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What Are the Best Tips for Cooking Rice in a Rice Cooker?

Naomi Smith
Naomi Smith

Rice cookers make preparing rice simple by eliminating the need to stir the pot or time the cooking. Like the stove-top method, the key factor in perfect rice is the water-to-rice ratio, which depends on the type of rice, not on the rice cooker instructions. It also is possible to cook other varieties besides plain white rice in a rice cooker, making it a versatile appliance. As always, follow the manufacturer's instructions for using the appliance, even when changing the proportions or ingredients.

The best thing about rice cookers is they can correctly cook any type of rice: short grain, long grain, brown rice and basmati all come out perfectly. The type of rice will determine both the amount of water and the pre-cooking treatment before placing rice in a rice cooker. If the rice might contain talc, stones or twigs, rinse it once or twice until the water runs clear. Some varieties of rice, such as basmati, might need to be soaked before cooking to shorten the cooking time, even when using a rice cooker.

A rice plant.
A rice plant.

Use filtered water for the best flavor when cooking rice in a rice cooker, especially if local water contains chemicals that might affect the taste. Carefully measure both rice and water using a liquid measuring cup for the water, not the little cup that came with the rice cooker. The measurements on the rice cooker pot are useful only when making the exact type of rice for which the cooker was designed — usually short-grain white rice. When cooking any other type of rice in a rice cooker, use the same ratio of water to rice as with the stove-top method. The rice cooker automatically cooks to the correct temperature, which is achieved when all the water has evaporated, and will take different amounts of time for each variety of rice.

Rice made in a rice cooker.
Rice made in a rice cooker.

After the cooker has finished, leave the rice untouched for about five minutes before opening the lid. If the rice is not cooked through, add a few spoonfuls of water, stir it and hit the "cook" button again. It should turn off fairly quickly after the additional water is cooked out. Then fluff the rice with the paddle and serve.

Substitute another liquid for all or part of the water if you want a different taste to the rice. Use broth, fruit juice or coconut milk to complement the main dish in the meal. For the best results, be sure keep the same ratio of total liquid to rice in a rice cooker.

Discussion Comments

bluedolphin

@turquoise-- Brown rice takes longer to cook because of its outer shell that white rice lacks. It also needs more water. You might have to set the rice cooker again after it has switched off when you make brown rice. So when the time is up, check the brown rice and set it again so that it can cook thoroughly. And check the directions on the brown rice for the amount of water.

turquoise

Can I cook brown rice in a rice cooker? Do I need to change the settings?

literally45

I use my rice cooker for both short grain and long grain rice. It's very easy to use. It's timed and turns off on its own.

I personally use the same rice-water ratio, regardless of the type of rice gain I'm using. My ratio is 2 cups rice to 2.5 cups of water. If I'm using less than 2 cups of rice, I adjust the water accordingly. This ratio seems to work for most kinds of rice. I have made Nishiki Japanese rice with this ratio, as well as Indian Basmati. It works every time.

I do wash the rice a lot before I put it in the rice cooker though. I was taught to wash the rice continuously until the water from the rice runs clear. Sometimes, it takes ten minutes. I think that this is the key to making good rice though.

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    • A rice plant.
      A rice plant.
    • Rice made in a rice cooker.
      Rice made in a rice cooker.
    • Uncooked rice.
      By: airborne77
      Uncooked rice.
    • A rice cooker.
      By: blue eye
      A rice cooker.
    • Brown rice.
      By: airborne77
      Brown rice.
    • Red rice.
      By: IngridHS
      Red rice.