This was posted 7 years 7 months 22 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Tiger Rice Cooker JBA-T18A (Made in Japan) $300 at Costco (Membership Required)

1710

First deal, please be nice etc.

I've been looking for a new Tiger brand rice cooker (well known to be the best brand going) for a while, but they seem to be expensive and hard to find at a bricks and mortar shop. My girlfriend picked up this rice cooker from Costco today, and not only is it at least $50 cheaper than any I could find on eBay, Costco has a great warranty in the unlikely case that anything goes wrong with it.

Made in Japan. Around 20 of these were in stock at the Canberra Costco today. Available in fashionable Urban Beige. Deal will probably end when Costco is sold out. Not sure if available in all Costcos.

Get your fluffy, toothy, delicious rice on, OzBargainers.

$305.03 @ Catering Sale - thanks/credit to monkp

Related Stores

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closed Comments

  • +2

    I've got a cheap Breville rice cooker that I bought from TGGs' deal late last year, and I've just cooked rice with it tonight. It cost me like $25 or something, and I am happy with the rice it cooks and how quick it cooks. There is no way I would ever pay $300 for a rice cooker, you can neg me all you want.

    • Don't worry, you probably won't get many negs because the negged comments did one or many of these things:
      - negative voted a valid deal
      - insulted others about their choice in rice cooker
      - were overtly or subtly racist

      Your preferences and choices are a perfectly valid contribution to the conversation.

  • How do the 'basic' Tiger rice cookers compare to this model? I'm looking for a 5 cup capacity one, and have been looking at this one for awhile:

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/JAPAN-MADE-TIGER-Rice-Cooker-1L-5…

    Are the basic Tiger models still worth the $$$ ? I like how they've got a bit smaller footprint for my apartment kitchen space.

  • +1

    No thanks. My 10-year-old $20 rice cooker from Harris Scarfe which I regularly use (2-3x/week) is still working perfectly.

  • +1

    Happy with my Breville so far. Can make harder rice for fried rice or soft fluffy rice for curries. Has an option to make congee as well… Never used it cause it says it takes basically all day.

    Cannot justify $300 for a rice cooker.

    Good deal for those that can.

  • +1

    hahahaha I managed to find a 2nd hand one in excellent condition for $100, one of my best purchase.

    Btw, i heard you can replace the inner pot to stainless steel one, but i dont know where to get one.

  • +1

    Had one for almost 10 years now, not the quickest but it cook the rice very well and keep it warm longer too (without burning out)

  • +12

    Funny reading these comments.

    People can't seem to understand that everyone has their own choices and priorities…whether it be rice cookers or apple computers

    Probably a generalisation here, but Asians and especially Chinese are generally conservative with money….so if they think this is a good investment I reckon they probably know what they are talking about

    • People can't seem to understand that everyone has their own choices and priorities…whether it be rice cookers or apple computers

      This needs to be put in bold or something prominently!

    • +2

      Conservative? Not the younger generation mate.

    • Have you been outside a Prada store when there's a sale lately? ;)

  • +3

    Toshiba rice cookers last year from Costco are pretty good too; nice cast iron pan that doesn't have the Teflon coating? Don't know if they're still available.

    • I was thinking to get it but it's too small for me…

  • +4

    I have something similar from Zojirushi. It plays a 'Mary had a little lamb' as a tune when done. Love it.

    • Zojirushi… doing their part to help parents coach their kids into making the rice lol

  • +2

    I think mine was $12 from KMart - love it - perfect rice everytime!

  • +1

    I was going to share this with my parents, but I clicked on the link and it turns out to be the same model as the one I currently use!

  • +2

    Dont buy a tiger get Panasonic instead for half the price. Its just as good. i've used both.If your after best of the best go for a Zojirushi.

  • Go to http://ricecookerworld.com.au they have a shop in Eastwood that model is $355 there but they price match.

  • I feel like I'm missing out. I need to make friends with someone who has this rice cooker to compare.

  • +1

    Got one of these for $275 in 2015. Absolutely the best appliance we own, besides the Thermomix. Didn't realise that rice could taste that good.

