Rice is one of the simplest and least expensive staple foods that you can have for a healthy diet. There are different methods for cooking rice. For some, all they need is a pot, heat, and water. For busy people, a rice cooker comes in handy in order to free up time to do other tasks.
You may not notice it, but there’s a huge assortment of brands that have created the perfect gadget to do that job. In this article, we are pitting two of the top rice cooker manufacturers in the market today so you pick the right rice cooker brand for you.
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Cuckoo
The Cuckoo brand was introduced in 1998 by the South Korean manufacturing group Sungkwang Electronics. It caters mainly to consumers in the United States. Their rice cookers check all the tiny tidbits that a consumer may be looking for when it comes to ease-of-use and convenience.
Due to the Cuckoo brand’s promise of quality and innovation, it has been one of the top listed rice cooker brands on various e-commerce sites.
Cuckoo has risen in popularity among young adults looking for quality rice cookers due to their multifunctional use. One of Cuckoo’s signature rice cookers that we can vouch for is their IH twin Pressure Cooker (CRP-RT0609FB). Its pressure and non-pressure mode, which can easily be selected through a pressure knob, also allow for cooking a wide variety of dishes in the cooker.
One of the convenient things that we like in this rice cooker is its easy to read LED display screen which shows 12 menu options. These include GABA, glutinous, mixed rice, and scorched rice. You can even cook baby food with it. With an intelligent algorithm, you can easily cook with your selected menu while saving energy on cooking temperatures and cooking times. Meals are ready in no time!
With Cuckoo’s patented emission system, steam travels with minimal blockages all through the steam walls. This allows Cuckoo’s rice cooker to cook efficiently and quietly. With the adjustable keep-warm temperature and reheating options, your meal can stay warm longer to enhance your eating experience.
After cooking with Cuckoo’s twin pressure cooker, you will be delighted by its quick and easy cleaning method. It produces hot steam to automatically clean the cooker thoroughly. It also has a water collector beneath the cooker to keep the food fresh and prevent unpleasant odor and bacteria.
When inspecting the rice cooker, you may notice that all Cuckoo rice cookers have their distinct shine, coming from the brand’s unique ‘Xwall Coating’. Xwall is a specially designed coating technology that protects the rice cooker from overheating, pressure, and salt or other elements. Various safety systems that control heat, pressure and function approved by regulatory bodies make this a safe and easy choice for people looking for a quality rice cooker.
Other Cuckoo Rice Cookers to consider
There are a lot of rice cookers that the Cuckoo brand offers for different needs. If the budget permits, consider getting the Cuckoo CRP-LHTR0609F Induction Heating Twin Pressure Rice Cooker & Warmer. It comes in both 6 and 10-cup options.
You can even add extra ingredients while cooking such as vegetables, meats and other toppings for a more dynamic cooking option. Although quite expensive, this is an ideal choice in order to incorporate a versatile touch to your cooking experience.
Another alternative for individuals that are budget conscious is the CRP-EHSS0309FG Cuckoo Electric Induction Heating Rice Pressure Cooker. It’s one of the smallest rice cookers out in the market, but the size is not just its primary selling point. Aside from its eye-catching appeal and design, it has different cooking options that you can choose from. The different options include mixed to brown rice and GABA mode. It even has a turbo cook mode option.
This electric rice cooker has a maximum capacity of 3 cups of uncooked rice and is an ideal alternative for solo individuals that are on a tight budget. The CRP-EHSS0309FG is still guaranteed to produce fluffy and the best-tasting rice for your daily meals.
All the aforementioned qualities from the previous rice cooker are present on the CRP-LHTR0609F. Aside from those, the Cuckoo CRP-LHTR0609F also comes with a high-tech voice control navigation in different languages. How cool of a feature is that?
The only drawback of this rice cooker is that it may not be best for beginners as there may be too many navigation and controls that are not present in the simpler rice cookers.
Zojirushi
Zojirushi started as a manufacturer of glass-lined vacuum bottles in 1918. Today, it has established itself as a top provider of household products that enhance everyone’s quality of life. One of its innovative home appliances that continues to make lives enjoyable and satisfying is its high-quality rice cookers that keep tasty rice always within reach.
Zojirushi cookers are famous for utilizing technologies to optimize your unique rice cooking cycles. Its ‘Neuro fuzzy logic intelligent cooking algorithm’ takes away complications that you may have when it comes to cooking your rice.
The company philosophy stems from their corporate slogan ‘inspirations from everyday life.’ Their rice cooker and warmer steam rice to perfection thanks to the built-in pressure control system bringing confidence and satisfaction to consumers wanting to cook food with ease. Due to this fact, their famous rice cookers do everything for a busy consumer providing a hassle-free experience. This is why a lot of people prefer this brand over others.
Zojirushi rice cookers to consider
Zojirushi rice cookers are lauded for creating fluffy rice for hungry stomachs. They cook rice very well and keep it warm for a long time with their advanced heating functions.
