Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker: Full Review

The Zojirushi NHS-06 is a compact 3-cup rice cooker that delivers excellent performance for its size and price point. Part of Zojirushi's popular Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker line, it utilizes advanced technology to cook rice perfectly every time. With a sleek stainless steel exterior and easy-to-use control panel, the NHS-06 combines modern design with essential functionality. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of higher end Zojirushi models, this little rice cooker provides exceptional rice cooking capability in a small package. Keep reading to learn more about the features, performance and ease of use of the Zojirushi NHS-06 rice cooker.

Design & Build Quality

The Zojirushi NHS-06 3-cup rice cooker features a compact and lightweight design perfect for small households or dorm rooms. Weighing in at only 5 pounds, the small footprint takes up minimal counter space but still offers excellent cooking capacity.

Constructed with durable stainless steel, the outer housing provides a sleek brushed metallic look that fits into any modern or traditional kitchen aesthetic. Inside, the nonstick inner cooking pan allows rice to easily release after cooking without sticking. The detachable inner lid, steam vent, and side handles are made from sturdy plastic that can withstand heat from cooking.

Despite its petite size, the rice cooker does not compromise on quality materials. The inner cooking pan uses a durable triple-layer metal that distributes heat evenly and prevents scorching or burning on the bottom. The electrical components also utilize Zojirushi’s patented “fuzzy logic” technology to precisely control temperatures and cooking times for perfect rice every time.

Overall, while compact, the NHS-06 rice cooker features well-built construction with quality materials inside and out. The combination of stainless steel, nonstick, and plastic components not only looks good but also delivers reliable cooking performance.

Additionally, the COSORI CRC-R501-KUS rice cooker is a great alternative, designed for versatility in cooking. It offers multiple cooking functions, allowing users to prepare not just rice, but also grains, oatmeal, and even pasta with ease. The sleek digital interface enhances usability, allowing for precise settings and timer functions. Its 5.5-cup capacity suits medium-sized families perfectly, while the nonstick inner pot ensures easy cleaning after meals. Constructed with safety features, the COSORI model is both reliable and user-friendly.

Settings & Features

The Zojirushi NHS-06 3-Cup Rice Cooker comes with multiple settings to cook various types of rice perfectly. It has white rice, mixed rice, porridge, sweet rice, brown rice, rinse-free, and quick cooking settings. Each program is customized with precise temperature and heating controls to obtain the ideal texture and consistency for that rice type.

The cooker has a keep warm function that automatically switches to after cooking to keep rice at an optimal serving temperature. This keep warm mode can keep rice fresh and warm for up to 24 hours. There is also a reheating cycle that you can use to reheat chilled rice without drying it out.

An integrated timer allows you to preset delayed cooking up to 13 hours in advance. This lets you load up the cooker before going to work or bed and have freshly cooked rice ready right when you need it. The cooker will automatically switch to keep warm once the timed cooking is complete.

The microcomputer technology helps adjust cooking times and temperatures to account for the amount of rice and water used. This guarantees delicious results whether cooking the minimum 1 cup or the maximum capacity of 3 uncooked cups.

Another excellent option is the Aroma Housewares ARC-5204SB, which features a versatile 20-cup cooked rice capacity. It offers a variety of functions, including steam and slow cooking, making it a great addition to any kitchen. The programmable features and easy-to-use digital controls ensure that you can prepare rice, soups, and even casseroles with ease. Its non-stick inner pot simplifies cleanup, while the built-in steamer tray allows for healthy meals. Ideal for families or entertaining guests, this cooker can help you serve perfectly cooked dishes every time.

Cooking Performance

The Zojirushi NHS-06 3-Cup Rice Cooker delivers excellent cooking performance for white and brown rice. Its advanced fuzzy logic technology and triple heater ensure rice is cooked perfectly every time.

The NHS-06 cooks rice quickly, with white rice taking around 20-25 minutes and brown rice taking 40-45 minutes. The rice comes out fluffy with individual grains intact, not mushy or sticky. It consistently cooks rice to the proper doneness without under or overcooking.

Thecooker has settings for regular, soft, and hard textures so you can customize the consistency as desired. It also includes a Quick Cooking setting that speeds up cooking times by about 10 minutes for when you need rice fast.

Whether you prefer white sushi rice, brown rice, or even mixed grains, the Zojirushi NHS-06 cooks each type flawlessly with impressive speed and consistent results. You can count on perfectly cooked rice every time thanks to its advanced cooking technology.

Ease of Use

The Zojirushi 3-cup Rice Cooker (NHS-06) is very easy to use thanks to its straightforward control panel and buttons. The control panel is simple, with just two main function buttons - Cook and Keep Warm. The Cook button starts the cooking process while the Keep Warm button switches to warming mode after cooking is complete. There are no complicated buttons or controls.

