The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 is a 3-cup microcomputer rice cooker that makes fluffy, tasty rice. It also has a steel cut oatmeal menu setting. However, due to its small capacity, it is only useful for singles or couples. This Zojirushi NS-LGC05 review discusses its features, controls, settings, and more.
Zojirushi NS-LGC05: Best Features
To begin with, here is a short list of what I think are the best features of the Zojirushi NS-LGC05 Micom rice cooker and warmer:
- Menu setting for steel cut oatmeal.
- GABA brown rice menu setting.
- Retractable power cord for easy cord storage.
- Automatic keep warm and reheating button.
- Adjustable keep warm temperature presets.
- Inner lid can be detached for easy cleaning.
- Delay timer for making oatmeal overnight for breakfast.
Control Panel
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 has an LCD with a clock, which is powered by an internal coin-shaped lithium battery. This battery might need replacement after a few years. The battery has to be replaced by Zojirushi. You cannot replace it yourself.
The rice cooker is controlled with the following buttons: Keep Warm, Menu, Cancel, Timer, Time Setting, Start/Reheat.
Keep Warm And Reheat
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 rice cooker keeps the rice warm for up to 12 hours. The display will warn you when the rice has been kept warm for more than 12 hours by blinking “12h” on the screen. You should use the rice as soon as possible.
The rice cooker will not count up to twelve hours after the MIXED or STEEL CUT OATMEAL setting has completed cooking because keeping such dishes warm is not supported by the manufacturer. The display will start blinking at “0h” to remind you to cancel the keep warm mode and consume the rice or oatmeal.
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 has an adjustable keep warm with a few preset temperature settings. You should only change the keep warm temperature if the rice regularly develops a foul odor (too low) or becomes too dry (too high). Of course, foul odors might also develop due to insufficient cleaning. Follow the directions in the product manual to either change the temperature setting or to clean the rice cooker.
The reheat function is only available during the keep warm cycle. Reheating is only recommended for white rice because other types of rice might scorch or discolor. It takes about 9 minutes to reheat white rice that has been kept warm.
Zojirushi NS-LGC05: Menu Settings
- White/Mixed Rice
- Sushi Rice
- Brown Rice
- GABA Brown Rice
- Long Grain White Rice
- Steel Cut Oatmeal
- Quick Cooking
Timer Settings
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 has two timer settings which, once they are set, are stored in the memory of the rice cooker. The preset for Timer 1 is “6:00”. The preset for Timer 2 is “18:00”. You can edit and set Timer 1 for breakfast and change Timer 2 for dinner. Never add ingredients that might spoil after a few hours when using the timer function. This is especially true during the hot summer months.
Inner Cooking Pot
The nonstick coating of the cooking pot needs special attention. The coating can be damaged by hard utensils, abrasive brushes and nylon sponges. Do not clean the pot in the dishwasher. You should clean it with a soft sponge. You can buy a new cooking pot from Zojirushi if the pot gets too ugly to use.
Steam Vent
Excess steam escapes through the steam vent. Steel cut oatmeal will tend to leave a messy residue in the steam vent. The steam vent has a removable steam vent cap, which should be cleaned after every use.
Inner Lid
The inner lid is detachable for easy cleaning after every use. You may wash and rinse it in water with a soft sponge. The gasket of the inner lid cannot be removed. Take the time to clean the inside of the outer lid with a damp cloth while the inner lid is drying. Replace the inner lid carefully according to the instructions in the product manual.
Retractable Power Cord
The retractable power cord is 3 feet and 7 inches long (1.1 meters). The power cord is extended by pulling it out, but not beyond the red mark on the cord. The power cord can be retracted when you want to store the rice cooker away. Unplug the power plug, pull the cord out another inch and let it go. It should retract automatically.
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 uses only 450 watts to cook rice. Its average power consumption when keeping rice warm is only 28 watts!
Accessories
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 comes with three accessories: a 6 oz. measuring cup, spatula and spatula holder. There is a small attachment on the side of the rice cooker body where you can insert the hook of the holder. You may then rest the spatula in the holder if it is firmly in place.
Zojirushi NS-LGC05 vs. NS-LAC05
The new Zojirushi NS-LGC05 replaces the older NS-LAC05 (reviewed here). The NS-LAC05 was a popular and highly rated 3-cup Zojirushi rice cooker and warmer. They look almost exactly the same. However, the previous model NS-LAC05 only had five menu settings: White/Mixed, Sushi, Porridge, Brown and Quick Cooking. The new model NS-LGC05 has seven menu settings which include GABA BROWN RICE, STEEL CUT OATMEAL and LONG GRAIN WHITE RICE.
Where is the porridge setting?
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 does not have a setting for making rice porridge. The STEEL CUT OATMEAL setting has replaced it on this rice cooker. Customers in the US rarely make rice porridge, so the menu setting was changed to steel cut oats to satisfy the US market.
The cooking pot can make a maximum of 1.5 cups of steel cut oats without boiling over. It cooks the oats in about 53 to 59 minutes. Combine this menu setting with the delay timer to make steel cut oat porridge for breakfast. However, the manual states that you should not set the delay timer for longer than 8 hours when cooking steel cut oats due to the risk of spoilage.
Where is the steamer basket?
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 is too small to have a steamer basket. There is not enough room inside the pot for a bulky steamer basket.
You might take a look at the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 rice cooker, which has a STEAM setting and a BPA-free steaming basket. You may read its review if you are interested in a Zojirushi rice cooker with a steamer tray.
Zojirushi NS-LGC05: Verdict
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05 is recommended for a single person or a couple due to its small rice cooking capacity of only three cups. It cooks very tasty white rice, brown rice and steel cut oat porridge. It is a worthy successor to the Zojirushi NS-LAC05.
If you like what you have read about the Zojirushi NS-LGC05 Micom rice cooker and warmer, then you may check its price on Amazon (paid link). Thank you for reading my Zojirushi NS-LGC05 rice cooker and warmer review.