The different features available on their rice cookers allow the cooking of colorful varieties of rice. An induction system for precise temperature control is navigated by its artificial intelligence technology that learns from past cooking experiences to adjust the cooking flow of your ideal rice. We compare the Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer with the twin pressure cooker from Cuckoo.
With the Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer, a selection of three pressure levels from harder to softer is available and can be used according to your preference.
The rice is placed in a platinum-infused nonstick inner cooking pan that changes the water quality for sweeter-tasting rice. After cooking, it has a detachable and washable stainless steel inner lid and the interiors are flat and easy to clean.
Almost all Zojirushi rice cookers operate in an identical manner. Preparing rice is easy because you can use the cup that it comes with. Simply select the setting you want. When we tried leaving batches of rice overnight on the rice cooker, the keep warm function made sure that no crust formed at the bottom of the pot.
Compared to other instant rice cookers where the quality of rice degrades over time, the rice cooked from the Zojirushi was surprisingly indistinguishable from a newly cooked batch of rice.
Purchase of all Zojirushi rice cookers also include rice measuring cups and a spatula. Some models may even include a steaming basket. For a different type of cooking, the NP-NWC10XB also has a special congee menu setting.
Cooking rice in a rice cooker is an efficient and time-saving activity. Since most have difficulty cooking rice on a stove that may scorch or burn rice, having a rice cooker in hand will ensure that rice will always come out fluffy and delicious. The Zojirushi NHS-06 3 cup rice cooker has been the staple of young adults looking for a cheap but durable rice cooker that quickly puts food on the table. It is also perfect for on-the-go individuals.
The 3 cup rice cooker keeps rice warm for up to five hours. It has a see-through glass lid and a stay-cool knob that permits monitoring of the cooking process. A single switch control is ideal for beginners and its stay-cool handles are made for easy transport. The lights turn-off when cooking is completed and the rice cooker immediately stays in a keep-warm mode.
In-Depth Comparison: Cuckoo or Zojirushi
One of the appliances that often get neglected in a household is a trusty rice cooker. Knowing the basics and researching the different types may spell the difference between a rice cooker that breaks down in one to three years and a rice cooker that may last up to a decade. When looking for the perfect rice cooker for cooking different types of rice, be it white, brown, or others, it is important to know the brand that will suit your needs.
The Cuckoo brand hailed from South Korea while Zojirushi originated in Japan. This means that both rice cooker brands were made with their culture in mind as love for rice is both associated with the respective countries.
Cuckoo is known for its stylish and modern design that complements most kitchen tops while Zojirushi is the preferred brand when placing an emphasis on function and options. Most Cuckoo rice cookers have two covers; a detachable and an inlet on the top cover. Both of the covers are made from stainless steel.
They withstand pressure, steam, and high temperature that come from the cooking process. Cuckoo’s pot design is similar across different models. Their cylindrical shape makes Cuckoo rice cookers look like an egg when seen from the front. Most models are made with black and grey accents across different parts.
While Cuckoo entices consumers with its stylish and modern take on the rice cooker, Zojirushi puts emphasis on quality, comfort, and ease of use along with its innovative technologies. The brand is known for its capsule-like bodies and is mostly made from stainless steel. Some models feature see-through lids that are known to be popular due to their budget-friendly prices.
What makes Zojurushi stand out from other rice cookers is the advanced artificial intelligence that allows the rice cooker to think for itself. Zojirushi rice cookers learn and master your preferred rice cooking style and adjust time and heating accordingly to fit your needs. This ensures a perfect yield of cooked rice every time. Since Zojirushi rice cookers come in different forms, shapes, and sizes, there is definitely a Zojirushi for everyone.
Depending on the budget, you may opt for standard rice cookers like the Zojirushi NHS-06 3 cup. If you’re looking for an induction cooker that can cook other food besides rice, the Cuckoo CRP-LHTR0609F Induction Heating Twin Pressure Rice Cooker & Warmer can get your dishes ready in significantly shorter periods.
Our Pick for the Best Rice Cooker
Cuckoo rice cookers look like appliances that came from the future because of their modern and sophisticated builds. Every model they release catches attention at first glance.
Being a Korean brand that caters mainly to the United States, they still serve differing markets through their unique smart voice features. However, one of the issues that some Cuckoo rice cooker units have is their short lifespans. Cuckoo rice cookers, on average, have a lifespan of 6-7 years while other rice cooker brands stay on for a longer period.
While Zojirushi is known for being pricey, they offer entry-level rice cookers that are durable and can last up to a decade with proper care and maintenance like the NHS-06 3-Cup Rice Cooker. They are easy to use, simple, and don’t require a lot of effort into cooking your daily rice needs. Most budget-friendly models have single switch controls, have steady and stay-cool handles, and are best for busy individuals and solo dwellers.
Factors that we took into account when picking our choice for the better rice cooker brand include price, durability, and ease of use. This makes Zojirushi rice cookers our top choice for individuals looking for the best rice cooker that will serve fluffy, perfect, and delicious rice on any occasion.
Even with the somewhat high entry price point of most of the Zojirushi rice cookers, their proven durability and longevity ensure their home appliance will serve you and your family for years and even decades to come.
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