I’ve been cooking (and teaching others how to cook) for a LONG time. And so many of those meals share a common element: rice as a side. Sometimes, depending on the meal, the rice is even the star of the show! Whatever the case, one thing is true: cooking that much rice requires a trusted rice cooker, and my Zojirushi rice cooker has been my long-time, tried-and-true, absolute favorite rice cooker over the years. When I die, you should probably just bury me with it. That’s how much I love this rice cooker. And, as you can see, it’s definitely well-loved. 

After well over a decade of use, it was high time for me to get a new rice cooker, and there was no doubt in my mind when it came to which brand I’d choose. I’m a life-long Zojirushi fan, so I was excited to replace this one with a newer model from the same company.

About Zojirushi

When I think of the Japanese company Zojirushi, I think of a quiet, but confident (and insanely reliable) overachiever. They’ve been consistently turning out products that make life easier, better, and, let’s be honest, tastier for over 100 years. In fact, the company’s roots go all the way back to 1918, when it first introduced a glass-lined vacuum bottle. Since then, Zojirushi has built a reputation for mixing smart technology with everyday convenience, while creating everything from high-tech rice cookers to coffee makers along the way.

And Zojirushi’s design philosophy is a simple one: make life better, one small innovation at a time. Whether it’s a rice cooker that fine-tunes temperature and pressure for the fluffiest grains or a thermos that keeps your drink exactly how you like it, Zojirushi is the undisputed master of subtle but meaningful improvements. It’s also the reason their appliances often feel like they just get you.

What I also love about Zojirushi is that they prioritize thoughtful design, which means their products are accessible for all ages and lifestyles. Need a water boiler that grandma can use with ease? They’ve got it. Want a rice cooker that basically thinks for you? Done. With a legacy built on precision, reliability, and a little bit of magic (okay, fine, “science”), it’s easy to see why Zojirushi continues to be a staple in the lives of serious cooking enthusiasts.

The NP-HCC10 Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer

Here it is. My new pride and joy, the NP-HCC10 Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer. And it isn’t just any ol’ rice cooker. Instead of heating from the bottom like other models, it uses Induction Heating (IH) to warm up the entire inner pot, which means every grain cooks evenly, and you get fluffier rice that actually tastes better. (Trust me on this. I’m a rice snob.)

Zojirushi knows that not all rice is created equal, so they’ve absolutely loaded this cooker with presets. Whether you’re making regular white rice, brown rice, sushi rice, jasmine, porridge, or even GABA brown rice (for the health-conscious folks), it’s got a setting for that. You can even tweak the texture! Yep, there’s a setting for regular, softer, or firmer rice. In a hurry? They’ve thought of that too. There’s a quick-cook setting that speeds things up without totally sacrificing quality.

Other thoughtful details include the triple-heater system (bottom, sides, and lid), which means heat is evenly distributed, so your rice won’t get those weird crunchy spots. The stainless steel exterior is clear-coated, making it easy to wipe down, and the inner lid pops off for washing. (Nobody likes scrubbing awkward corners.) Plus, you can set a timer, keep your rice warm at different temperatures, and even choose whether you want your alerts as beeps, a little melody, or silent. (I actually really love that this rice cooker plays me a little song when it’s done. It’s one of my favorite parts about it.) 

Some of My Favorite Things About this Rice Cooker

The Pros:

All the Settings: I love how versatile this rice cooker is. No matter what kind of rice you need to cook, it can get it done. Here’s a breakdown of all the different settings:

• Quick Setting: The quick setting shaves off about 20 minutes from the normal white rice cycle. It does this by using a higher heat and skipping some soaking time. This is a great setting, and I find that it results in a slightly less than perfect result, but it’s negligible, and still way better than stove-top rush jobs.
• What is GABA Brown Rice?: GABA stands for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (which sounds like a science experiment, I know, but it’s actually a natural part of brown rice). The rice cooker soaks the brown rice at a warm temp for a couple of hours before cooking, which boosts the GABA levels. What’s the point? Some studies say GABA helps with stress and brain function. So, it’s basically brown rice with a little extra health boost.
• White Rice vs. Jasmine Rice: The white rice setting is basically your standard short or medium-grain rice, like Japanese or Calrose. It needs just the right balance of water and heat to stay fluffy but slightly sticky. The jasmine rice setting is designed for long-grain Southeast Asian rice (think Thai jasmine). This rice is less starchy, so the cooker adjusts the heat to keep the grains separate, light, and fluffy without getting sticky.
• Sushi Rice: Sushi rice is shorter and fatter, meaning it needs a little extra cooking time to fully soften while keeping its signature sticky texture. If you’ve ever wondered why restaurant sushi rice is so perfect, this is why.
• Porridge: This setting is for making rice into congee or rice porridge, a comforting, soupy dish eaten for breakfast in many Asian cultures. It uses more water and a longer cook time to break down the rice into a smooth, spoonable texture.
• Sweet Rice: This is for sticky rice desserts, like mango sticky rice. Sweet (or glutinous) rice needs a different cooking setting because it’s extra starchy and absorbs water differently than regular rice.
• Brown Rice: Brown rice has a tough outer bran layer, so it needs more time and higher heat to cook all the way through. This rice cooker takes care of the longer soaking and cooking process so you don’t end up with undercooked, chewy grains.
• Time Setting (aka the “Set It and Forget It” button): The time delay lets you schedule when you want cooking to start, so you can prep in the morning and have steaming hot rice waiting for you at dinner.

Makes Measuring Easier: Keep in mind that the measuring cup that comes with this rice cooker is not a normal American measuring cup. It’s actually 3/4 of regular cup, but you’ll basically use it just like you would a regular measuring cup and just fill it to the top for every “cup” of rice you want to cook. There are marks on the bowl for how much water to put it. If you filled the rice cup once, then you’ll fill the water line to 1. If you filled it twice, go to 2, and so on, depending on what kind of rice you’re making. What I love about this rice cooker is that you can even do half a cup, which is unheard of with regular rice cookers. When I make rice for just me and my husband, I use one full rice cup, and we still have plenty of leftovers for later.

Easy to Use: This might be a fancy rice cooker, but that doesn’t mean it’s a complicated one. In fact, it’s incredibly easy to use. Just plug it in, fill it up, choose your setting and press start!

The Detachable Inner Lid: Most rice cooker lids aren’t easily washable, but this one pops out with ease so you can just stick it right in the sink!

Reliable Quality Rice Cooker: Zojirushi appliances are basically tanks. They’re built to make your life more convenient and to last, and they achieve both almost effortlessly. Like I mentioned, I’ve had my previous Zojirushi rice maker for the better part of 20 years, and it’s still goin’! 

The Cons:

The Price Point: At over $300, this rice cooker isn’t affordable for everyone, but for those who are willing to shell out that kind of money for a rice cooker, you’ll get your money’s worth. This is a rice cooker that will easily outlast most relationships. 

Want to See it in Action?

A Truly Quality Rice Cooker

By now, I’m sure you can understand how the NP-HCC10 Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer is a high quality rice cooker that will outlast almost any other rice cooker by comparison, and then some. 

Looking to get one of your own? Head to Zojirushi’s website to shop, and learn more about all the great things that this rice cooker can do! And don’t forget to keep up with all their amazing appliances by following them on Facebook and Instagram.

Zojirushi NP-HCC10 Rice Cooker Review and Giveaway

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