Microwaving Rice: Can Steamers Be Used?

Yes, you can cook rice in a microwave steamer. It is a quick and easy way to cook fluffy rice. The times and measurements may vary depending on the type of rice and the power of your microwave.

Rice to Water Ratio

The rice to water ratio depends on the type of rice being cooked. For white rice, the ratio is 1.5:1, and for brown rice, it is 2:1. This means that for every 1 cup of raw white rice, 1 and a half cups of water is required, and for every 1 cup of uncooked brown rice, 2 cups of water are needed.

The ratio may vary slightly depending on the farming methods and storage conditions of the grain. Therefore, it is recommended to read the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. Additionally, different types of rice may require different cooking times. For example, long-grain rice such as basmati or jasmine may need slightly more water, while medium or short-grain rice, such as sushi rice, tends to be stickier and requires less water.

It is important to note that if the water to rice ratio exceeds the required amount, the rice may become overcooked or mushy. On the other hand, if there is not enough water, the rice may be undercooked, tough, and crunchy. Therefore, it is crucial to use the correct rice to water ratio to ensure perfectly cooked rice.

Cooking Time

Cooking rice in a microwave steamer is a quick and easy way to prepare fluffy rice. The cooking time will depend on the type of rice you are cooking, the quantity of rice, and the power of your microwave. Here is a general guide on how to cook rice in a microwave steamer:

White Rice:

• Rinse 200g of rice and add it to your microwave steamer.
• Add 450ml of cold water to the rice.
• Place the lid on the steamer and ensure it is locked. If your steamer has a vent, make sure it is open.
• Microwave on high power for 12 minutes.
• Let the rice stand for about 2 minutes.
• Check that the rice is cooked and stir.

Brown Rice:

• Rinse 200g of brown rice and add it to your microwave steamer.
• Add 600ml of cold water to the rice.
• Place the lid on the steamer and ensure it is locked. If your steamer has a vent, make sure it is open.
• Microwave on high power for 18 minutes.
• Let the rice stand for about 2 minutes.
• Check that the rice is cooked and stir.

Tips:

• The cooking times provided are based on a 950-watt microwave and the use of the Sistema Steamer. You may need to adjust the timing depending on the power of your microwave and the type of steamer you are using.
• If you are cooking less rice, you will need to increase the ratio of water as the water will evaporate more quickly.
• Always check the manufacturer's instructions for your microwave steamer before use.
• Make sure to remove any sticky tags from the steamer before use to prevent burning.
• Be careful when opening the lid of the steamer to prevent steam burns.
• If you plan on cooking rice in the microwave often, consider investing in a microwave rice cooker with a vented lid.

Rice Water Ratio:

• For up to 2 cups of rice, use 1 ½ cups of water per cup of rice.
• For more than 2 cups of rice, use 1 ¼ cups of water per cup of rice.
• Alternatively, you can use the "Chinese rule of thumb": fill the cooking vessel with enough water to reach your first knuckle when your fingertip touches the surface of the rice (about 1 inch or 2.5 cm).

Rice Cooking Times:

• The cooking times will depend on the quantity and type of rice, as well as the power of your microwave.
• For 1 ½ cups of white rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice, microwave on high power for 10 minutes, then on medium power for 2 minutes.
• For 3 cups of white rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice, microwave on high power for 10 minutes, then on medium power for 5 minutes.
• For brown rice, the cooking times will be longer, and extra water will be required. Follow the package directions for quick-cooking brown rice varieties.

Reheating Rice:

• To reheat rice, add the cooked rice to a microwave-safe bowl and add 1 tablespoon of water per cup of rice.
• Cover and microwave on high power for 2 minutes (up to 3 cups of rice) or 3 minutes (more than 3 cups of rice).

Microwave Settings

The microwave settings for cooking rice will vary depending on the type of rice, the amount of rice, and the power of your microwave. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started:

• For white rice, use a microwave power setting of 100% or High Power for the first 10 minutes. Then, switch to Medium Power (50%) for the remaining cooking time.
• For brown rice, the cooking time will be longer, and you will need to use a higher power setting. Use High Power (100%) for 18-20 minutes.
• The wattage of your microwave will also affect the cooking time. If you have a less powerful microwave (around 700-800 watts), you may need to add 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.
• If you are using a microwave rice cooker or steamer, follow the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended power setting and cooking time.
• Always use a microwave-safe bowl or container when cooking rice. Avoid using a tight-fitting lid, as the steam may cause it to blow off during cooking. Instead, use a loose-fitting lid, microwave-safe plastic wrap, or a microwave rice cooker with a vented lid.
• For best results, rinse the rice several times before cooking to remove excess starch and dirt. This will help prevent the rice from becoming sticky or gummy.
• The rice-to-water ratio is important for achieving the desired texture. For white rice, use a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1 ½ cups of water. For brown rice, use a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water.
• When cooking rice in the microwave, do not stir the rice at any time during the cooking process.
• After the initial high-power cooking cycle, switch to medium power and continue cooking for the remaining time.
• Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the rice rest, covered, for 3-5 minutes. This will help improve the texture of the rice.
• If the rice is still a bit crunchy after the initial cooking time, continue microwaving in 1-minute increments until it reaches the desired level of doneness.
• For microwave brown rice, follow the package directions for quick-cooking brown rice varieties.
• For microwave sticky rice or glutinous rice, soak the rice in water for at least 15 minutes before cooking.
• To reheat cooked rice, place it in a microwave-safe bowl, add 1 tablespoon of water per cup of rice, cover, and microwave on High Power for 2-3 minutes, depending on the amount of rice.

