How does the Hotaru IH rice cooker cook differently to my old rice cooker?
Induction Heating (IH) rice cookers cook differently from conventional rice cookers, and understanding this difference can help you get the very best results from Fuji.
A conventional rice cooker generally uses a heating element beneath the inner bowl. The element heats up and transfers heat into the bowl and then into the rice and water.
An IH rice cooker works in a fundamentally different way. Instead of relying on a separate heating plate as the primary source of heat, Fuji uses magnetic induction coils to create a rapidly changing magnetic field. This induces electrical currents, known as eddy currents, within the compatible metal inner bowl, causing the bowl itself to heat.
The result is rapid, direct and highly responsive heating. Because the heat is generated directly by the inner bowl, Fuji can change and control cooking temperatures much more quickly and precisely than a conventional heating system.
This is particularly important for Fuji because its cooking programmes use carefully controlled changes in temperature throughout the cooking cycle. The cooker can rapidly increase, decrease and maintain heat as required, helping to achieve the desired texture and flavour from different types of rice.
You may need to adjust your water quantity
If you are moving from a conventional rice cooker to Fuji, you may find that the same rice-to-water quantities you used previously need a small adjustment.
This is completely normal. IH technology applies heat differently, and the more direct and responsive heating can change the way rice absorbs and retains water during cooking.
The type, age, brand and variety of rice can also make a difference, so it may take a couple of cooking cycles to find the exact quantity that works best for your preferred rice.
Here are the two most common adjustments:
Rice is too soggy or wet
→ Try using slightly less water next time.
Rice is too dry or overcooked
→ Try using slightly more water next time.
Make small adjustments rather than changing the quantity dramatically. Once you have found the ideal rice-to-water ratio for the rice you regularly use, Fuji should give you consistently excellent results, time after time.
It is worth spending a little time getting this right because once your preferred quantities are established, the cooker takes care of the complex temperature changes and cooking phases for you.
Why does Fuji have a higher wattage?
You may notice that IH rice cookers generally have a higher wattage rating than conventional rice cookers. This does not necessarily mean that they use more electricity overall.
Wattage indicates the rate at which an appliance uses electricity while it is operating. It does not, by itself, tell you how much electricity is consumed during an entire cooking cycle.
IH heating is highly efficient because heat is generated directly within the inner bowl rather than being transferred from a separate heating element. The heating response is almost instantaneous and can be precisely controlled, meaning energy is directed where it is needed with less heat lost during the transfer process.
The result can be more efficient use of energy, despite the higher peak wattage of an IH appliance. Actual energy consumption will depend on factors such as the cooking programme selected, the quantity of rice being cooked and the length of the cooking cycle.
For more detailed information about energy consumption and how to use your rice cooker efficiently, please see our regional energy guidance:
🇬🇧 UK customers: Yum Asia UK – Energy Use Guidance
🇪🇺 European customers: Yum Asia Europe – Energy Use Guidance
🇺🇸 USA customers: Yum Asia USA – Energy Use Guidance
Fuji's IH technology provides fast, precise and responsive heating, giving the cooker much greater control over the cooking process. Once you have adjusted your water quantities to suit your preferred rice, you can enjoy the benefits of IH cooking and consistently excellent rice with minimal effort.