ZojirushiNS-RPC18FJ Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1.8-Liter, Tulip

Functionality and style was exactly what my wife wanted. Can’t go wrong with a Zojirushi!

This brand, Zojirushi, with the elephant logo, is one of, if not the most, efficient and durable rice cookers on the market.It can quickly cook rice and keep it warm without drying it out. This 5.5 cup model does have a removable power cord. The 10 cup has a retractable cord system.The 5.5 cup is a good size for most families.The next best is the brand with the Tiger that has a rewinding cord on their 5.5 cup model.We only use it to cook rice and not for cooking meals like some weird people do, because it is a rice cooker, not a friggin crockpot.

Good

A little browning is occurring on the bottom. I tried increasing my water ratio a bit and I am doing max capacity. For me this is 4 level US cups and water to top line. I do not rinse my rice, so this could just be a settled starch layer. I might also try heat off immediately instead of warming.The rice is for dog food funny enough, so no big deal and extremely minor. Creating a very uniform and fluffy cook, and I am impressed. Very easy to clean.

I’ve had Zojirushi rice cooker before and loved it. This definitely exceeded my expectation in a rice cooker except for the price. I love that there is only two options, cook and warm and that’s it! The unit is easy to use and easy to clean.

This cooker makes the most delicious rice, every grain was fluffy and not mushy with no sticking.

UPDATE 10/4/2020: Of course just about when the return window expires, I started having a problem. As I reviewed before, the inner lid is flimsy and the overall build is not as good as the Tiger brand....this kinda proved it. I noticed that the lid did not close as flush anymore and it started to leak out more condensation/steam into the dew collector than ANY of my previous brands. So when I took a look, the lid looks like it did not shut as tightly about the front to back lip side....which lead to some escape and more condensation forming and traveling the channel into the dew collector. I had to chat amazon CS and they help process a return. When asked if I wanted a replacement, I said NO. Credit me so I can go back in and get a Tiger. So, I guess that's why Tiger has been a household staple when it comes to rice cookers in my friends' homes that I've been in. So I tried something different, and it reinforced my gut feeling.Original:I had a Tiger 5.5 cup that lasted long time before the lid had trouble latching closed. Unfortunately, the latch is not easily repairable it seems. So I wanted something that matched the decor a little more and perhaps smaller to declutter the counter. I mistakenly tried the smaller SS Cuisinart. Yikes.....returned. After much research, It seems I could not find a Tiger in stainless or similar color with it being 10 cup or 500 bucks. I have read good things about Zoji and the designs seem similar. I had to go back to a 5 cup but at least this finish was closer to the decor.Pros:- good, simple design. Nothing fancy but that also means minimal stuff to break. No doubt will be a workhorse- simple, clean design- came in the grey instead of white (vs a dark counter top with ss appliances)- good rice paddle, non stick raised dots design- solid feeling cook/warm button- solid power cord- better locking feel of the lid but the lid itself is not as a solid "thud" as the TigerCons:- non-retractable cord. The Tigers usually have them- black and grey finish....why give a white paddle with a white paddle holder?!- power cord is the same cord off a computer or monitor (thick round with the D shaped end)- this is the most obvious - the basin and the inner lid is a little thinner than the Tiger's. The basin is ok...the inner lid is much thinner than I would expect and would like. If I could switch out my Tiger's lid for it I would. This is what cost it a star big time!- Top lid overall is lighter build than a Tiger's- measure markers are not as deeply pressed as a TigerI think if it wasn't for the cosmetics, I would have returned this and gotten the Tiger. Don't get me wrong... It's like comparing Honda with Toyota. Honda doors shut and sound and felt solid, Toyota not so much but they've never fallen apart on me either. Both are reliable and solid in their own way, but to me...both have certain merits but the feel is a personal decision. I like the feel of the Tigers slightly better, but again, no SS or grey to match the kitchen. the price range is close to each other so neither would break the bank either way. I expect this to last a long time and so far it has made very good rice.

I have the Zojirushi water boiler (Model CD-WBC40) for over a decade now and it's never let me down after all these years, so when the time came to buy a rice cooker I knew exactly which brand I wanted. This one does its job, no complicated controls, comes with clear instructions affixed to the lid that makes it easy to operate, and is super easy to clean! I've already used it to cook perfect white rice and am now going through my bag of basmati brown rice!