fuzzy logic might be able to choose courses 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 or 1. This is what enables these cookers to make fine adjustments to cooking temperature, and recognise when the rice is cooked to your desired fluffiness, etc.
Both cookers have instruction booklets in a variety of languages, and menus for cooking different types of rice.
The individual features of each cooker are as follows:
The NP-HCC10XH has a capacity of 1 litre;
Surprisingly, although it has a smaller capacity, it is more powerful, at 1,230 watts,
It weighs 4.08 kilos;
It measures 10” W x 14” D x 8” H
NS-TSC18 has a capacity of 1.8 litres;
This model has a maximum of 820 watts’ power;
It weighs 5.39 kilos;
This model has a retractable power cord;
It measures 11.12” W x 15” D x 9.87 H
Who should buy it?
First and foremost, anyone who is a rice lover and wants to cook their rice to perfection. Cooking rice by conventional methods, e.g. in an ordinary pan, can be tricky unless you have done it day in day out for years and have got it down to a fine art;
Small restaurants or eateries may want to purchase several of the larger (1.8 litre) models. Probably not good for larger restaurants or eateries that are very busy;
Street vendors of hot foods may want to invest in one or more of these;
Both models are expensive, but most reviewers, below, don’t seem to mind the price.
What do people say on Social Media?
About the NP-HCC10XH
birchwoodkitchen.com recommend this as: “…a rice cooker that will do everything…”
The reviews that I have read on Amazon are mostly from U.S.A. and Canada customers, and are nearly all very positive, with the use of words and phrases such as: “excellent”, “very good”, “fantastic” and “great product”.
The only negative reviews were about the noise the cooker makes, the lack of handles to pick it up,
and customer reviews on Amazon report that this model does not have a retractable cable.
About the NS-TSC18:
Adverts only on Facebook, no reviews.
ricecookerjunkie.com give this model a good review, stating that the timer is the best feature.
Amazon reviews of this model are again mostly positive, buyers seem very pleased with it.
NOTE: most Amazon reviews were from Canadian and American customers, one U.K. customer, Jonathan, reported on 12th April 2022 that the NS-TSC18 he bought was designed to run on U.S. 110 volts, and that he had to purchase an adaptor.
- EVEN HEAT: Induction heating for precise temperature control
- HEALTHY OPTIONS: Healthy brown and GABA rice settings
- VERSATILE MACHINE: White, sushi, jasmine, sweet and porridge settings
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
The majority of reviews that I have read for both cookers have been very positive, and either one of them sounds like a very good purchase for anyone who loves rice.
Being vegan, I eat rice regularly, as an accompaniment to curries, stir fries, with a vegan paella or just as savoury fried rice, cooked with vegetables and some sort of chicken or meat substitute.
I’m reasonably good at cooking rice most of the time, but I don’t always get it right, once in a while, I either don’t cook it enough and it ends up being a bit soggy, or I over cook it and the rice sticks to the bottom of the pan, which will then mean that I have to soak it to loosen the rice before I can wash it.
Even worse, once or twice I been distracted and have forgotten the rice was cooking, resulting in it burning, and making the pan even more difficult to clean.
If all of the reviews that say these cookers prepare rice to perfection every time are true, then the smaller version of this rice cooker, the 1 litre NP-HCC10XH, would be ideal for me, and might even encourage me to experiment with different varieties of rice; I mostly use long grain white rice and occasionally Basmati.
I would think that most rice fans who want to cook rice that is delicious and enjoyable would be happy to have one of these cookers.
- Micro computerized fuzzy logic technology. Capacity: Up to 10 cups / 1.8 liters
- Automatic keep warm, extended keep warm and reheating cycle;Electrical Rating:120 volts. Dimensions (W x D x...
- Easy to clean clear coated stainless steel exterior, 2 delay time settings, stainless brown.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
