Steaming Rice: Does Steam Cook Rice Effectively?

Rice is a staple dish in many cultures and is often served as a side. While there are many types of rice, white rice is one of the easiest and quickest to prepare. You can cook rice on a stovetop, in a rice cooker, or even in a vegetable steamer. The major difference between boiling and steaming rice is the amount of water used. Boiled rice remains fully submerged in liquid for the cooking time, whereas steamed rice relies on the heat of trapped vapours to soften the grains.

Rinsing rice before cooking

Benefits of Rinsing Rice

The primary purpose of rinsing rice is to remove any dirt, dust, debris, chemicals, and even bugs that may be present. During transportation and storage, rice can come into contact with various substances, so rinsing ensures that any impurities are washed away. This step is important for food safety and hygiene.

Additionally, rinsing helps remove excess starch from the surface of the rice kernels. Excess starch can make the cooked rice gummy or overly sticky. Rinsing the rice washes away this excess starch, resulting in fluffier, more distinct grains that are separate rather than clumped together. This is especially important if you are aiming for a fluffy and separate grain texture.

Types of Rice to Rinse

It is generally recommended to rinse all types of rice, including short-grain, medium-grain, and long-grain varieties. Even if you are cooking sticky rice, rinsing is still beneficial as it won't affect the desired stickiness. The starch inside the grain will still be released during cooking, creating the sticky texture.

How to Rinse Rice

To rinse rice, place it in a mesh sieve or a large bowl and cover it with water. Gently swirl the rice with your hand or gently shake the sieve until the water becomes cloudy. Drain the cloudy water and repeat the process until the water runs clear, which usually takes about three to four rinses. Avoid rubbing the grains with your fingers, as this can create friction and make the runoff water continuously cloudy.

Soaking Rice

It is important to distinguish between rinsing and soaking rice. While rinsing is done to remove debris and excess starch, soaking is done to reduce cooking time. Soaking can also help lower arsenic levels in the rice, as it absorbs more arsenic than other grains. If you choose to soak your rice, wash it first, then soak it in water for at least 30 minutes before discarding the water and proceeding with cooking.

In conclusion, rinsing rice before cooking is a simple yet important step to ensure the cleanliness and desired texture of your cooked rice. By removing impurities and excess starch, you can achieve fluffier, more distinct grains. Remember to rinse all types of rice and follow the recommended rinsing and cooking techniques for the best results.

Rice-to-water ratios

The rice-to-water ratio will depend on the type of rice being cooked and the desired texture. For medium or long-grain rice, a standard stovetop simmer method uses a 1-to-2 ratio. For example, 1 cup of uncooked rice, which serves 2 to 3 people, requires 2 cups of water.

For a softer texture, a ratio of 1.5 cups of water to 1 cup of rice is recommended. This is suitable for short-grain rice, such as sushi rice, which typically calls for a stickier texture.

If you prefer your rice with a chewier texture, a 1-to-1 ratio or slightly more water can be used. This method is suitable for long-grain rice such as basmati.

Brown rice requires approximately 50% more water and a longer cooking time. For risotto, a ratio of 4-to-1 is used to achieve a creamy consistency.

When cooking rice in a vegetable steamer, the standard measurement is two parts water to one part rice. However, this method eliminates the question of how much liquid to use, as the rice absorbs moisture from the steam.

Cooking times

The cooking time for rice depends on the type of rice and the method used to cook it.

When using a rice cooker, the cooking time is usually around 45 minutes for brown or red rice, and 25-30 minutes for white rice. If your rice cooker has a specific setting for cooking rice, use that instead.

When cooking rice on a stovetop, the cooking time will vary depending on the type of rice and the amount of water used. For white rice, bring the water to a boil and add the rice. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer the rice for 15-20 minutes, without lifting the lid. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand for an additional 5 minutes. For brown rice, the cooking time is at least double that of white rice.

When steaming rice, the cooking time will depend on the type of rice and the amount of steam generated. For plain white rice, steam for roughly 25 minutes. For brown or black rice, steam for 45 minutes to an hour, or until tender.

When using a microwave to cook rice, the cooking time will depend on the power of the microwave and the amount of rice being cooked. As a general guideline, cook the rice for 2-3 minutes per cup of rice, plus an additional 5 minutes for the rice to rest and absorb any remaining water.

