[LisainCalifornia]

I bought this today:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ance&s=kitchen

I got it at a little Asian Grocery story in the city. I had been torturing myself thinking about buying it for a while now, and finally just put myself out of my misery and did it. It is a Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker, and is more beautiful than any kitchen appliance out to be

And no, my husband will never know how much this sucker cost, I will take that secret to my grave!

It is a bit intimidating, I have to say. It has a little computer chip in it that "thinks" about how much to cook your rice depeding on all the different variables (water, rice type, humidity level that day--I kid you not). It has lots of buttons on it and I read the instruction booklet a dozen times. I finally figured out how to get it going.

I made a good sized batch of CalRose Japanese medium grain tonight, and my kids loved it so much! they all ate two bowls full (with chopsticks no less) with our beef stirfry. It was perfect. I was actually nervous when I first opened it (it chimes out with "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" when it is done) to check the rice, but it was *perfect*.

It is suppose to be GREAT at cooking brown rice too-- I will try that tomorrow!

Just wanted to share!

Hugs,
Lisa

Edited to add:
I changed the link because this is the one that I have! The ZAC-18 Neuro fuzzy is essentially the same thing, for anyone that is interested.

 

[WendyLouWho]

Color me green with envy! That is the one thing I think I would use next to my KitchenAid...

lucky duck, you!

 

[PikkuMyy]

I also have a Zojirushi rice cooker, a very small one with no bells, whistles or stars - it cooks the rice perfectly every time and I love it.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Emily,
I have heard that Zojirushi's last forever. I wanted to get the fuzzy logic one so that I could program it to make steel cut oats for breakfast and also put the rice in it in the morning and program it to cook it at 6:00 that night. I think it is a good alternative to the crock pot. I don't like the overly mushy crock pot taste much--so this was a good compromise for me. My friend makes great Paella and rissoto in hers too.

Have you checked out this rice cooker cook book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

It is wonderful!

 

[Lucky Charm]

T can you really make soup in a rice cooker?

And i checked out the website, and although i am tempted to buy the one LIC bout (for $229!), i just cant. Is it the brand that makes it good, because if it is, there are several less expensive ones i would love to try. My rice cooker sucks, it "spits" watery goo all over and i just cant stand it. I want a cooker that wont have burnt rice stuck to the bottom, and that doesnt spit!

I am so glad i found this thread!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Yes, you can make soup in it. The recipe book that I have "The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook" is really great and has many different soup recipes. You can really make any kind of grain or bean in it too.

You don't have to buy the Neuro Fuzzy Logic one that I did--but you should not buy one with a glass top. My Japanese friend said that those are so outdated they don't even sell them in Japan anymore, but here in America they are as popular as ever

. You need to get one with a latch lid. Zojirushi makes a good basic one for about 60.00 that you can get at Costco. National and Panasonic (they are actually the same brand) also make very good rice cookers--but again...get one with the latch on top.

In Japan the major brands are Zojirushi, National, and Tiger. They all make very good rice cookers. Read the reviews on Amazon.com to figure out which ones are good. Mine you can keep on for 12 hours, and the rice stays fresh and warm. There is no burning on the bottom, and it cannot "spit rice" or water because it is latched closed. Clean up was super easy (it is all nonstick) and it just works beautifully.

Take care,
Lisa

Edited to add:
This is the one I was talking about from Costco--notice the plastic latch lid!:

http://www.costco.com/frameset.asp?t...did=34766&log=

 

[Lucky Charm]

Lisa, thank you so much for the link! I am going to buy it (although i really really want the one you have!).

I have a few more questions, so i will PM you.

Warmly, Lisa

 

[Lucky Charm]

Ok, I bought the cookbook!

But some of the reviews say you need the fuzzy logic to make soups, oatmeal, etc. With the $60 basic one, can i make the recipes in that cooker, or should i go up a notch to a computerized one?

I just want to make the right decision, because i have a feeling that this rice cooker and cookbook will totally open up a world of good, freeing me in the kitchen (i hate making side dishes, i just do!).

 

[TigerTail]

i just got a cheapy at kmart (about $20? $30? not the littlest one, tho') & i have been happy with it, glass lid & all (till now, lol, i want the fuzzy logic! i cook sooo many different kinds of rice i would get a LOT of use out of it!) the only thing that didn't work so far is wild rice (of course, not rice at all, & prolly would've worked if i'd soaked it.)

i tremble at the selection (and price) at my asian mkt. if i had rice going constantly for 10 people like my laotian neighbors i would do it, but with dh being low-carb i really just have one small rice fanatic in the house (and two people that eat it somewhat.)

sigh, it sounds *wonderful*...

suse

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbaby3 Ok, I bought the cookbook! But some of the reviews say you need the fuzzy logic to make soups, oatmeal, etc. With the $60 basic one, can i make the recipes in that cooker, or should i go up a notch to a computerized one? I just want to make the right decision, because i have a feeling that this rice cooker and cookbook will totally open up a world of good, freeing me in the kitchen (i hate making side dishes, i just do!).

The cookbook has both fuzzy logic and regular recipes. You can make soups and oatmeal in both--but in the fuzzy logic you have the timer to start the oatmeal the night before.

Here is a link to look inside the book. Go to the page that says "the machine" and it tells the difference between basic models and fuzzy logic:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1558...49#reader-link

Do you know what size you are going to get? I agonized over that decision! I finally chose the 10 cup, because we have 3 kids and I saw several people say in their reviews that the japanese measuring cup for rice is much smaller than a traditional "cup". I am very happy I went bigger because I plan to make things like Arroz con Pollo and Risotto in it.

So, you don't have to get the fuzzy logic--but in the rice cooker book there are some recipes that you cannot do without the fuzzy logic. Does that make sense?

Here is a website with some rice cooker info:
http://www.sallyskitchen.com/

Hugs,
Lisa