Why can’t I use my bl@@dy b’stard rice cooker???

[FirstPastThePostOffice]

Despite experimenting with different amounts of water, every time the rice is either under cooked or stuck to the bottom 🤬 Honestly the ruddy thing is supposed to make life easier and instead it leads to crushing disappointment and a burning sense of inadequacy.

Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong? PLEASE.

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I've got the little Panda. You have to measure the rice and the water accurately, and rinse it well.
one thing that makes a difference is the easy cook rice. I like brown rice (not easy cook) which normally takes around 30 mins on the hob. Where I live it's really hard to find ordinary brown rice (or even white) that isn't easy cook. Easy cook has been treated in some way to make it cook faster - therefore it doesn't sit with the timings of the machine. That's my theory anyway. Have to experiment with the timings. Bummer.

Just get boil in the bag. Perfect every time!

Not enough water?

Did it come with a cup and are you washing the rice enough before you cook it?

I bought a stupidly expensive rice cooker and have never had nice rice since. So I'm not much help.

Watching with interest.

I take my rice cooker on holiday.

I'm a nanny for a Chinese family and cooking rice at least 3 times a week..
They use a Pro Cook microwave ricer..
One and a half cups of rice (it's just a kids plastic cup) rinsed well then add one and a half equal cups of water .
They use Jasmine rice..
19 minutes on 650w power..
Perfect rice every time..

wash rice til water runs clear

Same rice to water ratio

Leave it alone until cooked, no stirring or fluffing it about etc

We have it a LOT (Thai family member) and theirs is definitely better than mine but method above it won’t get messed up 👍🏼

Are you rinsing the rice, letting it sit in a sieve for 20 minutes and then cooking it with enough water?

It's slightly different for each type of rice and type of rice cooker, but the main thing is the rinsing and sitting.

Wash the rice before cooking it

Put it in a bowl, fill with water, put a plate on top, swill around for a minute then drain

I'm sure I'm wrong but it really baffles me how people struggle with rice on the hob.

Genuinely the easiest thing ever

1 cup rice to 1 cup of water.

Rinse rice

Add water, salt and a tiny bit of oil

Either lowest heat on the hob until all the water is absorbed or high heat till the water boils then all the way down for another 10 min.

What does a rice cooker do that is different?

After washing the rice leave it to soak in a bowl of water for 15 to 30 mins then drain and put it in the rice cooker. Works perfectly everytime (got this advice from a Korean lady). I have a cheap rice cooker from Amazon and it still works great when I use this method. Make sure you use the same amount of water as rice.

Expensive though

Rices are all completely different.
Thai rice needs a 1-1 water ratio.
Basmati needs a 2-1 water ratio.
Brown rice generally needs more than white. But microwaving is really easy for basmati. I do swear by our ancient rice cooker as it cooks perfect rice. My student kids all have their own rice cookers as 3 were born in HK & brought up on lots of Rice.

I hate cooking rice. I'm fucking rubbish at it. I actually ordered a rice maker the other day and I'm very excited to see if I can finally have good rice for dinner. I actually am a good cook but rice is a misery.

Wash rice in sieve in cold water. Add slightly extra water. I stir it with the special spoon about 2/3 way through as they do stick a bit in the bottom. Use Basmati. Rice

Only thing different is just walk off and leave it and doesn't boil over

Yeah I don't get this either, I cook rice loads and don't do anything more elaborate than tipping it in some boiling water and cooking it til it's done. Don't even bother with measuring it out or oil.

It feels like it should be easy to use but it isn’t!
@Cantonet that’s interesting about different rices, we had basmati this evening and I did 1 cup rice to 1 1/2 cup water, it was okkkk but not perfect. I’ll try two cups next time. I did rinse it beforehand and I think that helped as there was less sticking although I didn’t (have time) to let it stand for half an hour before putting it in the rice cooker.

Somehow having to do all these stages before using the rice cooker seems like it’s not the time saving device I thought it was. I absolutely LOVE rice but do find it can be a bit soggy on the stove which is why I got the rice cooker.

Onwards and upwards, I will get this damn thing cracked!!

Ooh yes but rice cooker rice is so different! Rice cooker rice is more like takeaway rice - fluffy, dry and sticky.

What kind of rice cooker do you have?

Every rice cooker I have ever had has come with a measuring cup for the rice, and marks on the inside of the pan to show you how much water to add for different types of rice, and it always works perfectly.

Rinsing and leaving to soak helps get the perfect texture, but it is always fine even without that when I am in a hurry.

I think maybe you have the wrong kind of rice cooker.

When the rice is done on the hob, put a clean folded tea towel under the lid and leave for 10 mins. That makes the rice dry and fluffy.

Another one who doesn't get it. I'm the world's worst cook but I can boil rice in a saucepan, it must be the simplest thing you can cook. Why on earth waste money on a rice cooker?

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor do you drain the rice first?
I mean I’m still aiming to perfect the rice cooker but curious to try this too!

I use a microwave rice cooker, but accurate measurements are essential just as in an electric one.
I rinse, then leave to soak for 20-30 minutes before draining & cooking.

I don’t struggle with rice on the hob but I don’t do the 1:1 ratio thing, I always have extra water. I have also read something that suggests you should have extra water and drain it away, something to do with mercury being absorbed into the rice. No idea if that is true.