How to Cook Brown Rice Using a Rice Cooker

If rice is a regular part of your weekly meals, you probably don’t want to waste time cooking it with a pot or pan. Instead, consider investing in a rice cooker. This reliable device will eliminate the hassle of traditional rice cooking methods; all you need to do is measure the rice, add water, and let the rice cooker do the rest. However, when cooking brown rice, getting the right ratio of rice to water is crucial. The key here is to add a little extra water to ensure the rice turns out fluffy, soft, and delicious.

• 2 cups brown rice (rinsed)
• 3 cups water
• A pinch of salt (optional)

Yield: 1-2 servings

Measure the amount of rice you want to cook. The simplest way is to measure the rice with full cups. For example, a meal for two will require about 2-3 cups of rice, while a meal for a larger group might need 6-8 cups. Consistently measuring the rice helps you determine the amount of water needed for perfectly cooked rice.

• Use a dry measuring cup when measuring the rice to avoid confusion about the quantity.
• For best results, only measure the amount you plan to eat. Leftover rice won’t stay as hot when reheated.

Rinse the rice with cold water. Place the brown rice in a sieve or colander and hold it under running water, then shake the sieve/colander. This will wash away the excess starch, preventing the rice from becoming sticky when cooked. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear.

• The water draining from the rice may appear milky, which is perfectly normal.
• Shake the sieve/colander to remove any excess water before cooking the rice.

Place the rice into the rice cooker. Pour the cleaned rice into the rice cooker and spread it evenly at the bottom of the pot. If cooking a large batch of rice, make sure the rice is distributed properly to ensure even cooking.

• Do not exceed the rice cooker’s maximum capacity. If you need to prepare rice for a larger meal, you can cook it in multiple batches.

Add the correct amount of water. The general rule when cooking brown rice is to add 50% more water than usual. So, if you typically use one cup of water for every cup of rice, you’ll now use one and a half cups of water to achieve the desired texture. Since brown rice is harder than white rice, it also takes longer to cook.

• Unlike white rice, brown rice still has its natural bran layer. Therefore, it takes longer to absorb water and reach the ideal cooking temperature.
• The amount of water you add directly affects the cooking time. Once all the water has evaporated, the temperature inside the rice cooker will rise, signaling the cooker to turn off automatically.
• While optional, soaking brown rice for 20-30 minutes before cooking can help speed up the cooking process. If you soak the rice, use one cup of water for every cup of rice.

Turn on the rice cooker. Ensure the rice cooker is plugged in and ready to go. Then, press the ‘cook’ button and simply wait. The rice cooker will take care of the rest!

• Most rice cookers have two settings: ‘cook’ and ‘warm’.
• If your model has additional features, make sure to adjust the settings accordingly before cooking. Refer to the user manual to know which setting to use.

Let the rice sit in the cooker for 10-15 minutes. After the rice is done, let it rest for a while to achieve the perfect texture. Keeping the lid closed for a few minutes will allow the rice to absorb any remaining steam and cool down to a temperature that is ready to serve. Keep the rice cooker closed while you wait.

• Undercooked rice can be tough and difficult to eat.
• Don't skip this step. You may be tempted to serve the rice immediately when hungry, but the flavor and texture will be worth the wait.

Fluff the rice before serving. Use a wooden spoon or flexible plastic rice paddle to fluff the rice from the edges towards the center. Gently separate any clumps of rice. Now you have perfectly cooked brown rice, ready to be served with stewed vegetables, stir-fried meat, or fried fish.

• Do not use metal utensils to fluff or stir the rice. This can scratch the inner surface of the rice cooker.
• A wooden rice paddle (known as shamoji in Japanese) is especially helpful for those who cook rice often. The modern version of this traditional Japanese tool is made of flexible plastic, ideal for fluffing and serving rice.

Mở nắp nồi cơm điện. Việc này vừa giảm nhiệt độ bên trong nồi vừa giúp bạn dễ dàng vệ sinh nồi khi cần. Tuy nhiên, vì hơi nóng tỏa ra liên tục, nên cơm còn thừa trong nồi sẽ bị khô khiến việc vệ sinh có phần hơi khó khăn.

• Đừng đụng vào nồi cơm khi nó vẫn còn nóng. Hãy chờ nồi nguội trước khi rửa sạch.
• Ngay khi bạn hoàn tất bữa ăn, nồi cơm cũng đã nguội.

Làm sạch phần cơm khô. Đẩy mép của dụng cụ xới cơm (hoặc chỉ dùng các ngón tay) quanh thành và đáy nồi cơm để làm sạch phần cơm khô đang bám chặt. Bỏ phần cơm khô vào sọt rác. Cố gắng làm sạch phần cơm khô bằng tay để sau đó bạn chỉ cần lau chùi nồi là được.

• Nồi cơm điện thường được phủ một lớp chống dính giúp rút ngắn thời gian làm sạch.
• Nhắc lại, bạn không nên dùng dụng cụ và miếng chà nồi cứng hoặc mài mòn. Hiệu quả của những dụng cụ này có thể gây hư hỏng cho nồi cơm điện của bạn.

Lau mặt trong của nồi cơm điện bằng khăn ướt. Khăn thấm nước ấm sẽ làm sạch phần tinh bột còn sót cùng với lớp màng mỏng hoặc các mẩu cơm nhỏ. Hãy hong khô nồi cơm, đậy nắp và đặt ngay ngắn cho lần sử dụng tiếp theo.

• Nếu cần giải pháp tẩy rửa mạnh để làm sạch vết bẩn lớn, bạn có thể chà nồi cơm điện bằng bàn chải rửa bát lông mềm hoặc mặt xanh lá của miếng xốp rửa bát.
• Để an toàn, bạn cần ngắt kết nối điện của nồi cơm trước khi cho nước vào trong hoặc xung quanh nồi.

Hoàn tất.

• A standard rice cooker typically costs around $50 (approximately 1,200,000 VND), but it saves you significant time and effort, allowing you to cook delicious brown rice even on your first try.
• Choose a rice cooker with a specific setting for brown rice.
• To make the rice softer and stickier, consider adding a pinch of kosher salt or sea salt before cooking.
• Cover the rice cooker while dining to prevent the unused rice from drying out.
• Always clean both the inside and outside of the rice cooker after every use.

• Improperly cleaning brown rice can result in soggy, clumpy rice.
• Leaving rice at room temperature for too long or reheating it multiple times can lead to food poisoning.

• Rice cooker
• Strainer/sieve
• Dry measuring cup
• Wooden spoon
• Flexible plastic spatula
• Wet cloth or sponge