My wife and I became busy recently and decided it was time to finally get a rice cooker to save some time in the kitchen. We bought a cheap old-school rice cooker and the rice would scorch, water would boil out of lid, and the rice was worse than cooking the rice on the stove top.
Then we decided to invest in a good rice cooker.
The Zojirushi NS-LAC05 is everything we hoped for and more. We wanted a rice cooker that would make great rice, that could handle smaller amounts of rice, that had a timer, and could handle a variety of different rices.
This rice cooker is a dream.
-It's attractive. We've already received compliments from guests.
-Its footprint is very reasonable for a small kitchen.
-With a thick, stick proof bowl the rice doesn't burn to any spot and clean up is simple.
-It easily makes rice for 2 adults (1.5 of the "cups" for us) but could handle 4 adults (3 "cups") with normal eating habits. Note: the cups aren't full size cups of rice.
-It does a great job on a variety of rices; there are different settings for different rices and the measurement markings appear correct for different rices. So far we've tried long grain brown, medium grain brown, sushi, jasmine, white basmati, brown basmati, and brown/white mixes. We haven't had a bad batch of rice.
-The computer's fuzzy logic algorithm (i.e. "Micom Neuro Fuzzy") constantly adjusts the temperature so the rice comes out perfect every time. I also think the cooker starts out at a low temperature and gradually steps up the heat but I'm not 100% sure.
-The heavy bowl seems to distribute heat perfectly and there's no scorched rice or crust attached to the bowl.
-The timer is convenient for setting the rice to be completed at a specific time, at which point it keeps your rice warm. We've found it completes cooking within a minute or two of the timer setting. There are two timer settings that you can adjust...presumably so you could have your rice prepared for breakfast & dinner in Japan.
-The retractable cord is a nice feature.
-There's even a little holder for the included rice paddle that attaches to the side of the cooker.
We've even used it to make Polenta. Just use 1 Zojirushi-cup of corn grits, chicken broth up to 2-cup brown rice mark, and cook using the white rice setting. When it's done, put the mixture in a bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
I'd highly recommend this rice cooker. It's probably not big enough for a big family but for a single person, a couple, or a small family it will probably fit the bill perfectly. I can't over-emphasize the quality of rice the cooker produces...it's like a dream having rice as good or better than a restaurant at home. We probably eat grain cooked in this machine 6-7 nights a week. Once you switch to this Zojirushi you'll never want to go back to your old ways.
Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT 3-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer, Stainless Steel
Make the most perfect, tasty rice every time with the Zojirushi Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker and Warmer. The 3-cup capacity makes 6 cups of cooked rice, ideal for singles, couples, and small families.
The NS-LAC05XT includes a variety of cooking functions including white rice/sushi, mixed rice, porridge, sweet, brown, and quick cooking.
This unit contains a removable black thick inner cooking pan that provides even heating for better cooking with measuring lines for precise control of ingredients. It also has an interchangeable melody and beep signal to indicate when the cooking cycle has ended. Other highlights include a detachable and washable inner lid, an easy-to-read LCD control panel, and automatic keep warm, extended keep warm and reheating cycle, delay timer with two settings and a built-in retractable power cord.
The unit's clear-coated stainless-steel exterior not only cleans easily, but also matches any kitchen decor. Accessories include a spatula, a spatula holder, and a rice-measuring cup. The 120 volts / 450-watt rice cooker and warmer measures 9-1/8 by 11-7/8 by 7-1/2 inches.
NS-LAC05XT Product Features
Small footprint. Minimal counter space.
Beautiful sleek design. Modern look to match most kitchens.
Micro computerized Fuzzy-Logic technology
3-Cup (uncooked rice) capacity. Ideal for singles, couples, and small families.
Automatic Keep-Warm setting.
Built-in retractable power cord.
Menu Settings: White/Mixed, Sushi, Porridge, Brown, and Quick Cooking.
Easy-to-read colored LCD control panel with Clock and Timer functions
Spherical inner cooking pan and heating system provide even heating for better results.
Detachable and washable inner lid.
cETLus listed
Make every rice type imaginable with a Zojirushi Rice Cooker
Brown Rice
This is a menu setting designed to cook delicious brown rice. In order to cook hard rice bran and the rice inside, preheating time is extended for better absorption of water, and is cooked at a lower temperature to allow the rice to cook longer without becoming mushy.
Sushi Rice
Because sushi rice will be processed after it's cooked, it's easier to handle when it is a little firmer. This menu setting is very similar to regular white rice, but uses less water (adjusted by the water fill lines) for a firm finish.
Mixed
Mixed rice is rice cooked with additional ingredients and seasonings. This setting extends preheating for better absorption of seasoning. Also, the cooking temperature is slightly lower than regular white rice, to avoid ingredients from boiling over.
Porridge
Instead of cooking rice in larger amounts of water and risk making it sloppy, use the porridge setting to cook fluffy porridge. Cooking temperature is slightly lower than regular white rice, to be cooked longer for soft texture.
MICOM (Microcomputer) Technology
Aided by microcomputer technology, this category of rice cooker takes having rice on your menu from “occasional” to “serious”. Basically, the microchip does all the thinking for you, as far as adjusting cooking times and temperatures according to the type of rice you are cooking, and timing the pre-soaking of the raw grains and the final “wait” period during steaming.
MICOM allows the cooker to have multiple functions on its menu, making it a necessity for any avid rice fan who wants to incorporate rice into her daily diet.
How it Works
Conventional rice cookers simply turn on and off in reaction to temperature. The “fuzzy logic” of MICOM fine tunes this adjustment to adapt to various rice types, such as white, brown, sweet or porridge, which all has different cooking requirements. The trigger to everything is the thermal sensor, a small round button at the bottom of the inner body of the cooker. As the inner pan’s weight rests on it and activates the sensor, it starts the cooking process and keeps an eye on the temperature and time.
Key Features:
Convenient detachable inner lid for easy cleaning.
Spherical inner cooking pan provides even heating for better cooker.
Accessories include rice measuring cup, nonstick rice spatula and spatula holder.
- Enter your model number above to make sure this fits.
- 3-cup capacity makes 6 cups of perfectly cooked cooked rice every time(Capacity is measured in the approx. 6 oz. / 180mL rice measuring cup, using raw short grain white rice. Other grains may vary.)
- Cooking Functions: White/Mixed, Sushi, Porridge, Brown, and Quick Cooking
- Inner cooking pan provides even heating for better cooking and measuring lines for precise control of ingredients
- Features detachable inner lid, easy-to-read LCD control panel, automatic and extended keep-warm setting, reheating cycle, delay timer with two settings and a built-in retractable power cord
- Small footprint takes up minimal counter space; Accessories include measuring cup, nonstick rice spatula, and spatula holder
- NOTE: Please ensure to measure rice in the cup that comes along with the product ONLY
- Manufactured in China
