How Long Does a Rice Cooker Take?

Rice is a staple food that can accompany almost any dish. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with meat, fish, veggies, and even other grains. As versatile as rice is, it can be difficult to cook it consistently. A common method of cooking is using a good-quality rice cooker. But it still begs the question, how long does a rice cooker take to cook rice?

Rice cookers are one of the most hassle-free ways to prepare rice, even in large batches. 

It takes approximately 26 minutes to cook 1 cup of white rice and 60 minutes to cook 1 cup of brown rice. So if you’re wondering how long does it take 2 cups in a rice cooker, it would be around 52 minutes for white and 120 minutes for brown, respectively. Of course, cooking times can fluctuate as you increase or decrease the amount of rice you’re cooking.

Average Rice Cooker Time for Different Types of Rice Cookers

The actual time it takes to cook rice depends on the type and brand of the rice cooker you use. While the timing we mentioned above is an approximation, you should still check out the user manual of your cooker to know the exact time it takes to cook one or more cups of rice. 

There are currently two types of rice cookers: Pot Style and Cool-Touch. Below are some detailed tables highlighting their average cooking times based on cooking white and brown rice.

Pot-Style Rice Cooker Cooking Time for White Rice

Pot-Style Rice Cooker Cooking Time for Brown Rice

Cool-Touch Rice Cooker Cooking Time for White Rice

Cool-Touch Rice Cooker Cooking Time for Brown Rice

Cool-touch rice cookers take 60 minutes to cook brown rice, regardless of the quantity of rice you cook. 

All rice cookers come with a timer or sensor to help you understand when the rice has been cooked. If your cooker has a timer, you must set it manually. However, in the case of a sensor, your cooker will tell you when the rice has been cooked. 

What Factors Impact The Cooking Time of Your Rice Cooker?

While the type and brand of rice cooker are the primary factors influencing the actual time it takes to cook the rice, several others come into play.

Rice Type

The type of rice you cook vastly affects its cooking time. Take a look at the difference in cooking time between white and brown rice. What you may not know is the difference in cooking times based on various types of white and brown rice. 

White rice like Basmati and Jasmine might cook slightly faster than dense sushi rice. Above all, however, white rice cooks faster than brown rice. 

Amount of Water You Use

Some people like eating sticky rice, while others prefer each grain to be separate. Depending on your preference, you have to adjust the quantity of water you put in your rice cooker. But the amount of water you use also affects the cooking time. 

The more water you add, the longer it takes to cook the rice. To understand the exact amount of time it will take, you can either check out recipes online or pull out an old family recipe that features a rice cooker. Of course, trial and error is another option. 

The Age of Your Rice Cooker

Newer rice cookers have an improved technology that allows them to cook rice faster and more efficiently. You’ll likely have to wait longer to have delicious, steaming rice if you have an older model. 

The Dish You’re Preparing

Depending on the rice dish you’re preparing, it’s safe to say you’re going to want to add a little flavor. If you’re planning to spice up your rice and add additional ingredients, you should keep in mind that this will increase the cooking time in a rice cooker. 

How to Prevent Rice From Sticking to the Bottom of the Cooker?

As you open your cooker to take out the fresh batch of rice you just cooked, you may find that some of it may be stuck to the bottom. It can be quite disappointing. To prevent this from happening, make sure to follow the tips below to keep your rice from sticking to the cooker. 

• Rinse Your Rice: Rinse rice thoroughly every time before you cook it. Rice contains a large amount of starch, which is the primary reason each grain sticks to one another or to the cooking utensil. To rinse, you can fill a bowl with water, add your rice to it, and gently rub the grains between your hands. Another idea is to use a fine colander and run water through the rice while tossing it. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. 
• Coat the Rice Cooker with Oil: Greasing the bottom of the rice cooker is an important step you shouldn’t skip out on (unless the manufacturer of the cooker strictly advises against it). To grease your rice cooker, brush a thin layer of oil all over the bottom and sides of the cooker before pouring in the rice. 
• Use Rice Cooker Paper: Many cookers recommend using rice cooker paper to prevent stickiness. You can buy one at your local grocery store or shop online. 

How Long Does it Take to Cook Rice on the Stove?

It takes about 10-12 minutes to cook white rice and 25-30 minutes to cook brown rice on a stovetop. If you’re using a pressure cooker on the stove, the cooking time may be reduced. 

Similar to using a rice cooker, the actual cooking time varies based on the type of rice you’re cooking, the dish you’re making, and the amount of water you add. 

Cooking rice on a stovetop is definitely faster than cooking it in a cooker. However, controlling it is a bit difficult. So unless you’re up for a challenge, sticking to rice cookers is probably a good idea. 

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If you’re still wondering how long does a rice cooker take, it would be advantageous to begin experimenting with various quantities and types of rice. A great way to keep track of your progress is to use an online recipe sharing app like Morsel. Create a collection of recipes using your rice cooker. You’ll be able to make note of the appropriate cooking times each dish would need. Once you’ve successfully made these dishes, invite your friends and family to share in the delicious recipes you’ve created. 

Aida Solomon

Aida Solomon is a digital marketing specialist who’s passionate about bringing her creative ideas to life. As an avid homecook, Aida loves to explore the way food has the power of bridging the world together. When she’s offline, she loves to travel through new recipes, and run long distances — paying homage to her Ethiopian roots.