Zojirushi NS-TSC10 Rice Cooker: Full Review

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 is a mid-range 5.5 cup rice cooker that delivers excellent rice cooking performance with a host of versatility and convenience features. This model is designed for home cooks who want to cook perfect rice as well as take advantage of other cooking functions like steaming, slow cooking, and making porridge.

The NS-TSC10 features Zojirushi's advanced "fuzzy logic" technology to automatically adjust cooking time and temperature for flawless results every time. The stainless steel inner cooking pan allows even heat distribution and the triple heater design ensures rapid, consistent heating. Easy to use digital controls include dedicated white and brown rice cook settings as well as porridge, cake, and steam functions.

This medium capacity Zojirushi rice cooker delivers delicious fluffy rice for up to 5 people along with versatility to make all kinds of one-pot meals. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the key features and performance of the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 rice cooker.

Design and Build Quality

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 micom rice cooker has an excellent build quality that lives up to the reputation of the Zojirushi brand. The outer housing is made of thick, brushed stainless steel that gives it a premium look and excellent durability. The stainless steel exterior resists fingerprints, scratches, and dents.

Inside, the cooking pan is made of thick aluminum with a non-stick coating. This allows for even heating and easy cleaning. The lid fits snugly and has a tight seal to lock in steam and flavor.

All components fit together precisely with no gaps or wiggle room. The buttons have a satisfying, sturdy click when pressed. It is clear that high-quality materials were used in the construction of this rice cooker for maximum longevity.

Overall, the solid build gives you confidence that this rice cooker will last for years of regular use. Despite the excellent quality, it maintains an elegant and streamlined look that will complement any modern kitchen.

Capacity

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 has a 1.0 liter capacity, which is suitable for 1-5 servings depending on the ingredients you are cooking. The inner cooking pan is stainless steel and nonstick, making it easy to serve rice directly from the cooker.

With 1.0 liter capacity, this rice cooker is ideal for individuals, couples, and small families who make 1-3 cups of uncooked rice at a time. It can produce up to 5 cups of cooked rice, which is enough to feed about 5 people as a side dish. The servings may vary slightly depending on the type of rice used.

The 1 liter size offers good versatility - you can cook a small meal of just 1-2 servings, or make enough rice for a family dinner, without needing to scale up to a larger model. Overall, the capacity suits the needs of many households for day to day home cooked meals.

Another great option for rice cooking is the BLACK+DECKER RC506. It is known for its simplicity and efficiency and comes with a 3-cup uncooked rice capacity that yields about 6 cups of cooked rice. This model is ideal for families and gatherings, ensuring you have enough rice for everyone. To learn more about it, check out the BLACK+DECKER RC506.

Settings and Programs

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 has a variety of settings and programs for different types of rice and other foods. Here are some of the main options:

• White Rice - This setting cooks regular white rice. You can choose different levels of texture from very soft to firm.

• Brown Rice - Perfect for nutritious brown rice. This program adjusts cooking time and temperature for the harder brown rice grains.

• Mixed Rice - This lets you cook white and brown rice together. Choose the ratio based on the rice you add.

• Porridge - Make creamy porridge (congee) with this setting. It automatically adjusts temperature and cooking time.

• Sweet Rice - Ideal for glutenous sweet rice often used in Asian desserts. Produces soft, sticky rice.

• Cake - Prepare moist cakes right in the rice cooker using this program. Works for plain cakes or cakes made with rice flour.

• Steam - Steam vegetables, fish, or other foods with this setting. There are options for regular steaming or quick steaming.

• Slow Cook - Cook beans, roasts, soups, and stews using this slow cook function. You can adjust cooking time up to 12 hours.

The diverse programs make the Zojirushi rice cooker extremely versatile for cooking many types of rice, grains, and one-pot meals beyond just white rice. The specialized settings result in perfect rice and other dishes every time.

Another popular model is the Aroma Housewares ARC-302NG. This budget-friendly rice cooker features simple one-touch operation, making it easy to cook rice perfectly every time. It can cook up to 6 cups of rice and automatically switches to keep-warm mode once cooking is complete. The non-stick inner pot makes cleaning a breeze, and it also includes a steam tray to steam vegetables or fish while rice cooks below. This versatile and compact rice cooker is perfect for small households or those new to cooking rice.

Ease of Use

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 rice cooker is exceptionally easy to use thanks to its straightforward control panel and clear instructions. The control panel is simple, with buttons for cooking functions like white rice, brown rice, and quick cooking, as well as buttons for delay start and keep warm. The buttons have clear icons and text labeling them, making the functions intuitive.

