3 cup vs 5.5 cup cooker zojirushi rice cooker I purchased the 5.5 cup cooker as it was only a few dollars more thinking that having the extra size could be beneficial even though I am a single person. It arrived and looks quite large. I'm now wondering if it is worth it to exchange it for the 3 cup one. Has anyone seen the difference in physical size? I live in an apartment so size is of consequence. Thank you for any input. 3 cup vs 5.5 cup cooker zojirushi rice cooker I purchased the 5.5 cup cooker as it was only a few dollars more thinking that having the extra size could be beneficial even though I am a single... » Read More 3 cup vs 5.5 cup cooker zojirushi rice cooker I purchased the 5.5 cup cooker as it was only a few dollars more thinking that having the extra size could be beneficial even though I am a single person. It arrived and looks quite large. I'm now wondering if it is worth it to exchange it for the 3 cup one. Has anyone seen the difference in physical size? I live in an apartment so size is of consequence. Thank you for any input. « Show Less
1389293
I've been using the 3 cup since my last post. I love it and it is exactly the right size. It is an attractive looking appliance as well. The larger size was just overwhelming and I don't think I would have ever used it to make a cake which was a "tooted" feature. In addition, since I use small proportions, I believe the rice turns out better in a smaller cooker from everything I've read on the net. Perhaps this isn't accurate but I am very happy with my final purchase.
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.
1389295
Thank you, this is exactly the same question I had been asking myself. Your experience is helpful.
2257801
We chose this model Zojirushi because we had the previous model 3 cup Zojirushi which served us well for twenty years. It is actually still working but the rice pot itself was beginning lose it's aluminum coating. I think the coating on this pot may be more durable. The new cooker certainly works well and is the right size for us.
1594137
I don't have the manual anymore but I recall them talking about the more water the softer (longer cook) and the lesser end is kind of al dente. I found by trying both 2:1 and 2.3:1 it makes good rice on either end of the range. I would suggest one day you make 2:1 and another day you make 2.3:1 and see what you like best, then you can vary it to your liking.
291119
I bought both sizes. The large one first and found that I didn't need that much room so I then bought the smaller one and it was just right. I use them to make homemade TV Dinners be cause we don't eat at the same time every day like we use to. This way we get a good home cooked meal anytime we want. I guess it all depends what you are planning to use them for and how much you want to put in them. Hope you make the right decision for what you want them for and I hope that this answer helped you in some way.
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.
992256
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. 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... » Read More 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. « Show Less
662999
In the owners manual it says "you should use a measuring cup to determine the amount of rice to be cooked. The measuring cup we are referring to is the one that is supplied with the rice cooker. The cup that is supplied is about 2/3 the size of a standard US measuring cup." The rice cooker will cook 8 of these cups of rice - which I measured out to equal approximately 5 and 2/3 standard US measuring cups of rice. The manual also recommends cooking rice with the steamer in place even if you are not steaming anything to help prevent the possibility of boil over - from my experience, this is a very good idea.
1597688
Hi Beryl, I have only used the rice cooker only once because I did not have a rice cup to measure with. When I did try to do an "estimate" it did not turn out well. But there should be instructions in the pamphlet that came with the cooker. In general 1 cup of rice with 1-1/2 cup of water. I have ordered from Amazon a rice cup so I will try again soon.
862858
I have this rice cooker and it works perfectly fine! My old one (which was 10 cups) had the same problems like yours right now so I bought the 5 cup one and it works fine. I think it is a manufacturing problem.
1215757
Go with the larger size, you will love the left overs! I had a smaller crock pot earlier and it never made enough for leftovers. Also, if you have company you will appreciate the larger size.
292217
I know it's been a long time since you've posted this, but I'd like to know if you mean regular cups, or the rice cooker cups? Cause I just learned today that those measurements are different. (Explains why my rice was crunchier than usual the other night when I was too lazy to wash the rice cooker cup.)I was thinking of setting this up to try this weekend, and you're the first one to post what seems to be a reliable recipe.
639774
My rice cooker just arrived...couple of quick questions..where do I find the water to rice ratio..I see the water levels in the pot but cant find how much water to add for 1 or 2 cups of rice using their rice scoop..also anyone care to share how to make oatmeal instructions?
2251944
My rice cooker does up to 5 cups, so that's as high as I've loaded at one time. If you need to made more, no big deal. Just dump the cup into your cooker, and load it up again.
1687942
I think it is smart to get a new rice cooker. They are not expensive and all the brands are about the same.
766553
It's a fairly large rice cooker. A minimum amount is not actually specified in the manual, but I noticed all the rice tables in the manual start with 2 rice scoops and go up from there. My 3 cup Zojirushi has a 1/2 cup minimum. My 5 1/2 cup rice cooker has a 1 cup minimum. And most 10 cup rice cookers have a 2 cup minimum. Hope this helps.
291824
No, inside it only goes up to 4. It is an 8 cup rice cooker, because once you cook 4 cups of rice it expands to the size of eight cups. Hope that helps :)
1572087
I didn't check features of the smaller models. But the 5.5 cup NS-YAC10 is a great machine -the umami setting produces fantastic white rice - as good as a restaurant - and I alsothe porridge setting to easily make steelcut oatmeal overnight and have it fresh inthe morning. I normally make small quantities of rice - e.g. 1/2 american cup dry -and it works fine. But nice to have the larger capacity for an occasional big party.