The Rice Setting Cooks White Rice Hands-Off in 12 Minutes

The Rice setting on your when ready Pot is designed to cook white rice automatically—you add rice and water in a 1:1 ratio by volume, press the button, and walk away. The pot heats to pressure, cooks for a fixed time (usually 12 minutes for most when ready Pot models), then releases pressure on its own. When the cycle ends, your rice is cooked through and fluffy, with no scorching or overflow.

This setting works because white rice absorbs water at a predictable rate under pressure. The when ready Pot's sensors detect when pressure has built and when cooking time is complete, so you do not have to watch the stove or guess when to turn off the heat. The result is more consistent than stovetop cooking, especially if you are cooking for the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • Use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water by volume—one cup of rice needs one cup of water, measured in the same cup.
  • Rinse your rice under cold water before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent mushiness.
  • The Rice setting cooks for 12 minutes at high pressure on most models, then releases pressure automatically.
  • Let the pot sit for 10 minutes after cooking ends before opening the lid, so the rice finishes absorbing water.
  • The Rice setting works best for white rice; brown rice and other grains need different timing and water ratios.

Measure Rice and Water in the Same Cup

The 1:1 ratio is the key to the Rice setting. Measure your uncooked rice in a cup—any cup will work as long as you use the same one for water. If you use a standard 8-ounce measuring cup and measure out one cup of rice, add one cup of water. If you measure two cups of rice, add two cups of water. The ratio stays the same no matter how much you cook.

Do not use the cup that came with your when ready Pot for this measurement. That cup is smaller (about 6 ounces) and will throw off your ratio. Use a standard kitchen measuring cup instead, or measure both rice and water in the same bowl before pouring into the pot.

Rinse the Rice to Remove Starch

Before you add rice to the pot, place it in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold running water for about 30 seconds. Stir the rice gently with your fingers as the water runs through. You will see the water turn cloudy at first, then gradually clear. Stop when the water runs mostly clear—you do not need to rinse until the water is perfectly transparent.

Rinsing removes the powdery starch coating on the rice grains. Without rinsing, that starch absorbs extra water and makes the rice mushy or gummy. Rinsed rice stays separate and fluffy. This step takes less than a minute and makes a noticeable difference in texture.

Add Rice and Water, Then Press the Rice Button

Pour your rinsed rice into the inner pot of your when ready Pot. Add water in the 1:1 ratio. Stir once to make sure all the rice is submerged and sitting flat on the bottom of the pot. Do not add salt, oil, or broth at this stage—the Rice setting is calibrated for plain water, and extra ingredients can throw off the cooking time.

Close the lid and turn the valve to Sealing (the valve on top of the lid should point toward the word "Sealing"). Press the Rice button. On most when ready Pot models, the display will show "12" and begin counting down. The pot will take 5 to 10 minutes to come to pressure before the timer starts, depending on how much rice you are cooking.

Wait for the Pressure Release and Rest Period

When the Rice setting finishes, the pot will beep and the display will show "0:00". At this point, the pressure inside is still high. Do not open the lid yet. Instead, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. During this time, the pressure releases slowly on its own (called natural release), and the rice continues to absorb any remaining water.

After 10 minutes, you can open the lid safely. If there is still a small amount of water pooled at the bottom, close the lid and let it sit for another 2 to 3 minutes. Once you open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. The rice is now ready to serve.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Mushy or Crunchy Rice

The most common error is using the wrong water ratio. If you add more water than rice, the result will be mushy. If you add less water, the rice will be crunchy in the middle. Measure carefully in the same cup, and stick to 1:1 for white rice.

Another mistake is opening the lid too soon. The 10-minute rest period is not optional—it is when the rice finishes cooking. If you open the lid after the beep but before the 10 minutes are up, steam escapes and the rice will be undercooked. Set a timer on your phone if you tend to forget.

Skipping the rinse step will also cause gumminess. Even if you are in a hurry, 30 seconds of rinsing prevents a mushy pot of rice. Finally, do not add salt or oil before cooking. The Rice setting's timing assumes plain water only. You can season the rice after it is cooked.

How to Cook Different Amounts of Rice

The Rice setting works the same way whether you are cooking one cup or four cups of rice. The ratio stays 1:1, and the cooking time stays 12 minutes. The only difference is how long it takes the pot to come to pressure—a larger amount of rice takes a few minutes longer to heat up, but the actual cooking time under pressure does not change.

For very small amounts (less than half a cup), the Rice setting may not work well because there is not enough liquid to build pressure reliably. If you are cooking less than half a cup, use the manual pressure setting instead: set the pot to high pressure for 3 minutes, then let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Rice setting for brown rice or other grains?

No. Brown rice, wild rice, and other grains need more water and longer cooking time than the Rice setting provides. Brown rice typically needs a 1:1.2 ratio of rice to water and 22 to 25 minutes at high pressure. Check your when ready Pot manual or the grain package for the correct ratio and time, then use the Manual or Pressure Cook button instead of Rice.

What if water is still pooled at the bottom after the rest period?

Close the lid and let it sit for another 2 to 3 minutes. If water remains after that, your rice may have absorbed less than expected. You can drain it with a fine-mesh strainer, or leave it in the pot—a small amount of extra water will not ruin the rice. Next time, reduce the water slightly.

Can I add broth, salt, or oil to the rice before cooking?

You can add salt or oil after cooking without any problem. If you want to cook rice in broth, use the Manual or Pressure Cook button instead of Rice, because broth has a different density than water and may change cooking time. Cook at high pressure for 12 minutes, then release pressure naturally for 10 minutes.

Why is my rice coming out mushy even though I am using the right ratio?

You may be skipping the rinse step, or you may be opening the lid before the 10-minute rest is complete. Both of these cause mushiness. Also check that you are using the Rice button, not a different pressure setting—some users accidentally press Manual instead and end up cooking too long.

How long does the whole process take from start to finish?

Plan for about 25 to 30 minutes total. The pot takes 5 to 10 minutes to come to pressure, cooks for 12 minutes, then needs 10 minutes to rest. Rinsing the rice and measuring water adds another 2 to 3 minutes before you start.