CUCKOO RICE COOKER BUYING GUIDE
HP vs IH Rice Cookers: What’s the Difference?
When choosing a CUCKOO rice cooker, separate three questions: how it heats, whether it offers pressure selection, and how much rice it can cook. Understanding each one makes it easier to choose a model for your everyday meals.
HP and IH describe different heating systems. HP (Heating Pressure) uses a heating plate beneath the pot. IH (Induction Heating) generates heat directly in a compatible inner pot through electromagnetic induction. The ST0609F and ST1009F are HP models; the LHTR0609F and LHTR1009F are IH models. All four examples offer Twin Pressure and Open Cooking.
Three terms, three different things
- HP / IH: how the cooker heats its inner pot.
- Twin Pressure: the option to choose high-pressure or non-pressure cooking on supported programs.
- Open Cooking: adding ingredients or stirring during supported non-pressure cooking, when the cooker indicates it is ready to open.
Twin Pressure and Open Cooking are not exclusive to IH. The HP ST models discussed here support both.
01 / HEATING PLATE
What is HP: Heating Pressure?
CUCKOO Heating Pressure rice cookers combine a heating-plate system with pressure cooking. Heat passes from the plate beneath the inner pot into the pot and its contents. These are not induction-heating models.
During pressure cooking, pressure inside the sealed cooker raises the boiling point of water. The selected program, rice variety and water quantity work together to determine the final texture.
ST0609F and ST1009F are HP Twin Pressure models. They offer pressure and non-pressure programs. Other HP models may have different pressure options and menus, so check the exact product rather than assuming every HP cooker has Twin Pressure.
02 / INDUCTION HEATING
What is IH: Induction Heating?
Induction Heating uses an electromagnetic field to generate heat directly in a compatible inner pot. The pot itself becomes the heat source, rather than receiving heat from a plate beneath it.
The LHTR models use induction heating to heat their compatible inner pots. Their IH system is designed to support even heating during cooking. The result also depends on the inner pot, cooking program, rice and water quantity.
CRP-LHTR0609F (6-Cup) and CRP-LHTR1009F (10-Cup) are IH Twin Pressure models. Other products in the IH collection may offer different pressure options and features.
03 / QUICK COMPARISON
HP vs IH at a glance
| Feature | HP: Heating Pressure | IH: Induction Heating |
|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Heating plate beneath the inner pot | Heat generated directly in the compatible inner pot |
| Cooking control | Heating controlled by the model’s cooking programs | Induction heating controlled by the model’s cooking programs |
| Twin Pressure examples | CRP-ST0609F and CRP-ST1009F | CRP-LHTR0609F and CRP-LHTR1009F |
IH does not automatically mean a shorter cooking time or lower electricity use. Energy consumption depends on the model, cooking program, quantity and keep-warm duration.
Rice variety, water quantity, preparation and the selected program also affect the result. Heating technology is one part of the complete cooking system.
04 / PRESSURE OPTIONS
Heating technology vs Twin Pressure
Twin Pressure is a pressure-selection feature available on selected HP and IH models. It lets you choose between high-pressure and non-pressure cooking:
- High pressure: generally produces softer, stickier rice.
- Non-pressure: generally produces lighter rice with more distinct grains.
Texture also depends on the rice variety, water quantity and selected program.
For example, the HP CRP-ST1009F and IH CRP-LHTR1009F both offer Twin Pressure. A pressure option does not tell you which heating system a model uses. Follow the appropriate program and water quantities for the texture you want.
Add ingredients with Open Cooking
ST0609F, ST1009F, LHTR0609F and LHTR1009F all support Open Cooking. During supported non-pressure cooking, use the Open Cooking control and wait for the locking device to release and the Add Ingredients indication before opening. You can then add ingredients or stir, following the recipe and manual. Do not open during high-pressure cooking.
05 / MODEL GUIDE
Compare HP and IH Twin Pressure examples
The four models below are examples from the two ranges. Their shared Twin Pressure and Open Cooking features let you compare the heating systems without confusing those features with IH itself.
