Zojirushi NL-BAC05 - User Manual

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Summary

Tips for Delicious Rice

Achieving Delicious Rice

Guidance on measuring, cleaning, and adjusting water for optimal rice texture.

Cooking Rice

Basic Rice Cooking Steps

Step-by-step guide to cooking rice, from measuring to completion.

Tips for Various Rice Menus

Menu settings, water levels, and notes for cooking different types of rice.

Keeping Rice Warm

Regular vs. Extended Keep Warm Modes

Explanation of the two Keep Warm modes and their usage limitations.

Error Displays and Their Meanings

Summary

Tips for Delicious Rice

Achieving Delicious Rice

Guidance on measuring, cleaning, and adjusting water for optimal rice texture.

Cooking Rice

Basic Rice Cooking Steps

Step-by-step guide to cooking rice, from measuring to completion.

Tips for Various Rice Menus

Menu settings, water levels, and notes for cooking different types of rice.

Keeping Rice Warm

Regular vs. Extended Keep Warm Modes

Explanation of the two Keep Warm modes and their usage limitations.

Error Displays and Their Meanings

This document is an operating manual for the Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer, model NL-BAC05.

Function Description

The Zojirushi NL-BAC05 is a multi-functional kitchen appliance designed primarily for cooking and warming various types of rice. Beyond its core rice cooking capabilities, it also features a "Cake" menu setting, allowing users to bake cakes. The rice cooker utilizes Micom (microcomputer) technology to make adjustments to cooking time and temperature, ensuring optimal results for different rice varieties and cooking conditions. It includes a "Keep Warm" mode with both "Regular" and "Extended" options to maintain rice at an ideal serving temperature for extended periods, and a "Reheat" function to warm up cooled rice. A "Timer" function allows for scheduled cooking completion.

Important Technical Specifications

Model No.: NL-BAC05
Rating: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Electric Consumption: 500 W
Average Power Consumption during Keep Warm: 24 W
Rice Cooking System: Direct Heating
Power Cord Length: 3' 7" (1.1 m)
External Dimensions (approx.):
- W x D x H: 9-3/8" x 12-7/8" x 7-7/8" (14-3/8" with Outer Lid open)
- W x D x H (cm): 23.5 x 32.5 x 19.5 (36.5 with Outer Lid open)
Weight (approx.): 6 lbs. (2.7 kg)
Cooking Capacity (approx. L / cups) for various menu settings:
- WHITE (short/medium grain white rice): 0.09-0.54 L / [0.5-3] cups
- SUSHI (short/medium grain white rice): 0.18-0.54 L / [1-3] cups
- QUICK (short/medium grain white rice): 0.09-0.54 L / [0.5-3] cups
- BROWN (short/medium grain brown rice): 0.09-0.36 L / [0.5-2] cups
- LONG GRAIN WHITE (long grain white rice): 0.09-0.54 L / [0.5-3] cups
- QUINOA: 0.09-0.27 L / [0.5-1.5] cups
- STEEL CUT OATMEAL: 0.09-0.27 L / [0.5-1.5] cups
- CAKE: All-purpose flour, 2.1 oz. / 60 g (maximum capacity)
Internal Battery: Contains a CR Coin Lithium Battery for saving time and menu settings when unplugged. Special handling may apply for disposal (California USA only).

Usage Features

Menu Settings: Offers dedicated settings for White/Sushi, Quick, Brown, Long Grain White, Quinoa, Steel Cut Oatmeal, and Cake. The initial default setting is White/Sushi.
Accurate Measurement: Emphasizes using the provided measuring cup for precise rice and water quantities.
Rice Preparation: Provides detailed instructions for cleaning rice, adjusting water levels based on rice type (new crop, old crop), and recommends against using strongly alkalized ionic water.
Post-Cooking Care: Advises immediate stirring and loosening of rice after cooking to release excess moisture and achieve a fluffy texture, preventing clumping or burning.
Keep Warm Modes:
- Regular Keep Warm: Maintains rice at a higher temperature, reducing odor development. Automatically activates after cooking.
- Extended Keep Warm: Keeps rice warm for longer periods at a slightly lower temperature to minimize drying and yellowing. Not available for Brown, Quinoa, Steel Cut Oatmeal, or Cake menus, or if Regular Keep Warm has exceeded 12 hours.
- Keep Warm Time Limits: Regular Keep Warm is recommended for up to 12 hours. For Quinoa and Steel Cut Oatmeal, the number will blink at "0(h)" after 8 hours, indicating they should not be kept warm.
- Keep Warm Temperature Adjustment: Users can adjust the Keep Warm temperature settings (from -3 to +3) to address issues like foul odors, color changes, or dryness in rice, depending on environmental factors.
Reheat Function: Quickly reheats rice during Keep Warm mode to an optimal serving temperature (approx. 7-9 minutes). Cannot be used for foods other than white rice or repeated consecutively.
Timer Function: Allows users to set a specific time for cooking to complete, with two programmable timer settings (Timer 1 and Timer 2). Suggested timer lengths vary by rice type (e.g., White/Sushi: 1 hour 15 minutes - 13 hours; Quinoa: 55 minutes - 13 hours).
Clock Setting: The appliance features a 24-hour (military time) clock that needs to be set for accurate timer operation.
Sound Signals: Offers customizable sound signals (melody, beep, or silent) for various operations like cooking start, timer set, and cooking completion. The default melody for completion is "Amaryllis."
Cake Baking: Specific instructions for preparing batter, greasing the inner cooking pan, and setting cooking time (default 45 minutes, adjustable from 1-80 minutes).
Safety Features: Includes warnings against touching hot surfaces, immersing the unit in water, using damaged cords, and improper use. It also has a polarized plug for safety.

Maintenance Features

Cleaning:
- General: Recommends thorough cleaning after every use, allowing the main body and inner cooking pan to cool down first.
- Inner Cooking Pan: Wash with neutral kitchen detergent and a soft sponge. Avoid abrasive cleaners, metal scrubbers, or dishwashers.
- Inner Lid Set: Detachable for easy cleaning. Rinse in hot or cold water with a soft sponge and dry thoroughly. Ensure it is reattached correctly.
- Outer Lid/Steam Vent: Wipe with a well-wrung soft cloth. Remove any rice or residue.
- Steam Vent Cap: Detachable for washing under running water and thorough drying.
- Heating Plate/Center Sensor: Wipe with a well-wrung soft cloth. For stuck-on rice, lightly polish with No. 320 sandpaper after dipping in water.
- Air Vent: Clean with a vacuum cleaner once a month to prevent malfunction from dust or insects.
Odor Removal: Provides a specific cleaning and cooking cycle (filling the inner cooking pan with water, selecting Quick menu, and pressing Start) to remove any lingering odors.
Replacement Parts: Lists available replacement parts (Inner Lid Set, Inner Cooking Pan, Spatula, Measuring Cup) and their corresponding part numbers, with instructions to contact Zojirushi Customer Service for assistance.
Troubleshooting Guide: Comprehensive guide to common problems, their causes, and solutions, covering issues like rice texture, scorching, boiling over, inability to start cooking, steam leakage, noises, and cake baking problems.