Most often we stuck our shelves in hesitation while picking the best from the best! Yea, the same happens with two great Japanese rice cookers:- Tiger and the Zojirushi! Both the Tiger and the Zojirushi also are the same. Both these are the Best rice cookers, so whether you choose the first one or the last, you will get the best. However, Do not confuse yourself with these two Rice cooker brands. Just read us, and know the details of the Tiger vs Zojirushi rice cooker. Finally, you will, catch all points that should force you to bring both of these rice cookers or any single of them.
Let’s dive down-
Japanese Rice Cookers and the new era of rice cooking technology!
Japanese rice cookers have a good reputation in the market. Even if you cannot maintain the exact water: rice ratio in these rice cookers, they will still cook perfectly cooked rice for you! The Japanese rice cooker also has glorious feedback for maintaining quality. And for this, they are expanding besides Japan to other countries including the USA as well.
Basically in the whole of Asia rice is eaten as one of the main dishes. To cook this staple meal, Japanese rice cooking utensils flourish day by day. However, as lots of Japanese cooking utensils are available now, it might be difficult to find which one is more suitable for you. However, we will today discuss two top-graded Japanese Rice cooker brand reviews, hope this gonna help you to pick the perfect one!
Things to Consider Before Buying a Japanese Rice Cooker
In our previous article, we have written details about how you can buy the best non-stick rice cooker! However, now let’s tell what factors you should focus on when you are intending to bring one Japanese rice cooker.
Consult with a Japanese chef to measure your rice cooker
Wondering why I am suggesting this? It is because Japanese rice comes in broader varieties! So the exact measurement of any particular rice sometimes seems very tricky to you. Though all written instructions are present on every cooker brand’s manual. However, the chef knows the best about Japanese rice. So if you are in love with any particular Japanese rice, consult with a chef and choose a Japanese cooker brand. See the Measuring cup and the rice cooker volume as well. Let’s give me the measuring details-
3 cup rice cooker is for a tiny family
6 cups are for middle-sized family
10 cups to 20 cups are for larger-sized families.
Could the cost be essential?
Yes, Rice cooker price is a vital factor! Don’t go for a cheap and low-graded rice cooker, rather than cook your rice on the stovetop! Japanese rice cookers are a few steps ahead with quality. Any Japanese brand is good with manufacturing stability. Still, if you are searching for the affordable one, you can go with it.
Should You Focus on The Design and performance?
Why Rice cooker performance is essential? Because you deserve the best in your kitchen. So if you have the chance to enhance your kitchen decor value, focus on the design of your lichen gadgets. Only the design could not make you satisfied, hence performance is the most vital factor. The fact is-Rice cooker design, Rice cooker quality, Rice cooker function, and Rice cooker capacity-all are related to Rice cooker brand choice.
However, A good combination of good design, and user-friendly performance is therefore mandatory. The appearance and size of your cooker might be crucial for you. A Rice cooker may be off-ss made or plastic exterior. Also, they could be round or square.
What About The Keep Warm Function?
This is the most upgraded version every high-end rice cooker should feature. This feature is to ensure you two things. The first one-you will not be going to bun your rice, especially if you are a newbie to cooking rice and can’t fix the water addition properly. Again you can cook various items at one time, like cooking rice inside the inner pot. At a time you can steam other meals(vegetables, eggs, fruits, or others) in the steamer basket on the top of the inner pot.
However having automatic warming function indicates, your rice will not be overcooked. Also, if you have any leftovers, this function will take care of these leftovers for a long hour. After 5 to 12 hours (depending on the cooker’s warming capacity), you will get warm rice with a fresh smell and look.
Know Details About The Cooker Settings
As there are different of rice, so obviously their cooking time and setting also differ. Various rice such as Plain White rice, Brown rice, Jasmine rice, Germinated Brown rice, Basmati rice, and Short Grain rice-all are cooked at different heating, at different times, and at different water ratios. The advantage of a multicooker is that it offers a multi-cooking setting option by which you can bypass several manual things.
For the newbie or the most adult who cannot go with multiple settings, “one-push” is perfect for them. The advantage of a cooker with such a setting is, only one setting will cook everything. But the con is, you can’t go with variety cooking at a time with such a setting. You can’t cook brown rice in the same setting as white rice cooking!
Rice cooker durability
You can’t measure Rice cooker durability when you purchase it. But durability is an important parameter you should focus on badly on which. Rice cooker convenience comes with not only affordability and performance. Rather than it must need to be a durable gadget for you.
