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Microwave rice pots can save counter space, but the real question is whether they make small batches easier without adding more cleanup. The HARIO XRCN-2-B Glass Microwave Rice Pot is built for 1 to 2 go of uncooked rice, or about 150 to 300 grams, using a heatproof glass bowl and polypropylene lid parts. It is simple cookware rather than an automatic appliance, so you still need to measure, soak, microwave, and rest the rice. Its strongest points are the compact glass design and easy cleanup, while its biggest limitation is that HARIO specifies lower microwave power and a set cooking process.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.5/10
Best For: One-person and two-person households that want microwave rice in small batches without buying an electric rice cooker.
Bottom Line: The XRCN-2-B gives you a transparent, dishwasher-safe heatproof glass body and a simple 1 to 2 go format. It is less convenient if you want push-button automation, high-wattage microwave cooking, or larger family-size batches.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | HARIO |
| Model | XRCN-2-B |
| Product type | Microwave rice pot |
| Rice capacity | 1 to 2 go, about 150 to 300 g uncooked rice |
| Product size | 195 × 162 × 140 mm, about 7.68 × 6.38 × 5.51 in |
| Body weight | About 435 g |
| Body material | Heatproof glass |
| Lid and handle parts | Polypropylene |
| Microwave setting | Use 500 W or 600 W; HARIO warns against 700 W or higher |
| 600 W heating time | 10 minutes for 1 go; 12 minutes for 2 go, followed by resting |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe; hand washing with a soft sponge and neutral detergent is also supported |
| Included item | Approx. 90 mL measuring cup, equal to 0.5 go |
| Country of origin | Made in Japan |
Key Takeaways
- The HARIO XRCN-2-B is sized for 1 to 2 go of rice, roughly 150 to 300 g uncooked.
- The bowl is heatproof glass, while the lid assembly and handle parts are polypropylene.
- At 600 W, HARIO’s instructions call for 10 minutes of heating for 1 go and 12 minutes for 2 go, plus soaking and a 10 to 15 minute resting period.
- The manual warns against microwave heating at 700 W or higher because boil-over can occur.
- The product is microwave and dishwasher safe, but it is not intended for direct flame, an oven, or an induction cooktop.
What Is the HARIO XRCN-2-B?
The HARIO XRCN-2-B is a passive microwave rice pot. It has no cord, heating element, digital panel, or automatic keep-warm mode. You add washed rice and water to the marked glass bowl, fit the lid, and let your microwave supply the heat.
Its 1 to 2 go capacity makes the most sense for a small household, a compact kitchen, or anyone who cooks modest rice portions. The transparent bowl also lets you see the contents without opening a lid, and the low part count keeps cleanup more straightforward than many electric rice cookers.
Before You Buy: This is not a 10-minute start-to-finish cooker. HARIO’s white-rice method includes soaking before heating and a 10 to 15 minute resting period after microwaving. The manual also says to use 500 W or 600 W rather than 700 W or higher.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- One-person or two-person households cooking 150 to 300 g of uncooked rice at a time
- Small kitchens where a microwave already does most of the heating work
- Buyers who prefer heatproof glass and a simple, low-part-count design
Skip If
- You regularly need more than 2 go of rice in one batch
- You want automatic keep-warm, a timer, or push-button rice programs
- Your microwave cannot be set to 500 W or 600 W
Design and Build Quality
The main bowl is made from HARIO heatproof glass, and the lid set and handle components use polypropylene. The body measures about 195 mm wide, 162 mm deep, and 140 mm high, so it takes up much less permanent counter space than a conventional electric rice cooker because you can store it when it is not in use.
Glass is useful here for two practical reasons. First, you can see the rice and water through the bowl. Second, HARIO describes the glass as resistant to lingering odors and color staining, which is useful if you also prepare seasoned or mixed rice.
Cooking Performance and Timing
The original appeal of this pot is speed, but the heating time needs context. For white rice, HARIO’s instructions use 600 W and call for 10 minutes of microwave heating for 1 go. For 2 go, the heating time rises to 12 minutes. After heating, the rice should rest in the microwave for 10 to 15 minutes.
The manual also includes a soaking step. After washing the rice, you add water to the marked line and soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. In colder conditions, the instructions give an alternate shorter soak using warm water. This means the XRCN-2-B can reduce active cooking work, but it does not remove preparation time.
| Batch | Uncooked Rice | Water | 600 W Heating | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 go | 150 g | 250 mL | 10 minutes | 10 to 15 minutes |
| 2 go | 300 g | 450 mL | 12 minutes | 10 to 15 minutes |
How to Use the HARIO Rice Pot Correctly
- Measure and wash the rice. Use the included measuring cup or weigh the rice to confirm a 1 go or 2 go batch.
- Add the specified water. For white rice, HARIO lists 250 mL for 1 go and 450 mL for 2 go.
- Soak before heating. Follow the manual’s soaking guidance instead of skipping straight to the microwave.
- Fit the lid securely. Use the product in microwave mode only, not an oven, grill, or combined heating mode.
- Heat at the correct power. At 600 W, use 10 minutes for 1 go or 12 minutes for 2 go.
- Let the rice rest. Leave it in the microwave for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Pro Tip: Put the pot near the center of the microwave or turntable and use the exact batch markings rather than estimating. Correct water level, wattage, and resting time matter more here than simply adding extra microwave time.
Microwave Power and Safety
This is the most important correction to the original review. HARIO’s manual warns that heating at 700 W or higher can cause boil-over and tells you to use 500 W or 600 W. A 1000 W microwave can still be usable if it lets you select a lower cooking power, but you should not run this pot at a full 1000 W setting just because the microwave supports it.
