When it comes to cooking rice, many people believe that using a rice cooker is the easiest and most convenient way to go. Japanese rice cookers, in particular, are highly sought after for their precision and ability to produce fluffy, perfectly cooked rice every time. Then, the question arises: which transformer should be used with a Japanese rice cooker purchased in Japan? Additionally, will a Japanese rice cooker you imported from Japan on Amazon work in the USA or Canada?
The answer is, yes you can!
However, using a Japanese rice cooker in the USA or Canada requires a step-down heavy-duty voltage converter/transformer to convert the voltage from 120 volts to 100 volts due to the standard voltage differences in two countries. (Japan uses 100-volt power system and the USA/Canada use 120-volt power system.) This means that using a Japanese rice cooker in the USA or Canada without a transformer could result in a burnt-out device or an electrical fire.
| Country | Voltage |
|---|---|
| Japan | 100 v |
| USA | 120 v |
| Canada | 120 v |
How to Calculate required Wattage for Converter/Transformer
When choosing a transformer, it is important to choose a high-quality product from a reputable manufacturer with a built-in thermal protection system.
- Check the wattage of your Japanese rice cooker.
- Use the formula – “wattage x 4” to find the appropriate transformer.
Firstly, check the wattage rating of the Japanese rice cooker. Typically, Japanese rice cookers have a power consumption range of 400 to 1500 watts. As an illustrative example, let’s consider the model below (click the image to jump to the corresponding product page on Amazon for more information).
Image credit: www.amazon.com (Zojirushi IH Rice Cooker (5.5Go / 1.0L) Stan. (Black) NW-SA10-BA)
This product ships from Japan and operates at a voltage of 100V with a power rating of 1115 watts. To ensure safe and optimal operation, it is advisable to use a voltage converter or transformer with a wattage capacity that is three to four times greater than the rated power consumption of the rice cooker (depending on the specific characteristics of the converter).
For power tools, laser printers and heating appliances like Rice cookers, coffee makers, toasters, halogen or fluorescent bulbs you must leave a power spike margin of 4 times.
About this item: VCT Japanese Voltage Converter Transformer Converts Japan 100 Volt to 110V or 110 Volt to 100v (5000 Watt)
List of Voltage Converter/Transformer
In this instance, the calculation goes like this: 1115 watts x 4 = 4460 watts. Therefore, it is recommended to use a converter with a wattage rating of at least 5000 watts, such as the one shown below.
VCT Japanese Voltage Converter Transformer Converts Japan 100 Volt to 110V or 110 Volt to 100v (5000 Watt)
Click the hyperlink in the table below to jump to the product page on Amazon to find the current sale price!
The voltage transformer is a relatively costly investment. It sometimes ends up costing almost the same as Japanese rice cooker sold in the USA and Canada, however, with the right transformer and rice cooker combination, anyone can enjoy perfectly cooked rice, Japanese-style!
“Made in Japan” Japanese rice cooker sold in USA and Canada
Did you know that “made in Japan” Japanese rice cookers are also available for purchase within the USA and Canada?
Click the below links to find more details about “Made in Japan” Japanese rice cookers!
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