Tiger vs Zojirushi Which one is Best
Among any rice-cooking connoisseurs, Tiger and Zorirushi are the best. These cookers are Japan-made, also they have a U.S. subsidiary arm. These two Rice cooker brands are so competitive, so you can’t choose just any of these by quality issues. Tiger vs Zorirushi battle is not unknown in the kitchen utensils market. Users often get confused about which one to choose or which one to deny. However, let’s compare both these rice cookers-
TIGER JBV-A10U 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer Basket, White
Tiger rice cooker is made with 3 layers meal non-stick inner pot. This Rice cooker features a Detachable inner lid and steam vent cap. Moreover, the Inner pan with a grip handle makes this cooker handy for all users. Tiger corporation included a preset cooking timer in this gadget, so once you set the cooking time, you only have to keep the rice in the inner pot, and then turn on the cooker. Advanced technology like induction heating technology is incorporated here, which works more precisely with time adjustment. Moreover, this technology can sense the temperature change and also can respond to the change. So the ultimate cooking time is reduced compared with others.
The inner cooking pan also is mentionable here, this metal pot is made with 3 thermal layers. This pot comes with extreme quality. However, the dia of this pit is 1.5 millimeters. So it can raise the temperature to 265° F ( Steam up to 240° F.). So you can ensure this heating temperature will eventually cook all grains of rice. Also will steam the food deeply. There is 2 reset Custom Cooking Timers so you can cook the rice at the different desired times. Compared with the push-operating rice cooker, these are perfect to adjust the cooking tie at two different timing details. You can press -the Plain/Ultra/Quick option while cooking the plain whole-grain rice. On the other hand, while cooking the jasmine rice/long grain whole rice, press the jasmine option. Again, to cook the brown rice press the Broen option.
Why Tiger?
- Japan made
- Automatic “keep warm” function
- Delay Timer Function
- Ultra setting with soak time (for max sweetness)
- Attractive color (beige stainless steel )
- Easy to clean
Why not Tiger?
- More expensive
- No Retractable Power Cord
User Rating:
User name: SoCalShopper– As a kid growing up I remember having the Tiger brand rice cooker in my family. My mom never complained or had any problems with this brand. I associated it with Japanese quality and dependability just like a Toyota it just keeps working, so I might be a little biased :). Well… fast forward a few years and I am all grown up but I didn’t have a rice cooker! As a gift, my parents gave me a Tiger brand rice cooker. It was just your plain, no frills rice cooker but it got the job done and did it well. It has been over a decade now and I am still using that wonderful piece of machinery and it works just like the day I first tried it.
However, technology just keeps advancing. I didn’t realize you can improve the way rice is cooked! This model has the induction heating which unlike the conventional rice cookers (like my older model) which only heats from the bottom. The result? The rice comes out nice and fluffy and evenly cooked. There is even an Ultra mode that takes just a wee bit longer but the end result is delicious! It really brings out the flavor and a nice texture. Once cooked the rice can be kept warm for a long time and it doesn’t dry out. The only thing I wished this model had was a retractable power cord like my old one but that is a very small complaint and doesn’t take away from the quality of the product.
I am very happy with this model and I wouldn’t doubt it if it lasted more than a decade like my old model. I took a picture of my old rice cooker compared to this new model. As you can see it is a tad bit bigger but not so much. It has a very modern look and the neutral color should blend in kitchens just fine. Since I just got this rice cooker, it is still very new so I will update my review if something comes up.
User name: phovacious– Rice is life to me. I grew up eating Jasmine rice with almost everything. Therefore, I am very particular about how my rice tastes.
I got this rice cooker for the sole purpose of cooking just Jasmine rice. It has 8 different settings one of which is porridge however, I prefer to make rice porridge over the stove top.
The unit itself looks and feels very well built. I like the handles on the pan because it positions itself into the rice cooker perfectly.
I bought the 5-cup rice cooker and made 2 cups of jasmine rice. I usually put 1 cm less water than recommended and the rice usually comes out the way I like it. It was quite simple as I hit the arrow to the right until it pointed to Jasmine and I hit ‘Start’. 19-minutes later and my rice is done cooking. I fluffed the rice with the spatula provided and took a moment to admire the fragrant aroma of Jasmine rice that permeates my kitchen.
One thing I want to add is, even though this is a 5-cup rice cooker, you can cook 1 cup of rice whereas the measuring line for 1-cup was only available in the 3-cup models of my previous rice cookers. That’s definitely a plus for me when I’m just making rice for myself.
