Cooking Query: Can I Put Slow Cook for Rice on Instant Pot

If you pursue a different taste of rice, the slow cooking function of the instant pot is worth a try. It can stew the rice to be soft, glutinous and flavorful. Do you want to know where the trick lies?

Can I use the slow cooker function on my Instant Pot to cook rice?

The instant pot can be used to cook rice, but it is best not to use it often.

Because when cooking rice with the instant pot, it is very easy for the rice to be either too soft or too hard. To cook just the right rice, you have to repeatedly adjust the amount of water and time. You have to try several times to find the most suitable state.

And during the cooking process, you have to keep an eye on the pot all the time. Otherwise, if it is overcooked by accident, the taste of the rice will be completely ruined. It is quite troublesome. So it is better to use it to cook rice less often.

What is the water to rice ratio for Instant Pot slow cooker rice?

The ratio of water to rice when cooking rice with an instant pot is 1:1.2. This ratio is less than that of an ordinary rice cooker because the instant pot has good sealing and less evaporation loss.

If you find that the rice is too hard, you can add a little more water appropriately. If it is too soft, reduce it a little. Fine-tune according to your own preferences and actual effects.

It is recommended that you can test with 2 cups of rice when trying for the first time. This amount is neither too little nor too much. It is convenient to adjust experience. Then increase or decrease the amount according to your needs.

How long does it take to cook rice in the Instant Pot slow cooker function?

Cooking rice with an instant pot takes about 50 minutes in total.

If you want the rice to be fluffier and more delicious, it is best to soak the rice in advance for 20 minutes before cooking. The soaking time can be used to prepare other dishes to improve cooking efficiency.

Compared with a rice cooker, the cooking time is longer, but the advantage is that you can simmer soup or stew meat at the same time. It is more convenient to use one pot for multiple purposes. If you are only cooking rice, it is recommended to use a rice cooker which is more convenient and fast.

Why does Instant Pot rice need less water?

This is mainly because the sealing performance of the instant pot is particularly good. When cooking rice, the steam basically does not escape from the pot cover, but is recycled in the pot, so there is no need for additional water.

The instant pot will generate pressure during the cooking process. This pressure environment can make the rice grains absorb water faster and more fully. At the same time, the temperature in the pot is evenly distributed, avoiding water waste caused by local overheating and improving the utilization efficiency of water as a whole.

How to prevent rice from burning when cooking rice in an Instant Pot?

The key to preventing the rice from burning when cooking with an instant pot is to control the heat and time. During the operation, start by boiling on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes until steam begins to rise in the pot, then immediately turn to low heat and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Finally, turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.

The correct amount of water is also very important. Generally, 1 cup of rice is matched with 1.2 cups of water. Too little water is easy to burn, and too much water will affect the taste. At the same time, pay attention to cleaning the bottom of the pot. Residual starch will accelerate the burning at the bottom. It is recommended to spread a thin layer of oil on the bottom of the pot, which can effectively prevent sticking.

When using it, choose the right size of the pot. The amount of rice should preferably not exceed half of the pot's capacity so that the heating is more uniform. If it is found that the pressure in the pot is too high, adjust the heat to low in time to avoid excessive temperature leading to burning at the bottom.

Why is my rice hard in the Instant Pot?

The rice being too hard is mainly due to insufficient water or not enough cooking time. It is recommended to adjust the water amount to a ratio of 1:1.3, and at the same time, the total cooking time can be extended by 5 to 8 minutes.

The quality and storage time of rice will also affect the taste. New rice has good water absorption, and a slightly smaller amount of water can be used; old rice is drier and requires an appropriate increase in water amount. It is recommended to soak the rice for 20 to 30 minutes before use, so that it is easier to cook soft and glutinous rice.

When operating, pay attention to heat control. The timing of turning to low heat is crucial. Too early will result in the rice not being cooked enough, and too late will easily make the rice too dry. If hard rice is often cooked, you can check the sealing performance of the pot cover. Poor sealing will cause water loss. Try not to open the lid halfway during cooking to avoid affecting the steaming process of the rice.