Panasonic 5-Cup (Uncooked) Microcomputer Controlled Rice Cooker & Multi-Cooker, Stainless Steel/White

Before this rice cooker we had two Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cookers, the NS-JCC-18 and the NS-ZCC-10. We have been extremely impressed with this rice cooker. It seems that the computer programs in it are much better than the ones that Zojirushi uses. We had both one of the earlier Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cookers and one of the current generation. In the first week we tested this rice cooker by cooking long grain rice on the Jasmine setting, regular medium grain rice on the white setting, medium grain brown rice on the brown rice setting, sweet rice, and rice porridge. Compared to the Zojirushi rice cookers we have had, the texture of the cooked rice seems a lot better and smoother and the porridge has a much nicer and smoother consistency that's more like the porridge we would make. With the Zojirushi, a lot of times our long grain rice would be cooked quite dry, rice porridge would be cooked thick, and on some occasions, some kinds of rice would be undercooked or over cooked. This rice cooker seems to produce much more consistent results. You can even just get a scoop of rice and eat it on its own. It's that good. Another thing we really like is the steamer basket. Our rice cookers before the Zojirushi had steamer baskets and many Tiger rice cookers have them too and you could cook something in the steamer basket while the rice is cooking and have a nice meal. We steamed dumplings on top several times. It's so nice to be able to do this again. We have family in Asia who use Panasonic or National rice cookers, so we thought we would try this, and it's been a very good choice. So far the materials, design, and the fit and finish of this rice cooker seems much better than the Zojirushi. Everything feels more solid, the rice pot is very thick, and the lid of the rice cooker is very easy to clean, much easier than the Zojirushi ones we have had. A lot of the plastics are much thicker and are finished more smoothly, and it feels much more solid. We also appreciate that they included a ladle in addition to the rice paddle and rice cup. It's a nice touch. So far, we have had it for a month and have used it nearly every day, and it has not disappointed. We didn't exactly expect anything to be better than the Zojirushi rice cookers we have had, but this was a very nice surprise. Like Zojirushi, Tiger and Panasonic are Japanese and they have been making rice cookers for many years. It looks like Panasonic's experience in making these really helped them make something really great. If you get one, read the manual, and follow the instructions. It will cook you something amazing.

From a functionality and usability this is a good product. The item was also sold at a good price and shipped very quickly.The problems is about Panasonic service. They offer 1 year warranty - after about a half year of slight use (we normally use the small variant of that cooker) the button holding the lid in place broke. The button costs about 35 $ including shipping. It might also be something that breaks often - on their website it has been out of stock for the last months.I contacted support and asked for a free replacement of the key. They agreed - but I'D HAVE TO SEND IN THE WHOLE COOKER (and pay some 50-60 $ for shipping). They were unwilling to send me a replacement part (because it's so hard to swap out the button correctly according to the support guy).I contacted support multiple times to follow up. After 3 or four contacts I was promised I'd get weekly follow ups while the support guy tried to influence the repair department to send me the piece. After one week no more follow ups.In the meantime using some glue and a nail I've repaired he cooker myself :)Overall - if you buy that cooker trusting into Panasonic quality and support services - I'd say "stay away". You can get 2 cheap ones for the same price and waste less time waiting on support.

The cooker works great... but the 6-layer diamond fluorine-coated, non-stick inner pan gets scratched with the plastic spoon that comes with.I purchased on the other old Panasonic years ago I never had any problems with the teflon coating. This one is more expensive with an inferior coating.

Excellent rice cooker! says this Japanese mom/cook. Rice tastes better than the Panasonic IH version. (yep, returned the IH version)Tested it with regular rice and Jasmine rice. Both tasted great. Also made a simple vanilla cake which came out great too! (you can adjust the time on Cake mode which is super nice) Cake mode is nice in this cooker when you want to make a cake while you're out.Haven't tried Steam or Slow Cook modes, but i have a good feeling it'll do well. I might be able to lose my big old slow cooker! It's a multi-function cooker. LOVE IT!

Still quite pricy compared to Japan, but panasonic does make the best rice cookers. Very powerful and versatile, a lot of technology inside and well designed.

I have an older model and it works beautifully. Bought this one on a whim. It burns the rice if not switched off immediately and fluffed. A little disappointed. But it is sturdily built.

I absolutely love my rice cooker. My friend has two of these in her very busy food cart. I had to buy one because of how much she talks about this product and all of amazing functions it has and the time it saves her. She was not wrong. Love love love it!

The item arrived damaged

So far is good, I like it, thank you

Perfect