I’ve had many rice cookers in the past and I must say for straight forward Jasmine rice, I give this 5/5. It cooked every grain of rice perfectly to my liking. I read that the ‘Ultra’ setting cooks certain types of rice longer to bring out maximum sweetness, flavor and stickiness, all of which doesn’t appeal to me because I like my rice to be fully cooked yet firm. I do appreciate the fact that it has the option to appeal to those who might want their rice to be cooked more to bring out certain flavors and textures.
Overall, I recommend this rice cooker to someone who’s serious about rice, it’s worth the investment. You get what you pay for. This will be my rice cooker in the long run.
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker
The Zojirushi rice cooker comes in a Stainless Dark Gray color. The mentionable features of these cookers are-
- induction heat (IH) technology
- multiple cooking options
- a detachable inner lid.
The heating and warming technology of Zojirushi is superb! However, Like any other best high-end Japanese rice cooker it cooks through induction heating. You probably know why Induction eating is efficient to sook every grain with perfect flaw and with fluffy. Also, the triple heater (from up down, and side) distributes the heat eventually all over to cook the rice all around. Automatic keep-warm technology is included with Thai kitchen appliances, so leaves up the tension for the leftover food. All the leftover remains warm and fresh for a long time.
Multi-menu cooking functions are Also a feature of this cooker. So you have the broader option to cook almost all kinds of Japanese rice suppose-white rice (regular, softer, or harder), jasmine white rice, mixed rice, sushi rice, porridge, sweet rice, brown rice, and GABA brown rice through this rice cooker. There is a very smooth and healthy cooking option for all brown rice(Including the GABA and the germinated one).
Thirdly the construction of this cooker. It has a very Clear-coated stainless steel exterior, which smoothly goes with all kitchen types. The inner cooking pan is black, thick nd spherical. The inner lid is also made with SS, which is detachable and washable.
The LCD control panel is a range color, need to set the clock and Timer. However, the control panel is easy to read and thus easy to control. The melody and beep here also are interchangeable. However, the Delay timer for Zojirushi is (2 settings).
Why Zojirushi
- Made in Japan
- Multicooking function
- The inner lid is detachable and washable
- Delay timer function (2 settings)
- Can cook Sushi and GABA brown rice
- Less expensive comparatively
Why Not Zojirushi
- The inner pot handles less
User Rating:
User name: Dave L– Look, just buy the damn thing. Your owe it to your self. Yeah it’s a 300+ dollar rice cooker. And you know what? It’s worth every cent of that. The build quality is great, it’s easy enough to use (maybe a bit involved but once you get into it it’s fine), cleans easily and the results are absolutely spectacular. I haven’t tried the GABA setting yet, but we’ve run short and medium grain white, jasmin and brown through it and they’ve all come up amazingly. Pretty sure I’ve seen other reviews complaining about the fan noise and yeah, it definitely has a fan that you can hear, but it’s not exactly obtrusive. Overall this is one of the best kitchen/cooking purchases I’ve made in years and I’m probably at the point of annoying all my friends and relatives by raving about a rice cooker, but the hell with the lot of em, their rice sucks and mine is delicious.
User name: markh– After trashing my old and very cheap rice cooker I decided I wanted a better one. This Zojirushi model had such glowing reviews everywhere I checked, I wasn’t sure it could be THAT good.
Especially with that price tag too – just to cook rice? How could it be THAT different to warrant such a price.
But I couldn’t get over the consistently great reviews. So I dived in and ordered it.
Well, I’m now a convert. I’ve tried several different rices and even oatmeal porridge. I don’t know how it does it, there’s no need to tell the machine how long to cook it for, but when you set the timer for the time you want the contents cooked by, it just does it. Uncanny, but true.
Ignore the price. It’s worth it.
What Are the Alternatives of Tiger and Zojirushi
CUCKOO CR-0631F | 6-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker
The first alternative to the aforementioned Japanese rice brands is CUCKOO CR-0631F. It’s a Korean Micom brand that offers the versatility of cooking and an easy way to clean. In this Micom rice cooker, there is a combination of Classic Menu options with other cook set menus. So you can cook rice (of course varieties kinds) with Steam & slow cooking process as well.
Firstly the design and the capacity of CUCKOO will impress you at just first seen. The combination of the white and pink exterior brings a cute impression inside the kitchen decor. Whatever, it is compact, so you can store it effortlessly. You can easily arrange all meals for your middle-sized family with this CUCKOO model. The Non-Stick & Non-Toxic Inner Pot moreover will offer you an easy cleaning once your meal is done. As the inner is non-stick and non-toxic, it will not go to contaminate your meal from any chemical leaching!