By following these guidelines and adjusting the settings as needed for your specific microwave and type of rice, you can achieve perfectly cooked rice every time!

Rice Type

There are many different types of rice, each with its own unique properties, flavours, and uses. Here is a list of some of the most common types of rice and how they can be used:

Long-Grain White Rice

White rice is the most common type of rice used in traditional American recipes and is also popular in Asian and Mexican cuisine. It has a mild flavour and a light, fluffy texture when cooked. It also cooks much faster than brown rice, but it has a lower nutritional content.

Brown Rice

Brown rice is a whole grain that retains its bran and germ layers, giving it a characteristic tan colour. It has a firmer texture and nuttier flavour than white rice, and it provides more fibre, vitamins, and minerals per serving. Brown rice can be used as a substitute in any recipe that calls for white rice to increase its nutritional content.

Basmati Rice

Basmati rice is a long-grain rice that is commonly used in Indian and Asian cuisine. It has a pleasant, nutty aroma and flavour and the grains remain long, dry, and separate when cooked. Basmati rice is perfect for dishes such as dal, curry, pilafs, and saffron rice.

Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice is a long-grain rice that is cultivated in Thailand. It has a floral, nutty, and aromatic flavour and develops a moist, soft texture when cooked. Jasmine rice is commonly used in traditional Asian dishes such as curries and stir-fries.

Arborio Rice

Arborio rice is a medium-grain rice that is grown in the Po Valley of Italy. It has a high starch content, giving it a slightly chewy and sticky consistency, and it develops a creamy texture when cooked. Arborio rice is typically used for making risotto, rice pudding, and soup.

Sushi Rice

Sushi rice is a short-grain white or brown rice with a soft, tender, and sticky texture. It is made by combining the rice with sugar, salt, and vinegar. Sushi rice is used for making sushi, rice balls, poke bowls, and sushi burritos.

Black Rice

Black rice, also known as forbidden rice, gets its colour from anthocyanins, the same antioxidant found in blueberries and blackberries. It has a mildly nutty and earthy flavour and has long been used in Chinese cuisine for its health-promoting properties. Black rice can be used for bowls, rice pudding, soups, rice salads, and Chinese black rice cake.

Bomba Rice

Bomba rice is a short-grain rice cultivated in the Valencia region of Spain. It has a firm texture and can absorb three times its volume in liquid, making it ideal for Spanish paella and soups. Unlike other short-grain rice, bomba rice is not sticky, which gives paella its distinctive characteristics.

Parboiled Rice

Parboiled rice is partially boiled in its inedible outer husk, which improves its texture, reduces cooking time, and retains some of the original vitamins and minerals. Parboiled rice can be used for stuffing, bowls, casseroles, stir-fries, and rice pilaf.

Rice Cooker Type

Microwave rice cookers are designed for the purpose of cooking rice in the microwave. They are plastic containers that ensure the rice cooks evenly and are specifically designed for microwaving and venting steam. They usually have a steam basket, which makes them great for cooking vegetables and pasta in the microwave as well.

The Sistema Microwave Rice Cooker features a pressure chamber plate that collects and drains any overflow. The Sistema brand also offers microwave cooking general instructions.

The basic microwave rice recipe uses a microwaveable bowl covered with either a plate or 3/4 with plastic wrap. Avoid a tight-fitting lid, as the steam could blow it off during cooking.

If you plan to microwave rice often, it’s worth buying a microwave rice cooker or microwave rice steamer. This vessel has a vented lid to promote steam circulation. Microwave rice cooker instructions are straightforward and mainly involve adding and removing a lid.

Note: Rice doubles or triples in size during cooking, so use a vessel with sufficient expansion room.

After you’ve rinsed the rice and added it to the cooking vessel, you’re ready to start cooking. Microwave on High Power (100%) for the first 10 minutes. Then use Medium Power (50%) for the remaining time. Do not stir the rice at any time during cooking.

Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the rice rest covered for 3 minutes to enhance the texture.

Microwave brown rice: The method is the same but extra water is required and cooking times are longer. For quick-cooking brown rice varieties, follow the package directions.

Uncle Ben’s microwave rice: This rice cooks much faster, so refer to the package for detailed instructions.

Microwave sticky rice: For glutinous or sticky rice, soak the rice in water for at least 15 minutes before cooking.

How long to microwave rice depends on the quantity and type of rice. Follow the guidelines in the chart below:

| Rice Type | Amount of Rice | Amount of Water | Cooking Time |

|---|---|---|---|

| White rice or Jasmine rice or Basmati rice | 1 ½ cups | 3 ½ cups | 12 minutes |

This recipe assumes a full-power (1200-Watt) microwave. For a less powerful microwave, add 5-7 minutes more cooking time.

For each additional cup of rice, add 2 more minutes of cooking time at Medium Power.

Frequently asked questions