It is important to note that the cooking times mentioned above are just estimates, and the actual cooking time may vary depending on various factors such as the altitude, the quality of rice, and the accuracy of the cooking equipment. It is always a good idea to taste the rice to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Using a rice cooker

Step 1: Prepare the Rice and Cooker

Firstly, ensure your rice cooker has a steam basket or tray. If it does, you can use this appliance to cook more than just rice. Wash and prepare your rice according to the type and quantity you are cooking. Most rice cookers will have markings inside the bowl to indicate the correct water level, but you can also refer to the manufacturer's instructions for guidance on the water-to-rice ratio. Generally, the ratio is 1:1 for white rice and 1:1.5 for brown rice.

Step 2: Add Ingredients and Turn on the Cooker

Place the washed rice and water into the cooking pan or bowl of your rice cooker. If you plan to steam vegetables or meat, add a small amount of water to the steam basket and place it inside the cooker. Turn on the rice cooker. Most cookers will have a simple on/off switch, but some may have specific settings for different types of rice.

Step 3: Monitor the Cooking Process

Cooking white rice in a rice cooker typically takes around 30-35 minutes. You can add vegetables to the steam basket part-way through the cooking cycle, as they will take less time to cook than the rice. For larger vegetables, you may need to cut them into smaller sections to fit in the basket and cook them in batches.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

Rice cookers use temperature sensors to detect when the rice is done. Once the water has been absorbed and the temperature rises above the boiling point, the cooker will switch off or to a warming cycle, indicating that the rice is ready. Some rice cookers may also have an audible beep or a light that turns off to signal that the rice is done.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once your rice is cooked, you can serve it immediately or take advantage of the keep-warm function, which many rice cookers offer. This function automatically switches the cooker to a lower temperature setting to keep your rice warm and ready to eat for an extended period.

Using a vegetable steamer

If you don't have a rice cooker but do have an electric vegetable steamer, you can use that to prepare fluffy, perfectly cooked rice. Some appliance models even include a rice-cooking bowl to make cooking rice in a steamer easier.

Using a Rice Cooking Bowl

Vegetable steamers have a mesh or grid-style bottom, which holds vegetables in place but lets hot steam pass freely. The openings in the mesh are usually large enough that rice would fall into your steamer's reservoir, so pouring rice into the steamer basket isn't an option.

Many steamers include a rice-cooking bowl. The bowl is solid to hold the rice but open at the top so that hot steam cooks the rice like a sealed saucepan. To use this method:

• Measure rice and water into the steamer's rice bowl with a pinch of salt. The usual measurement is two parts water to one part rice.
• Fill the steamer's reservoir to its maximum level, and assemble the steamer compartments and drip tray as usual.
• Position the rice bowl inside the steamer compartment, and cover it with the lid or another steamer compartment containing other foods.
• Set the timer to 45 or 50 minutes for brown or red rice, or 25 to 30 minutes for white rice. If your steamer has a specific push-button setting for cooking rice, use that instead.
• Open the steamer carefully, watching for hot steam that escapes, and test the rice. If it's not evenly cooked, replace the lid and leave it for another 5 to 10 minutes. Unlike the sealed-pot method, you can do this in a vegetable steamer without spoiling the rice.
• Remove the rice from the steamer once it's fully cooked, and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before fluffing it with a fork.

Cooking Rice in a Steamer Directly

You can also steam your rice directly in a steamer compartment. This method eliminates the question of how much liquid to use. The rice absorbs as much moisture as it needs from the steam while it cooks.

• Unroll cheesecloth and fold it so that it lines the compartment with three or four layers. Lift and dampen the cloth. Press it back into the steamer.
• Measure and pour the rice into the steamer compartment. Spread it around to make an even layer.
• Fill the reservoir to the maximum level. Set the timer and turn it on. Steam plain white rice for roughly 25 minutes, and brown or black rice for 45 minutes to an hour, or until it's tender.
• Lift the cooked rice, using the corners of the cheesecloth as a handle. Tip it into a serving bowl. Cover loosely and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

If you don't have an electric steamer, you can use a metal or Chinese bamboo steamer using the same technique. Keep the water level below the steamer and use a tight-fitting lid for the pot or steamer basket.

Frequently asked questions