Steaming Rice Perfection With A West Bend Steamer

West Bend offers a range of electric steamers and rice cookers that can be used to cook rice. The process is simple: add rice and water to the rice bowl, stir, and place the bowl into the steaming basket. The amount of rice and water used will vary depending on the desired yield and type of rice being cooked. It is important to follow the rice chart provided by West Bend rather than the directions on the rice package. The cooker will then take care of the rest of the cooking process.

Preparing the steamer

To prepare the steamer, start by reading all the instructions in the manual carefully to prevent any personal injury or property damage. Some important safety precautions to keep in mind are:

• Always unplug the steamer from the outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow it to cool before putting on or taking off parts.
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Use potholders when removing the cover or handling hot containers.
• Do not immerse the base, its cord, or plug in water or any other liquid to protect against electric shock.
• Keep the cord away from the edge of the counter or table, and do not let it touch hot surfaces.
• Do not place the steamer on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
• Be cautious when moving the steamer if it contains hot food, water, or other hot liquids.

Now, let's go through the step-by-step process of preparing the West Bend steamer:

Cleaning Before First Use:

• Wash the steam basket, rice bowl, cover, and drip pan (if included) in hot soapy water using a dishcloth. Rinse and dry these parts. Alternatively, you can clean them in the top rack of an automatic dishwasher.
• Wipe the inside of the base with a damp soapy cloth, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth and dry it. You can wipe the outside of the base with a damp cloth if needed.

Placing the Steamer:

• Place the base on a dry, level, and heat-resistant surface, ensuring it is away from any edge.
• If your model has a drip pan, place it in the base, making sure it is level.

Filling the Base with Water:

• Refer to the Rice Cooking Chart in the manual to determine the appropriate fill line (MIN or MAX) for the amount of rice you are cooking.
• Fill the base with water up to the correct fill line. Only use water in the base; do not add salt, seasonings, or any other liquids.

Preparing the Rice:

• Add the recommended amounts of rice and water to the rice bowl according to the Rice Cooking Chart. Stir the rice and water together.
• Place the rice bowl into the steaming basket, ensuring it is centred in the bottom of the basket.

Starting the Cooking Process:

• Cover the cooker securely.
• Plug the cord into a 120-volt AC electric outlet.
• Set the timer for the recommended cooking time given in the Rice Cooking Chart.
• If your model has a signal light, it will glow when the base is plugged in. Set a separate timer for the minimum cooking time specified in the chart.

Checking the Rice:

• When the timer goes off, unplug the cord from the outlet.
• Remove the cover carefully, as there will be escaping steam.
• Check the doneness of the rice. If it needs more time, cover it again and set the timer for a few additional minutes.
• Remember to set the timer for at least 15 minutes by first turning it to the 15-minute mark and then back to the desired number of minutes.

Final Steps:

• Once the rice is cooked, unplug the cord from the outlet and allow the appliance to cool before cleaning or removing water from the base.
• Carefully remove the rice bowl using potholders, as the handles will be hot and wet.
• Transfer the rice to a separate serving dish if desired. You can set the rice bowl into the inverted cover to keep it warm.

Adding ingredients

To cook rice in a West Bend steamer, you will need to add the correct amount of rice and water to the rice bowl. The amount of rice and water to use will depend on the type of rice you are cooking, so be sure to follow the rice chart in the instruction manual. Do not follow the directions on the rice package.

Place the rice bowl into the steaming basket, ensuring that the rice bowl is centred in the bottom of the steaming basket. Do not use the drip pan when steaming rice.

Cover the cooker and plug the cord into a 120-volt AC electric outlet. Set the timer for the recommended cooking time given in the rice chart.

When the timer goes off, unplug the cord from the outlet and remove the cover, being careful of escaping steam. Check the rice. If it is not done, cover it again and reset the timer for a few more minutes.

If you are cooking flavoured rice, you can substitute beef or chicken bouillon/broth for the amount of water in the rice bowl.

When the rice is done, carefully remove the rice bowl using potholders, as the handles will be hot and wet.

Cooking time and settings

The cooking time and settings for the West Bend Electric Steamer/Rice Cooker will depend on the model you have. There are two models: one with a timer and a drip pan, and another with a signal light that does not include a drip pan.

For the model with a timer and drip pan, follow these steps:

• Place the base on a dry, level, heat-resistant surface away from any edge.
• Pour water into the base to the appropriate fill line (MIN or MAX). Only water can be used in the base. Do not add salt, seasonings, or any other liquids.
• Place the drip pan in the base, ensuring it is level.
• Add the recommended amounts of rice and water to the rice bowl. See the Rice Cooking Chart for specific amounts.
• Place the rice bowl into the steam basket, ensuring it is centred in the bottom of the steam basket.
• Cover the cooker and plug the cord into a 120-volt AC electric outlet.
• Set the timer for the recommended cooking time given in the Rice Cooking Chart.
• When the time is up, the timer will ring and the cooker will automatically turn off.
• Remove the cover with potholders, being careful of escaping steam.
• Check the doneness of the rice. If it needs more time, cover and reset the timer for a few additional minutes.
• When the rice is done, remove the rice bowl with potholders and transfer it to a separate serving dish. The rice bowl can be set into the inverted cover if desired.
• Unplug the cord from the outlet and allow the appliance to cool before cleaning or removing water from the base.

