If you enjoy rice, you'll find that it's simple to prepare in a commercial rice maker. These appliances -- which range from simple and inexpensive to more sophisticated and pricey -- take most of the work (and guesswork!) out of making consistent-quality rice. Automatic sensors shut the rice maker off after the water has evaporated, and most models have a feature that keeps the rice warm in the maker after it has finished cooking.
Instructions
1. Start by choosing good-quality rice. White rice should be a pure white color; brown rice should be a light brown nutty color. Avoid rice that has dark spots, lots of chips or blemishes. Rice can become stale, so check the expiration date.
2. Use a measuring cup to add the rice to the cooker pot of your rice maker. Don't use the scoop or cup that came with the rice maker; these are almost never standard measurements. One cup of uncooked rice will make approximately two cups of cooked rice.
3. Rinse the rice to release the starch, remove any contaminants and discourage it from sticking to the pot if your rice maker doesn't have a nonstick finish. Fill the cooker pot slowly with warm tap water, stirring the rice with your fingers to agitate it. Tip the cooker pan to drain the water, using your hand to prevent the rice from pouring out of the pot. Repeat, rinsing one or two more times until the water is almost clear.
4. Add the cooking water to the pot; follow suggestions on the package of rice you're using. As a general rule, use 2 times as much water as rice. You will need more water at higher elevations (2.5 to 3 times as much water as rice). You will also need more water if you're using brown rice (2.5 times as much water as rice) or if you want sticky rice. If you're using medium-grain white rice, use 1.5 times as much water as rice.
5. Gently shake the pot to level the rice, and wipe the outside of the pot with a dry cloth.
6. Put the lid on the pot, place the pot in the rice maker and turn the switch to the cook cycle. Depending on your altitude and the type of rice you're using, the rice will take 15 to 30 minutes to cook. The rice maker will automatically turn off when all the liquid has evaporated from the rice; you should hear a distinct click. Proper cooking depends on the steam inside the pot, so don't remove the lid while the rice is cooking.
7. Let the rice rest for 10 minutes after it has finished cooking before you remove it from the pot; some rice makers automatically add this time. Use a plastic paddle or spoon to remove the rice to avoid scratching the nonstick surface of the pot.
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