  • +7

    I have this rice cooker. I would like to warn of one major flaw. The LED that indicates it is in warming mode is extremely dim. In a well lit room, it is hard to tell if it is on or off. A few times we have left the unit in warming mode overnight because we forgot about it. Compared to my previous cookers where the warming light was much more visible. We now just turn the unit off as soon as the rice is cooked. They might have fixed it with a bright LED, but I don't know. Just wanted to share..

    • How is the quality of the cooked rice compared to other rice cookers?

  • 120 eneloops for a JDM rice cooker. Bargain.

  • +1

    wish i could see this level of passion and dedication when it comes to deep fryers ….. yes i also own rice cookers.

    people seem to talk brands but not how easy is it to take apart to wash …… especially the lid areas…… some you can put the inner out to wash, others you can't so could become mould traps.

  • +1

    Well done on your first deal @Meconium. This has certainly generated some robust discussion and interest!

    • +1

      Even if the OP's nickname is somewhat concerning!

  • +1

    Are they available at sydney costco ? What is price ? I don't have membership. .can i get genuine one from other shop at same price.. Always wanting to have tiger but the price pulls me back..

  • My very recent experience with one of these expensive cookers….however it wasn't a Tiger

    I bought a $800 Zojirushi pressure and induction rice cooker. Supposed to be the best brand and the best cooker available. I did consider the Tiger.
    All I have to say is … thankfully it had a big dent in the aluminium lid and I could send it back to Japan and got a full refund plus reimbursement for my postage.

    It made good rice but not $785 better rice than my $15 microwave rice cooker.

    I presumed that with the induction and pressure it would cook rice really fast. But no, it took 50 minutes to cook a cup of rice (5 cup size). The fast cook setting got it down to 40 minutes.

    The rice was a little fluffier and glossier but it was the biggest anti climax ever. I tried the rice porridge setting and it was crap. Had to finish it off in my normal pressure cooker.

    Also due to having the pressure function, the manual warned of not adding other ingredients such as veggies or small bits of meat too cook the rice with as those bits could get jammed into the pressure valve. With chinese style porridge we always add other ingredients in.

    The 220/230v Asian models did not have the newer "umami" setting that the 110v Jap and USA models had.

    If there was an induction rice cooker from a Japanese brand at the $200 mark I would probably consider getting one again

  • Does no one use a microwave steamer/rice cooker?

    I'm nervous that no one has mentioned these! ha

    • I do. Big red Sistema rice cooker from Woolies that I put in the microwave for 10 minutes with 1 cup of white rice to 2 cups boiling water.

      Bargain fuzzy logic rice.

    • I did that, when I was a student. A kmart rice cooker is easy enough to fire and forget, cooks a lot more too.

  • Can these fuzzy rice style cookers (from all brands) slow cook stews?

    It's the one thing putting me of getting a cheaper Breville style one but they don't appear to slow cook in the same way that their other rice cookers do (or at the least do not advertise).

    • +1

      Yes they do function as a slow cooker, I am unsure as to how well they perform though. This is the slow cook instructions from the rice cooker listed on here, many models seem to share the same manual.

      https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1161220/Tiger-Jba-T10w.htm…

    • +1

      We slow cook japanese curries in our induction Tiger (and also our previous Panasonic). Chop up all the ingredients, chuck it in the cooker, set it and couple of hours later have curry ready to freeze for emergencies.

      • Thanks. With the Panasonic one was there a separate 'slow cook' function, or did you set them to warm or cook mode in order to get a slow cook effect?

        I'm doing a bit of research into one of these cookers and it looks like the Tiger is the only one I can find that does have a slow cook mode. The Breville and Panasonic ones I have been looking at lack a separate 'slow cook' mode or the mode is put into the soup setting (is this the same as slow cooking?).

