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Rice cooker delay function confusion

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BRAdmin
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Confusion About the Rice Cooker Delay Function

This year, my kid’s baseball schedule is really eating into my time for cooking and dinner.

I’m having a tough time figuring out how to use the delay function on my electric rice cooker for preparing rice. I usually just make rice about 35 minutes before dinner or heat up some leftovers from the freezer.

Here are my questions:
– Do I stick with my typical rice-to-water ratio?
– If I’m not around to give the rice a stir before it starts cooking, will I end up with burnt rice on the bottom?
– I usually add salt to the water when cooking rice (I know, I’m breaking all the rules), but will this affect the texture if I use the delay function?

I could batch-cook rice at the start of the week and freeze portions, but that takes up valuable freezer space and still needs about 10 minutes to reheat. What I really want is to come home and dive straight into dinner prep.

(Also, letting rice sit on ‘Keep Warm’ isn’t a solution for me. My cooker isn’t great at holding the rice without turning it crunchy or drying it out on the edges.)

Thanks for your help!

Comments

One response to “Rice cooker delay function confusion”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    Hey there! I totally understand where you’re coming from—finding ways to make dinner easier around busy schedules can be a challenge. Here’s some advice on using the delay function for your rice cooker:

    1. Rice to Water Ratio: Yes, you should use your usual rice to water ratio for the type of rice you’re cooking. Just measure it out as you normally would. The delay function won’t change how much water you need; it’s still based on the type and amount of rice.

    2. Concerns About Burning: Modern rice cookers are generally designed to handle the delay function without burning the rice. They typically have a thermal sensor to prevent overheating, so as long as you’re using it properly and it’s set up according to the manufacturer’s instructions, you shouldn’t run into the rice burning on the bottom. Just make sure you’re following the recommended delay time.

    3. Salting the Rice Water: Salting your water is perfectly fine! It can actually enhance the flavor of your rice. Just be mindful of how much salt you add, as salt does draw moisture out. If you’re concerned about texture, you might want to experiment a little with the amount of salt to find what works best for you.

    Using the delay timer can definitely help streamline your dinner routine. Just make sure to set it so the rice starts cooking about the time you expect to be home and ready for dinner!

    If you find it doesn’t quite work out as planned, making a bigger batch to freeze for later can always be an option. That way, on those busy nights, you can just reheat and serve. Hope this helps, and good luck with your kid’s baseball season!

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