For the model with a signal light, follow these steps:

• Place the base on a dry, level, heat-resistant surface away from any edge.
• Pour water into the base to the appropriate fill line (MIN or MAX). Only water can be used in the base. Do not add salt, seasonings, or any other liquids.
• Add the recommended amounts of rice and water to the rice bowl. See the Rice Cooking Chart for specific amounts.
• Place the rice bowl into the steam basket, ensuring it is centred in the bottom of the steam basket.
• Cover the cooker and plug the cord into a 120-volt AC electric outlet.
• The signal light will glow when the base is plugged in. Set a separate timer for the minimum cooking time given in the Rice Cooking Chart.
• When the time is up, unplug the cord from the outlet.
• Remove the cover with potholders, being careful of escaping steam.
• Check the doneness of the rice. If it needs more time, cover, plug the cord back into the electrical outlet, and set the timer for a few additional minutes.
• When the rice is done, unplug the cord from the outlet, remove the rice bowl with potholders, and transfer it to a separate serving dish. The rice bowl can be set into the inverted cover if desired.
• Allow the appliance to cool before cleaning or removing water from the base.

General cooking tips for both models include:

• Steaming/cooking times will vary depending on the desired doneness, size, and quantity of food being cooked.
• To prevent overcooking, set the timer for the minimum time given in the chart. Rest the timer if necessary to complete cooking.
• Altitude affects the temperature at which water boils, so longer cooking times may be required at higher altitudes.
• Always make sure there is sufficient water in the base for steaming or cooking. Do not allow the base to boil dry. Add water to the base if necessary.
• The maximum time that can be set on the timer is 60 minutes. To hasten cooking, use hot tap water instead of cold.

Additionally, when steaming rice, it is important to note that you should not follow the directions on the package. Instead, follow the Rice Cooking Chart for the correct amounts of water and rice to use. Check the doneness of the rice at the minimum time specified, and stir if necessary. If additional steaming is required, remove moisture from the cover before replacing it on the steam basket.

Serving the rice

Once your rice is cooked, it's time to serve it! Here are some detailed instructions on how to do that:

Firstly, when the rice is done, carefully remove the rice bowl from the steamer using potholders, as the handles on the bowl will be hot and wet. Be sure to protect your hands from the hot steam as well. It's important to take safety precautions when handling hot appliances.

Next, transfer the rice to a separate serving dish. You can set the rice bowl into the inverted cover of the steamer if you wish. This will keep the rice warm for a short period, but for longer periods, you can keep the rice warm in the steamer at Setting #2, as mentioned in the West Bend instructions.

When serving, consider adding some butter or margarine to the rice, as this can enhance the flavor and texture. You can also season the rice to taste, perhaps with some salt, pepper, or herbs.

If you are serving the rice with a meal, consider the presentation. You can create a beautiful and inviting dish by adding some fresh herbs or chopped green onions as a garnish. You might also want to shape the rice into a ring or a bed for another food item, like a protein or sauce, to sit on top.

Finally, enjoy your perfectly cooked rice! Remember to unplug the steamer and allow it to cool before cleaning or removing any remaining water from the base.

Cleaning the steamer

Before using your West Bend steamer for the first time, it is important to clean it. Here are the steps to do so:

• Wash the steam basket, rice bowl, cover, and drip pan in hot soapy water using a dishcloth. Then, rinse and dry these parts. Alternatively, you can clean these parts in the top rack of an automatic dishwasher.
• Wipe the inside of the base with a damp soapy cloth, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth and dry it. If needed, wipe the outside of the base with a damp cloth.

After each use, unplug the steamer and let it cool down before cleaning. Use the same cleaning process as outlined above.

It is important to note that you should not immerse the base, its cord, or plug in water or any other liquid to protect against electric shock. Always allow the appliance to cool before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning.

After frequent use (approximately 15-20 uses), white mineral deposits and food stains may form on the inside of the base. To remove these, follow these steps:

• Pour 1 cup of white distilled vinegar and 2 cups of tap water into the base. Plug the cord into the outlet and set the timer on the base or use a separate timer for 20 minutes.
• Once the time is up, unplug the cord and allow the base to cool. Pour out the liquid and wipe the inside with a damp soapy cloth. Then, wipe it clean with a damp cloth and dry it.

Do not use abrasive scouring pads, cleansers, or household bleach to clean the inside of the base.

Frequently asked questions