        Panasonic (was this the one you had?):
        https://www.billyguyatts.com.au/panasonic-1l-rice-cooker-sr-…

        Breville:
        https://www.breville.com.au/the-rice-box-tm-brc460.html

        I guess I am after the functionality of the Tiger at Breville prices :)

        • Can't remember what we did with our Panasonic - missus says she thinks she just put it on porridge mode. It wasn't that model you linked though and I wouldn't for the life of me be able to remember enough to look it up sorry!

    • Unless it has the pressure feature too. Then it is advised not to put any other ingredients in it. If it has induction and pressure then it really is only for rice which is crazy as the cookers with the pressure function are the most expensive and top of the range

  • Where can I find the 5.5 cup cheap (Jap made, NOT Chinese one) - apparently there's a logo emblazoned which makes it clear on the unit?

  • $300?!? Or use a pot + absorption method for the same thing!

  • We used to use a rice cooker, for sure a $50 one that is 10 years old is better then a $10 one you get from kmart but I have used the stovetop for the past few years. Dad made his on stovetop and im used to that, asked him how and he said look it up.

    Basically, you want 2cm of water above your rice, crank on high for 10 mins or till boiling, stir, drop to low for 4 mins, put the lid on for another 4 mins and done. Stays warm for 45 no prob. This is for roughly 3-4 cups, I dont measure- just pour from a container, stove is gas and just use a 20cm pot.

    Different rice needs slight changes, long grain I like a bit more water so its softer and I will cover it for 8 mins on low instead of 4 off 4 on. If you like softer add a bit more water, harder use less water. I just eyeball it.

    This boils it at first and steams at the end with more emphasis on steam at the end for fluffier rice. If you are worried you can get a spoon and check the bottom in the last 2 mins to see how its going. If its dry/burning but still hard you can add 30ml of water to extend the steam and not burn it. If its wet its too much water or needs another 2-4 mins

    use a timer so you dont forget. I use the microwave

    $120 to cook rice? Nope not unless you are cooking massive batches and need 5

  • +1

    Midwife ?

    • Or new parent!

  • Just buy the $10 one from kmart. Had it for 2 years and its never missed a beat!

  • What material is the non-stick coating made of? is it likely to peel off like every other cheapo rice cookers?

    Also, Tiger or Cuckoo?

  • -4

    $300 for a lousy rice cooker with an enclosure made of cheap ivory plastic?!!! That's a blatant rip off. After all, a rice cooker is nothing but heating elements and a thermostat plus a timer at best. Save at least $200 of that, go to a Persian grocery shop in town and buy an Iranian rice cooker made of SS that lasts you 10-15 years in the worst case scenario. I also used to cook soup and pottage in those during military service! These are mostly modified replicas of 70's Panasonic rice cookers except that they can make the most delicious and crunchy rice/potato/bread crust in the world, if you care to eat rice in any way but steamed and sticky.

    • +1

      Or go to a Kmart grocery shop in town and buy 10 rice cookers that lasts you 30 years in the worst case scenario.

      • Yep, they all do the same thing… boil until dry then they turn off, or turn on/off intermittently to make a crust. That's not rocket science.

      • Those from kmart are rubbish. Cooking element is not the problem there, but the non-stick coating last only 3 months if you use daily.
        That's fine if you prefer to have some additional teflon flake with your rice.

    • http://www.panasonic.hk/chinese/products/kitchen/rice-cooker…

      $300 Aud is not that bad, compare to the one above…$8800 HKD~ Just shy of 1500 AUD

      Tiger is a good brand, they last a long time~ Justifiable if you cook rice everyday like some of us here ~

    • depends.. expensive rice cookers can include:

      • induction heating
      • have separate heating for the lid to stop condensation buildup
      • can be locked and pressurised to speed up cooking
      • are fuzzy logic (ie PID) controlled
      • include timer function to allow you to set your rice to be freshly made in the morning
      • include settings for white, brown, mixed grain rice, as well as soup porridge or even cake (not that I've ever tried that function)
      • including settings to allow for enzymatic action to convert some of the starch in white rice to sugars or activate brown rice to apparently increase amino acids.
  • Its deleted in Costco system. Not available :((

    • There's still plenty of stock

      • Which store is that? I just been to Costco Casula NSW. They could not have any either on shelves

        • Someone else said Auburn had plenty. Also Brisbane and Canberra

        • +1

          @Meconium: Auburn is definitely not. Nit sure other city

  • Can you tell me the weight of the cooking bowl please?

