Zojirushi’s New Pressure IH Rice Cookers: What They Offer and Which Size to Choose

What the NW-YAQ Models Offer

Both models are Pressure + IH + MICOM cookers made in Japan. Zojirushi's product materials describe the heating system as inspired by the traditional Japanese kamado stove, with a pressure range listed as 1.0 to 1.15 times. Two pressure structures work together to produce three distinct rice textures, and pressure steaming is added to enhance flavour. The inner pan is a 1.7mm thick black spherical pan designed to spread heat evenly, and MICOM control adjusts the cooking process to the amount of rice rather than following one fixed cycle. Zojirushi describes the result as fluffier, more evenly cooked rice, though how much difference you notice will depend on the rice you cook and how you like it. Everything in this list is shared by both sizes, so the technology is not what separates the two models. Capacity is, and the sections below show how to choose.

Nine Menus, Including Congee and Quick

The product images list nine menus: White (with Regular and Firmer texture options), Quick, Long Grain White, Brown, Quinoa, Steel Cut Oatmeal, Congee, GABA Brown and Multi-Grain. A range like this matters because grains differ in how long they need to soak, how much water they absorb and how much heat they tolerate, so a single white rice cycle rarely suits all of them. The Regular and Firmer options let you choose the texture of your white rice, while Congee and Steel Cut Oatmeal extend the cooker beyond rice into breakfast and comfort food. Quick is there for evenings when time is short. If your household cooks a mix of white rice, brown rice and grains, dedicated menus remove a lot of guesswork. If you cook mainly white rice, the heating technology and the two texture options still apply, and the extra menus are a bonus rather than the main reason to choose the model.

5.5 Cups or 10 Cups: Which Size Suits You?

Because the technology is shared, size is the main choice. The Zojirushi NW-YAQ10 has a 1.0L capacity and cooks up to 5.5 cups of white rice, which suits individuals, couples and smaller households. It measures 25.0 x 36.5 x 20.5 cm and weighs about 5.5 kg, so it fits kitchens and apartments with limited bench space. The Zojirushi NW-YAQ18 has a 1.8L capacity and cooks 2 to 10 cups of white rice, which suits families, larger households and anyone who cooks for gatherings. It measures 27.5 x 39.0 x 24.0 cm and weighs about 6.5 kg. A household of three sits between the two, so it comes down to whether you often cook extra for leftovers or guests. Rice cooker cups are about 180ml of uncooked rice.

Easy Care and the Instruction Manual

Cleaning is the part of a pressure rice cooker that puts some people off, so it helps to know how these models are built. The product details describe a steam-ventless structure and a removable inner lid with no pressure control ball, which means there is no ball to remove and clean after cooking. Both models are built the same way, so care requirements are not a reason to choose one size over the other. As with any rice cooker, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and use. Zojirushi publishes an Australian instruction manual for the NW-YAQ, which you can read before buying in its English PDF. Our own manuals page is also worth checking for the manuals of other Zojirushi models.

Choosing by Household

If you are unsure which size fits, start from how many people you cook for and how much bench space you have:

Frequently Asked Questions