How to Make Rice in a Cooker: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Jul 31, 2025

The perfect texture, taste, and aroma of cooked rice always make your dining experience special. With pressure cookers and electric rice cookers, this task becomes easier than ever. However, you have to follow some basic steps to make rice perfectly in both methods.

In this aspect, this step-by-step guide includes all the important tips on how to cook rice in a rice cooker or pressure cooker.

Types of Cookers You Can Use to Cook Rice

There are two popular cookers available in the market when it comes to making rice. You can use either the electric or the pressure cooker, as both of them are reliable and save time.

Pressure Cooker

In order to cook rice in this cookware, you have to seal it from the top with its handle. Pressure cookers use high steam to cook rice or any other dish you prefer. However, there are additional steps that need to be followed for making perfect rice.

This high-pressure cookware has several benefits, some of which are presented below:

Faster Cooking Time: A pressure cooker can prepare most of the Indian dishes up to 50% faster than traditional cooking. However, it requires some specific steps to be followed.
Energy Efficiency: As your food prepares faster, it uses less energy from both induction cooktops and your gas stoves. This feature makes this cookware an economical solution.
Enhanced Flavour: Food cooked in a sealed and steamy container retains more vitamins and minerals. Thus, it helps to retain the taste of rice when you cook it in a pressure cooker.

Electric Rice Cooker

If you are wondering how to cook rice in an electric rice cooker, the answer is simple: it's automatic.

This kitchen appliance is the go-to method to quickly cook rice while preserving its taste. You just need to pour the required amount of water and raw rice to cook it. Many rice cookers can cook within 15-25 minutes, but it also depends on how much rice and water you have poured into the appliance you have.

Here are some of the advantages of electric rice cookers:

Automated Cooking: An electric cooker cooks in an automated cycle, which makes it easier to multitask. You can quickly make rice while handling other household chores.
Keeps Food Warm: Most of the electric cookers have functions that keep food warm after they are cooked. They also have timers which help in precise, quick, and prompt meal planning.
Hassle-free maintenance: Using an electric rice cooker can ease the task of maintenance, as they are easy to clean.

How to Cook Rice in a Pressure Cooker

If you wish to cook rice in a pressure cooker, it is fast but requires some key ingredients. By doing this multiple times, you will get habituated to this.

To cook rice in this cookware, you need:

1 cup of rice
1.5 to 2 cups of water, depending on the rice type
Add salt (optional)

Key steps are as follows:

Step 1: You need to soak the raw rice for a few minutes. This makes the grain softer and allows it to cook faster.
Step 2: Then add 1.5 or 2 cups of water to 1 cup of raw rice. But it depends on the type of rice you use, such as brown rice or white rice.
Step 3: You can add a pinch of salt for seasoning.
Step 4: Close the lid of your pressure cooker and place it on your gas stove or induction cooktop.
Step 5: Let it on a moderate flame or temperature and wait for 2 to 3 whistles.
Step 6: Turn off the gas flame or turn off your induction cooker and wait for a few minutes till the cooker reduces its temperature. To make sure, after a few minutes of cooking, use a spatula to gently lift the cooker whistle. If it does not release high steam, it means you can open the lid.
Step 7: Open the pressure cooker’s lid and serve rice with your favourite dish.

How to Make Rice in an Electric Cooker

Things you need to cook rice in an electric rice cooker are:

1 cup rice
2 cups water
Salt (Optional)

Here are the key steps you have to follow:

Step 1: Same as for the pressure cooker, soak and rinse the rice to get its best texture.
Step 2: Put the washed rice in the inner pot of the electric rice cooker
Step 3: Pour 2 cups of water into the pot
Step 4: You can add salt for fast cooking
Step 5: Switch on the cooker and press the “Cook” button.
Step 6: Once the indicators turn from cook to warm, open the lid, set aside your rice for a few minutes to release the excess steam.

Tips for Perfect Rice Every Time

Following these simple tips can help you get the perfect texture and taste of the rice. These recommendations are applicable to both a pressure cooker and an electric rice cooker.

Wash the rice to get rid of the excess starch.
Soak rice in water for a few minutes before cooking.
Once the rice has been cooked, use a spatula to remove excess steam.

Storage & Reheating Tips for Rice

Storing and reheating rice allows you to preserve its texture for a longer duration. Here are some key recommendations to keep rice warm:

Let the rice cool down, then place it into an air-tight casserole.
Add a splash of water before reheating to preserve its softness.

Here are some options from Milton that can keep your rice warm as well as help you reheat it:

Orchid Insulated Stainless Steel Casserole

If you are looking for something to keep cooked rice fresh, then this stainless steel Casserole is one of the best solutions. This food container is made from food-grade materials, and it can keep both hot and cold dishes to their optimal temperature for a longer period. You can get it in 850 ml and 1500 ml sizes.

Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker Outer Lid

This stainless steel pressure cooker from Milton Procook is an ideal choice for you to cook and reheat rice. You can use this cookware on both induction and gas stoves.

Excel Electric Rice Cooker

If you are looking for something that can automatically cook and reheat rice, then this electric rice cooker is highly suitable for you. It makes your cooking experience better by offering you an additional cooking bowl, measuring cup and spatula.

Conclusion

Pressure cookers and electric rice cookers are great for cooking rice. Both of these cookware and appliances are budget-friendly and easy to use. With a bit of care, you can prepare soft and well-cooked rice. With regular practice, it will be easier for you to cook using both appliances.