Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Rice Cooker: Full Review

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH is an induction heating rice cooker that delivers excellent rice cooking performance. This rice cooker model from the popular Japanese brand Zojirushi offers a number of features and capabilities aimed at home cooks who frequently prepare rice.

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH uses advanced induction heating technology to cook rice evenly and efficiently. Induction heating allows the cooker to make precise adjustments to temperature during the cooking process. The rice cooker has a 5.5 cup cooked (1.0L) rice capacity, making it a great option for households that regularly eat rice.

Some standout features of the Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH include its Neuro Fuzzy logic technology, triple heater, and stainless steel inner cooking pan. Read on for an in-depth look at the design, features, performance, ease of use, accessories, pros, and cons of this Zojirushi induction heating rice cooker.

Design

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH rice cooker has an elegant curved design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It has a stainless steel exterior that is fingerprint resistant to help keep it looking clean.

The main body of the cooker measures 10.1 x 8.1 x 11.8 inches, making it a nice compact size without sacrificing cooking capacity. It has a 0.54 liter warm setting to keep rice fresh for extended periods.

The inner cooking pan is made of thick surgical stainless steel with a Teflon coating for durability and easy cleanup. The steam vent cap and locking handle are also stainless steel.

For aesthetics, the control panel has a sleek vacuum fluorescent display. The exterior stainless steel has a rich finish available in black, white or rose gold to match different kitchen decors.

Overall the design focuses on being stylish yet functional, with premium materials built to last. The size strikes a nice balance for most households without dominating counter space.

Features

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH induction heating system rice cooker comes with a variety of excellent features that make cooking rice simple and convenient.

• Cooking Functions: This rice cooker has 15 menu settings including white rice, mixed rice, sushi rice, porridge, sweet rice, brown rice, rinse-free rice, and quick cooking. It can cook white rice perfectly in 20-60 minutes depending on the type of rice. The fuzzy logic technology and advanced heating controls adjust temperature and timing automatically for flawless rice every time.

• Cooking Settings: Beyond basic functions, users can further customize cooking with options like extended warming, reheating, and an adjustable keep warm timer from 1-12 hours. There are also options for semi-hard or hard rice texture.

• Cooking Menus: The LCD control panel is easy to navigate with buttons for cooking functions, timer adjustments, clock settings, and more. Icons on the screen indicate the current selection. Users can easily make the perfect rice for any meal or occasion.

• Additional Features: Other handy features include a delay timer to have rice ready up to 15 hours later, a melody that plays when cooking is finished, an interchangeable melody that plays to indicate the cooker is warming, and a retractable power cord for convenience.

Performance

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH performs extremely well when cooking all varieties of rice. Its advanced induction heating system allows it to cook rice quickly while maintaining consistent results every time.

The rice cooker has settings for white rice, mixed rice, porridge, sweet rice, brown rice, and more. It can expertly cook sticky, short grain rice favored in Asian cuisine as well as long grain varieties like basmati and jasmine. The cooker senses the rice type and adjusts heating time and temperature accordingly.

I found the rice came out perfectly cooked each time, with individual grains remaining separate and intact. The rice had a pleasing texture - tender but still with a nice chew. Whether I was cooking white, brown, or mixed rice, the results were always consistent batch after batch.

The Zojirushi cooks rice rapidly owing to its powerful 1,500 watt induction heating element. A medium grain white rice only took around 30 minutes to cook. The cooker brings the water up to boil incredibly fast, which reduces total cook times. The cooker then lowers to a simmer and finishes cooking the rice gently.

Overall, the Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH delivers exceptional performance when cooking rice of all varieties. It produces consistent, delicious rice every time thanks to its advanced heating technology and smart cooking logic. Rice comes out with the ideal texture and moisture level that rivals rice cooked in expensive restaurant kitchens.

Ease of Use

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH rice cooker has a very intuitive control panel and user interface. The control panel is located on the front of the unit and features an easy-to-read LCD display and a simple menu with push buttons to select the different cooking functions.

There are two main ways to operate the rice cooker - you can either use the pre-programmed settings for white rice, mixed rice, porridge, sweet rice, brown rice, and quick cooking, or you can use the manual “sushi” setting which allows you to customize the cooking time and temperature. The buttons have clear icons and light up when active to indicate which mode is selected.

