Steaming Rice: How Long Does It Take To Cook?

Steaming rice is a great way to cook it gently and avoid the clumping and burning that can occur with boiling. It's also a useful method if you're cooking small batches or don't have access to a rice cooker. The process is simple: after washing the rice to remove excess starch, you add water and place the rice in a steamer, then cook for around 20-30 minutes, depending on the type of rice.

Rice to water ratio: 1:1.3 or 1:1.5 for softer rice

The rice-to-water ratio depends on the type of rice being cooked and the desired texture. For white rice, the standard ratio is 1:2, but this can be adjusted depending on whether you prefer your rice softer or firmer. For softer rice, a ratio of 1:1.3 to 1:1.5 is recommended. This means that for every cup of rice, you would use between 1.3 and 1.5 cups of water.

Using a rice-cooking bowl in an electric steamer is a convenient way to cook rice with this ratio. First, measure the desired amount of rice and water into the steamer's rice bowl, adding a pinch of salt if desired. Then, fill the steamer's reservoir to its maximum level and assemble the steamer compartments and drip tray as usual. Place the rice bowl inside the steamer compartment, cover it, and set the timer. For white rice, set the timer for 25 to 30 minutes. When the rice is done, remove it from the steamer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

If you don't have a rice-cooking bowl, you can also steam rice directly in a steamer compartment. This method eliminates the need to worry about the rice-to-water ratio, as the rice will absorb moisture from the steam. To cook rice using this method, line a steamer compartment with damp cheesecloth, then measure and pour in the desired amount of rice, spreading it into an even layer. Fill the reservoir to the maximum level, set the timer, and turn on the steamer. Steam white rice for about 25 minutes, and brown or black rice for 45 minutes to an hour, or until tender. Lift the cooked rice out of the steamer using the corners of the cheesecloth, then tip it into a serving bowl. Cover loosely and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Pre-soak rice for at least 10 minutes

Pre-soaking your rice is an important step in the rice-making process. It ensures your rice is not sticky or clumped together, and it helps to remove any excess starch, dust, and dirt. The general rule is to pre-soak your rice for at least 10 minutes, and no more, or you risk the rice grains breaking apart.

After measuring out the quantity of dry, raw rice you want to cook, thoroughly wash the rice under running water, agitating the rice with your fingers, and drain. Repeat this process until the water draining off is clear. This ensures the rice is clean and that any excess starch is removed.

Once your rice is washed and drained, it is ready for the pre-soak. Fill the rice with clean water and leave it to soak for 10 minutes. Do not leave it for longer, or you will end up with mushy, broken rice grains.

After 10 minutes, drain the water from the rice, and it is now ready to be cooked. The pre-soak ensures your rice will be light, fluffy, and perfectly cooked.

Use cold water in the steamer

When cooking rice in a steamer, it is important to use cold water. The water should not be boiling when the rice is placed into the steamer.

Firstly, measure out the quantity of dry, raw rice you want to cook. Wash the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear, agitating the rice with your fingers as you do so. Drain the rice thoroughly.

Next, add the washed and drained rice to a heatproof bowl and add one cup of drinking water for each cup of dry rice measured. Place the bowl of rice and water inside the steamer compartment. If your steamer has a rice-cooking bowl, use this instead. This is a solid bowl with an open top that allows steam to enter and cook the rice.

Now, fill the water reservoir of your steamer to its maximum level. Set the timer and turn it on. Steam plain white rice for around 25 minutes, and brown or black rice for 45 minutes to an hour, or until tender. If using a rice-cooking bowl, set the timer for 15-30 minutes for white rice, and 45 minutes to an hour for red, brown, and wild rice.

Once the rice is cooked, carefully remove the bowl from the steamer, using cloths or tongs to avoid scalding yourself. Tip the rice into a serving bowl, cover loosely, and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Cook for 20 minutes, then leave to sit for 5 minutes

Cooking rice in a steamer is a great way to get perfectly cooked, fluffy rice. It's a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure your rice turns out just right.

First, you'll want to pre-soak your rice. This helps to remove any excess starch, resulting in rice that is less sticky. Rinse the rice under running water, draining and agitating it with your fingers until the water runs clear. This usually takes around 10 minutes. Once your rice is soaked and drained, it's ready for the steamer.

For this next part, you'll need a heat-proof container that fits inside your steamer. Add your pre-soaked rice to the container, along with the appropriate amount of water. The rice-to-water ratio will depend on your personal preference for rice texture. A good starting point is a ratio of 1:1.3 (rice to water). If you prefer softer rice, you can increase the water slightly to a 1:1.5 ratio. Place the container in your steamer, ensuring that the water in the steamer is cold and not boiling.

Now, it's time to turn on the heat. Set your steamer to high, cover it, and let the rice cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice sit. This is an important step, as it allows the rice to continue cooking gently and helps to ensure that it's perfectly cooked. Leave the rice in the steamer, covered, for at least 5 minutes. You can also keep it in the steamer to stay warm until you're ready to serve.

And that's it! You now have perfectly steamed rice that's ready to be enjoyed. This method is a great option if you're cooking for one or two people and don't want to deal with leftovers. It's also handy if you don't have a rice cooker or are looking for a more gentle cooking method than boiling.

Fluff with a fork before serving

When your rice is ready, remove it from the steamer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This is an important step as it allows the starches in the rice to re-crystallize, which will help the rice retain its shape. If you skip this step, the trapped steam will condense back into the bowl and make the rice at the bottom wet.

After the rice has rested, fluff it with a fork to separate the rice grains. This will also help to release any trapped steam. Now your rice is ready to serve!

If you're cooking directly in a steamer compartment, you can use the corners of the cheesecloth as a handle to lift the rice and tip it into a serving bowl. Cover loosely and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving.

Frequently asked questions