Best Sushi Rice Cookers – Reviews and Buying Guide
Sushi is a popular Japanese dish that consists of small rolls or balls of vinegar flavored cold rice, usually with a pinch of salt of sugar. It is accompanied by a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, raw seafood, tropical fruits or egg. Definitely, the dish has attained prevalence across distinct cultures. But, making perfect sushi rice requires a state of expertise that can be achieved by having an ideal sushi rice cooker by your side. Not all the rice cookers are meant to make the perfect sushi rice, therefore, you should consider the ones that incorporate some additional settings specifically for sushi rice preparation. These rice cookers turn out to be an exceptional solution for amateurs as well.
So, let’s dive into the detailed reviews of some of the best sushi rice cookers. We will break down all their specifications so that you know what to expect from each one of them before making a purchase.
Best Rice Cooker for Sushi – Reviews
1. Cuisinart FRC-1000 10-Cup Sushi Rice Cooker
- User-friendly interface
- Distinct pre-programmed settings
- Suitable for preparing various meals
- Large capacity
- Dishwasher safe
- Some users may face a boil over problem
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4.9/5.0
This sushi rice cooker offers home chefs with various ways to cook different food items in just one pot. It certainly redefines versatility and you can expect perfect results for whatever you cook in it. It incorporates 18 pre-programmed settings for the preparation of distinct types of rice, including white, brown, hard, sushi, wild and risotto grains that mainly consists of short-grain white rice.
You can also prepare oatmeal, steamed veggies and pasta for your family. Moreover, it features a large LCD screen along with the selector knob that offers a user-friendly experience. You can utilize it to cook a maximum of 10 cups of raw rice, which is suitable for a large family and house parties.
It also comes with a removable anodized aluminum cooking pot with a non-stick coating which makes cleaning quite convenient as you need not worry about removing harsh food stains. Also, you can wash all the removable parts safely in the dishwasher, which saves a lot of time that can be utilized in other household chores. One of its best features is that you need not monitor the cooking as the device automatically switches to warm mode when the food gets cooked. You also get some other accessories with this rice cooker, such as a measuring cup, steam tray and rice paddle.
2. Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 10-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker for Sushi
- Highly economical
- The True HEPA filter effectively removes pollutants and potential allergens
- Produces zero ozone in the purification process
- Activated carbon filter takes out unpleasant gases giving out clean and fresh air
- Covered with a 2-year warranty
- Not Wi-Fi/Alexa compatible
-
4.8/5.0
Have you at any point come across a rice cooker that is carefully manufactured to think for itself? You are in luck as the Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 rice cooker does that thus significantly more. With a profoundly progressed Fuzzy Logic Technology, this rice cooker is equipped for “thinking” in order to make fine changes following both temperature and cooking time to have the option to cook an ideal batch of rice every single time.
It is very simple to utilize yet so functional in every possible way. You can cook four kinds of rice easily – sushi, brown, mixed and porridge. With the brown rice, the menu setting incorporates an all-encompassing preheating time, which is significant for better retention of water. After which, the brown rice is cooked in low temperature to evade softness.
For cooking sushi, the menu setting is like cooking white rice, however, with less water for a firmer completion. For mixed cooking, the setting broadens preheating time for better assimilation of the seasonings. Cooking temperature is likewise lower to abstain from bubbling over, as with other best-selling Zojirushi rice cookers. In conclusion, for porridge, cooking time is additionally lower, however longer to accomplish a delicate texture.
It also highlights MICOM Technology which makes this rice cooker what might be considered as “wise.” It is equipped with a microchip that processes each cooking setting to make the vital changes in cooking times and temperature. This likewise incorporates deciding the pre-splashing of entire grains and the last holding up period during steaming.
