How to Cook Rice in a Microwave Rice Cooker: Times and Water Ratio
Rinse the rice, add water to the line on your cooker, set the lid as directed and microwave. Most charts use a burst on full power, then lower power to simmer, then a 5 to 10 minute rest with the lid on.
For 1 cup of white rice in a 1,000-watt microwave, expect roughly 12 to 15 minutes of cooking plus resting. Brown rice takes about twice as long.
- Your cooker’s booklet or lid chart is the best guide, because shapes, vents and capacities differ.
- Microwave wattage changes the time. Lower-watt ovens need longer.
- Fill the cooker no more than about halfway with rice and water, or it will boil over.
- Do not skip standing time. Rice keeps cooking in the steam after the microwave stops.
- Only use cookers labeled microwave-safe.
How a microwave rice cooker works
A microwave rice cooker is a plastic or ceramic pot with a vented lid. Some also have an inner lid or pressure plate. The microwave boils the water, the lid traps steam, and the vent lets extra pressure escape.
Unlike an electric rice cooker, it has no sensor. It does not know when the rice is done, so you set the time yourself based on the amount of rice and your microwave’s wattage.
How to cook rice in a microwave rice cooker
- Measure. Use the cup that came with the cooker, or a standard US measuring cup. Do not mix the two in one batch.
- Rinse. Rinse white rice in a sieve until the water runs mostly clear. This removes surface starch, which causes foaming and boil-overs.
- Add water. Fill to the water line inside the cooker, or use the ratio in the table below.
- Close the lid. Fit any inner lid, then close or clip the outer lid with the vent open, as your instructions show.
- Microwave on full power until the water boils, usually 5 to 8 minutes for 1 cup of rice.
- Lower the power to 50% (medium) and cook until the water is absorbed, about 5 to 8 minutes more for white rice.
- Rest. Leave the lid on for 5 to 10 minutes. Steam finishes the grains.
- Fluff. Open the lid away from your face, as the steam is very hot. Fluff with a fork or paddle.
Some small one-person cookers, such as the Japanese-style cups sold by Daiso and 3Coins, print a single-stage time on the lid at a set wattage. Follow that chart first, then adjust next time.
How long to cook rice in a microwave rice cooker
These are typical starting points for a 1,000-watt microwave. Check your cooker’s chart and adjust after your first batch.
| Rice (standard cup) | Water | Full power | Then 50% power | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup long-grain white | 1¾ to 2 cups | 5 to 6 min | 6 to 8 min | 5 to 10 min |
| 2 cups long-grain white | 3½ cups | 8 to 10 min | 8 to 10 min | 10 min |
| 1 cup jasmine or short-grain | 1¼ to 1½ cups | 5 min | 6 to 8 min | 10 min |
| 1 cup brown rice | 2 to 2½ cups | 6 to 8 min | 18 to 22 min | 10 min |
If your microwave is 700 to 800 watts, add about 2 to 4 minutes in total. For a 1,200-watt oven, start checking a couple of minutes early.
Can you cook a double batch?
Yes, if the rice and water stay at or below about half the cooker’s height. A double batch does not need double the time. Add roughly 40 to 50% more, and check the water level before the final stage.
Brown rice in a microwave rice cooker
Brown rice keeps its bran layer, so water soaks in more slowly. It needs more water and a longer, gentler simmer on lower power. Soaking it for 30 minutes first helps it cook more evenly.
If brown rice is still firm at the end, add 2 tablespoons of hot water, close the lid, and microwave on 50% for 3 more minutes. For an electric cooker method, see brown rice in a rice cooker.
Can you cook instant rice in a microwave rice cooker?
You can, but it is rarely worth it. Instant rice such as Minute Rice is already cooked and dried. It only needs hot water and a short rest, so a covered microwave-safe bowl and the package directions work just as well.
See our guide to cooking Minute Rice in a rice cooker for its 1:1 ratio.
Microwave safety tips
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension advises using only containers labeled microwave-safe. Other plastics can warp or melt, and chemicals can migrate into food.
- Vent the lid so steam can escape. Moist heat also helps food cook evenly.
- Allow standing time after microwaving. Food keeps heating after the timer stops.
- Use oven mitts. The base and the steam get very hot.
- Never use thin plastic bags, paper bags or foil in the microwave.
Mistakes to avoid
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Boils over | Too full, unrinsed rice or too much power | Rinse, cook a smaller batch, drop to 50% power sooner |
| Crunchy rice | Too little water or time, or low-watt microwave | Add 2 tbsp hot water and 2 to 3 minutes at 50% |
| Mushy rice | Too much water | Use less water next time; rest with the lid slightly open |
| Hard top, wet bottom | No standing time | Rest 10 minutes before opening |
| Uneven results | Hot spots | Use the turntable; stir once before the rest if your cooker allows it |
Storing cooked rice
Cool rice quickly in a shallow container and refrigerate within 2 hours. The USDA says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat until steaming hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to cook rice in a microwave rice cooker?
About 12 to 15 minutes for 1 cup of white rice in a 1,000-watt microwave, plus 5 to 10 minutes of resting. Brown rice takes about 25 to 30 minutes plus resting.
How much water do you put in a microwave rice cooker?
Use the water line inside your cooker if it has one. Otherwise, start with 1¾ to 2 cups of water per cup of long-grain white rice, and 2 to 2½ cups for brown rice.
Do you rinse rice before using a microwave rice cooker?
Yes, for white rice. Rinsing removes surface starch, which reduces foaming and the risk of boiling over.
Why does my microwave rice cooker boil over?
It is usually too full, or cooking too long on full power. Keep rice and water below half the height of the cooker and switch to 50% power once the water boils.
Is it safe to cook rice in a plastic microwave rice cooker?
Yes, if the cooker is labeled microwave-safe and you follow its instructions. Replace it if it becomes warped, cracked or deeply scratched.
The bottom line
Rinse and measure the rice, add water to the line, and cook on full power then 50% power. Rest with the lid on, then fluff. After one batch, you will know the right time for your microwave.
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Microwave Safety.
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Leftovers and Food Safety.
- Minute Rice, FAQ: Cooking with Minute Products.
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