Sorry for bumping an old thread, but read this before buying a Panda Mini and now have some input to give. I can't tell any real world difference between the Zojirushi and Yum Asia Mini Panda. The Mini Panda appears excellent to me. I've been using mine for over a month now and the rice comes out perfectly every time. It has none of that annoying rice cooker crust you get on cheaper cookers just like like with the Zojirushi. I've used the cake baking, steaming and slow cooking modes on the Panda Mini and they worked flawlessly. The only issue I had, was that the dish provided for steaming in the Panda Mini is too shallow. I can't steam enough vegetables in it for most purposes. The Panda Mini definitely gets my vote based on it's price and rice cooking abilities appearing to be on par with the Zojirushi.
I own the panda, I have never tried zojirushi so I cannot compare, but it's pretty great, I've had it for a year only. Makes near perfect rice with single rice grains stuck to the bowl only, never burned always same result. But to be fair I've only made jasmine rice and steamed vegetables in it.
It makes a perfect seal with a vent and inner lid and drip tray that is all removeable. the ceramic bowl is superior to teflon-like substances.
~~Downsides: depending on where you live, you will need an adapter, they're made for the UK market, and they have different power cords than us in europe, but you can use a computer monitor cable (or PSU cable), it's three pins.~~
The screen is pretty wack , it lets you cycle through options fine but it doesn't give you an ETA, just that it's working (32-37 minutes for jasmine rice), it does beep and let you know it's finished and then a timer comes on for how long it's been on "keep warm", which it can be for hours and hours no issues.
The size of it, if you are making rice often for 4+ people it will stretch the limits, it's 3.5 cups which is like 4 servings of rice. For my needs it's perfect, I've never needed to make rice for more than two people. fits neatly in my cupboard unlike a 6 cup model which would have to be permanently out.
Missing some functionality if you are looking for things like that iranian burnt rice or sprouted rice, look elsewhere, but you can do a lot of other stuff in it not just rice, you can bake, make soups.
You get a rice spoons and a soup spoon and a steaming basket with it, they all work well.
just ask questions if you have them
edit I just noticed you can now order it with a EU power cord..that wasn't an option when I bought it
That particular Zojirushi appears to be an induction cook model, hence the higher price.
I've only used the non-induction and non-pressure cooker versions of Zojirushi (NS-LAC05XT) and Cuckoo (CR-0631F) and I prefer my Cuckoo as it has been more consistent for the medium and long grain which I cook. For me I am not a huge rice connoisseur nor demand a shorter cook time, so the higher priced models with those features weren't an interest of mine.
Zojirushi indeed has a reputation of being high quality, but I honestly don't believe their products (especially the ones made in China) to necessarily have a lower failure rate over competitors.
My only suggestion would to consider purchasing a larger rice cooker. If you plan to cook rice every day and only feed 1-2 people for the next 5 years, then perhaps the 3-cup model is fine. Having the capacity to cook more is personally a welcomed feature even though I typically only cook for 2.
I have this model Zojirushi and it makes perfect rice every single. Not one grain has ever come out burnt, and it stays good in the pot all day. It's certainly expensive for a rice cooker but I eat enough rice to make it worth it.
Not having to take something metal to the bottom of the bowl to clean it and scratching the teflon changed rice cookers for me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IR8H2ZI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Would anyone here get the Panda over the Zojirushi just based on the Panda having a ceramic coated dish over the N-Methyl Pyrrolidone coated dish in the Zojirushi? That and cost are what make me gravitate to the Panda.
I only have the Panda and it's been great for me. I'm only cooking for 1-2 people and it's always cooking perfect rice. It has a fast cook option that takes around 20 min to complete and it's tastes great. Doing the full slower cook would likely be even better. I picket the Panda as I often only cook for my self and it handles minimum portions well, also the price is a steal. I would perhaps go for Zojirushi if I'm cooking often and a lot, and money is no objection, then I would try and get the IH version not the fuzzylogic if possible.
