Zojirushi Corporation is one of Japan's leading makers of small appliances. The company's first product (introduced more than 80 years ago) was a glass-lined vacuum bottle. Since that time, Zojirushi has earned a reputation for innovative, reliable kitchen products such as rice cookers and bread machines. Zojirushi means "Elephant Brand" in Japanese. The name is pronounced "zoe-gee-roo-she".

To make rice, simply measure out the rice and water with the measuring cup (included), plug in the rice cooker, and press the button. When the rice is done, the NHS-10 will automatically switch over to "keep warm" mode. A non-stick rice serving spatula is included.

The NHS-10 can also be used to steam vegetables or fish - a stainless steel steaming tray is included.

Another way to use the NHS-10 is to steam fish over the rice while it is cooking. To do this, simply use a few lettuce leaves to separate the fish from the rice.

The NHS-10 can also be used to prepare some desserts. Recipes for rice pudding and caramel custard (creme caramel) are in the instruction manual.

Specifications: The NHS-10 makes six US cups of rice (10 Japanese cups). It measures 7-1/2 x 10 x 8-7/8 inches and is white in color. It draws 500 watts of power and is UL listed (this 120 volt model is designed for use in North America). It weights about 5-1/2 pounds.

There is also a special porridge setting for making Gluten-Free Oats or other hot cereals. Set the built-in timer the night before, and your breakfast will be ready when you wake.

In addition to the easy-to-read LCD clock and timer, the NS-LAC05 features a non-stick spherical inner cooking pan to provide even heating for better cooking results. It automatically switches to the keep-warm mode when the food is done cooking. The stainless steel exterior is durable and easy to clean. The inner lid can be detached for washing and the retractable power cord makes it easy to store. A non-stick rice serving spatula, spatula holder, and a small measuring cup are included.

Specifications: The NS-LAC05 makes three US cups of rice (5 Japanese cups). It measures 9-1/16 x 11-3/4 x 7-1/2 inches and is has a stainless steel exterior with a clear protective coating. It draws 450 watts of power and is ETL listed (this 120 volt model is designed for use in North America). It weights about 7 pounds.