A rice cooker is an easy and effective option for cooking rice. Currently, there are many rice cookers that are equipped with a heating feature so that they can keep the rice warm after it is cooked. You don't need to keep an eye on the rice cooker all the time until the rice is cooked, because this tool is equipped with a sensor or automatic timer that makes a clicking sound when the rice is cooked. This article will show you how to cook rice in a rice cooker, so you can minimize the chances of scorching rice and spoiling the pot. If you're still having trouble, see our troubleshooting guide.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Cooking Rice
Step 1. Measure the rice with a measuring cup, and place it in your rice cooker pot
Some brands of rice cookers have a removable pot, while others don't, so you have to put the rice straight into the rice cooker. Generally, rice cookers come with a measuring cup or spoon that can be filled with 3/4 cup (180 ml) of rice. Alternatively, use a regular measuring cup or cup.
One cup of rice (240 ml) will yield between 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) to three cups (720 ml) of rice, depending on the variety of rice used. Leave enough room to hold the rising rice so the rice or water won't overflow
Step 2. Wash the rice if necessary
Many people choose to wash rice to remove any dirt, pesticides, herbicides, or contaminants that may be present. Some traditional milling methods also break the grains of rice, so that there is flour mixed in the rice and needs to be washed to prevent clumping of the rice grains. If you decide to wash the rice, pour clean water into the container of rice, or wash it under running tap water. Pour in the water while stirring the rice until it is completely submerged. Drain the water through a sieve or the edge of the bowl slowly, catching the rice grains that have carried away with the water with your hands. If the laundry water looks cloudy/discolored, or there is a lot of dirt floating on the surface of the water, rinse two to three more times until the rinse water looks clear enough.
- White rice sold in the United States is required to be fortified with powdered zinc, niacin, thiamine, or folic acid; These vitamins and minerals are usually lost when the rice is washed.
- If your rice cooker uses a non-stick pan, wash the rice in another bowl, so the coating doesn't scratch. Because, the cost needed to replace this nonstick pan is quite large.
Step 3. Measure the water
Most manuals on rice cookers recommend using cold water. How much water you add will depend on the amount and type of rice you're cooking, as well as the texture of the rice you want. If you notice, there is a measuring line marking on the inside of the rice cooker pot indicating how much rice and water to add, or in the cooking guide on the rice package. Or, use the following recommended amounts--according to your rice variety. Remember, you can adjust this measure at any time if you prefer a firmer or softer rice:
- White rice, long grains - 1 3/4 cups water per 1 cup rice (420 ml water per 240 ml rice)
- White, medium-grain rice - 1 1/2 cups water per 1 cup rice (360 ml water per 240 ml rice)
- White rice, short grains - 1 1/4 cups water per 1 cup rice (300 ml water per 240 ml rice)
- Brown rice, long grains - 2 1/4 cups water per 1 cup rice (520 ml water per 240 ml rice)
- "Half-cooked" rice (parboiled rice - rice that is half cooked during the milling process, not at home) - 2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice
- For Indian-style rice such as Basmati or Jasmine (less water is required as you want a tougher rice), use no more than 1 1/2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice. Use only a 1:1 ratio if you washed the rice beforehand. You can add bay leaf or cardamom directly to the rice cooker for added flavor.
Step 4. Soak the rice for thirty minutes if you like
This is not necessary, but some people soak the rice to shorten the cooking time. Soaking can also make the rice stickier. Use the previously measured amount of water to soak the rice at room temperature, then use this water for cooking as well.
Step 5. Add flavorings (to taste)
The seasonings should be added to the water before you start cooking the rice, so the rice will absorb these flavors as it cooks. Many people prefer to add a little salt at this stage. Butter or oil are other ingredients that are also commonly added. If you are making Indian rice, you will need to add some cardamom seeds or bay leaf.
Step 6. Put the rice grains stuck to the walls of the pot into the water so that all the rice is completely submerged, don't let any of it spill
Use a wooden or plastic spoon to do this. Rice that is out of water can scorch during cooking. If water or rice spills over the edge of the pan, wipe the outside of the pot with a cloth or cloth to dry.
You don't need to stir the rice under the water as this can release the starch or flour and cause the rice to clump or stick
Step 7. Check your rice cooker for special options or settings
Most rice cookers only have an on/off switch, while others have different settings for brown or white rice, or settings to delay cooking and only start after a certain amount of time. Problems with cooking are rare if you choose the regular setting, but you may also need to know the function of the other buttons if there are any.
