How do I use a microwave rice steamer to make rice?
Though electric rice cookers have become all the
rage in households that eat rice on a regular basis, one of the most
convenient ways to cook rice is with a microwave rice cooker. Designed for
smaller batches of rice, these appliances are made to clean the rice as well
as cook them quickly, so that the rice will be ready for a fast and easy
meal.
Using a microwave rice cooker is fairly simple,
though in some ways it can be slightly more complicated than using an
electric rice cooker because there are more steps and you cannot simply
press the “start” button in order to get perfect rice. Here are the proper
steps for using one of these rice cooking appliances.
Steps for Using a Microwave Rice Cooker
The first step for using a microwave rice cooker is
to measure a single cup of white rice (you can do a little more in the
larger microwave varieties) and pouring it into the inner bowl. You do not
need to clean the rice before you place it into the microwave cooker,
because this first step is actually designed to wash the rice for you and
remove the film that may be found in the rice.
The next step is to bring the rice cooker over to
the sink and start running tap water through it until the bowl is
approximately half full. Once completed, you will need to stir the rice a
bit and then allow the water to drain form the mixture. The water should be
a little creamy colored as the residue washes away. You may also want to
repeat this step one more time until the water drains clear, implying that
the residue has been completely washed away.
As soon as the rice is clean, it is time to add
water to the bowl. You will generally want to stick to the standard 2:1
ratio of water to white rice, though some people like to lower this ratio
slightly. Once you have added the 2 cups of water, you will need to secure
all of the latches (make sure they are firmly secured to prevent boiling
over) and cook for roughly 15 minutes at full power.
Once completed the rice will be hot, so handle with
care. Before opening you should allow the microwave rice cooker time to
cool. About five minutes should be enough time, though watch your hands when
opening the appliance.
Ready to Serve
Soon after opening you will want to use a spoon to
loosen the rice before it starts to dry on the bottom of the rice cooker.
Microwave rice cookers are notorious for causing rice to stick to the sides.
Should sticking occur, simply fill the pot with water and let sit. Rice
should wash away easily.
These types of rice cookers are best for white
rice, and possibly some types of brown rice. Other rice that is prone to
sticking is less effective in these devices.
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