Yes, you can enjoy quick cooking here! CUCKOO can measure how much rice you have given inside, thus can distribute all heat according to rice weight. Specific menu options also will help you to cook the selective dishes quickly and easily. It has a keep-warm function for hours. Interestingly you can serve the food bay making it hot by the reheat function.
The LCD screen is very bright, and easily you can navigate on it. Cooking cycles are written clearly so you can catch all functions and modes. Finally, you can enjoy the delay time with this cooker for up to 13 hours. All accessories like User Manual, Measuring Cup, and Rice Scoop are also included with this product.
Why Cuckoo?
- 8 Menu Options
- Nonstick Inner Pot
- Made in Korea
- A good color combination of White & Pink
- PREMIUM QUALITY under $128
- Easy Display Navigation
- Removable Inner Lid for Easy-Clean
Why Not Choose Cuckoo?
- Need high power to run
User Rating:
User name: Micheal Kiese– This Cuckoo rice cooker is amazing. I have been using Zojirushi ever since I was a kid. This Cuckoo is better. It cooks rice much faster, and keeps the rice edible for much longer. It’s just great.
I grew up in an Asian family where rice is a staple. Rice never went bad due to drying out or burning because it was all gone and eaten up between all the kids in the house.
Now that I’m an adult and I have a 2 person household, the rice tends to not get eaten up very fast. With the Zoji, by day 2, the rice was already brown and yellowing. By day 2 the Cuckoo’s rice still looks like it is only a couple of hours old.
This Cuckoo rice cooker really is amazing. It’s reduced food wastage, and it’s also reduced me over eating rice to not waste food. It’s very convenient because you can come home from a long day, and you know that at least the rice is still good so you can cook something else.
A real time saver. Can’t recommend it enough!
User name: Brigandere– This is an excellent rice cooker, especially the “quick cook” option which makes the pot of rice in a much shorter time, even as quickly as 30 minutes – most other rice cookers routinely require 60 minutes to cook a pot of rice regardless of the number of cups of rice. I gave this a 4 star review only because of one problem – the rice cooker slides to easily on counter surfaces. This is our second purchase because our first slid off of the counter when we bumped it while wiping down the counter with a cloth. It hit the ground and the silver colored latch that holds the lid in place when closed popped off and bent. We were able to continue to use it for another few months but over time, the lid sat more and more open and last week it popped open while cooking so we finally gave up and purchased a new one. I tried looking for replacement latches online but none are available. For the new one, I added these adhesive rubber pads to the bottom and the rice cooker does not budge when bumped. Enjoy!
CUCKOO CRP-LHTR0609F | 6-Cup (Uncooked) Twin Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker
CUCKOO CRP-LHTR0609F is another Korean CUCKOO brand, which comes with 16 set menu options. Whether the previous CUCKOO offers 10 cooking menu options. However, The round shape, stainless steel inner pot, and white exterior all bring an additional impressive value to this model. Moreover, it offers you to enjoy a Twin Pressure Rice Cooker, which works through Ultra High-Pressure cooking mode/IH Non-Pressure cooking. So the choice is yours! You can go through any of your desired modes.
The most amazing matter is, it has an Open Cooking option. So you can open the cooker lid in the middle of your cooking and can add additional ingredients to the cooked rice. It’s a so dynamic cooking option, giving an additional healthy and tasty feel to the user. CUCKOO’s this model has a “smart lock” safety technology, that will take care of all the safety and security of your gadgets (including you as well) while you need to open the lid to add additional ingredients.
Why CUCKOO CRP-LHTR0609F
- SS inner pot with Xwall Black Shine Coating
- Eco stainless curved Inner pot
- One Touch Detachable cover
- Dual motion gasket
- “smart lock” safety technology
- Open Cooking Function
Why Not CUCKOO CRP-LHTR0609F?
- The price is extremely high ($549 on Amazon)
User Rating:
User name: YSL I am in love with this rice cooker, although it took me a while to learn how to use it. I now cook (almost) everything there – meat, veggies, grains. Fast, convenient, healthy and delicious. The only complaint is that for $500+ the inner pot handles could be attached by something more sophisticated than unpolished and loose screws. One of the screws was too short for its intended cradle and not fit for tightening. As the result, the handle is a bit loose. I called customer service in NY. They said I should ship the pot to them for repair. They told me the shipping address that was different from that in the warranty manual. Too much trouble for me just to change/ tighten the screw. But I’m not handy to repair it myself. Oh well, still the pot prepares the food magically. I’m no longer using my old IP (instant pot). Cuckoo rice cooker is better (except it does not make yogurt, but I’m still learning. Maybe it does?)
