The Multi-Cooker rice cooker by Panasonic has a larger than average rice capacity and can do so much more than just perfectly prepare your rice. For the price, it offers an impressive range of features and preset options and all in a durable, compact model that’s easy to clean. You’ll soon realize that you can rely on this model for so much more than just cooking rice. If you love home cooked porridge, freshly steamed veggies, or a bowl of stew on a rainy day, then the Multi-Cooker is a model that’s definitely worth a second look.
Our Verdict: If you don’t cook rice daily and instead need a rice cooker that can handle cooking fish, making soups or stews, porridge and can also steam your veggies, then the Multi-Cooker by Panasonic is your best bet. Durable and equipped with a seven-layer nonstick pan, this model can handle daily use and comes with a wide range of preset options that will ensure you enjoy perfectly cooked rice and veggies, in a matter of minutes.
Continue reading to learn more about what this multipurpose rice cooker can do, how it handles in the kitchen, the type of included presets it offers and the free extra accessories it comes with.
Table of Contents
Overview and Features
Panasonic is one of those major brands that you can trust. Since they’ve been in business for years, they’re also a company that seems to know what their consumers need, which is why we were excited to review this multipurpose rice cooker and learn what it’s really made of.
And we weren’t disappointed with this model’s performance, not to mention the great free extra accessories included in this package.
Product Rating:
- Seven layer pan design
- Nonstick coating
- Thirteen preset options
- Multipurpose model
- Keep warm feature
While the spec sheet claims this rice cooker can handle up to ten cups of rice, we feel we need to clarify this spec. Most manufacturers list a rice cooker’s capacity in uncooked rice, but Panasonic does so in cooked rice. So, to be clear, this model has a capacity of five cups of uncooked rice, which will equal ten cups, once cooked.
This is also an induction heat unit, which means you’ll enjoy rice that’s evenly cooked, and prepared faster when compared to conventional rice cookers. Conventional rice cookers have fallen out of favor because they can require the user to frequently stir the rice in order to ensure each grain is thoroughly cooked. This issue can often lead to under or overcooking the rice. But you won’t have that problem with an induction heat model. Since this model utilizes induction heat technology it basically guarantees that each batch will enjoy uniform cooking.
Multipurpose Unit
Not only can the rice cooker handle large batches of rice it will also allow you to slow cook stews, fish, steam veggies, or make oatmeal or soup. If you’re in need of a model that can handle cooking more than just rice, then this model is a great option and one that’s available at a reasonable price compared to competing models.
Presets
This is a highly programmable model that features thirteen presets. It will also allow you to choose the type of rice you’re cooking in order to ensure it’s cooked to perfection. Rice selection options include:
- Long grain
- Short grain
- Yellow
- Brown
- White
- Frozen rice
- Sticky rice
- Mixed
Other preset options include:
- Rinse free
- Quick cook
- Quinoa
- Veggies
Pan Design
The inner pan features a seven-layer design complete with a diamond coating. The exterior of the pan is made out of copper for improved heat conductivity. Inside, the pan is covered in a thick nonstick coating for easier cleanup.
Keep Warm
The keep warm feature will keep your rice warm and ready to serve for up to twelve hours. This feature works by keeping the temperature stable and will not further cook the rice, so you won’t have to worry about it turning out mushy once it’s time to serve.
Accessories
The rice cooker comes complete with:
- Rice scoop
- Cereal scoop
- Adjustable steaming basket
- Measuring cup
Umami
The umami element helps to enhance the flavor of the rice by circulating the water.
Steam Options
The included steam basket is perfect for steaming up a batch of your favorite veggies for a fast, healthy, low-calorie side dish that the whole family will love.
Pros
- Seven layer pan design
- Nonstick coating
- Thirteen preset options
- Multipurpose model
- Keep warm feature
Cons
- The Price
Related Questions
Is This a Restaurant Quality Rice Cooker?
No. While it’s durable, it’s definitely not the best Japanese rice cooker designed for heavy use in a restaurant environment. If you’re looking for a model you can use several times a day, we recommend the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer. While it’s available at nearly twice the price, the Toshiba rice cooker specializes in rice only and has what it takes to survive a pro-kitchen environment.
Is the Pan Dishwasher Safe?
No. We recommend washing the pan by hand in order to prevent scratching the nonstick surface. Most buyers reported that cleanup is a breeze. But how to clean rice cooker is not always easy. For the most part, the biggest concern is avoiding damaging the nonstick surface. To protect the coating make sure you avoid using any type of abrasive cleaning products and use a soft sponge only for both the pan and the rice cooker’s exterior.
Conclusion and Rating
Product Rating:
It’s not often that you’ll come across a multipurpose rice cooker that’s this durable. In fact, the seven-layer pan with the diamond coating is one of this model’s biggest selling points. Versatile, easy to use and loaded with a total of thirteen presets to choose from, you can enjoy rice cooked to perfection or your favorite steamed veggies in a matter of minutes. Hands down, this is one rice cooker that can handle it all. We gave this model a rating of four and a half stars out of five stars.