  • Anyone seen stock in Melb?

    • They do but $500+

      • Sorry the 500+ one is a different model

    • +1

      None at Costco Ringwood when I had a look yesterday

    • Apparently no mid range cookers in Melbourne according to Moorabbin Costco. Is this true?

  • +1

    I eat rice everyday.
    This is overrated and don't waste your money, go buy cheap Kmart rice cooker. Makes prefect rice and absolutely no difference in results.
    I've been using Kmart one for 8 years!

    If rice sticks to bottom it means you have scratched off the teflon, time to buy a new pan and treat the pan better with plastic scoop or avoid scoop touching the pan. Clean only with water and detergent, foam or cloth only. Even with expensive brand eventually teflon will wear out and need to buy new pan.

    • what type of rice?

      • I now only cook brown rice, but in the past I cook with white jasmine rice. Have also tried Basmati and biryani without issue!

        For those who complain about water sputtering, a very simple solution is to cover the rice cooker with a kitchen cloth. Yes, you cover the entire cooker with a cloth and it still works, the stream with pass through and the water sputtering will be capture. It will not damage the cooker.

        • the reason i ask is longer grain rice you can cook anyhow easily - microwave, cheap rice cooker etc.
          Shorter grain e.g. sushi rice, etc to get it fluffy, soft, but not to soft is not that easy IMO. But it also depends on how fussy you are with your rice.
          I'm pretty happy with rice as long as it is cooked. Don't mind bit overcooked. Happily cook rice in the microwave. okok

  • +1

    Thankyou Ozbargain, for my education in rice. Off to buy some dong bei variety and look for Japanese made rice cookers!

  • +1

    It looks like it should be vacuuming the floor at the same time…

  • +2

    People who crap on this deal probably don't appreciate/have ever tasted good rice.

    • Some professionals compared some fuzzy logic rice cookers and found one of the cheapest - a US$30 one from Aroma (sold in US Target) was best. https://www.cooksillustrated.com/equipment_reviews/1596-rice… (unfortunately behind a paywall).

      There are people who spend $300 on Monster HDMI because they're worried what their friends will think or have no idea how HDMI works.

      Unless a blind test is performed no one knows what they really prefer. But a lot of struggling families may want to save the money for more important things.

      But you're right. A lot of people don't care about rice to begin with.

  • I own the Panasonic 10cup rice cooker and have used Breville/Tiger/Kambrook in the past.

    Kambrook - Horrible. Cost $40 which was 'mid range' but made horrible rice. The steam outlet spits out water everywhere, and the rice is really dry the following day. If you add too much water then it spits all over your kitchen! Company did not want to know about the issues. Avoid!

    Panasonic - The difference between the Kambrook and the Panasonic is chalk and cheese. Consistent rice, quick cook function. No spitting of water from the steam outlet. Rice tastes great for the next few days!

    Breville - Folks got this after their Tiger died. It was great but busted within one year of warranty. They took it back to Myers and got a replacement.

    The good things about the Tiger other than the outstanding build quality are the following:
    There is a little plastic cup that collects the condensation when you open the lid. The panasonic/breville pools around the top of the cooker.
    There is a little spatula holder whereas the Pansonic cooker does not. Cant remember if the Brevile does.

    Obviously the little things mentioned above is not worth paying an extra 200 for it, however one has to wonder how long the Breville/Panasonic will last if used everyday.

  • +1

    Just cooked 1 cup of rice in my tefal and 1 cup in my brand new tiger. I'm amazed on what I have missed out on all these years.

    • -1

      Does your Tefal have multi programs with fuzzy logic?

      • No just cook and keep warm for rice cooking option.

        • Tefal flagship models (e.g. http://www.tefal.com.au/Cooking-appliances/Rice%2C-Pressure-…) are way better with options for different rice types/textures.

