How to Stop Your Rice Cooker from Burning Rice

The rice cooker is an excellent kitchen appliance. It makes the simple process of cooking rice even simpler. However, nothing in this world is flawless. The most common problem of rice cookers is that they burn the rice. Since you’ve found this article, you are most likely curious to know, “How to stop your rice cooker from burning rice?” I will aid you in getting rid of your curiosities.

You have to follow the directions written on your rice cooker’s user manual to avoid burning the rice. Using the right amount of water, turning off the rice cooker as soon as the rice is cooked, and fluffing the cooked rice are a few strategies for preventing the rice from burning in a rice cooker.

Most people buy rice cookers so that they can cook rice quickly and effortlessly. But, the burning issue is no doubt an obstacle to getting perfectly cooked rice. There are a few reasons why rice burns in a rice cooker in the first place. You have to figure out the causes and avoid them to keep off the problem. This article will help you with some tips in this regard.

Why Does the Rice Cooker Burn Rice?

Rice cookers evaporate the water rapidly. This is the key cause of rice cookers burning rice. Some other reasons are not using enough water or attempting to cook a minimal amount of rice. Keeping the rice in the rice cooker for a long period after it has been cooked is also one reason why the rice cooker burns rice.

Some of the reasons why rice cookers burn rice are mentioned below.

Inaccurate water-to-rice ratio

If the ratio of the rice and water you are using is incorrect, it can cause burnt rice. Using a cup of rice in a cup of water or less will burn the rice.

A rice cooker is a machine that is set to operate until it reaches a specific temperature. If you use less amount of water compared to rice, then the water will evaporate soon. But, the rice cooker will continue to produce heat resulting in the rice getting burnt.

Cooking a small amount of rice

Rice cookers often burn rice if you don’t use the bare minimum amount of rice. You won’t get the perfect rice if you don’t put in enough rice for your rice cooker.

The laws of physics are unchangeable. Since there is extra surface area in a rice cooker with a bowl of limited rice, the rice can receive high heats. As a result, the rice will quickly burn.

‘Keep warm’ feature of rice cooker

Every rice cooker has the ‘keep warm ‘ feature. This setting is also a notable cause behind the problem.

The feature still keeps producing heat even after the rice is cooked. Sometimes the inside temperature gets too high and results in making your rice dry and burnt.

Leaving the rice in the rice cooker

The rice cooker starts producing heat once you turn it on. The inside temperature remains hot even after the rice has been cooked.

So, if you keep the rice inside the rice cooker for an extended period, it might cause the rice to get burnt. 

Malfunctioning of rice cooker

A rice cooker’s heating unit has a thermocouple attached to it. The heating circuit is switched to a lower temperature when the thermocouple is tripped.

The rice cooker will continue to generate high heat if the thermocouple or switch doesn’t work correctly. This might also be a cause of the rice cooker burning rice.

Tips to Prevent Rice cooker from Burning Rice 

The issue of rice cooker burning rice wastes your rice and also creates a lot of trouble when it comes to washing the pot. Getting rid of the problem will save both your time and money.

Thus, here are a few tips to stop rice cooker from burning rice.

1. Follow the user manual of the rice cooker

Different rice cookers have different types of features. Every rice cooker comes with a user manual. You will find all the information you need to know in it.

If you don’t follow the manual’s instructions, you won’t be able to use the rice cooker correctly. Reading the manual and operating the rice cooker according to it is the first and foremost thing you have to do to avoid any hassle. So, be sure to stick to the direction of the manual. 

2. Don’t forget to rinse the rice before cooking

A high amount of starch can cause a crusty bottom. The more starch in the rice, the stickier it will be. There is a high chance of the rice burning if it sticks to the bottom of the rice cooker’s pot.

Rinsing the rice helps to wash off the excess starch. Thus, it will help to prevent the rice from burning in the rice cooker.

• Take a broad and deep bowl and pour the rice into it.
• Pour water into the bowl and stir the rice.
• Rub the grains with water and remove dirt and bugs.
• Pour off the dirty water and continue to repeat the process until the water is clear.

However, keep in mind that not every type of rice should be rinsed before. For example, washing short-grain rice and brown rice might remove nutrients. Also, some packets of rice are pre-washed. Other than that, rinsing off your rice can help to lessen the burning caused by stickiness.

3. Use the correct amount of rice and water

If you use the correct amount of rice and water, you might avoid this problem. To prevent your rice cooker from burning rice, use the proper water-to-rice ratio. Keep in mind that the ratio varies depending on the rice. Besides, the rice cooker you are using plays a role in determining the correct ratio since all the rice cookers don’t have the same requirements.

• Use the measuring cup of your rice cooker to measure rice and water.
• Cook an appropriate amount of rice according to the size of the rice cooker.
• Generally, the 2:1 ratio of water and rice works better in most rice cookers. 

4. Avoid keeping your rice cooker on ‘keep warm’ mode 

The rice cooker switches from cook to ‘keep warm’ option when the rice is done. It is no doubt a superb feature of the rice cooker. But, keeping the rice in the ‘keep warm’ mode for too long will burn your rice.

So, it is better not to leave the rice in the rice cooker for a long time. Switch off the rice cooker as soon as the rice is ready. Take the rice out from the rice cooker and serve it in a bowl. However, if you need to keep the rice warm, pour some water into the cooker and often stir the rice.

5. Upgrade to a high-end rice cooker

A cheap rice cooker might also be a reason behind the problem. If the rice cooker you are using is a cheap one, there is a high chance that it is not working correctly. The rice cooker might produce more than the required temperature if it is defective.

Thus, it is better to buy a top-quality rice cooker to make sure the glitch of the rice cooker doesn’t result in burning rice. Also, consider buying a rice cooker that comes with non-stick pots.

Burnt rice is enough to ruin your day. Hence, I have discussed everything you need to know to prevent the rice cooker from burning rice. 

BONUS TIP! Add a small amount of vegetable or olive oil to the rice before turning on the rice cooker.

Conclusion

Rice cookers come with a long list of benefits. But only if you learn to use it properly. Now that you know how to stop rice cooker from burning rice, you might be able to make the best use of it. 

Follow the tips to cook rice in your rice cooker. You will be delighted to see how the most irritating problem you were facing with your rice cooker just vanishes. Thanks for reading.