Zojirushi Rizo rice cooker plans western invasion

Written by: Rebecca Milner on February 15, 2008 at 9:15 pm | In 01 Technology & Gadget Trends |

The electric rice cooker is an essential appliance in any Japanese home and if maker Zojirushi has anything to do with it, will soon be a fixture in western homes as well. In response to the growing overseas interest in rice as a staple food, and Asian cuisine in general, Zojirushi has created a model, the Rizo, whose design has the western kitchen in mind.

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Whether or not we agree that the pot is particularly western, we do agree that designer Toshinobu Kita, a product designer with extensive European and American experience under his belt, has made a very sleek item.

And it has a special function for making risotto! Though at ¥18,900 for a three-cup capacity it isn’t cheap.

In a somewhat different vein, Zujirushi has also developed a system for using common household appliances, like the electric rice cooker or electric kettle, to keep an eye on grandma.

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The service will send an email twice daily to a designated mobile phone detailing which appliances have been in use since the last update, allowing busy urban housewives to feel reassured that their country bound elderly parents are up and about, making tea.

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  1. Sleek Zojirushi Rizo Rice Cooker Is for Dumb Westerners…

    Japanese rice cookers are so much better than the crappy American knockoffs I’ve dealt with that also purport to perform other, multiple feats of kitchen magic, but do so miserably. So I’m pretty stoked that Zojirushi is prepping a Western……

    Trackback by Gizmodo — February 16, 2008 #

  2. Zojirushi Appliances Text You to Keep Grandma From Burning Down the House…

    You know, if your grandma is old and senile enough that you need a twice-daily email letting you know when she last used which appliances and for how long, it might be time to stick her in a home. But……

    Trackback by Gizmodo — February 16, 2008 #

  3. Zojirushi Appliances Text You to Keep Grandma From Burning Down the House…

    You know, if your grandma is old and senile enough that you need a twice-daily email letting you know…

    Trackback by Tech|noob — February 16, 2008 #

  4. Technologize your kitchen with Zojirushi Rizo rice cooker…

    Rice is the staple diet of Japanese people. However, this diet goes global when a UFO shape rice cooker takes over your kitchen. Rizo’s designs are renowned in Western Markets. It is sleek yet stylish as an appliance in……

    Trackback by Gizmodiva.com — February 21, 2008 #

  5. […] are seeing a lot of technological development directed towards Japan’s growing elderly population. Sometimes, however, it just takes a little […]

    Pingback by Trends in Japan » “Grandchild’s foot” helps you get your socks on — April 18, 2008 #

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