Rinse your rice, add it to the pot with water at a 1 to 1.5 ratio for white rice, close the lid, and press cook. The machine switches to warm on its own once the rice is done, usually in 20 to 30 minutes.
A rice cooker takes the guesswork out of rice. No watching a pot, no guessing when to turn off the heat. Once you know the ratio for your rice, it is hard to get wrong.
Step by step
- Measure your rice. Use the cup that came with the cooker, since it is often smaller than a standard measuring cup.
- Rinse it. Swirl the rice in cold water two or three times until the water runs mostly clear.
- Add water. For white rice, use 1.5 cups of water per cup of rice.
- Close the lid and press cook. Do not lift the lid while it cooks.
- Let it rest. Once the cooker switches to warm, leave the lid on for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Water ratios by rice type
| Rice type | Water per cup of rice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White (jasmine, long grain) | 1.5 cups | The standard everyday setting |
| Sushi or short grain | 1.2 cups | Less water gives the sticky texture sushi needs |
| Brown rice | 2 cups | Takes longer, some cookers have a dedicated setting |
| Basmati | 1.5 cups, soak first | Soaking 20 minutes gives longer, fluffier grains |
For the full method on a specific rice, see how to cook jasmine rice or how to cook sushi rice.
Common problems
Rice is too wet or mushy. Use less water next time, or rinse the rice more thoroughly first. Rice is dry or a little hard. Add a touch more water, and check the machine switched to warm rather than shutting off early. Rice sticks and burns on the bottom. Usually not enough water for the amount of rice, or a pot that needs a clean.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to rinse rice before a rice cooker?
Rinsing is not strictly required, but it makes a real difference. It washes off surface starch, which stops the rice clumping and gives a cleaner texture.
How long does rice take in a rice cooker?
White rice usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Brown rice takes longer, often 40 to 50 minutes, since the bran layer takes more time to soften.
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