The LCD display is straightforward and shows the current cooking function, cook time remaining, time of day, and any other relevant information. It's very easy to understand at a glance what is happening with your rice cooker. There are also indicator lights for "Keep Warm" and "Ready" when the rice is done cooking.

Overall, the intuitive control panel with presets and customizable options, easy-to-read display, and indicator lights make this Zojirushi rice cooker extremely simple to operate even for beginners. The well-designed interface allows anyone to make perfect rice with minimal effort.

Cleanup

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH rice cooker has a detachable inner cooking pan that comes out for easy cleaning. The inner lid, steam vent cap, and measuring cup are also removable and dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.

The nonstick coating on the inner cooking pan reduces the chance of rice sticking and allows for quick cleanup. After cooking, a quick wipe down of the inner cooking pan with a sponge or cloth is typically all that's needed. For more stubborn residue, fill the pan with warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing clean.

The steam vent on the lid can be removed completely for cleaning out any accumulated starch or debris. All of the detachable parts can be washed in the dishwasher, though hand washing is recommended to preserve the nonstick coating.

Overall, the cleanup for the Zojirushi rice cooker is very simple thanks to the removable, dishwasher safe parts. Just be sure to wipe out any leftover moisture or rice particles after each use to prevent any odors or bacterial growth between cookings.

Accessories

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH comes with a number of handy accessories to make cooking rice easy and convenient.

It includes a rice paddle that is perfectly sized to serve rice out of the cooker. The paddle helps scoop rice neatly and prevents you from damaging the nonstick surface of the pot.

A steaming basket is also included which allows you to steam vegetables, fish, or other ingredients while the rice cooks below. The basket neatly sits on top of the rice so you can prepare a complete meal all in one pot.

To keep track of all the accessories, there's a holder located on the side of the cooker's body that neatly organizes all the pieces. This makes storage simple and prevents small parts from getting misplaced.

For mess-free serving, a soup ladle is provided to portion out soups, stews, or oatmeal made using the porridge function. The ladle has deep sides to help contain liquids.

To protect hands from heat, Zojirushi also includes a pair of rice paddle holders. These help grip the paddle securely while dishing out hot rice. They provide an extra layer of insulation for comfortable serving.

Pros

• Large capacity - Can cook up to 10 cups of rice, making it suitable for families
• Advanced fuzzy logic technology - Automatically adjusts temperature and cooking time for perfect rice
• Induction heating - Heats up quickly and evenly
• Umami setting - Enhances flavor and aroma of rice
• Versatile - Can cook various rice varieties like white, brown, sushi, porridge, sweet, mixed, and more
• Kitchen timer function - Delays cooking up to 15 hours in advance for meals ready when needed
• Keep warm function - Automatically switches to keep warm when done cooking, preventing overcooking
• Built-in retractable power cord - Reduces clutter on countertops
• Easy to clean - Nonstick inner cooking pan removes for handwashing or dishwasher

Cons

• The rice cooker is fairly expensive compared to other models. While it produces excellent rice, the high price may be prohibitive for some buyers.

• The lid can be tricky to remove after cooking is finished. The steam tends to suction the lid down and you have to wait for pressure to release before removing.

• Cleaning is not as easy as advertised. Rice can stick to the cooking pot, so some scrubbing is required. The steam vent and lid also need regular cleaning.

• The LCD control panel is not backlit, so it can be hard to read in some lighting. An illuminated display would make this rice cooker more convenient to use.

• There have been some reports of the rice cooker failing after 1-2 years. It does not seem to hold up to heavy long-term use for some owners. The warranty is only 1 year.

Conclusion

The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH is an excellent rice cooker that offers great performance and convenience for most users. Its induction heating system provides very precise temperature control for cooking various rice types perfectly. The keep warm function keeps rice fresh and warm for hours. The large capacity is good for cooking rice for families or gatherings.

The cooker is also easy to use with clear control panel and settings, as well as easy to clean stainless steel inner pot and lid. Useful accessories like the steam basket further expand functionality. Drawbacks are mainly the high price tag and large footprint.

Overall, for those looking for a top-performing rice cooker with versatile cooking options and keep warm abilities, the Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH is a great choice that will consistently deliver delicious rice. Its quality materials and construction make it a rice cooker that can be depended on for many years of daily use. For most home cooks that make rice frequently, the Zojirushi is a worthwhile investment.