Joseph Joseph 45002 Rice Cooker: Full Review

The Joseph Joseph 45002 Microwave Rice Cooker is a compact and convenient appliance designed to cook rice quickly and easily in the microwave. This rice cooker eliminates the need for a stovetop or separate rice cooker appliance while still producing fluffy, delicious rice.

The 45002 Microwave Rice Cooker from Joseph Joseph provides an efficient and simple way to cook rice, saving time and freeing up valuable counter space. Its compact size and integrated colander allows you to rinse, cook and serve rice neatly in one vessel. This versatile rice cooker can make a variety of rice types including white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, wild rice, rice mixes and more.

Design & Appearance

The Joseph Joseph 45002 M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker has a sleek, modern design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. It is made from high quality plastic with a white base and clear lid.

The clear lid allows you to monitor the cooking process without having to remove the lid. It has an easy to grip tab handle that allows you to lift and close the lid safely.

The exterior base has measurement markings etched directly into the plastic to clearly show cup measurements for adding rice and water.

Inside the rice cooker is a non-stick cooking bowl with handy serving spoon included. The spoon has a fork end for easy fluffing and serving.

Overall, the design is very stylish yet functional for a microwave rice cooker. The measurements etched into the base and clear lid add visual appeal while also serving a useful purpose.

Features

The Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker has several handy features that make it a convenient and easy-to-use appliance.

• Generous capacity - It can cook up to 4 cups of rice, which makes 6 servings. This allows you to cook rice for the whole family in one batch.

• Glass lid - The lid is made of glass so you can check on your rice and monitor its progress as it cooks without having to remove the lid.

• Steam vent - It has a steam vent in the lid to prevent pressure build up and ensure rice is cooked evenly.

• Measurements - There are handy measurement markings inside the bowl so you can easily see the rice and water levels as you add them.

• Non-slip base - The rice cooker has a non-slip base to keep it stable and prevent slipping on countertops.

• Foldable handle - It features a foldable carrying handle for easy portability and storage.

Ease of Use

The Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Cooker is designed for convenient, fuss-free use. Its unique folding design allows it to stand up in the microwave for easy loading and unloading of food. The bowl simply collapses down flat after cooking for compact storage.

Cleaning up after use is straightforward - the steam valve removes for washing and all parts are dishwasher safe. The polypropylene plastic body is BPA free and durable enough for frequent use. Users comment on the ease of popping open the cooker, adding ingredients, closing it up and putting it in the microwave without struggling with lids, locks or clips.

The instructions provide clear guidance on using the cooker, with tips on adjusting water amounts and cooking times as needed. It doesn't require any special skills, just add food and water, lock the lid and microwave. The cooker takes the guesswork out of microwave rice and grain cooking, eliminating the need to constantly check and stir during the process.

Cooking Performance

The Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine microwave rice cooker performs very well when cooking rice and other grains. It cooks rice evenly with fluffy, tender grains and no burnt spots.

The unique steaming method allows the rice to absorb water gradually, resulting in properly cooked rice that is not soggy or mushy. Many users report it cooks rice comparably and sometimes better than standard rice cookers or pots on the stove.

The microwave technology cooks rice quickly, in about 20 minutes. It can make 2-3 servings of rice at a time. The cooker accommodates most types of rice including jasmine, basmati, white, brown, and wild rice.

It also effectively cooks other grains like quinoa, farro, barley, and oats. The cooking times may need to be adjusted slightly for different grains. Many users love using this cooker for quick weekday meals with grains.

Overall, the microwave technology in this cooker delivers excellent rice cooking performance while being fast and easy to use. It takes the guesswork out of microwave cooking times and water measurements.

Size & Storage

The Joseph Joseph 45002 microwave rice cooker has a compact footprint that takes up minimal counter space. It measures approximately 10 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and 5 inches tall. The entire unit is lightweight and easy to lift and move around.

When not in use, the rice cooker can be conveniently stored in a cabinet or pantry. The cord wraps around the base for tidy storage as well. The cooking bowl and lid are both dishwasher safe, so they're easy to clean after use.

The 45002 is ideal for smaller households or those with limited kitchen storage since it doesn't require a large amount of space. The compact size makes it easy to pull out when you want to use it and tuck away neatly when you're finished cooking rice.

Durability

The Joseph Joseph 45002 M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker is made with sturdy and durable materials that can withstand frequent use.

The outer housing is constructed from hard polypropylene plastic that resists scratches, chips, cracks, and warping. It feels solid in the hand without any flimsy parts.

The lid and cooking bowl are made from BPA-free plastic that can handle the high heats of the microwave without melting or deforming.

The removable cooking bowl has thick walls that maintain their shape wash after wash. It doesn't stain or absorb odors either.

The components are tightly fitted so there's no rattling of loose parts when in use. The snug fittings also prevent leaks when transporting the cooked rice.

Overall, the durability of the materials and construction allow this rice cooker to be used for years without any degradation in performance. It's built to last through repeated microwave cooking cycles.

Price and Value

The Joseph Joseph Microwave Rice Cooker usually retails for around $20 USD. This puts it at an attractive price point for most buyers looking for an affordable dedicated rice cooker.

At this price, the rice cooker offers good value compared to more expensive rice cookers in the $50-100 range. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a high-end rice cooker, it provides effective performance for basic rice cooking needs.

The simple, compact design also helps justify the affordable pricing. You're not paying extra for complex features and settings you may not use.

The price is comparable to other microwave rice cookers in this size range. So you're getting a fair deal and not overpaying.

Overall, $20 is reasonable for what you get - a convenient, easy-to-use microwave rice cooker that delivers tasty rice. It's an especially good option if you want basic rice cooking functionality without a big investment.

Pros & Cons

The Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker has several positives as well as a few potential downsides to consider:

Pros

• Compact, space-saving design takes up minimal room
• Microwave cooking is very fast and convenient
• Special steam vent for maximum steam circulation and fluffy rice
• Easy to use with one-touch operation
• BPA-free materials are safe and durable
• Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup easy
• Produces restaurant-quality rice equal to stovetop
• Can also be used to cook pasta, eggs, vegetables and more
• Lid can serve as a strainer when draining water

Cons

• Small capacity only makes 2 servings of rice at a time
• Need to add precise amount of water for best results
• No digital controls or timer, cooking time needs manual monitoring
• Only fits smaller microwave ovens (9" turntables)
• Higher price point than basic microwave rice cookers
• Durability concerns if handled roughly

Overall, the Joseph Joseph rice cooker offers fast, simple cooking of fluffy rice and other foods in the microwave. For those wanting an easy-to-use and effective single-serving cooker it's a great choice, but the capacity is limited if cooking rice for more than 2 people.

Conclusion

The Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine microwave rice cooker is an innovative and convenient option for cooking rice and other grains quickly and easily. Its unique folding design allows for compact storage, making it a great choice for small kitchens.

The non-stick cooking bowl and steam tray allow you to cook rice perfectly every time, with no sticking or burning. The clear lid lets you view the cooking process without releasing steam. Overall, the performance is very good - rice comes out light, fluffy and evenly cooked.

Some downsides are the small capacity, making it unsuitable for cooking rice for more than 2-3 people. Additionally, the plastic tabs and latch feel a bit flimsy and prone to breakage over time.

Overall, this is an excellent microwave rice cooker for 1-3 portions with its clever space-saving design. If you're looking for a fuss-free way to cook rice and other grains for small households, it's easy to recommend the Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine. Just be gentle with the plastic components and hand wash only to ensure longevity. For larger capacity needs, consider a standard stove-top rice cooker model instead.