What is it that they say? “Take care of your things and they’ll take care of you.” Our Zojirushi products are built so well, they’ll last a looong time if you keep them in good condition, and it isn’t that hard to do. Read on for some basic tips on doing some easy spring cleaning—trust us, it’ll be worth it. And to celebrate a job well done, you can check out a few recipes using your water boiler; you might be surprised how well it performs after cleaning it.
First things first—get your Water Boiler all spruced up so you can use it right away to make some of our dessert treats. Don’t they look like Spring?
The Zojirushi Water Boiler is the easiest way to get fresh hot water at your fingertips. Maintain it regularly and it will serve you well!
Are you a kiwi fan? Try this tangy yogurt dessert that starts with hot water to make the gelatin. It doesn’t have to be kiwi—you can top it with anything.
Another of our famous gelatin treats—the citrusy flavor of oranges is the winner here; that and being able to make gelatin without putting a kettle on the stove.
An exotic tropical dessert fit for Polynesian royalty. Picture this—fresh mango purée topped with sweetened condensed milk. Makes spring cleaning fun!
Rice Cookers / Breadmakers / Water Boilers & Warmers
Let’s learn how to clean some of the parts that work hard to keep your appliance running smoothly. These might be areas that are hidden from view or places that you don’t see every day from the outside. We know you love your Zojirushi product, so you’ve been keeping the outer surface areas, electrical cords and removable parts clean, right? And while you’re spring cleaning, now is the chance to reset your timer clocks to Daylight Savings Time. Don’t forget, it’s “Spring Forward!”
1. Clean your accessories
Do you leave your cup in the bag of rice all the time? Maybe it’s time you gave it a quick wash. Even if you’ve been cleaning your spatula, be sure to clean out the holder on the side of your cooker too.
2. What about the air ducts?
Don’t take your rice cooker’s air ducts for granted. Any blockage from grime or dust can affect performance, so clean them out with a vacuum cleaner to keep your rice cooker running normally.
3. Replace old parts
Check your rubber parts to make sure they’re not dry or cracked. Replacing the inner lid is a good idea if it’s needed—imperfect sealing causes steam to escape, causing poor results.
4. Regular cleaning daily
Don’t skip cleaning the inner lid after every use. Rinsing with water goes a long way to preventing steam from escaping during cooking, or from drying out rice during Keep Warm mode.
1. Clean where it counts
It might be obvious, but make sure to keep the area around the top of the breadmaker clean and the bottom free of scraps and crumbs.
2. The lid gets dirty too
Wipe down the inside of your breadmaker lid. Heated lids especially should be kept clean to optimize its performance. If you have a view window, make sure it’s clean!
3. The heating coil
Sometimes food or crumbs can get stuck here. If it burns while baking it can cause a bad odor and ruin the smell of your fresh baked bread!
4. Regular cleaning daily
Fill your baking pan with water to soften remnants stuck on the rotator shafts and kneading blades. Use toothpicks to dig it out but avoid submerging the whole pan.
1. Keep it looking nice
The area around and under the spout could get dirty from splashback from your drinks. Don’t forget to keep it clean, and the water level window too.
2. Regular maintenance
Scale buildup can cause noises when boiling water. Use the descaling mode to clean your boiler every few months to keep your water tasting its best.
3. Replace old parts
Check your rubber parts to make sure they’re not dry or cracked. Replacing old gaskets is a good idea if it’s needed—imperfect sealing causes steam to escape, causing poor performance.
4. Keep your water fresh
Storing water for too long can cause mineral buildup and stale water. Empty the contents and start with a fresh batch when it hasn’t been used for a while.
Mugs & Bottles / Food Jars / Lunch Jars
Your thermal insulated products need regular care as much as everything else. Even though they do not have electrical moving parts, many interior surfaces and sealing areas need to be kept clean to work properly. Zojirushi mugs, drink bottles, food and lunch jars can keep your food hot or cold for hours, but you need to keep them clean to keep what’s inside them as fresh as possible.
1. Get rid of stains
Over time, tea and coffee may discolor the inside of your drink mugs and bottles. Use a solution of water and 10% vinegar to soak. Wait 30 min. and wash out.
2. Clean where it counts
We’ve eliminated all the small parts and simplified the design. They’re still easy to disassemble, so clean them out to keep your mugs and bottles fresh.
3. Replace old parts
When washing doesn’t remove odors or stains from the rubber gaskets anymore, it may be time to replace them. Dry or cracked seals can affect insulation too.
4. Regular cleaning daily
Wash out after every use, especially with drinks or foods with high salt content like sports drinks or soups. It may cause stainless surfaces to wear out.
1. Clean your accessories
The inner containers that come with lunch jars can develop odors or get discolored. Wash out thoroughly, wipe off completely and leave out in the sun for a couple of hours to dry.
2. Clean where it counts
Sealing gaskets can be restored by boiling in water mixed with 10% vinegar. After about 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly and let dry completely before using again.
3. Replace old parts
When washing doesn’t remove odors or stains from the gaskets, inner lid or containers anymore, it may be time to replace them. Dry or cracked seals can affect insulation too.
4. Regular cleaning daily
Wash out after every use. Leaving leftover foods for an extended time can cause stains or odors on the plastic. Keep all the parts fresh and your lunch will stay fresh too.
Most Americans will do some form of spring cleaning this year, a custom that crosses generations and cultures all over the world. It’s also regarded as a way to bringing in a new, positive energy while leaving behind all the bad luck. Spring cleaning isn’t the drudgery and hard work it used to be—more people have embraced it as a chance to elevate our emotional wellbeing. And while we’re at it, we should be feeding our bodies the same way too.
This looks fresh doesn’t it? A simple rice salad using sushi rice tossed with green vegetables. It’s a way to get your sushi fix with only veggies.
The perfect light meal for those who still crave meat for dinner, this traditional Japanese stir-fry dish is still the best way to eat your vegetables.
Crepes are wonderfully light treats, and best of all you can fill it with ingredients like tomatoes, lettuce, ham or tuna for a savory version too.
Bert-san’s Veggie Sandwich on Wheat
Bake some wheat bread and fill it with fresh veggies for a very satisfying lunch. The addition of mayo and Dijon mustard is how he made this one.
Zojirushi 101 Subscribers!
Click on the link in your email to answer this issue’s survey and be entered to win our special prize!
If you have not yet registered, click the SUBSCRIBE button below to receive the next issue of Zojirushi 101 in your mailbox!