User name: Sam L- I upgraded my 8 years old Cuckoo to this newest model for a 10 cup size. Cuckoo is definitely the top rice cooker, but this 2020 model is the beyond. The rice is perfectly sticky and steamed and I especially love the customizable temperature setting for the warm mode to save electricity at night time. Also love the minimal design and the softer voice alarm. Wish the clock mode is always on instead the current setting mode, not a big deal though. Can’t wait to use it for varies recipe!
Tiger vs Zojirushi Let’s See The Comparison
Cost
Both are better. Right? But the cost is different. You might see Zojirushi is less expensive compared with the Tiger. So if you want to save money, avoid Tiger and choose Zojirushi. So for cost issues, Zojirushi is the best
Performance and cooking options
If you think about which rice cooker is best based on its performance, you will get puzzled. Both Tiger and Zojirushi have the Multiple cooking Setting Option. And both of these features have the automatic warming function. You can additionally cook oatmeal, and brown rice by Tiger. On the other hand, Zojirushi can cook Sushi rice GABA brown rice. So pick anyone, both are equally functional and performative for you.
Inner pot
I am writing only about the inner pot excluding the exterior part. Hence inner pot is crucial to hold the rice and cook them. Both the Tiger and the Zojirushi have a nonsticky inner pot. But Tiger features a grip handle on its inner pot, whereas Zojirushi does not have a such lid. So if you compare Zojirushi with the Tiger, Tiger is the best choice in case of having a handy inner pot lid.
Capacity
Tiger can almost 5.5-Cup rice. Zojirushi can do more than the Tiger. It can cook Up to 5.5 cups / 1.0 liter. As Zojirushi has a larger capacity than Tiger, for the larger family you can go with the Zojirushi.
Lucrative Value
Tiger is Beige stainless steel color. On the other hand, Zojirushi is a Stainless Dark Gray color. Both have stainless steel exteriors. Both are pretty aesthetic to look at. The shape is almost the same, only color is different! So you cannot distinguish between these two based on their lucrative value. Still want to give priority to one of these? Do one thing, try a lottery!
Fuzzy Logic Method
Zojirushi works through Traditional heating technology. It’s nothing but an electric rice cooker. On the other hand, Tiger is ahead of the traditional electric rice cooker. Tiger features Micom technology (Fuzzy Logic) by which the rice gets more precise heating while cooking. So, Tiger is ahead in this category!
What about the advanced cooking functions?
Tiger works with almost 4 cooking settings. With a steamer basket, Tiger works more than a cooker. But Zojirushi only works for cooking! Here Tiger also gets more marks than the Tiger!
Tiger & Zojirushi Rice cooker comparison at a glance
| Parameter | Which one is best? |
| Cost | Tiger is less expensive |
| advanced cooking functions? | Tiger is the best |
| Fuzzy Logic Method | Tiger is the best |
| Lucrative Value | Both Tiger & Zojirushi |
| Capacity | Zojirushi is the larger |
| Performance and cooking option | I prefer Zojirushi |
| Inner pot | Tiger is the best |
Which one you can choose between The Tiger & Zojirushi?
Decide which type of rice you want to cook first. Tiger can cook white rice, brown rice, oatmeal, porridge rice, and Jasmine rice. On the other hand, Zojirushi can cook all brown rice (including the Germinated, GABA, etc). Zojirushi also can cook Sushi rice, plain white rice, and Jasmine rice. Sweet rice, Porridge rice, and so on! Tiger has three additional settings like Plain. Ultra, Quick, and mix. Again Zojirusi also has the Regular Hrder softer, Quick, and Mixed options.
Secondly, the capacity. Tiger little bit lower in capacity than the Zojirushi. So if you want a larger rice cooker- go with the Zojirushi. Then the cost! Zojirushi is more affordable than the Tiger. So pick Tiger if you have a budget issue, otherwise, my opinion is for Zojirushi.
FAQs
In a Nutshell
In a word, I found only three mentionable differences between the Tiger and the Zojirushi. The first one is their cost, the Second is their capacity and the third one is their cooking variants! So after seeing the tiger vs Zojirushi rice cooker review battle, one thing you must say with a faith-Japanese brand is so flourishing day by the day-of course they will be unbeatable in the Rice cooker technology soon. However, here are all the review details of these two brands. Also, we have given here the alternate rice cooker details. No matter whether you choose Tiger or Zojirushi, still if you want to bypass both of these-obviously Korean CUCKOO is waiting for you.
Thank you!
