The Rice Setting Cooks Rice Hands-Off at High Pressure

The rice setting on your when ready Pot uses high pressure and a fixed cooking time to cook rice without you watching it. You add rice and water in a set ratio, close the lid, press the rice button, and the pot handles the pressure, heat, and release on its own. The result is cooked rice ready to eat when the pressure releases — usually within 30 minutes total, including the time it takes pressure to build and release.

The rice setting works the same way on all when ready Pot models: Duo, Duo Plus, Ultra, and LUX. The button location and display may differ slightly, but the function is identical. This setting is designed specifically for white rice, jasmine rice, and basmati rice. Brown rice, wild rice, and other grains need different water ratios and longer cooking times, so they do not work well on the standard rice setting.

Key Takeaways

  • The rice setting uses a 1:1 ratio of rice to water for white rice, meaning one cup of rice needs one cup of water.
  • You rinse the rice first to remove starch, which prevents the rice from turning mushy or sticking together.
  • The pot will beep when pressure cooking is done, and you let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the lid.
  • The rice setting cooks at high pressure for 4 minutes, regardless of how much rice you are cooking.

The Water-to-Rice Ratio That Works

White rice, jasmine rice, and basmati rice all use a 1:1 water-to-rice ratio on the when ready Pot rice setting. This means one cup of uncooked rice needs one cup of water. Two cups of rice need two cups of water. The ratio stays the same no matter how much rice you cook, as long as you stay within the pot's capacity — the inner pot holds up to 6 cups of uncooked rice safely.

This ratio is different from stovetop cooking, where rice typically needs 1.5 to 2 cups of water per cup of rice. The when ready Pot loses less water to evaporation because it is sealed, so less water is needed. If you use the stovetop ratio, your rice will be mushy and waterlogged.

Measure both the rice and water by volume, not by weight. Use the same cup for both — a standard measuring cup works fine. Do not guess or eyeball the amounts; the ratio only works if you measure accurately.

Rinsing Rice Before Cooking

Rinse your rice under cold running water before you put it in the pot. Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and run water over it while stirring gently with your fingers for about 30 seconds. The water will turn cloudy at first — that is starch leaving the rice. Rinse until the water runs mostly clear, which usually takes two or three passes.

Rinsing removes excess starch that would otherwise make the rice sticky and clumpy. If you skip this step, the rice will cook unevenly and some grains will stick together. Rinsing takes less than a minute and makes a noticeable difference in texture.

After rinsing, you can drain the rice in the strainer for a few seconds, but it does not need to be completely dry. A little water clinging to the rice does not change the final result.

The Step-by-Step Cooking Process

Place the rinsed rice in the inner pot of your when ready Pot. Pour in the measured water. Stir once to make sure all the rice is submerged and no grains are stuck to the bottom of the pot. Close the lid and make sure the pressure release valve on top is set to Sealing — not Venting. If the valve is set to Venting, steam will escape and the pot will not build pressure.

Press the Rice button on the control panel. On most when ready Pot models, the button is labeled "Rice" and is located on the front. The display will show the cooking time — usually 4 minutes for white rice. The pot will beep when it starts building pressure, and you will hear it hiss slightly as pressure builds. This takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how much rice you are cooking.

When the cooking time ends, the pot will beep again. Do not open the lid when ready. Instead, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. This means you wait without touching anything — the pressure inside the pot will drop on its own. After 10 minutes, you can turn the pressure release valve to Venting to release any remaining pressure, or straightforward open the lid if the valve has already released.

Open the lid carefully, tilting it away from your face so the steam does not burn you. Fluff the rice with a fork. The rice should be tender and each grain should be separate. If the rice is still crunchy, close the lid and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes — carryover heat will finish cooking it.

Why Your Rice Might Come Out Wrong

If your rice is mushy or the grains are stuck together, you likely used too much water or skipped rinsing. Check that you are using a 1:1 ratio and that you rinsed the rice before cooking. If you are cooking a very small amount of rice — less than one cup — the ratio may not work as well because there is less rice to absorb the water. For small amounts, try reducing the water slightly, but measure carefully.

If your rice is crunchy or undercooked, you may have opened the lid too early or not let the pressure build fully. Make sure the pressure release valve is set to Sealing before you start, and do not open the lid until the 10-minute natural release is complete. Also check that the rice button actually activated — sometimes the button needs a firm press.

If the pot shows an error code or will not build pressure, the lid may not be sealed properly. Remove the lid, check that the rubber sealing ring is seated correctly inside the lid, and try again. If the ring is cracked or damaged, it will not seal and the pot cannot build pressure.

Brown Rice and Other Grains Need Different Settings

The rice setting is designed for white rice only. Brown rice, wild rice, farro, and other whole grains have a thicker hull and need more water and longer cooking time. If you cook brown rice on the standard rice setting, it will be crunchy and undercooked.

For brown rice, use a 1:1.25 water-to-rice ratio — one cup of brown rice needs 1.25 cups of water — and cook on high pressure for 22 to 25 minutes instead of 4. You can use the Manual or Pressure Cook button to set a custom time. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, the same as white rice.

If you cook different grains regularly, check your when ready Pot manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact ratio and time for each grain. The ratios vary, and using the wrong one will give you mushy or crunchy results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook rice in the when ready Pot without rinsing it first?

You can, but the rice will be stickier and the grains may clump together. Rinsing removes starch that makes rice gummy. It takes less than a minute and improves the texture noticeably, so it is worth doing.

What if I do not have a measuring cup and need to guess the water amount?

Do not guess. The water-to-rice ratio is exact, and even a small difference changes the result. Borrow a measuring cup or use any cup you have — a coffee mug or drinking glass works fine as long as you use the same cup for both rice and water.

Can I cook rice and other food in the when ready Pot at the same time?

Not on the rice setting. The rice setting is designed for rice alone. If you want to cook rice with other ingredients — like rice and broth or rice with vegetables — use the Manual or Pressure Cook button and adjust the water and cooking time based on what you are cooking.

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

About 25 to 30 minutes total. This includes 5 to 10 minutes for pressure to build, 4 minutes of cooking time, and 10 minutes of natural pressure release. The exact time depends on how much rice you are cooking and how hot your stove is.

Is the rice setting the same on all when ready Pot models?

Yes. The Duo, Duo Plus, Ultra, and LUX all have a rice setting that works the same way — high pressure for 4 minutes with a 1:1 water ratio. The button location and display design may look different, but the function is identical.