Hello! I am Ogamari.
Measuring rice, measuring water, and pressing the "cook" button - this is something I do every day, but it is a burden. I am a pain in the ass, so I wanted to reduce even this process.
That's when I found Panasonic's SR-AX1 Automatic Measuring IH Rice Cooker. This rice cooker is a dream come true for me, as all I had to do was set the rice and water and it would automatically measure out the rest.
We have actually tried it and here is how it worked out!
What kind of rice cooker is the SR-AX1?
The SR-AX1 Automatic Measuring IH Rice Cooker is an automatic measuring IH rice cooker sold by Panasonic. The main feature of this rice cooker is that it has a built-in rice tank and water tank, and automatically weighs the rice and water that you set in the cooker. This eliminates the need to "measure the rice" and "adjust the water" each time, allowing you to cook rice with less hassle.
https://panasonic.jp/suihan/products/SR-AX1.html
With a cooking capacity of 0.5 to 2 cups of rice, it is suitable for small families and is compact, with a main unit width of approximately 17 cm. The cooking time can be reserved and operated via a smartphone app, making it possible to prepare freshly cooked rice in time for when you get home.
I actually used it.
In this case, we used a subscriber service called FOODABLE to rent the space.
https://foodable.jpn.panasonic.com/course/rice_cooker/ax1
What is FOODABLE?
A subscription service offered by Panasonic that provides Panasonic kitchen appliance rentals and carefully selected food items.
This time the no-wash rice course is,
- SR-AX1 automatic metering IH rice cooker
- Wash-free rice (5 2 kg x 5 bags delivered the first time, with regular deliveries thereafter)
is included in the set.
The monthly fee is 1,980 yen (including tax and shipping), with a minimum of 18 months. The rice cooker can be purchased at the end of the term.
setup
The first thing that surprised me when it arrived was how compact it looks. It is only a little over 17 cm wide, so it fits in the cracks of your kitchen.
Zap the washed rice into the rice tank and fill the water tank with water. This is all that is needed to complete the preparation...!
I don't have to measure rice and adjust the water level each time, so that alone eliminates a lot of stress.
rice cooking
Rice cooking can be started instantly with a touch on the unit or with an app on your smartphone. You can also make reservations via the app on your smartphone, so you can adjust the cooking time to coincide with your return home.
It is too good for working families to have "freshly cooked rice" automatically waiting for them when they return home!
finish
The rice is fluffy and cooked to 2 cups, so you can't cook a large amount, but it's enough for everyday eating. I was wondering how the taste would be since it is washed rice, but it tastes good as usual!
(I wish I could have taken more delicious pictures... lol)
Good points and things you should know
Some of them are good points that we have actually used, and some are things that it would be better to know in advance. Please refer to them as points that need to be considered!
The good part
- No need to weigh in!
Anyway, "Hey, how many pints did I put in?" I don't have to think about it. No worries even in the morning when you are sleepy. No worries about spilling it! - Can be operated with a smartphone!
Forget to cook rice in the evening! problem will be eliminated. It is also helpful on days when you can't predict when you will be home! - Easy to care for!
Since only the inner pot and lid need to be washed, daily maintenance is quick. This is a great point, because automated appliances like this often have many parts and the maintenance process can be troublesome. - The size is compact and just right!
It is slim enough not to get in the way in a small kitchen. The design is also simple, so it fits in well.
What you need to know
- no-rinse rice only
Since there is no function to wash rice, it is naturally limited to no-rinse rice. I have no particular preference, so this is not a problem for me, but it may not be suitable for those who want to freely choose the brand of rice. Also, because of the way it works, it is not possible to cook rice with it. - Low capacity
The maximum is 2 cups, which is not enough for a large family. It may be a little short for those who want to cook in batches and freeze them every day. - No heat-retention function
Since there is no heat-retention function, it is supposed to be eaten as soon as it is finished cooking. It may not be suitable for households where people eat at different times, or for people who want to cook the rice at night and leave it until morning for lunch boxes. - Errors can cause it to fail.
Once I forgot to set the water and got an error. I tried to cook the rice as it was, but the water and rice capacity was bugged and a ridiculous amount of rice was cooked...(and it cooked halfway through). It is easy to forget to set the water!
Although there are a few points that I was concerned about, they are minor compared to the benefit of "just put in the rice and water, and it will cook the rice automatically"! For me, the fact that I can let go of the entire process of daily rice preparation, including measuring, washing, and adjusting the amount of water, is by far the most valuable thing I have ever done!
For those who cook rice every day but want to do it with as little effort as possible, the SR-AX1 automatic rice cooker is a strong ally. foodable's no-wash rice course frees you from the task of buying rice. If you are a hassle-free person like me and are also busy with daily childcare and work, please check out this product!
Child of the Week.pluralizing suffix (esp. for people
My second daughter celebrated her first birthday in no time. She loves to eat rice and gobbles up as much food as an adult. I hope she will be strong and healthy for another year together with my eldest daughter!
Ogamari (IT enthusiast)
A new mother who gave birth in May 2010, she is a freelance website developer, computer instructor, and programming tutor. Her hobbies are watching comedy and bowling (she is a bowler, but is taking a break due to the birth of her child).
Operates "MOMIT," an online IT community for moms only.
https://momit.jp/