The pot is for microwave heating. Do not place it over direct flame, on an induction hob, or in an oven. HARIO also warns that the lid, glass body, and handle area can become very hot after heating, so handle it carefully and follow the manual supplied with the product.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The XRCN-2-B is dishwasher safe, which corrects the original FAQ that suggested hand washing was required. If you wash it by hand, HARIO recommends a soft sponge and neutral detergent. Avoid abrasive cleansers, scouring pads, steel wool, or anything that can scratch the glass.
Inspect the glass before use. If you notice a chip, crack, or deep scratch, stop using the pot. Also avoid hard impacts against a sink, faucet, or metal utensil because glass cookware can break if damaged.
What Else Can You Cook?
HARIO promotes the XRCN-2-B for plain rice as well as seasonal mixed rice, and the supplied manual includes recipe material. That makes it more flexible than a single-purpose bowl, but the safest approach is to follow HARIO’s recipe quantities rather than transferring random stovetop recipes directly into the microwave pot.
For dishes with extra ingredients or seasoning, leave enough headroom and keep the microwave power within the manual’s range. Ingredients can change how liquid foams and how quickly the pot heats, so recipe-specific guidance matters.
How It Performs in Real Use
For a One-Go Weekday Meal
This is the easiest use case. A 150 g rice batch matches the 1 go line, uses 250 mL of water, and needs 10 minutes at 600 W before resting. You get a small batch without dedicating counter space to an electric cooker.
For Two-Go Small-Household Cooking
The pot can handle 300 g of uncooked rice, but the 2 go method needs 12 minutes at 600 W and 450 mL of water. Because the batch is larger, accurate measurement and the lower power setting are especially important.
For a Small Kitchen or Office Microwave
The compact format is useful when you already have access to a microwave and do not want another powered appliance. Just make sure the microwave can run at 500 W or 600 W and that workplace or dorm rules allow cooking rather than simple reheating.
For Long-Term Routine Use
The simple construction is a strength because there is no electronics package, battery, or heating plate to maintain. The tradeoff is that every batch depends on your microwave settings and your consistency with measuring, soaking, and resting.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Heatproof glass body lets you see the contents while cooking
- 1 to 2 go capacity suits singles and couples
- Dishwasher-safe construction simplifies cleanup
- Made in Japan with a low-part-count design
- Includes a measuring cup and recipe guidance
Cons
- Not suitable for batches larger than 2 go
- Requires soaking and resting, so total time is longer than the microwave heating time
- Needs 500 W or 600 W operation rather than high-power microwave settings
Is It Worth the Price?
The XRCN-2-B makes the most sense as a mid-range specialty cookware purchase rather than a substitute for a feature-rich electric rice cooker. You are paying for HARIO’s heatproof glass format, compact size, and microwave-focused design rather than digital programs or automatic keep-warm functions.
It offers the best value if you already own a microwave, normally cook 1 to 2 go, and want cookware that can go into the dishwasher. It is not the best fit if you need larger batches or want to press one button and walk away until serving time.
How It Compares to Alternatives
If you usually cook only 0.5 to 1 go, HARIO’s Ichizenya XRCP-1 Microwave Glass Rice Cooker is the smaller alternative and is also designed for microwave use. If you prefer stovetop cooking, HARIO’s GohanGama GNR-150-B uses a heatproof ceramic pot with a glass lid and is sized for 1 to 2 go.
The XRCN-2-B sits between those options. It holds more rice than the Ichizenya while keeping the microwave-only convenience that the ceramic GohanGama does not target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HARIO XRCN-2-B dishwasher safe?
Yes. HARIO lists the XRCN-2-B as dishwasher safe. For hand washing, use a soft sponge and neutral detergent and avoid abrasive scrubbers that can damage the glass.
How long does it take to cook white rice?
At 600 W, HARIO lists 10 minutes of microwave heating for 1 go and 12 minutes for 2 go. The method also includes soaking before cooking and resting the rice for 10 to 15 minutes afterward.
Can I use it at 1000 W?
Do not use a full 1000 W cooking setting. HARIO warns against heating at 700 W or higher because boil-over may occur and directs you to use 500 W or 600 W instead.
How much rice and water should I use?
For white rice, the manual lists 150 g of rice with 250 mL of water for 1 go. For 2 go, it lists 300 g of rice with 450 mL of water.
Can I use the pot on a stovetop, in an oven, or on induction?
No. The XRCN-2-B is designed for microwave use. HARIO’s care guidance says not to use it over direct flame, in an oven, or on an induction cooktop.
Does it include a measuring cup?
Yes. The manual shows an included measuring cup of about 90 mL, which equals 0.5 go. That helps you measure the 1 go and 2 go batches the pot is designed around.
Can it make seasoned or mixed rice?
Yes, HARIO promotes this model for plain rice and seasonal mixed rice. Use recipe quantities intended for this pot because added ingredients can change heating and boil-over behavior.
Who should skip the HARIO XRCN-2-B?
Skip it if you need more than 2 go at once, cannot select a 500 W or 600 W microwave setting, or want automatic keep-warm and programmable rice modes. In those cases, an electric rice cooker or a larger dedicated pot will be more practical.
The Bottom Line
The HARIO XRCN-2-B is a strong choice for small-batch microwave rice when you value heatproof glass, compact storage, and dishwasher-safe cleanup. Buy it if 1 to 2 go fits your routine and you can follow the 500 W or 600 W instructions; skip it if you need larger batches or automatic rice-cooker features.
