The Rice Setting Cooks White Rice Without Guesswork

The when ready Pot rice setting is designed to cook white rice automatically—you add rice and water in the right ratio, press the rice button, and the pot handles the pressure and timing for you. The setting works because it applies high pressure for a fixed time (usually 3 minutes on most models), then releases pressure automatically, leaving you with cooked rice instead of a pot you have to monitor.

The rice setting is one of the most reliable preset buttons on the when ready Pot because rice is forgiving. Unlike meat or vegetables, rice doesn't need you to brown it first or adjust for altitude or thickness. You measure, add liquid, press a button, and walk away.

Key Takeaways

  • Use a 1:1 ratio of white rice to water—one cup of rice to one cup of water—when using the rice setting.
  • Rinse your rice under cold water before adding it to the pot to remove starch and prevent mushiness.
  • The rice button cooks at high pressure for 3 minutes, then the pot naturally releases pressure for about 10 minutes before the float valve drops.
  • Do not open the lid or manually release pressure until the float valve has fully dropped, or your rice will be undercooked.
  • The rice setting works best for white rice; brown rice and other grains need different timing and are better cooked on manual pressure settings.

Measuring Rice and Water for the Rice Setting

The rice setting uses a 1:1 ratio—one cup of uncooked white rice to one cup of water. This ratio is the foundation of why the preset works. If you use more water, your rice becomes mushy. If you use less, it stays crunchy in the middle.

Measure your rice in a standard measuring cup, not by weight or eyeball. Pour it into the inner pot. Then measure the same volume of water and add it. Do not add extra water "just in case"—the preset timing is built around this exact ratio.

If you are cooking for more people, you can scale up: two cups rice to two cups water, three cups rice to three cups water. The ratio stays the same. The cooking time on the rice setting does not change because the pressure and heat work the same way regardless of quantity (as long as you stay within the pot's maximum fill line, which is usually marked on the inner pot).

Rinsing Rice Before Cooking

Rinsing rice removes surface starch, which prevents the grains from sticking together and becoming gluey. Place your measured rice in a fine-mesh strainer and hold it under cold running water. Stir the rice gently with your fingers while the water runs through it. Continue until the water running out is mostly clear instead of milky white.

Rinsing takes about one minute and makes a noticeable difference in texture. If you skip this step, your rice will be softer and more likely to clump. Rinsed rice stays separate and fluffy.

After rinsing, add the rinsed rice to the inner pot, then add your measured water. The water amount stays the same even though the rice is now wet—the starch you removed was on the surface, not inside the grains.

Starting the Rice Setting and Waiting for Pressure Release

Close the lid and make sure the steam release valve (the small lever on top of the lid) is set to Sealing, not Venting. If it is set to Venting, steam will escape and the pot will not build pressure.

Press the Rice button. On most when ready Pot models, the display will show "Rice" and a countdown timer. The pot will beep when it reaches pressure, then begin the 3-minute cook time. You do not need to do anything while it cooks—this is the whole point of the preset.

When the 3 minutes are done, the pot will beep again. Do not open the lid or press the pressure release valve yet. The pot is now in natural pressure release, which means the pressure inside is dropping on its own. This takes about 10 minutes. During this time, the rice continues to absorb water and finish cooking.

Wait until the float valve (the small pin on top of the lid) drops all the way down. When it is flush with the lid, all pressure has been released and it is safe to open. If you open the lid before the float valve drops, steam will escape, the rice will stop cooking, and you will end up with crunchy grains.

Opening the Pot and Fluffing the Rice

Once the float valve has dropped, carefully open the lid by tilting it away from you so the steam does not hit your face. The rice should look fluffy and the water should be completely absorbed. If there is still water pooled at the bottom, close the lid and let it sit for another 2 to 3 minutes—the rice will absorb it.

Use a fork to fluff the rice, breaking up any clumps that formed on the bottom. Stir gently from the bottom of the pot upward. This separates the grains and releases steam, cooling the rice slightly so it is easier to handle.

Transfer the rice to a serving bowl or plate. Any rice that stuck to the bottom of the pot (called the crust) can be scraped off with a wooden spoon if you want it, or left behind if you prefer only the fluffy rice.

What to Do If Your Rice Turns Out Wrong

If your rice is mushy, you likely used too much water or did not rinse the rice beforehand. The next time, measure carefully and rinse until the water runs clear. You can also try reducing water by 2 tablespoons per cup of rice if your tap water is very soft or if your when ready Pot model runs hot.

If your rice is crunchy or hard in the middle, you may have opened the lid before the natural pressure release was complete, or your pot did not reach full pressure (check that the steam valve was set to Sealing). Cook it again: add a few tablespoons of water, close the lid, and run the rice setting one more time.

If your rice is watery with standing liquid, the pot may not have sealed properly. Check that the rubber sealing ring is clean and seated correctly in the lid. A dirty or misaligned ring prevents the pot from building pressure, so the rice cooks at a lower temperature and does not absorb water as quickly.

Rice Setting vs. Manual Pressure Cooking

The rice setting is a preset that runs high pressure for 3 minutes followed by natural release. You can achieve the same result by pressing Manual or Pressure Cook, setting the time to 3 minutes on high pressure, and letting it naturally release. The rice button is straightforward a shortcut that does this automatically.

The rice setting works only for white rice. Brown rice, wild rice, jasmine rice, and other varieties have different cooking times and water ratios. For those, use the Manual setting instead: brown rice typically needs 22 to 25 minutes at high pressure with a 1:2.5 ratio of rice to water. Check your when ready Pot manual or a reliable recipe for the specific grain you are cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook brown rice on the rice setting?

No. The rice setting is timed for white rice only. Brown rice needs more time under pressure (usually 22 to 25 minutes) and more water (about 2.5 cups per cup of rice). Use the Manual or Pressure Cook button instead and set the time yourself.

What if I need to cook rice for a crowd?

You can scale the 1:1 ratio up to the maximum fill line on your inner pot. Most when ready Pots can safely hold up to 6 cups of uncooked rice with 6 cups of water. The rice setting timing does not change—it is still 3 minutes at high pressure. If you need more than that, cook in batches.

Can I add salt, oil, or butter to the rice?

Yes. Add salt, oil, or butter to the water before you add the rice. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of rice, or to taste. Oil or butter (about 1 tablespoon per cup of rice) helps prevent foaming and can improve flavor. These additions do not change the cooking time.

Why is my rice sticking to the bottom of the pot?

Rice naturally sticks slightly to the bottom, especially if the pot is very hot. This is normal. If it is burning or turning dark brown, your pot may run hot, or you may have left the rice sitting on the Keep Warm setting too long after cooking. Fluff and serve when ready after the float valve drops.

Do I have to use the rice setting, or can I use manual pressure?

You can use either. The rice setting is convenient because it is one button, but pressing Manual, setting 3 minutes on high pressure, and letting it naturally release produces identical results. Use whichever feels easier to you.