3. Toshiba TRCS01 6-Cup Sushi Rice Cooker
- Pre-programmed functions
- 24-hour auto keep-warm mode
- 2 delay timer settings
- Easy mobility
- Detachable inner lid
- The inner pot doesn’t feature any measuring lines
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4.6/5.0
This is the Japanese style rice cooker, integrated with the intelligent 6-step cooking process. It includes a steam valve and nonstick inner pan that preserves optimum heat inside the pot resulting in fluffy and flavorful rice. Apart from rice, you can also use it for making soups, steamed vegetables and many more dishes. Moreover, you get access to different menu settings for preparing distinct styles of rice, cream soup or porridge and steel-cut oats.
The preheating time is generally extended to cook rice for better water absorption and are cooked at a lower temperature to avoid stickiness. To prepare fluffy porridge, the cooking temperature is set to be slightly lower as compared to white rice and are cooked longer to achieve soft texture.
Also, if you lead a hectic lifestyle and have no time to monitor the pot while cooking, then this rice cooker can turn out to be a lifesaver for you. It offers a 12-hour preset and 24 hours keep warm functionality so that you can enjoy a hot breakfast every morning. Additionally, it is quite lightweight and you can easily transfer it from the counter to the tabletop. It also comes with a detachable inner lid which makes the cleaning process convenient and saves a lot of time.
4. Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Sushi Rice Cooker
- Induction heating technology
- Multi-menu cooking functionalities
- Pre-programmed buttons
- Easy to clean
- Automatic and extended keep warm mode
- Triple heater
- The cord doesn’t retract
- It may seem slightly expensive to some buyers
-
4.4/5.0
The Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer offer many awesome highlights without going over the edge on price or additional items. The induction heating, triple heater and Micom technologies cooperate to create exceptionally flavorful rice. Induction heating is a method for warming electrically-conductive materials, for example, metals. Its numerous preferences incorporate quick warming, effectiveness, safety and precise control.
This rice cooker utilizes this technology to heat the entire cooking pan. This makes it conceivable to make little temperature modifications that will prompt a superior conclusive outcome. Also, it includes a microcomputer (MICOM) that consequently changes the cooking temperature and time contingent upon variables, for example, the amount and type of rice being cooked. You can even make porridge utilizing the pre-programmed functions.
There are two keep warm settings on this model. The first is known as “regular keep warm”. When the rice is cooked, the unit will automatically change to the Keep Warm setting. The subsequent setting is the “expanded keep warm”. This can be utilized if your cooker is turned off and you might want to keep your rice warm. It can likewise be enacted during the Regular Keep Warm mode. Each setting has a light that turns on when the function is initiated.
5. Zojirushi NS-TSC18 10-Cup Micom Rice Cooker
- Micro computerized fuzzy logic technology
- Specific sushi function
- Works both as rice cooker and steamer
- Automatic keep-warm mode and reheating cycle
- Easy to clean
- The inner cooking pan is prone to scratches
-
4.6/5.0
This rice cooker not only cooks fluffy and flavorful rice but also offers you the functionalities of a steamer. You can use it as a sushi rice cooker and steamer and can also bake cakes by using the menu settings. Considering the versatility, you can prepare white rice/sushi, porridge, mixed rice, brown and steam veggies. The specific sushi function makes it the best rice cooker for sushi and it may look similar to the menu settings of regular white rice, but ensure to use less water to achieve that firm texture.
It incorporates a steam basket that can be used to steam different food items including vegetables, seafood and more. Also, it can steam and cook rice at the same time, which is a time-saving feature. Moreover, it is integrated with Micro computerized fuzzy logic technology, which utilizes a practical approach to adjust the cooking time and temperature.
You also get access to the automatic keep-warm mode and reheating cycle. Besides this, the removable inner lid and nonstick inner cooking pan make cleaning quite easy. Most of the buyers complain that they don’t get a retractable power cord with their rice cookers, but this one has a built-in retractable cord that makes storage much easier for you.
Best Rice Cooker for Sushi – A Comprehensive Buying Guide
What Makes the Perfect Sushi Rice?
