Steaming With Zojirushi: The Ultimate Rice Cooker Guide

The Zojirushi rice cooker comes with a steaming basket, perfect for steaming vegetables, fish, eggs, and dumplings. The steaming basket is made of stainless steel and is available with the NHS-10 (6 cups) and NHS-18 (10 cups) models. To use the steam function, add water to the inner cooking pan, place the pan into the main body, and place the steaming basket. Place food in the basket, attach the inner lid set and steam vent cap, close the outer lid, and plug in the cooker.

Use the steam function to cook rice and steam vegetables at the same time

To cook rice and steam vegetables at the same time in your Zojirushi rice cooker, follow these steps:

Firstly, refer to your specific Zojirushi model's instruction manual for detailed guidance. The cooking time and rice capacity will vary depending on your model. For example, the Zojirushi NS-TSQ10 model's instructions state that you should not cook more than 1 cup of rice if the cooking capacity is 1.0L, or 2-4 cups if the capacity is 1.8L.

Now, onto the general steps for cooking rice and steaming vegetables simultaneously:

Add the required amount of water to the Inner Cooking Pan. For the Zojirushi NS-TSQ10 model, this is 540ml or 3 cups for the 1.0L model, and 720ml or 4 cups for the 1.8L model. Place the Inner Cooking Pan into the Main Body of the rice cooker.

Next, place the Steaming Basket on top of the Inner Cooking Pan. Ensure that the Steaming Basket is straight, or steam may escape from the gap. Refer to your instruction manual to check if your model has any specific requirements for the placement of the Steaming Basket.

Now, it's time to prepare your ingredients. Place the desired amount of rice and water in the Inner Cooking Pan, following the measurements specified in your rice cooker's instruction manual. Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking. Then, place your chosen vegetables in the Steaming Basket. Ingredients that require a longer steaming time, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin, and fish (wrapped in aluminum foil), can be cooked together with rice. If using fish, it is recommended to wrap it in aluminum foil before placing it in the Steaming Basket. For ingredients that require a shorter steaming time, like spinach, it is advised not to cook them together with the rice as they may not steam properly.

Once your rice and vegetables are in place, attach the Inner Lid Set and Steam Vent Cap. Close the Outer Lid, and plug in the Power Cord. Press the Power Cord securely into the Main Body.

Select the STEAM menu setting. The default cooking time will appear in the Display, and you can adjust the time using the Time Setting button if needed.

When the cooking is complete, remove the food from the Steaming Basket immediately. Be cautious when opening the Outer Lid and handling the Steaming Basket, as the steam and interior of the Main Body will be very hot. Always press the CANCEL button when cooking is complete, and the Rice Cooker will beep as a reminder to remove the food if the CANCEL button is not pressed.

Enjoy your freshly cooked rice and steamed vegetables!

Use a steamer basket to steam veggies

Using a steamer basket to steam veggies in a Zojirushi rice cooker is a convenient way to prepare a healthy meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice Cooker

Before you begin, it is important to read the user manual for your specific Zojirushi model, as there may be slight variations in the steps and settings. Ensure your rice cooker is clean and dry. Fill the inner cooking pan with the desired amount of water, following the instructions for the rice cooker. Place the inner cooking pan into the main body of the rice cooker.

Step 2: Prepare the Steamer Basket

Assemble the steamer basket according to the instructions. It is important to ensure that the steamer basket is placed straight, or steam may escape. You can line the steamer basket with spinach or cabbage leaves, which will not only add flavour but also prevent food from sticking.

Step 3: Add Vegetables to the Steamer Basket

Select the vegetables you wish to steam. Cut them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Place the vegetables into the steamer basket, ensuring they are distributed evenly. Be careful not to overload the steamer basket, as this may affect cooking performance.

Step 4: Assemble and Start the Rice Cooker

Place the steamer basket on top of the inner cooking pan. Attach the inner lid set and steam vent cap. Close the outer lid and securely insert the power cord into the main body. Plug the power plug into an electrical outlet.

Step 5: Select the Steam Setting

Select the "Steam" setting on your rice cooker. The default cooking time will appear, and you can adjust it according to the type and quantity of vegetables you are cooking. Refer to your user manual or online resources for estimated cooking times for different vegetables.

Step 6: Monitor and Adjust as Needed

Keep an eye on the display, which will show the remaining time until steaming completion. If you need to adjust the cooking time, you can do so using the Time Setting button. Be careful when opening the lid or removing the steamer basket, as the steam and interior of the rice cooker will be very hot.

