Customer Reviews

Panasonic SR-W18PB Rice Cooker/Steamer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After contemplating buying a rice cooker for a few weeks, I decided I would buy an entry level rice cooker. This came from the epiphany I had while eating another flavorless serving of instant brown rice. Being a bachelor, I need a way to prepare rice easily and quickly, so instant rice had been my choice for some years.

I had read several buying guides and reviews online, and knew I wanted the following features:
- It had to be under [price]. Being I had never cooked with a rice cooker, I did not want to spend too much money buying something I might not use or like.
- It had to have a non-stick surface on the pot
- It had to be by a reputible Japanese brand
- It had to have a steaming tray
- It had to be small, being I would only be cooking for myself

This model fit all the criteria. The rice comes out fantastic. I learned that although the owner's manual may say to use 1.25 cups of water for each cup of rice, the rice comes out too dry and even burns on the bottom. Using 2 cups of water to each cup of rice corrected this. I have so far cooked brown and basmati rice with the cooker and they both were excellent. I soak the rice for thirty minutes, then turn on the cooker. After about 20 to 30 minutes, the cooker turns off, and I have delicious, hot, moist, healthy rice.

This is a great, small, basic, and inexpensive cooker. Nothing fancy, just good rice. I know I will upgrade to a fancier model in the future, but for now, this Panasonic one is just fine.

I bought this little rice cooker, and it's charming. However, you have to soak the rice in it for 30 minutes before you can turn it on and start it cooking. Duh! Why isn't that built into the logic? I'm a crockpot queen -- the 'fix it and forget it' type of cook. It annoys me that I have to think about this thing after dumping the rice in, which defeats the concept of "automatic" in my book. Call me too demanding technologically, but why didn't they build the 30 minutes into its features? I don't understand the logic here. Anyway, I still like it and it beats cooking rice the old-fashioned way -- but it's not much of a time-saver or convenience with this thirty minute barrier.

I got this to replace an old hitachi rice cooker (lasted 9 years). After trying it for a few times, I returned it. It takes too long to cook the rice, you have to soak the rice for 30 minutes before cooking, then turn it on, then it takes about another 30 minutes. (I can make rice quicker using the stove). I followed the manufacturer's instructions, rice browned on the bottom, and cooked uneven. I tried to adjust the water, either rice turned out uncooked or too soft. The only thing good it was easy to clean, but so was my old Hitachi rice cooker that did not had the nonstick surface.

This is an inexpensive rice cooker, and as such does not quite turn out the quality of rice that some of the more expensive models do. It IS, however, a terrific value for your money. I've owned mine for over 6 months now and it has consistantly turned out delicious rice and steamed veggies. Occasionally the rice gets a little over-cooked on the bottom, but in general it is a great inexpensive rice cooker, and I have no real complaints!

Rice cookers have changed rice cooking from an art to just pushing a button ending both scorching and undercooking rice. Steamer cooked rice is uniformly good. Panasonic has come up with a no frill, basic, rice cooker and general steamer that is simple yet very well made. It is the perfect family household size and does everything well. I like the full 600 watts heating element because it is so quick. TDhere is no need to worry about burning the rice anymore because the rapid detection and power reduction (from "cook" to "keep warm") prevents burning. The non stick pan is essential, expecially for cooking the sticky shorter grain rices used for suchi or rice pudding. The stamer basket, which converts the rice cooker to a general purpose stamer, has a hidden but added useful feature. If the steamer pan were to run out of water (it happens!) the power is automatically reduced from "stam" to "keep warm" preventing scorching. I find this cooker simple, neat and easy to clean. and I strongly recommend it.

This is a good rice cooker, but the Rival stainless steel one is better (more solid, actually cooks a bit better). I would have purchased the Rival as I did for another home, but I needed a white finish to go with this particular kitchen.

This is inexpensive rice cooker that will do the job right. What was important for me is the fact that I load the stuff in and get the cooked rice. It does not always work perfectly since I use different rice, but I am very satisfied with the pruchased. I got it below $30, when there was special discount. At that price it made a great gift idea, so I bought two!

Highly recommend!

It is excellent one except for a little bit long cooking time.
Non-stick pot and some fun in steaming food. And I never burned the rice on the bottom.

We have had the rice cooker for over two a half years now and so far no problems to report. Rice is a big part of our daily meals so longevity and ease of use are key features for us. We have used it at least twice a day. We previously had a Rival brand that lasted shorter than a test airing of a TV pilot.
The non-stick surface has held up. You pay more with this brand and model but it's worth it. Cooking white rice is a breeze; just wash, set water, press to cook and that's it. You may have to add or lessen the water for consistency, depending on the kind, jasmine, long grain, etc. If you need to cook more than 7 cups, it might be better to split it in two batches. The unit will not cook properly for higher amounts, but this is an issue for all rice cookers this size. From experience a rice cooker with a bigger base pot will be able to handle bigger amounts in a single batch. You should not experience any boil overs with this model but if you do, crack the lid open just a little.
The steamer attachment is a bonus.

I thought of buying a rice cooker . i already heared about this one from my friends. so i bought this one. its very easy to use and to clean. i got very nice cooked rice.i use this cooker to prepare fried rice . it came good. i love this one!!!