The instruction manual provides excellent directions for preparing and cooking rice, including rice-to-water ratios for different varieties of rice. It also includes directions for using the delay start and keep warm functions.

Cleaning the rice cooker is very simple. The inner cooking pan and lid are detachable and nonstick, so rice doesn't stick and they can be washed by hand with little effort. The steam vent, lid holder, and exterior housing can all be wiped clean as well. There are no awkward crevices or hard-to-reach areas when cleaning.

Overall, the well-designed control panel, clear instructions, and easy cleaning make this one of the most user-friendly rice cookers available. Even first-time users will find it effortless to cook delicious rice.

Cooking Performance

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 rice cooker delivers excellent cooking performance that produces fluffy, perfectly textured rice every time. The advanced fuzzy logic technology precisely controls heating to ensure even cooking and consistent results.

Rice comes out with a nice, soft texture without any mushiness or gooeyness. Both short grain white rice and brown rice turn out exceptionally light and fluffy. The grains maintain their shape well and have a pleasing bounce.

Cooking speed is quite fast due to the powerful 1,000 watt heating system. White rice takes only around 30 minutes while brown rice is done in about 50 minutes. The quick cooking is very convenient when you need rice in a hurry.

Consistency is another highlight of this cooker. It reliably produces uniformly cooked rice with no burnt or undercooked portions. The intelligent technology adapts heating power to account for fluctuations in room temperature, water amount, rice type and other factors. You can trust this cooker to make great rice every time.

Extra Features

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 rice cooker comes with several useful extra features beyond just cooking rice.

One nice feature is the melody and beep tones. The cooker plays a short tune when cooking starts and finishes. This melody can be turned off for quieter operation, but the beeps remain on. The beeps indicate different stages and functions, like when you press a button or the cooker switches to keep warm mode. While some find the beeps annoying, they help alert you when cooking is done or the cooker needs attention.

The keep warm function is another handy extra feature. After cooking is complete, the rice cooker automatically switches to a keep warm setting. This keeps the freshly cooked rice at an ideal serving temperature for up to 12 hours. The keep warm mode adjusts temperature periodically so the rice doesn't dry out or burn on the bottom. This is perfect for families that don't eat all at once or for bringing rice to potlucks. You don't have to worry about over or under cooking the rice with the keep warm mode.

Accessories

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 comes with some handy accessories that improve the rice cooking experience. Inside the box, you'll find a rice measuring cup that makes it easy to get the perfect 1 cup portion of rice. There's also a rice spatula that's ideal for scooping out fluffy rice without smashing the grains.

One unique accessory is the stainless steel steam tray. This can be placed over the rice while cooking to steam vegetables, fish, or other ingredients. The steam from the rice will gently infuse the food with flavor.

To serve rice easily, the set includes 2 sturdy plastic rice serving cups. These allow you to scoop rice out of the cooker neatly. And for sushi rice, you get a handy sushi spatula made of nylon for shaping rice without sticking.

Overall, the included accessories add convenience when cooking rice in different ways. Between the measuring tools, serving cups, and steaming tray, you get everything needed to prepare delicious rice dishes.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Keep warm function keeps rice at the perfect serving temperature for up to 12 hours
• Microcomputer technology precisely controls cooking temperature and timing
• Durable stainless steel inner cooking pot is easy to clean
• Stylish, compact design takes up minimal counter space
• Delivers restaurant-quality rice every time
• Simple one-touch operation makes cooking easy
• Offers a variety of rice texture and doneness settings
• Cooks a wide range of rice types including white, brown, sushi, porridge, and more

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to basic rice cookers
• LCD control panel could be more user-friendly
• Beep sounds are loud and cannot be turned off
• Exterior gets very hot during cooking
• Long cord could be dangerous if positioned improperly
• Only includes basic rice paddle and cup accessories

Conclusion

The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer is an excellent mid-range rice cooker that produces perfect rice every time. Its attractive stainless steel exterior and LCD control panel give it a sleek, modern look that will complement any kitchen décor.

The main pros of this rice cooker are its consistent cooking results, versatile settings for all types of rice, and ease of use. The main con is the price - it's more expensive than basic rice cookers. However, given the performance and features, the price is justified for most owners.

In summary, the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 is ideal for rice lovers who cook it frequently and want the convenience of no-fail results and handy options like delayed start and keep warm. While the price is on the higher side, the quality materials, intelligent cooking technology, and reliability make this an worthwhile investment for the right home chef. It consistently cooks restaurant-quality rice and provides an automatic assist for busy lives. For those who eat a lot of rice, the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 is highly recommended.