          There is no rocket science with rice cookers at all; fuzzy logic technologies are already 30 years old. Of course Tiger cookers are worth every cent you pay, mainly for their Japanese quality control and insane durability that many of us don't really care nowadays.

  • -1

    $300 bucks for a rice cooker and it's on ozbargain? wat a joke

  • If this is worth $300 then I don't want it. Now that I know it's amazing and life changing I'll have something to look forward to.

    Does anyone know of an Asian restaurant that cooks rice with one of these god-mode cookers? Might make a family event out of it in July when I get my rebate.

  • This does not make sunrice rice taste any better. Do yourself a favor and buy Rice from Asian Groceries.

  • $300???

    I found this exact same model at several Asian groceries for $225-280. I bought mine somewhere in Sydney for $225, check your Asian groceries first.

    • $225 is a bargain - I would get one at that price. Any chance you can recall the shop?

  • I honestly don't understand why people buy expensive rice cookers. We used to buy a new rice cooker every 1.5 years, but last year dad bucked the trend and got a $15 Kmart one. Works the same, and we could replace it every month and still be ahead financially. What makes these expensive ones so good? Our old one could bake a cake, but the cake tasted like shit because it wasn't actually baked.

    • +4

      I don't understand why people have problems with an expensive rice cooker. If so many people in Asian community are willing to pay for such an expensive rice cooker then maybe there is a reason.
      I can buy a pot from Coles for 10 bucks or i can go for a cast iron casserole selling for $399, the do the same thing.actually cast iron makes really tasty rice(better than Tiger). for me how to make really tasty rice is more important. If you think they are the same then i think it is actually good because you dont have to buy a 300 dollars rice cooker. if you cannot taste the difference maybe people who want this rice cooker can.
      This is just like some people are happy with starbucks coffee or instant coffee, some people would prefer speciality coffee. I don't understand why so many people want to prove this is not a good deal, this may not be the lowest price but still OK.

      • Dad likes to cook rice in an earthenware pot when he has the time to do so. It does taste better. The only thing the expensive rice cookers have done in the past that this el cheapo one can't is bake a cake.

      • -1

        After going to Japan there's no doubt about it, they know how to make good rice. Only way I can do the same is through a rice cooker, but to get it to perfection I had to buy Japanese or Korean grown rice.

  • I'm still trying to work out if this is a joke.. why pay $300 for a machine that boils water to cook rice?

  • What does this do that you can't do on the stovetop?

    Honestly, I prefer south asian style rice like basmati anyway (i.e. Tilda), which is best cooked on the stovetop after soaking in cold water for 1/2 an hr.

    I thought this was an April fools joke when I saw it

  • So how much is it normally?

    • Around $350+ online. And as someone pointed out $312 at catering sale, probably under a promotion

  • Most Asian shops sell this for around $250. That's what I paid anyway.

    • where about please? is that exactly the same model that you bought?

    • Where? Which exact model #?

  • +1

    You muppets complaining about the cook time. Just put it on before you start cooking your meals. Cooked rice can stay in the rice cooker for at least an hour and still taste great !

  • +1

    You people are nucking futz. You cook rice in a saucepan, with water in it. No problem.

  • +1

    This thread is probably the most entertaining I've read on OzBargain. Nice find OP, it's been quite a ride!

  • Bit OT but I've got an old tiger rice cooker however missing the inner lid. Is this problematic?

  • -3

    I am surprised there are items still made in Japan, because of you know what.

  • How thick is the base on the bowl? (Mine is very thin)

    I cannot recommend tiger products as my old one with fuzzy logic burns a crust at the bottom.

    Lots of people like that crust but I think it is evil tasting.

    I think whether it does or not depends on your model and the thickness of the base of the bowl.

  • +1

    Who else here measures the water for their rice using the first line on your finger?
    :) :) :)

    • +1

      I do!! I don't understand why people need to measure rice & water content with measuring cups.

      Also, does anybody mix grains to get a better texture? Eg. Long with jasmine grain.

      Tiger is a great brand btw!

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