How to Use Zojirushi Rice Cooker to Make Perfect Rice

Rice is nice, and cooking it right is the spice of life. Rice has been a staple food of billions of humans around the world. The rice cooker has changed home cooking by simplifying the process of cooking rice and making it more convenient and consistent.
These rice cookers are not simple cooking tools but have undergone substantial advancements. There are a variety of functions in a rice cooker where you can cook many recipes other than rice. People needed clarification about which brand of rice cooker. Cuckoo or Zojirushi.
Cooking in Zojirushi is as simple as 1-2-3. There is no need to stir, watch, or worry about your rice. This article will guide you on using a Zojirushi rice cooker and getting the most out of it. After you walk through the guide, you will know how to measure the rice and water correctly, set the cooking time, and create perfect rice every time.
Table of Contents
Are you in Hurry? A Quick Recipe
If you need more time, follow the below instructions on how to use the Zojirushi rice cooker.
- Wash and dry the rice cooker with a damp cloth.
- Rinse the rice in a bowl.
- Add water and rice to the pot. The general rule of thumb is 1 cup of water for every 1 cup of rice.
- Put the pot into your rice cooker.
- Switch on the rice cooker.
- When the rice cooker completes cooking, the indicator light will turn off, or the machine will play a tune.
- Now, please wait 10 minutes to let the rice sit, fluff it with a fork, and serve.
A Guide to Common Features of the Zojirushi Rice Cookers
Zojirushi is famous for high-quality rice cookers. Their rice cookers have advanced technology, durability, and efficiency. Let’s discuss the standard features of Zojirushi rice cookers and how you can use them.
1. LCD Display

The LCD of the rice cooker shows various information related to the cooking process and settings. It will show the type of rice you are cooking (white rice, brown rice, sushi rice, etc.) or the cooking mode (Quick Cooking, brown rice, etc.) It is simpler to read the display than to turn on the light and check the dial.
2. Delay Timer Setting
This Delay Timer feature on the rice cooker allows you to set the timer to cook the rice at a specific time. If you want the rice to be ready at 2:00 pm, you will set the Delay Timer for 2:00 pm. To use the delay timer, follow these few steps:
- Press the “Menu” button to select the type of rice you are cooking.
- Click the “Timer” button to activate the delay timer function. The timer will display the current time in hours and minutes.
- Use the “+” and “-” buttons to adjust the time to the specific delay time.
- Once you have set the delay time, press the “Start” button to begin the countdown.
3. Keep Warm Feature

Keeping warm is another excellent feature of Zojirushi rice cookers. So, if you are going outside, this feature will allow the rice cooker to keep your rice warm after cooking so that the rice is always ready to eat. This feature will keep the rice warm for 12 hours. Here is how you can use this feature.
- Press the “Menu” button until you select the “Keep Warm” option.
- Use the “+” and “-” buttons to adjust the time.
- When you set the time, Hit the “Start” button.
4. Reheat Feature
This Zojirushi Reheat feature is to reheat the rice without overcooking or drying it out. You could use this setting if you want to reheat rice that has been refrigerated or frozen. To reheat, follow these steps:
- Add the cooked rice to the inner pot of the rice cooker.
- Close the lid of the rice cooker and plug it in.
- Press the “Menu” button until you reach the “Reheat” setting.
- Once you have selected the “Reheat” setting, press the “Start” button.
- The rice cooker will beep when the reheating cycle is complete.
5. Steamer Feature
As the name indicates, this feature steams vegetables, seafood, and other foods while you cook rice.
- Remove the inner pot and fill it with a specific amount of water. The water level should be just below the level of the steamer basket.
- Place the steamer basket on top of the inner pot. If your rice cooker comes with a plastic steaming tray, place it inside the basket.
- Add the food you want to steam to the steamer basket or tray.
- Close the lid of the rice cooker and switch it on. Press the “Menu” button until you reach the “Steam” setting.
- Then press the “Start” button. The rice cooker will begin steaming the food.
6. Quick Cook Feature
The ‘Quick Cook’ option will cook your rice faster than the regular cooking function. You can use this feature if you are in a hurry and need your rice done. Here is how you can use the Quick cook feature.
- Press the “Menu” button until you reach the “Quick Cook’ setting.
- Then set the time and click the “Start” button.
- The rice cooker will begin cooking the rice using high heat.
- The rice cooker will beep when the cycle is complete.
7. Mixed Rice Setting
This feature is for you if you are a mixed rice dish lover. The mixed rice setting on a Zojirushi rice cooker is to cook mixed rice dishes, such as grain rice or rice, with added ingredients like vegetables, meat, or beans. If you want to try this function, then:
- Put the appropriate amount of water and rice in the inner pot.
- Add any additional ingredients you wish to include in the mixed rice dish. This may consist of vegetables, beans, or meat.
- Close the lid and turn on the rice cooker.
- Press the “Menu” button until you reach the “Mixed Rice” setting.
- Set the time and hit the “Start” button.
- The rice cooker will begin cooking the mixed rice dish.
How to Use Zojirushi Rice Cooker: A Detailed Guide

