1.
rice cooker
An electrical kitchen appliance designed to cook rice automatically.
An essential appliance in Japanese households. Types:
- マイコン式 (microcomputer-controlled) - basic, affordable
- IH式 (induction heating) - even heating, better quality
- 圧力IH式 (pressure IH) - premium, fluffier rice
- 土鍋IH (clay pot IH) - mimics traditional cooking
Features:
- 保温 (keep warm)
- 予約炊飯 (timer/scheduled cooking)
- 早炊き (quick cook)
- 玄米モード (brown rice mode)
- おかゆモード (porridge mode)
Major Japanese brands: 象印 (Zojirushi), タイガー (Tiger), パナソニック (Panasonic), 日立 (Hitachi), 三菱 (Mitsubishi).
Capacity measured in 合: 三合炊き (3 cups), 五合炊き (5 cups), etc.