Cooking Rice With An Aroma Steamer: A Simple Guide

Cooking rice can be a challenge, but an Aroma Rice Cooker can make the process a lot easier. The Aroma Rice Cooker is a multifunctional kitchen appliance that can cook rice and steam vegetables, fish, and meat. It takes the guesswork out of cooking perfect rice and can cook up to 10 cups of white or brown rice. The cooker has a simple one-button system, but it's important to use the correct rice-to-water ratio and follow the right steps to ensure your rice turns out well.

Rinsing the rice

To rinse the rice, place it in a strainer and rinse it under cold running water until the water runs clear. If you don't have a strainer, you can also rinse the rice inside the inner pot of the rice cooker. Simply add water and rice to the pot and stir until the water becomes fairly clear, then drain the water from the pot.

It is important to note that you should always rinse your rice before adding it to the rice cooker. Adding water after the rice has been added can affect the accuracy of the water-to-rice ratio and impact the final result.

Adding water

The first step to adding water to your Aroma Rice Cooker is to measure the amount of rice you want to cook. The water-rice ratio will depend on the type of rice you are cooking and the type of cooker you have. For example, the Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker recommends a 1:1.33 ratio of rice to water, meaning for every 1 cup of rice, you need to add 1 1/3 cups of water. On the other hand, the Aroma Select Stainless Rice & Grain Cooker states to use 2 cups of rice and fill the water up to line 2 inside the pot, which is closer to a 1:1 ratio.

Once you have measured your rice, you can add it to the inner pot of the cooker. Then, using the measuring cup provided, add the appropriate amount of water. For example, for 2 cups of rice, you would add 2 1/2 cups of water. The water line inside the pot should reach line 2. If you are cooking wild or brown rice, you will need to add an additional 3/4 cup of water compared to white rice. If you prefer softer rice, simply add a little more water.

It is important to note that the water-rice ratio is different for brown rice. For this type of rice, you will need to add more water. Additionally, brown rice requires a much longer cooking time than white rice.

When adding water to the pot, always use cold water. Hot water can cause the rice to cook unevenly and can also cause the rice cooker to overheat. Make sure not to overfill the pot with water, as this can result in soggy rice and may cause the rice cooker to malfunction.

Now you know the steps to adding water to your Aroma Rice Cooker! Remember to refer to the manual or the markings inside the pot for the correct water-rice ratio. Happy cooking!

Closing the lid

Once you've measured your rice with the included cup, added water to coordinate with the number of cups you added, and added your rice to the cooker, it's time to close the lid securely.

The lid of your Aroma Rice Cooker should snap closed. Make sure it is closed tightly before you move on to the next step of the cooking process.

After closing the lid, you can plug the cooker into a power outlet and press the button for the type of rice you are cooking.

When the rice is finished cooking, the cooker will beep and automatically switch to Keep Warm.

Pressing the right button

Selecting the Right Cooking Mode

Different types of rice require different cooking modes. Most Aroma rice cookers have specific buttons for cooking white rice and brown rice. For example, the Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker has a "White Rice" button. Meanwhile, the Aroma Select Stainless® Rice & Grain Cooker is a simpler model with a single-button system.

Starting the Cooking Process

After adding the inner pot with the desired amount of rice and water, you'll need to close the lid securely. Then, press the power button or a specific button to initiate the cooking process. On some models, you may need to press a "KEEP WARM" or START button before selecting the rice cooking mode.

Understanding the Cooking Indicators

During the cooking process, your Aroma rice cooker will provide visual and audio cues. For instance, the cooker may beep, and the display may show a chasing pattern or a countdown timer. These indicators let you know that the cooker is functioning properly and give you an estimate of the remaining cooking time.

Adjusting Settings for Different Foods

In addition to cooking rice, Aroma rice cookers can also steam vegetables, fish, and meat. When using the steamer function, you'll need to select the appropriate steaming setting, such as low heat or steam vapour. This ensures that your ingredients are cooked at the right temperature to avoid overcooking.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues, such as undercooked or overcooked rice, refer to your product manual or the Aroma website for troubleshooting tips. Common adjustments include changing the water level, double-checking the steamer tray placement, or selecting the correct steam setting for your specific dish.

Fluffing the rice

If you are using an Aroma Select Stainless® Rice & Grain Cooker, keep the lid on for an additional 10 minutes after the rice is cooked to allow the rice to soak up any additional moisture. Then, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a rice paddle.

If you are using an Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker, the rice cooker will beep and alert you when it is finished and automatically turn to the warming function. Open the lid and fluff with the rice paddle.

If you are using a 20-Cup Aroma Digital Rice Cooker, once the rice is finished cooking, the rice cooker function will automatically switch to "Keep Warm." Open the pot, fluff rice with a fork or spatula, and serve.

Frequently asked questions