Step 8. Cook the rice in the rice cooker
If your rice cooker has a removable pot, put it back in after filling it with rice and water. Close your rice cooker, then plug the cord into an electrical outlet, and press the cook button. This button makes a clicking sound automatically like a toaster when the rice is cooked. In most rice cookers, the rice will stay warm until you unplug it from the electrical outlet.
- Do not open the lid of the rice cooker to check the rice while it is cooking. Because, this process depends on the steam that is formed in the pan. As a result, if the lid is opened and some of the steam escapes, the rice may not cook properly.
- The rice cooker will stop cooking automatically when the temperature in the pot exceeds the boiling point of water (100 degrees C at sea level), which will not be reached until all the free water has evaporated.
Step 9. Let the rice sit for 10-15 minutes before opening the lid of the rice cooker (optional)
While this is not mandatory, it is generally recommended in rice cooker manuals, and is automatically done with some brands of rice cookers. During this time, disconnecting the power supply or removing the pan from the heat source will reduce the amount of rice sticking to the rice cooker pot.
Step 10. Stir the rice so it doesn't become lumpy and lumpy, and serve
Once there is no water left, the rice is ready to eat. Stirring the rice with a rice spoon once it's cooked will break up the lumps and release the steam, preventing the rice from overcooking.
If you find that the rice is not edible, see the troubleshooting section
Method 2 of 2: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Reduce the amount of water if the rice is too soft
The next time you cook rice, reduce the amount of water you add, by 1/4-1/2 cup (30-60 ml) per cup of rice (240 ml). Thus, the cooking time should be shorter, and less water can be absorbed by the rice, resulting in a firmer texture than before.
Step 2. Increase the amount of water and cook on the stove if the rice is undercooked
If the rice turns out to be too hard or dry for you to eat, steam it in 1/4 cup (30 ml) water. Cover the pot with the rice for a few minutes until it is fully cooked.
- Putting undercooked rice back into the rice cooker without adding enough water to soak it can cause the rice to scorch, or your rice cooker to not turn on.
- The next time you cook rice, add about 1/4–1/2 cup (30–60 ml) of water for each cup (240 ml) of rice before turning on the rice cooker.
Step 3. Remove the rice immediately after cooking if it often burns
A properly functioning rice cooker shouldn't scorch the rice as it cooks, but if left on the "warm" setting, the rice in the bottom and edges of the pot can burn over time. If this happens frequently, remove the rice from the rice cooker as soon as you hear a "click" sound to indicate the rice is cooked (or when the warm-up light comes on).
- In some rice cookers, you can turn off the warm rice setting, but if so, you should finish or store the rice before it cools down to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
- If you cook other ingredients with the rice, it's likely that they will burn during cooking. Next time, don't add any sweet-tasting ingredients, or any ingredients that look charred, and cook separately.
Step 4. Take advantage of overly soggy rice
You can still enjoy rice that is too soft or crumbled if you reprocess it using the right recipe. Consider the following options to improve the texture of rice that is too soft so it can still be enjoyed:
- Fry the rice to remove excess water
- Turn it into a sweet snack or dessert
- Add to soups, baby food or homemade meatballs
Step 5. Adjust the amount of water to the height of your residence
If you live in an area with an elevation of 900 m above sea level or above, you may notice that your rice is undercooked. If this happens, add 1/4-1/2 cup more water for every one cup of rice (or add 30-60 ml of water per 240 ml of rice). Lower air pressure at higher altitudes causes the water to boil at a lower temperature, so the rice takes longer to cook. The more water you add to the rice cooker, the longer the cooking process will take.
Check the rice cooker's manual or contact the manufacturer if you can't find the correct amount of water. The amount required varies according to the height of your residence
Step 6. Determine how to deal with the remaining water
If there is still water remaining in the rice cooker pot after the rice has finished cooking, it is likely that your rice cooker is faulty and needs to be replaced with a new one. For this cooked rice, discard the water and serve if you can enjoy the texture. However, if not, restart the rice cooker until the water runs out.
Step 7. Done
Tips
- Use a non-stick spoon that won't scratch the inside of the pot to stir and puff the rice once it's cooked. The best option you can use is a plastic spoon (which is usually available in rice cookers). Wet a ladle first in cold water to prevent the rice from sticking (this method works for your fingers too).
- For a healthier option, you can add brown rice to white rice. The brown rice will be more chewy as a result. If you want to add beans (red beans, white beans, etc.) soak them overnight before adding them to the rice.
- High-tech luxury rice cookers will give better cooking results when used for cooking very small amounts of rice, as they can detect the level of doneness more accurately.
Warning
- Do not overfill the rice cooker. This can cause the rice to overflow and contaminate your kitchen.
- If the rice cooker does not warm the rice automatically after it is finished cooking, serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator completely to avoid food poisoning.
