Cooking Rice With An Electric Steamer: A Simple Guide

Cooking rice in an electric steamer is a simple process. The first step is to measure the 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. Next, fill the steamer's reservoir to its maximum level and assemble the steamer compartments and drip tray. Position the rice bowl inside the steamer compartment, cover it, and set the timer. The time varies depending on the type of rice you're cooking. For example, brown or red rice should be steamed for 45 to 50 minutes, while white rice should be steamed for 25 to 30 minutes. Once the timer goes off, carefully open the steamer and test the rice. If it's not evenly cooked, simply cover it again and let it steam for another 5 to 10 minutes. Finally, remove the rice from the steamer and let it rest for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving.

Using a rice cooking bowl

First, measure your rice and rinse it with water to remove any excess starch and impurities. For a standard serving, 1 cup of rice is typically enough. Use a strainer to drain the water effectively.

Next, transfer the rinsed rice to the steamer's rice bowl. Add water to the bowl using a ratio of 1:2 rice to water. For example, if you're cooking 1 cup of rice, add 2 cups of water. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. Check the rice instructions, as some types of rice may require pre-soaking instead of rinsing.

Now, fill the steamer's reservoir with water to its maximum level. Assemble the steamer compartments and drip tray as you normally would. Place the rice bowl inside the steamer compartment, and cover it with the lid or another steamer compartment if you're cooking other foods.

Set the timer on your electric steamer. The cooking time will depend on the type of rice you're using. White rice typically cooks in 25-30 minutes, while brown or red rice may take 45-50 minutes. If your steamer has a specific setting for cooking rice, use that instead.

Once the timer goes off, carefully open the steamer and test the rice. If it's not evenly cooked, simply replace the lid and leave it for another 5-10 minutes. This is one of the advantages of using a vegetable steamer – you can do this without spoiling the rice!

Finally, remove the rice from the steamer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving.

And that's it! You now know how to cook rice using a rice cooking bowl in an electric steamer. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, fluffy rice.

How much water to use

The amount of water you need to cook rice in an electric steamer depends on the type of rice you are using and your desired texture. As a general rule, white rice is cooked with a 1:1.5 or 1:2 ratio of rice to water. For example, if you're cooking one cup of rice, you would add between 1.5 and 2 cups of water. However, if you prefer softer rice, you can adjust the ratio to 1:1.5. Conversely, if you prefer your rice grains to be more separate, you can reduce the ratio to 1:1.3.

When cooking brown rice, which requires a longer cooking time and more moisture, a 1:2 ratio is typically used, and you can even add a little extra water. It's worth noting that short-grain rice requires less water, with a ratio of 1:1.1.

If you're cooking rice in a steamer basket, the amount of liquid is less of a concern because the rice will absorb as much moisture as it needs from the steam. However, it's important to ensure that the water level in the steamer's reservoir is high enough to generate sufficient steam.

Cooking times

The cooking time for rice in an electric steamer depends on the type of rice being cooked. Regular white rice will need about 15 to 30 minutes to be ready, while brown, red, and wild rice will need between 45 minutes and an hour.

If you are using a rice bowl, 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.

If you are cooking directly in the steamer basket, steam plain white rice for roughly 25 minutes, and brown or black rice for 45 minutes to an hour, or until it's tender.

If you are using a rice cooker, the cooking time will vary depending on the model, thickness of the pot, steam vents, and power levels. Check the instructions for your model.

If you are using a deep saucepan or frying pan with a steamer basket, set the timer for 33 minutes.

If you are using a microwave steamer, the cooking time will depend on the wattage of your microwave and the type of steamer you are using. For example, using a 950-watt microwave and a Sistema Steamer, the cooking time for white rice is 20 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific model of your electric steamer and the type of rice being cooked. Always refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer for the most accurate cooking times.

Preparing the rice for cooking

Firstly, it is important to wash the rice thoroughly. Place the desired amount of rice in a bowl and rinse it multiple times under running water. Agitate the rice with your fingers as you wash it, and continue until the water runs clear. This step is essential as it removes any dust, dirt, and excess starch from the rice grains. By eliminating the excess starch, you prevent the rice from becoming sticky and clumpy during cooking.

Once the rice is washed and drained, you can proceed to soak the rice. Soaking is particularly beneficial for certain types of rice, such as Asian sticky rice, black rice, and basmati rice. For these varieties, it is recommended to soak the rice for at least a few hours, and preferably 8 hours or more. Soaking helps to reduce the cooking time and improves the texture of the rice, making it lighter and fluffier.

After soaking, if you are using a rice cooker bowl or a heatproof bowl, measure out the quantity of rice you want to cook. For every cup of dry rice, you will typically need one cup of water. However, this ratio may vary depending on the type of rice and your personal preference for the texture. For example, brown rice may require a slightly higher ratio of water to rice.

If you are using a steamer basket without a solid bowl, it is important to line it with cheesecloth or a similar material. This will create a barrier and prevent the rice from falling through the mesh or grid-style bottom of the steamer. Dampen the cheesecloth and lay it in the steamer basket, creating a layer thick enough to hold the rice without tearing.

Now, you are ready to add the rice to your chosen cooking vessel. Spread the rice evenly to ensure consistent cooking. At this point, you can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour, although this is optional.

With the rice prepared, you can move on to the next step of steaming. Remember to always follow the specific instructions for your electric steamer model, as cooking times and settings may vary.

Fluffing the rice

Once your rice is cooked, it's important to let it rest for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork. This is because the starches in the rice are still soft and gelatinous when it's freshly cooked, and fluffing it at this point will create a sticky mess. After resting, the starches will re-crystallize, and the rice will be firm enough to retain its shape.

If you're cooking brown rice, it's a good idea to rinse it before cooking to achieve a lighter and fluffier texture. Friction between the grains in the bag creates a layer of rice flour that coats the grains and becomes sticky during cooking. You can skip this step if you're making sticky rice.

Asian sticky rice and black "forbidden" rice steam faster if they're soaked ahead of time, ideally for eight hours or more. Basmati rice doesn't need to be soaked to speed up its cooking time, but it will be longer, lighter, and fluffier if soaked for at least an hour.

If you're using a rice cooker, follow the instructions for your specific model. Most rice cookers will keep the rice warm for several hours after the cooking program has finished, so you don't have to worry about timing your rice to finish at the same time as the rest of your meal.

When using an electric steamer, it's important to transfer the cooked rice to a second bowl and fluff it with a fork to release any trapped steam. If you leave the rice in the bowl, the trapped steam will condense back into the bowl and make the rice at the bottom wet.

Frequently asked questions