I use my rice cooker multiple times a week. Second to the coffee maker it’s probably the number one appliance in our kitchen. But every time I post about it I get a million follow up questions in the comments section…I have no clue why it’s such a mystery to others, but I’ve been trying to answer questions as best I can in order to reassure you all that it’s truly an idiot proof machine. Promise!
What can you use it for?
Everything. I use it for quinoa more than anything else, but you can use it for all grains, beans, legumes, etc. You can even steam veggies WHILE cooking grains.
What ratios do you use?
This is the most common question.
Here’s where I think the confusion (slash room for error) lies: rice cooker cup vs. standard US measurement cup <– they aren’t the same!!
A “rice cooker cup” is measured with that little plastic cup that comes with your rice cooker. It’s actually about 3/4 a traditional cup – but that’s what I use to portion out the amount of dry grains/beans into the machine. However, I don’t use the same plastic cup to measure the liquid. For the liquids, I use the premeasured lines on the inside of the bowl.
Example: Add 2 rice cooker cups of quinoa then fill to the “2” line in the rice cooker bowl.
That said, there’s a huge margin for error. The machines are so smart! They cook until the liquid is gone (by sensing the steam) so you can really get away with a wide range of over/under ratios.
What setting do I use for non-rice?
I have a fairly fancy rice cooker, but I pretty much use the same setting for everything (white rice/mixed). My mom has a rice cooker with every possible button on Earth, from porridge to potage. Ok, it doesn’t actually make French soup, but it’s got an excessive amount of settings.
Since my machine cooks white rice and mixed rice on the same setting, I’m fairly certain any grain can be cooked with any setting and it will turn out.
Worst case scenario, you get sticky quinoa. Is that so terrible? No.
So there you go! Ready to get your rice cooker on!?!
Just in case you still have questions, here are a few ratio charts for you to reference.
Legumes
Rice
Follow up questions? Ask away!
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
My cousin who’s Japanese had a rice cooker in out Apt when we were roommates in college. I loved it!
Awesome post, Elise! I’m definitely one of those people who always have questions about how to use a rice cooker every time you post a recipe with it. This pretty much cleared up most of my curiosity. I still haven’t purchased one yet, but I have a feeling I’m just going to have to suck it up and buy one. They really should rename it a grain cooker, instead of just rice. I bet they’d sell better if people knew they could cook more than just rice in it.
doooo it.
Thanks for sharing this! I have been thinking of getting a rice cooker and this definitely helped to answer some of my questions.
So I think I need to add a rice cooker to my registry…
uh, yes. definitely. itll be your favorite gift.
Elise,
Have you ever cooked groats or amaranth in the rice cooker? I tried both and both were an epic fail…too sticky and mushy! I used the traditional plastic cup and “fill to the line” measurements, so maybe the measurements for these are different?!?!?
never made amaranth, but now you have me intrigued. ill get back to you once i try it, okay?
I love the rice cooker, favourite and most used kitchen appliance!
Got a cheap 20 buck one from Walmart. It has become my most favorite appliance ever! It has an on off switch and warm. I have never been able to mess up white/brown rice, quinoa or oats. Makes my meals times so much easier!
Do you soak your beans overnight before cooking them in the rice cooker?
nope
Thank You for the info!! I’m a Korean and we Koreans use special type of rice cooker – “electronic pressure rice cooker.” I use it all the time for cooking kabocha squash (whole thing) and such. Now I know the right ratios for grains and others!!
Great post thanks! What book did you get those ratios out of?
the ultimate rice cooker cookbook by julie kaufman
on amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Rice-Cooker-Cookbook/dp/1558326677/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331848226&sr=8-1
Awesome I’m putting it in my cart today! LOL Thanks!
So you CAN use a rice cooker to cook dried beans as well? I have a fairly basic slow cooker, and was thinking of also buying a rice cooker but couldn’t justify buying something that only cooked rice. Great to know they can steam vegetables at the same time AND cook beans as well. I think I’m looking at a similar rice cooker to the one you have, same brand anyway but maybe fewer options. I’ll definitely be adding that cook book to my cart if I end up purchasing! Thanks for sharing!
Alright, I feel like this must be a stupid question since no one else has asked it, but it’s late, so I’ve given up trying to figure the answer out myself.
On that bean-cooking chart, there is no measurement for the beans, only for water. Is it assuming you’re using a whole bag? Or would it be rice-cooker-cups full in an equal ratio to cups of water?
rice cooker cup measurements for beans. and the water cups listed.
Equal to water cups? So like, for Adzuki, 3 rice cooker cups of beans? Like I said, I’m sure these are stupid questions, I’m sorry!!
i dont really understand what youre asking. the amount listed is the same as rice cooking. the ratio of rice to water is just beans to water instead. the amount of water in the chart shown is for 1 rice cooker cup of whatever legume it lists. for adzuki beans it says 1 cup beans with 3 cups water.
Okay, that’s all I was wondering — how many cups of beans. There is no measurement listed on the table, and so I didn’t know what the implied measurement was. That’s all I was asking.
Thank you for you patience.
no prob. glad you go it sorted out
I’m so excited! I finally broke down and ordered the rice cooker that you have! I’ve had one for a few years now but hardly ever used it because it never turned out right then yesterday I made brown rice and it was burnt on the bottom so I immediately got online and ordered it!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yay! youre gonna love it
Hi, a follow up to Meagan’s questions. With the example used of Adzuki, when you say 1 rice cooker cup to 3 cups water, is that 3 rice cooker cups of water? 3 regular measuring cups of water? Or the coordinating line in the pot? Thanks
Hi Laura. It’s the line in the pot.
What model do you have? Really thinking about buying one. Thx! Love your blog
Zojirushi. Love it.