What exactly is the definition of great sushi? At first glance, it may seem easy to prepare, but that’s not true as it can take years to turn into a perfect sushi master. Just like specialized brown rice cookers, there are models that have a unique sushi rice function. The sushi rice needs to be right about at the ideal temperature and should be sticky enough that it doesn’t fall apart when served.
However, it should start separating into individual grains once you put it in your mouth. This texture is achieved by applying the right amount of pressure to the rice so that the outer layer gets densely packed compared to the inner one.
Considering the seasonings, called neta, should be sized according to the proportion of the served rice. It should not be too big or too small. If you prefer to use Wasabi, then it should be placed in between the neta and rice. You can also check our top picks of Korean rice cookers to try out different Korean recipes.
Factors to Look For When Buying the Best Sushi Rice Cooker
1. Capacity
The assortment in rice cooker capacities differs bounty, from 3 uncooked cups to well more than 50. Everything relies upon your utilization for the cooker, be it at home or in a café. It is simple: the larger the capacity, the more people you can feed. Ensure to consider the size of your kitchen as well because the large capacity rice cookers generally tend to be bulky. Once you know your requirement of rice each day and the space that you have for the storage, you will be able to find the ideal model for you.
2. Non-Stick Inner Pot
If you prefer to cook rice for a prolonged time and with a limited amount of water, then there are chances of rice sticking to the surface of the pan. Therefore, prefer to buy the rice cooker that features a nonstick coating on the inner pan as it prevents rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Moreover, it makes cleaning quite convenient for you and can turn out to be a great time-saving feature as well. As opposed to most electric pressure cookers, rice cookers usually have non-stick inner pots made of Stainless Steel. We have also prepared a list of best Rice cookers with Stainless Steel inner pot as they are more durable compared to other materials.
3. Induction Heating System
Some sushi rice cookers level up the precision with the help of a technology called induction heating. It offers more accurate and fine-tuned temperature adjustments along with the heat distribution area that encompasses the inner pan and results in an evenly cooked rice. Moreover, the level of heat created in the inner pot can also be altered instantly by strengthening or weakening the magnetic field and by utilizing this you can prepare more sticky or fluffy rice as per your style and taste preferences.
4. Micom Menu Settings
Micom rice cookers are generally manufactured with an inbuilt computer memory chip which is programmed with advanced preset functionality. If you prefer to go for inexpensive models, then the functions will be limited to weight presets. But, if you are ready to pay a little more, you can enjoy the convenience of additional options as well, including preset programs for brown rice, porridge and sushi rice. With the Micom technology, the entire rice cooking process gets automated and you just need to take care of washing and fluffing the rice. It can be a great option for you if you are an amateur.
5. Rice Warmer
This function can keep your rice warm for a maximum of 12 hours after it has been cooked. It keeps the rice at optimum serving temperature and eliminates the need for reheating it. It can be a great addition for the individuals who lead a hectic life and don’t get enough time to prepare their morning meals. You can prepare the rice at night and turn on the keep warm mode and you are all set to enjoy fresh and fluffy rice in your breakfast.
6. Dishwasher Safe Removable Parts
Prefer to choose a rice cooker that comes with the dishwasher safe removable parts, for instance, condensation collector, steamer tray, ladle and measuring cups. It can turn out to be a lifesaver for the buyers who prefer to use dishwasher more often and don’t get enough time to wash dishes on their own. It is also a great time saver as you just need to remove the parts carefully and put inside the dishwasher and your job is done.
Conclusion
We all love to eat sushi, but to enjoy its authentic taste we always prefer to go to a renowned Japanese restaurant. The reason being that preparing sushi rice is not that kind of task that anyone can excel. Therefore, having an exemplary sushi rice cooker by our side makes the preparation much easier for us as the precise sushi setting infuses the traditional taste. It almost seems like it has been made by a professional sushi master. You just need to make the ideal seasoning as per your taste and you are set to enjoy sushi in the comfort of your home.