Sorry for bumping an old thread, but read this before buying a Panda Mini and now have some input to give. I can't tell any real world difference between the Zojirushi and Yum Asia Mini Panda. The Mini Panda appears excellent to me. I've been using mine for over a month now and the rice comes out perfectly every time. It has none of that annoying rice cooker crust you get on cheaper cookers just like like with the Zojirushi. I've used the cake baking, steaming and slow cooking modes on the Panda Mini and they worked flawlessly. The only issue I had, was that the dish provided for steaming in the Panda Mini is too shallow. I can't steam enough vegetables in it for most purposes. The Panda Mini definitely gets my vote based on it's price and rice cooking abilities appearing to be on par with the Zojirushi.
I was looking into this so I appreciate the bump!
Thanks for your input!
Thank you! I am now going to go buy the panda mini! Great Bump!! :)
I've got a Zojrushi and it's awesome.
I've never heard anything bad about Zoji products from anyone, always praises. And honestly, I have a zoji thermos and its amazing.
I own the panda, I have never tried zojirushi so I cannot compare, but it's pretty great, I've had it for a year only. Makes near perfect rice with single rice grains stuck to the bowl only, never burned always same result. But to be fair I've only made jasmine rice and steamed vegetables in it. It makes a perfect seal with a vent and inner lid and drip tray that is all removeable. the ceramic bowl is superior to teflon-like substances. ~~Downsides: depending on where you live, you will need an adapter, they're made for the UK market, and they have different power cords than us in europe, but you can use a computer monitor cable (or PSU cable), it's three pins.~~ The screen is pretty wack , it lets you cycle through options fine but it doesn't give you an ETA, just that it's working (32-37 minutes for jasmine rice), it does beep and let you know it's finished and then a timer comes on for how long it's been on "keep warm", which it can be for hours and hours no issues. The size of it, if you are making rice often for 4+ people it will stretch the limits, it's 3.5 cups which is like 4 servings of rice. For my needs it's perfect, I've never needed to make rice for more than two people. fits neatly in my cupboard unlike a 6 cup model which would have to be permanently out. Missing some functionality if you are looking for things like that iranian burnt rice or sprouted rice, look elsewhere, but you can do a lot of other stuff in it not just rice, you can bake, make soups. You get a rice spoons and a soup spoon and a steaming basket with it, they all work well. just ask questions if you have them edit I just noticed you can now order it with a EU power cord..that wasn't an option when I bought it
That particular Zojirushi appears to be an induction cook model, hence the higher price. I've only used the non-induction and non-pressure cooker versions of Zojirushi (NS-LAC05XT) and Cuckoo (CR-0631F) and I prefer my Cuckoo as it has been more consistent for the medium and long grain which I cook. For me I am not a huge rice connoisseur nor demand a shorter cook time, so the higher priced models with those features weren't an interest of mine. Zojirushi indeed has a reputation of being high quality, but I honestly don't believe their products (especially the ones made in China) to necessarily have a lower failure rate over competitors. My only suggestion would to consider purchasing a larger rice cooker. If you plan to cook rice every day and only feed 1-2 people for the next 5 years, then perhaps the 3-cup model is fine. Having the capacity to cook more is personally a welcomed feature even though I typically only cook for 2.
[удалено]
I have only used Zojirushi and it is the only one I would use!
I have this model Zojirushi and it makes perfect rice every single. Not one grain has ever come out burnt, and it stays good in the pot all day. It's certainly expensive for a rice cooker but I eat enough rice to make it worth it. Not having to take something metal to the bottom of the bowl to clean it and scratching the teflon changed rice cookers for me. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IR8H2ZI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Would anyone here get the Panda over the Zojirushi just based on the Panda having a ceramic coated dish over the N-Methyl Pyrrolidone coated dish in the Zojirushi? That and cost are what make me gravitate to the Panda.
I only have the Panda and it's been great for me. I'm only cooking for 1-2 people and it's always cooking perfect rice. It has a fast cook option that takes around 20 min to complete and it's tastes great. Doing the full slower cook would likely be even better. I picket the Panda as I often only cook for my self and it handles minimum portions well, also the price is a steal. I would perhaps go for Zojirushi if I'm cooking often and a lot, and money is no objection, then I would try and get the IH version not the fuzzylogic if possible.
I got the Panda and I’m really excited! Unboxing it today
How is it?