ST models: HP heating with Twin Pressure
Consider the ST models if you want pressure and non-pressure cooking with a heating-plate system. Compare the exact size, menus and current price with the IH alternative.
The CRP-ST0609F 6-Cup HP Twin Pressure Rice Cooker and CRP-ST1009F 10-Cup HP Twin Pressure Rice Cooker both offer Twin Pressure, with programs for rice, grains and steaming.
Product pages list 13 menu options for ST0609F and 14 for ST1009F. The ST06 manual includes a Baby Food menu. The ST10 manual includes a Porridge menu, with separate instructions and capacity limits for thick and thin porridge.
LHTR models: IH heating with Twin Pressure
Consider the LHTR models if induction heating is a priority and you want both pressure and non-pressure cooking. Compare the programs you will use, capacity and price before deciding.
The CRP-LHTR0609F 6-Cup IH Twin Pressure Rice Cooker and CRP-LHTR1009F 10-Cup IH Twin Pressure Rice Cooker both combine induction heating with Twin Pressure. Choose the capacity that matches the amount of rice you usually prepare.
Product pages list 20 menu options for each LHTR model. More options can be useful when they match your cooking routine; the number alone does not determine rice quality.
06 / SPECIFICATIONS
Compare the models
| Model | Heating | Uncooked rice capacity* | Twin Pressure | Listed menu options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRP-ST0609F | HP | 6 cups | Yes | 13 |
| CRP-ST1009F | HP | 10 cups | Yes | 14 |
| CRP-LHTR0609F | IH | 6 cups | Yes | 20 |
| CRP-LHTR1009F | IH | 10 cups | Yes | 20 |
*Measured with the supplied rice cup. The headline capacity applies to the standard white-rice program; other programs may have lower limits.
These ST and LHTR examples each come in 6-cup and 10-cup sizes and support Open Cooking. Their heating systems differ: ST is HP; LHTR is IH. The table describes these four models, not every product in either collection.
Check the exact model’s manual and product page for full specifications, program limits, pricing and availability.
Menu counts follow the Australian product-page listings and describe these specific models, not HP or IH technology as a whole. A higher count does not automatically mean better rice. Auto Clean is a maintenance function.
07 / COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Are the ST rice cookers induction heating models?
No. CRP-ST0609F and CRP-ST1009F use HP heating. They still offer Twin Pressure and Open Cooking. Those features do not make a cooker IH.
Is IH the same as pressure cooking?
No. IH describes the heating technology. Pressure cooking describes the conditions inside the cooker. CUCKOO IH pressure models combine both.
Can an HP rice cooker offer non-pressure cooking?
Yes—selected HP models can. The CRP-ST0609F and CRP-ST1009F offer Twin Pressure, allowing you to choose pressure or non-pressure cooking on supported programs. Other HP models, such as the CRP-N0681F, do not offer this Twin Pressure selection. Check the exact model’s specifications and manual.
Does IH always cook faster than HP?
Cooking time depends on the model, selected program, rice variety and quantity. Compare the specific programs you plan to use rather than assuming every IH model is faster.
Is IH worth considering if I eat rice every day?
Consider an IH model if you want induction heating and its particular cooking features. Compare it with an HP model of the same capacity, looking at the programs you will actually use, pressure options, cleaning and price. Eating rice every day does not mean you must choose IH.
Does every HP or IH model have Twin Pressure?
No. Heating technology and pressure selection are separate specifications. The four ST and LHTR examples in this guide have Twin Pressure; check other models individually.
08 / EXPLORE THE RANGE
Find your CUCKOO rice cooker
Choose the capacity for your usual batch, the heating system you prefer and the pressure options you need. Then check the exact model’s programs and care instructions.
Sources: linked CUCKOO Australia collections and product pages; Australian user manuals; US Department of Energy: induction heating principle. Inner-pot illustration is conceptual; component layouts and heat patterns vary by model.