Step 7: Remove Vegetables and Serve

Once the cooking is complete, remove the vegetables from the steamer basket immediately to prevent them from becoming soggy. Place steamed vegetables in ice water to preserve their bright colour, if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Remember to clean your rice cooker and steamer basket after each use, especially if using ingredients that may cause staining, like carrots and leafy vegetables.

Use the steamer basket to steam fish

To use the steamer basket to steam fish in a Zojirushi rice cooker, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure that you have a steamer basket that fits your specific Zojirushi model. The steamer basket is not a standard accessory for all models, so you may need to purchase one separately. The NHS-10 and NHS-18 models come with a stainless steel steaming basket.

Once you have confirmed that you have a steamer basket, follow these steps:

• Add water to the Inner Cooking Pan. The amount of water required will depend on the size of your rice cooker. For a 1.0L model, add 540ml or 3 cups of water. For a 1.8L model, add 720ml or 4 cups of water.
• Place the Inner Cooking Pan into the Main Body of the rice cooker.
• Wipe the outer surface of the Inner Cooking Pan and the inside of the Main Body to remove any moisture or foreign matter.
• Place the steamer basket straight onto the Inner Cooking Pan. Ensure that it is placed straight to prevent steam from escaping through any gaps.
• Place the fish and any other ingredients you wish to steam into the steamer basket. For fish, it is recommended to cut it into fillets or thin slices, especially if it is a thicker type of fish. You can also wrap the fish in aluminum foil before placing it in the steamer basket.
• Attach the Inner Lid Set and Steam Vent Cap.
• Close the Outer Lid and plug in the Power Cord.
• Select the STEAM menu setting and adjust the cooking time as needed. The default cooking time will appear in the display, and you can lengthen or shorten it using the Time Setting button.
• Once the cooking is complete, remove the food from the steamer basket immediately. Be careful when opening the Outer Lid and handling the steamer basket as they will be very hot.
• Press the CANCEL button to end the cooking cycle.
• Wash the steamer basket immediately after use to prevent stains from setting in.

By following these steps, you can use the steamer basket to steam fish in your Zojirushi rice cooker.

Use the steam function to cook hard-boiled eggs

To cook hard-boiled eggs using the steam function of a Zojirushi rice cooker, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure you have access to the steamer basket/steaming tray that comes with the rice cooker. This is essential, as placing the eggs directly into the rice can cause rice to stick to the eggshells.

Next, add water to the inner cooking pan of the rice cooker. The amount of water required will depend on the size of your rice cooker. For a 1.0L model, add 540ml or 3 cups of water. For a 1.8L model, add 720ml or 4 cups of water. Place the inner cooking pan into the main body of the rice cooker.

Now, place the eggs into the steamer basket. If you are cooking a large number of eggs (20-30), ensure they are distributed evenly in the basket to prevent it from slanting to one side. Close the lid of the steamer basket/tray, and then place the basket inside the inner cooking pan. Attach the inner lid set and steam vent cap, and close the outer lid of the rice cooker.

Plug in the power cord and select the steam function. The default cooking time will appear in the display, and you can adjust the time using the Time Setting button. The cooking time will depend on how well-done you want your eggs, and may take some experimentation with your particular rice cooker. As a reference, one user recommends 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs, while another recommends 20-25 minutes.

When the eggs are done, remove them from the steamer basket immediately and place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from becoming soggy. This will also make the eggs easier to peel. Enjoy your perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs!

Use the rice cooker to make desserts like custard and rice pudding

The Zojirushi Rice Cooker/Steamer features a single switch control and a see-through glass lid with a stay-cool knob. It also has stay-cool handles for easy transport, a durable nonstick inner cooking pan, and an automatic keep-warm function. The steaming basket is made of stainless steel.

You can use the Zojirushi Rice Cooker/Steamer to make desserts like custard and rice pudding. Here are the steps to make rice pudding:

• Put 2/3 cups of rice (long grain or short grain, uncooked) and milk in the rice cooker bowl. Stir to combine.
• Close the cover and set the rice cooker to the Porridge cycle.
• When the machine switches to the "Keep Warm" cycle, open the rice cooker and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and sugar to taste. Stir until combined.
• Close the cover and reset the rice cooker for a second Porridge cycle. Stir every 15 to 20 minutes until the desired consistency is reached. The rice mixture will thicken as it cools. If it becomes too thick, add more milk.
• Serve the rice pudding warm or let it cool slightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• You can add ground cinnamon or dried fruit on top. Raisins can also be added.
• Stir 5 1/2 cups of skim milk, 2 cups of short-grain white rice, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon together in the rice cooker.
• Cover and cook for one cycle (about 20 minutes) until the mixture is tender and creamy.
• Stir in the remaining 2 1/2 cups of milk.
• Transfer the custard to a bowl and let it cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Frequently asked questions