The buttons provide a satisfying click when pressed and the markings on the buttons are large and clear. Operating the rice cooker is intuitive even for first-time users. Cleaning the rice cooker is also a breeze. The inner cooking pan, steam vent and lid are all removable and dishwasher safe. The exterior stainless steel is easy to wipe down. A rice paddle holder and measuring cup are also included to scoop out rice and measure water.

Overall, the simple interface, removable parts and accessories make the Zojirushi NHS-06 very easy to use and clean on a daily basis. It's perfectly suitable for beginners who want a fuss-free rice cooker without complex controls.

Capacity

The Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker has a modest 3-cup uncooked capacity, which is suitable for individuals or couples but likely too small for a family. It can cook up to 2 cups of uncooked white rice, yielding about 5-6 servings. The inner cooking pan is removable and features measurement markings etched inside to easily gauge water amounts.

While the 3-cup model works well for small households, Zojirushi offers this rice cooker in larger 5.5 cup and 10 cup sizes better suited for cooking more portions. The compact 3-cup version takes up minimal counter space but doesn't allowcooking big batches. Overall the capacity is quite standard and appropriate given the "mini" compact size of this Zojirushi rice cooker.

Accessories

The Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker comes with a few handy accessories to help with meal preparation and cooking.

One accessory is a rice measuring cup which is convenient for getting the right ratios of rice to water for cooking. The cup has clear markings up the side indicating cup measurements from 1/4 up to 1 cup. This helps remove the guesswork when measuring out portions.

Also included is a rice paddle or spatula which is useful for stir-frying rice or scrambling eggs right in the cooking pot. The soft-tipped paddle allows you to stir and mix without damaging the nonstick surface. Its long handle keeps your hands away from the heat.

A steaming basket further expands the functionality of the cooker. You can stack the basket over the rice and steam vegetables, fish, or other ingredients at the same time. This lets you prepare complete balanced meals with protein, grains, and vegetables in one pot.

The accessories included with the Zojirushi rice cooker enhance its versatility while also making the cooking process easier and more convenient. The measuring cup, spatula, and steamer basket are useful assets that add value on top of the cooker itself.

Durability

The Zojirushi 3-cup rice cooker is known for its durability and longevity. The stainless steel exterior holds up well over time and regular use.

Zojirushi has a reputation for making high-quality, long-lasting appliances that stand the test of time. Many customers report having their Zojirushi rice cookers for 5+ years with no issues.

The inner cooking pan is very durable, resisting scratches and damage even with metal utensils. The steaming tray is also quite sturdy.

Zojirushi offers a 1-year limited warranty which covers defects in materials or workmanship. While the warranty is relatively short, these rice cookers are built to last so issues after the first year are uncommon.

Overall, the durability and reliability of Zojirushi rice cookers is excellent. This model should provide many years of service with proper care and maintenance. The stainless steel body resists dents and scratches, and the cooking components remain in great shape thanks to the nonstick surfaces. For a small 3-cup rice cooker, this Zojirushi model offers outstanding longevity.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: - Compact and convenient 3-cup capacity is great for individual or small serving sizes - Advanced fuzzy logic technology and microcomputer adjust cooking time and temperature for perfect rice
  - Keeps rice warm automatically for 12 hours after cooking is finished - Easy-to-use control panel with clock and delay timer functions
  - Durable and well-designed with stainless steel exterior and nonstick cooking pot - Comes with measuring cup, rice spatula and recipe booklet

• Cons:
  - More expensive than basic rice cookers without advanced features - Max capacity is only 3 cups uncooked rice (makes 6 cups cooked) which may be small for some households
  - No steam tray included for simultaneously cooking main dishes - Short power cord may require extension cord for some kitchen setups

Conclusion

The Zojirushi NHS-06 3-Cup Rice Cooker is a great option for small households or couples looking for a compact yet powerful rice cooker. Its solid build quality and intuitive, easy-to-use controls make it simple to churn out perfect rice every time. The keep warm function ensures your rice stays ready to eat for hours after cooking.

The main drawbacks are the small 3-cup capacity and lack of more advanced settings like brown rice and porridge cooking modes, which you find on higher-end Zojirushi models. However, for basic white rice cooking, the NHS-06 delivers excellent results consistently.

Overall, the Zojirushi NHS-06 is recommended for anyone seeking a small rice cooker that cooks white rice to restaurant-quality standards. The simple one-touch operation and compact size make it perfect for small kitchens, dorm rooms, apartments and other modest cooking spaces. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles of pricier models, the NHS-06 focuses on doing one thing very well - cooking flawless white rice.