Should I get this or the NS-LAC05 3 cup model? 2 people, mostly cooking for 1 at a time. Generally making two servings at a time &amp; mostly rice/oats
67499
I only cook rice for myself, most of the time, and I am thrilled with this model you asked about. If you think you might make a huge casserole with rice or entertain and want to serve rice, you will be happy you bought a larger one. If not, the smaller capacity one will take up less space and produce equally awesome rice. Hope that helps!
755104
Yes, this is the perfect size. In fact, the recipe I have makes 3 servings and I've found that it cooks steel cut oats perfectly, and they re-heat great with a little extra milk. Great time-saver for being able to have breakfast before work! The recipe can be found in "Vegan Slow Cooking For Two - or - Just For You" by Kathy Hester. She also has a blog online where a bunch of recipes are posted. (Pear Rose Cardamom Oatmeal) I substituted an apple for the pear and skipped the rosewater, but love the cardamom!
1188414
Watch out for boiling over into main pot ( the cooker has a smaller insert in the main pot). I would not want to deal with cleaning burnt oatmeal out of the main unit. I would experiment the first time around. Rice is quite different from oatmeal and can be left alone in the pot until done-- oatmeal will cook faster.
1198314
Worth it? That's up to you. Will it last....had mine 8 years, it is like new! My cuckoo does a great job of keeping warm. Worth a look! This rice cooker does the rice pudding breakfast thing. And that is fabulous. I use two rice cookers. Takes a bit of space but I do rice so often so many ways that I need both. My Zojirushi is a work horse and it is good today as it was some many years ago. To answer your rice warm question....rice is nice for just so long! I like mine right out of the cooker when it is just done. Gosh, you can warm rice in a microwave with a semi sealed container!
637062
I love my 7 cup food processor. mine works good for a family of 3. If you cook for a family larger than mine on a regular basis maybe consider buying the larger machine. either way I don't think you will be disappointed.
2212151
I'd say it works best for 1-2 people. We use it only for cooking oatmeal overnight for breakfast for two of us. Then use our bigger one to prep dinner.
862863
I use this every week, I noticed when I did undercook the rice I didn't have enough water for the amount of rice I was cooking. Also I do not cook to the maximum I cook 2 cups at a time, I don't know if that makes a difference. Hope this helps you out.
528813
The difference is one holds 8cups and the average review is 4.5, the other holds 20cups and has an average review of 4. It's not really one is better then the other, it's more of just how big of a rice cooker you need, if you plan on regularly cooking less then 4cups, then this isn't the cooker for you, go with the eight. If you plan on cooking more then 8 cups or want of a large slow cooker then this one is probably your choose.
388388
I've cooked 2.5 cups (US) of dry rice, and it came out fine. However, with this much rice, there was some spatter and mess.My rice comes out best, with next to no clean-up, when I cook 1.25 cups (US) of dry rice, and use 1.5 cups of water. I use the quick-cook setting. The rice mix I use is 1/2 cup of Sultan Basmati Rice, 1/4 cup of black rice, 1/4 cup of lentils, and 1/4 cup of quinoa. In other rice-cookers, I used 1.75 cups of water. However, this cooker seems to use the water more efficiently, so I now use 1.5 cups of water. Note that I prefer fluffy rice to clumped rice. If you prefer clumping, then use the additional liquid. I've cooked 2.5 cups (US) of dry rice, and it came out fine. However, with this much rice, there was some spatter and mess.My rice comes out best, with next to no clean-up, when I cook 1.25 cups (US) of dry rice, and use 1.5 cups of water. I use the quick-cook setting. The rice mix I use is 1/2 cup of Sultan Basmati Rice, 1/4 cup of black rice, 1/4 cup of lentils, and 1/4 cup of quinoa. In other rice-cookers, I used 1.75 cups of water. However, this cooker seems to use the water more efficiently, so I now use 1.5 cups of water. Note that I prefer fluffy rice to... » Read More I've cooked 2.5 cups (US) of dry rice, and it came out fine. However, with this much rice, there was some spatter and mess.My rice comes out best, with next to no clean-up, when I cook 1.25 cups (US) of dry rice, and use 1.5 cups of water. I use the quick-cook setting. The rice mix I use is 1/2 cup of Sultan Basmati Rice, 1/4 cup of black rice, 1/4 cup of lentils, and 1/4 cup of quinoa. In other rice-cookers, I used 1.75 cups of water. However, this cooker seems to use the water more efficiently, so I now use 1.5 cups of water. Note that I prefer fluffy rice to clumped rice. If you prefer clumping, then use the additional liquid. « Show Less
1698078
I have made the single cup size batches many times with perfect results. (The mininum size is 1/2 cup as marked on the cooking bowl.) When I made larger batches, there was no noticable difference in the results. Always perfect! As long as the measuring of rice and water is accurate, I see no reason why the cooker would not cook as little as 1/2 cup at a time.