You already learn how to cook rice quickly in the Zojirushi rice cooker. Now let’s follow step by step process to get out the best results.
Things You’ll Need
- Rice
- Water
- Zojirushi Rice Cooker
Directions
Step :1 Rinse your rice
Before cooking your rice, rinse it in a fine-mesh strainer under running water. Rinse them until the water runs clear. This step removes excess starch and any debris that may be present.
Step: 2 Measure the rice and water
Use the measuring cup with the Zojirushi rice cooker to measure the amount of rice. Then, add the appropriate amount of water according to the measuring lines on the inner cooking pan. The general rule of thumb is 1 cup of water(240 ml) for every 1 cup of rice(180 g). However, different types of rice require different amounts of water. Basmati rice uses less water than jasmine rice.
Step: 3 Place the inner pot
In the next step, put the inner cooking pan into the rice cooker.
Step: 4 Choose the cooking setting
Select the cooking setting you want to use, such as white rice, brown rice, sushi rice, or porridge, depending on the type of rice you’re cooking.
Step: 5 Press start
Once you select the cooking setting, press the start button to begin the cooking process.
Step: 6 Wait for the rice to cook
The rice cooker will automatically switch to the “keep warm” mode once the cooking process is complete. Let the rice sit in the range for 10-15 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
That’s it! With these simple steps, you should be able to cook perfect rice in your Zojirushi rice cooker.
Zojirushi rice cooker Instructions for Brown Rice
Cooking brown rice is slightly different from white rice and takes more time.
Zojirushi Rice Cooker Instructions for Basmati Rice
If you are cooking basmati rice, it is a different deal. It would help if you remembered a few things before cooking this rice in the Zojirushi rice cooker.
- Unlike white rice, do not wash the rice before cooking. Basmati rice will become mushy and soggy after being washed.
- For basmati rice, the water-to-rice ratio is 1:1.5. You need 1 1/2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.
- Basmati rice requires more time to cook than other rice types. To properly cook, it typically needs 20 to 30 minutes.
Safe Cleaning Instructions for Zojirushi Rice Cooker
Cleaning Instructions
If you don’t clean the rice cooker, the debris will be struck in it with time, and it won’t operate properly. Whatever the rice cooker is, it is a must to clean it.
So, follow these cleaning instructions for the Zojirushi Rice Cooker:
1. Unplug the rice cooker and let it cool down completely before cleaning.
2. Remove the inner cooking pan and wash it with warm soapy water.
3. Then rinse the cooking pan with clean water and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
4. Clean the exterior of the rice cooker with a soft damp cloth.
5. Clean the heating plate using a soft-bristled brush or a toothbrush to remove any food particles that may have accumulated.
6. Use a damp cloth to clean the lid and the surrounding area, especially if food splatters have been present.
7. Allow all parts to air dry completely before reassembling the rice cooker.
8. Finally, store your rice cooker in a cool and dry place.
However, it is essential to refer to the user manual for specific cleaning instructions and to avoid damaging the rice cooker.
We also have a cleaning guide if you own a Cuckoo rice cooker.
Conclusion
Zojirushi rice cookers are high-quality and reliable appliances that are an excellent investment for anyone who loves rice and wants to simplify the cooking process. Whether you buy Zojirushi, Aroma, or Cuckoo are all well-known brands in the rice cookers industry. Everyone has slightly different instructions to cook rice.
They are here to achieve perfectly cooked rice every time and make it easier to enjoy this versatile and nutritious staple food.
Happy rice making!
FAQs
What Is The Tune The Zojirushi Rice Cooker Plays When Cooking The Rice?
Most kitchen appliance beeps to indicate that the rice cooker starts or finishes its settings. But the Zojirushi rice cooker plays a tune when cooking the rice, commonly known as the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” melody. The melody is a series of four notes played in a specific sequence, and it signals that the cooking cycle is complete and the rice is ready.
What’s Wrong With The Rice Cooking Process In My Zojirushi?
There could be several reasons your rice needs to turn out as expected in your Zojirushi rice cooker. Here are a few things to check:
1. Make sure you are cooking your rice according to the appropriate rice-to-water ratio.
2. If you are cooking certain types of rice, like sushi rice or brown rice, make sure to soak and rinse the rice before cooking.
3. Check if you use the correct rice type in your Zojirushi rice cooker.
What Is The Ratio Of Rice To Water For A Zojirushi Rice Cooker?
The ratio of rice to water for a Zojirushi rice cooker can vary depending on the rice you are cooking and your preference. However, the general rule of thumb for white rice in a Zojirushi rice cooker is 1:1. You would use one cup of water for every cup of rice.
For brown rice, the correct ratio is typically 1:1.25 to 1:1.5. However, check the user manual that comes with your specific rice cooker model.
What Size Rice Cooker Do I Need?
The size of the rice cooker you need depends on how much rice you need to cook at once. If you want to cook a small amount of rice, then a Zojirushi rice cooker of 2 or 3 cups is enough for you. This rice cooker is ideal for individuals or couples.
But if you want to make larger quantities of rice, go for a 6-cup or 10-cup rice cooker. This rice cooker is best for larger families.