What is an Induction Heating Rice Cooker and How Does It Work

Fond of eating rice but failed at cooking? There is now the smartest way to cook without any fuss. Induction heating rice cooker makes rice better and fluffier. But what is an induction heating rice cooker and how does it work? You’ll learn everything you need to know below.

What is an Induction Heating Rice Cooker?

Cooking rice can be unforgiving sometimes. There are days your cooker can do decent rice but often, it makes pretty messed up rice if left unattended. The most intelligent kitchen device ever made is the Induction heating rice cooker. It makes the job way easier than before.

Upon using this kind of rice cooker, you don’t need to soak the rice in water for such time, all you need to do is to put the correct water level based on the guides and key in the settings you want and voila!…tastier and fluffier rice. If you want to know how to cook basmati rice in rice cooker or arborio rice, you will find out by clicking on these links.

Induction heating technology that is applied on rice cookers made cooking more rational and unconventional. It simply adjusts to certain cooking conditions when necessary.

This breakthrough in the history of rice cookers was first invented in 1988 by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., one of the leading companies in home appliances in Japan, in the hope of providing alternative to electric gas cookers.

Since then, the demand for induction heating rice cookers increased which lead to the release of different cookers from various manufacturers. Today, IH rice cookers are popular all over Japan and the world.

How does IH work?

Induction heating rice cooker works the same way as standard electric cookers do. Simply put in the rice and pour in the water using the correct water guide and then use the necessary settings and menus and wait. Here you will learn how to use rice cooker.

On the right, an example of induction heating rice cooker & warmer NP-NVC10/18.

The final touch to having perfectly cooked rice is to gently mix them once cooked to let go of excess moisture. You will now have perfect fluffy rice!

The science behind the induction heating rice cooker is on the process. We all know that metal is one of the best heat conductors especially when it is surrounded by electric currents.

In IH technology, the pot’s metal is wrapped with coils that produce electric currents which create magnetic fields that heat up the metal when the currents pass through; this then allows the metal to heat on a high temperature and will cook the rice faster and fluffier.

Unlike standard rice cookers wherein the rice is cooked from the bottom to the top which sometimes lead to unevenly cooked rice, IH rice cooker heats the entire pot surrounding from top, bottom, and side that surely cooks rice evenly. Rice cooking is also both science and art.

On the video below, a short description of Zojirushi rice cooker & warmer NP-NVC10/18.

Induction heating vs. Fuzzy Logic

There are different kinds of rice cookers ranging from simple to advance. The more functionality you look for in a rice cooker the more technology it needs. The most popular rice cookers with advanced technologies are IH (Induction Heating) and Fuzzy Logic.

The comparison and argument between these technologies also go on from prices, versatility, and brand down to their specific features.

Since induction heating rice cookers are very popular, below is the lists of advantages:

• More responsive to sudden change in temperatures and make adjustments
• Faster way of heating the cooking plate
• Cooks rice evenly and fluffier
• Less cooking time
• Multi-functions
• With healthy cooking options

and disadvantages:

• Consumes more electricity compared to fuzzy logic rice cookers
• More expensive
• Heavier than the other types of rice cookers
• Bulky and thicker dimensions

Although fuzzy logic rice cookers use non-linear digital functions, Induction heating rice cookers use more advanced technology (sometimes combined with fuzzy logic) that makes cooking pleasurable, but of course, comes with a great price.

These advantages and disadvantages rely mainly on the objectives of cooking and using the device but the list goes on. In the picture, an example of fuzzy logic rice cooker NS-ZCC10/18.

There are a lot of brands now, offer induction heating rice cookers in various specifications and prices. You can certainly check which brand suits your budget as well as your cooking needs. Here is the top 5 popular induction heating rice cooker brands:

1. Zojirushi
2. Tiger Corporation
3. Panasonic
4. Cuckoo
5. Tefal

Rice cookers from Zojirushi, Tiger Corporation and Cuckoo are on our list of top best rice cookers.

Zojirushi Induction heating Rice Cookers

Zojirushi is the most popular Induction heating rice cooker with multi-functions for different rice varieties made by the famous Japan-based company. They offer great lines of rice cookers depending on certain needs and technology.

• Zojirushi NP-NVC10 – Uses induction heating technology combined with advanced fuzzy logic and AI as well as pressure cooking. It is made with platinum infused non-stick pans that increase water alkalinity for better water absorption and best-tasting rice.  This rice cooker is able to cook different rice varieties such as: white (regular/softer/harder), porridge, umami, mixed, sushi/sweet, brown, GABA brown rice.
• Zojirushi NP-HCC10/18 – This rice cooker is made with superior induction heating technology which is able to adjust the temperature and other cooking considerations; it is also made with triple heaters from bottom, side and top for well-surround cooking.
• Zojirushi NP-GBC05 (the picture on the right) – This rice cooker is ideal for small to medium sized families powered with superior induction heating technology. You can cook several rice varieties like: different kinds of white rice, brown, GABA brown, sushi and porridge.

Warm Thoughts

Some people would love to invest on machines that will certainly make their lives better and easier; however some won’t spend a dime on such expensive devices. Just like induction heating rice cookers which cost more than how much standard rice cookers do, a lot of people still believe that this kind of kitchen device is better because of all the benefits.

The answer should always be based on your needs and how much you can afford. If rice is the main star on the table, then it is good that you invest on these devices to really get the most. In fact most IH rice cookers offer a great number of other cooking functions for different dishes.

As for me, I cook rice the traditional way but on busy days and when needed, I also use rice cookers. Based on the facts above, I would love to get my hands on this induction heating rice cooker just to see and taste the difference.  How about you?