240157
I have a slightly older version of this size and model. I have cooked 1 cup of dry rice (using included measure which is 3/4 standard measuring cup), but I find if I leave it on warm while I cook dinner it dries out a bit and may even get crunchy bits. 2 cups (or more) come out perfectly. Right now I am making steel cut oats. One cup is fine for those, because the ratio of water to oats is much higher than water to rice. If you still want to cook one cup of rice at a time, you may have to tweak your ratios. BTW- Packing sticky rice while it is still warm (not hot), allows you to freeze it (after cooling). Warm covered in a microwave- it'll be great. I have a slightly older version of this size and model. I have cooked 1 cup of dry rice (using included measure which is 3/4 standard measuring cup), but I find if I leave it on warm while I cook dinner it dries out a bit and may even get crunchy bits. 2 cups (or more) come out perfectly. Right now I am making steel cut oats. One cup is fine for those, because the ratio of water to oats is much higher than water to rice. If you still want to cook one cup of rice at a time, you may have to tweak your ratios. BTW- Packing sticky rice while it is still warm (not hot), allows you to freeze it... » Read More I have a slightly older version of this size and model. I have cooked 1 cup of dry rice (using included measure which is 3/4 standard measuring cup), but I find if I leave it on warm while I cook dinner it dries out a bit and may even get crunchy bits. 2 cups (or more) come out perfectly. Right now I am making steel cut oats. One cup is fine for those, because the ratio of water to oats is much higher than water to rice. If you still want to cook one cup of rice at a time, you may have to tweak your ratios. BTW- Packing sticky rice while it is still warm (not hot), allows you to freeze it (after cooling). Warm covered in a microwave- it'll be great. « Show Less
1389294
In case anyone is interested, I exchanged the 5.5 cup cooker for the 3 cup. The 3 cup is the perfect size for a small kitchen and 1 or more people. I am very happy with the size of the 3 cup.
416789
I puchased a indirect stainless cooker,not knowing that,would far prefer diect rice cooker.so a booboo from me ,so check which type you want before puchase, i have gone back to my old non stainless rice cooker.try to justify buying a new stailess steel direct ricecooker
652372
We have had this cooker for about 2 years. It will cook as little as one cup of rice but we always cook at least two just because rice goes with everything and keeps well in the fridge. We have cooked 5 cups at once but it did take much longer than the smaller amount. The steamer works great, too.
992257
We use it to make large batches for our local Shelter. It comes with a measuring cup for the rice and there are markings on the inside of the liner for how much water to add. I think you could make as little as five cups of cooked rice, though we use 10 lbs of raw rice at a time. Our rice is part of a large meal for about 60 homeless folks. We would love to buy one of the Zojirushi cookers, but the price is prohibitive. For much less money, this is a great rice cooker that is relatively foolproof if you carefully follow the enclosed instructions. Don't lose those! Honestly, it seems like overkill if you primarily want it for small amounts. Its also pretty large so we keep it in our garage.
2114048
Hello, I haven't tried the whole 5.5 cups. I mostly just make 3 cups of rice with the provided cup and it is enough for two of us just fine. Thanks!
1888123
have not tried it yet. Hoping for it to work for oatmeal cooking with easy clean up. I do have their rice maker and use it all the time. Really easy clean up and no mess on the bottom like a rice steamer.