A rice cooker is a convenient way to prepare nutritious and versatile food that can be used in just about any cuisine. All you have to do is toss in the rice, add water, close the lid, and push the button. But if your rice doesn’t turn out fluffy, you may be using too much water.
Putting too much water in a rice cooker can result in rice that is mushy, starchy, and gluey. Rice absorbs water while it cooks, and if you use more water than necessary, the rice becomes saturated. When this happens, the grains split open and the rice becomes mushy.
Most rice cookers have labeled lines etched inside the cooking pot to guide you on how much water to use. For example, the manual may instruct you to put two cups of short-grained white rice into the pot and then fill with water to line 2.
The water fill lines and cooking times will vary depending on the amount of rice and the type of rice you use. In general, long-grained and brown types of rice will need a bit more water.
If you are following instructions and your rice is still turning out mushy, you might want to use a measuring cup to measure the water.
You may be familiar with the conventional stovetop rice-to-water ratio of two cups of water for each cup of rice. The manuals of many rice cookers will also recommend that ratio for white rice. However, there are many rice cookers on the market and they vary in their requirements.
Many people who are experienced with cooking in a rice cooker recommend a one-to-one ratio (one cup of water for every cup of rice), or maybe a bit more water than a cup. That’s because cooking rice in a rice cooker uses less water compared to cooking rice in a pot on the stove. The rice cooker has a tighter seal than a stove pot lid, and so not as much water escapes as steam.
You may have heard about the finger measuring method of determining the correct amount of water for cooking rice. In this traditional measurement, you put the rice in the pot, even it out, and place your index finger vertically on top of it. Then, you pour in water until the water level reaches the first knuckle of your finger.
While some may swear by finger measuring, keep in mind that not everybody’s finger is the same length, so it is bound to be an imperfect method. Moreover, people don’t agree about which finger to use, with some recommending the middle finger rather than the index finger. Using a measuring cup or the cooker’s water fill line will provide a more accurate and consistent amount of water.
It may take some experimenting to see what water ratio works for you. If your rice turns out too soft, cut back on water next time.
What To Do if You Put Too Much Water In a Rice Cooker
You might be new at using a rice cooker. If so, don’t worry if you make mistakes or if your rice doesn’t turn out perfectly. While you’re learning, you can often turn a mistake into something good.
If your rice turns out mushy because you added too much water, all is not lost. You can always make rice pudding. Just leave the rice in the cooker and add milk, sugar, vanilla, and a little cinnamon. Then, run the rice cooker for another cycle.
The amount you use of each ingredient depends on how much mushy rice you have. It’s best to consult a recipe to figure out the proportions.
Sometimes, there could be standing water on top of the cooked rice. You can try straining out the water using a basket strainer. The results won’t be the same as you hoped for, but you could still use the rice for the base of a recipe, such as veggie burgers.
You could also refrigerate it and make fried rice the next day, or try making rice cakes.
How To Make The Best Rice In a Rice Cooker
The right amount of water is essential for good rice, but it’s not the only factor that can influence the perfect batch of rice.
Making the best rice involves preparing the rice properly before cooking, adding the correct amount of water, and cooking the rice for the right length of time. No matter what kind of rice you use, preparing it is the same—rinse it thoroughly. The tricky parts are the amount of water and the cooking time.
Rinsing your rice before putting it in the cooker cleans any dust away and helps remove excess starch. This results in a fluffy rice where you can separate the grains with a fork. It will also prevent your rice cooker from accidentally boiling over.
The easiest way to rinse rice is with a strainer. Since rice grains are tiny, avoid using the type of colander you would use for draining pasta. Instead, use a metal strainer basket with a tight mesh. Put the strainer under running water for a few minutes, and it’s ready to go.
Some people prefer to rinse the rice by putting it into a bowl of water and swishing it around by hand to remove hidden dirt and starch residue. Then, they pour out the water and repeat until the water looks clearer. This method takes longer than rinsing it in a strainer.
Once the rice is rinsed, put it into the rice cooker with the correct amount of water. Check the manual for your rice cooker to see how much water it recommends. Generally, brown rice, long-grain rice, and specialty rice take a little more water than plain white rice.
Cooking time is another key to making perfect rice. Your rice cooker might be equipped with buttons that a pre-set with the correct cooking length for various types of rice. Some models, however, will have fewer or more buttons. Be sure to read the manual for your cooker to understand how to set cooking times.
Setting the right time is important to avoid undercooking or overcooking your rice. The rice cooker is equipped with sensors that can detect the water temperature. Once your rice has fully absorbed the water during the cooking process, the sensors will turn off the cooker and switch to warm mode.
It sounds simple enough, but it is still possible to overcook if you add too much water or use too long of a cooking time.
If your rice is too crunchy, you’ve probably undercooked it by setting too short of a cooking time or using too low of a temperature. The water must boil for the rice to cook, and it needs enough time to absorb the water.
For undercooked rice, first try keeping it on warm mode for about 10 minutes to see if the absorption process will finish. If that doesn’t work, try setting the timer for another 2 or 3 minutes. Add time slowly, so that you don’t accidentally overcook it.
After your rice is cooked to perfection, you’ll be able to keep it on warm for up to 12 hours.
Does Jasmine Rice Need More Water Than Basmati?
Both jasmine rice and basmati rice are popular because of their suitability for Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. However, they are quite different in their water needs and cooking processes.
Cooking jasmine rice requires about half the amount of water compared to basmati rice. Since jasmine is softer, it will absorb water more quickly. Basmati rice not only needs more water but also requires soaking before cooking.
Jasmine rice, also known as fragrant rice, originated in Southeast Asia. It is slightly sweet and sticky. To cook in a rice cooker, use a water ratio of one cup of rice to every cup of water, though some people recommend a bit more water. You can use the “white rice” setting on your cooker.
Basmati rice is also aromatic but isn’t as sticky. It also has longer grains than basmati and a nutty taste. You can buy brown basmati or white basmati, which is white because it has had the outer hull removed.
Before cooking basmati rice, you’ll need to soak it in water for at least 30 minutes. This will soften the rice so that it absorbs water more efficiently during the cooking process.
Basmati rice requires a water ratio of one cup of rice and two cups of water. As usual, you may need to tweak this ratio to get it perfect in your rice cooker. Be sure to use your measuring cup and remember how much water you used.
Once you’ve perfected your rice cooking technique, you can add vegetables and other ingredients into your rice cooker for a one-pot dish.