Of course, you can! The rice cooker is designed for rice cooking and reheating. In fact, it’s one of the most convenient ways to enrich the taste of leftover rice and rice meals.
Rice cookers are appliances designed to boil and steam rice; however, little do we know they also have a reheat option.
The reheating process is simple and quick, you just need to add a bit of cold water and press the “keep warm” button. This method reheats the rice slowly and keeps it warm until you’re ready to serve it.
Gradual reheating of the rice in the rice cooker is your best option! Quick and sudden heat may burn the rice and dry it out, resulting in hard or mushy rice or both.
Keep reading to learn all about rice reheating in a rice cooker!
Table of Contents
How to Properly Store Leftover Rice?
Before you reheat leftover rice, you need to make sure you’ve stored the leftovers properly.
By storing rice the right way, you’re ensuring it maintains its optimal quality, doesn’t lose its texture, and doesn’t become the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
The first step is to cook the rice thoroughly and then leave it to cool down completely. Avoid leaving rice at a temperature range of 40 degrees F to 140 degrees F for prolonged periods to prevent the risk of bacteria and food-borne diseases.
Divide the amount into smaller and shallower food containers and close them well. If you plan to eat them within a short period of time, the fridge will do just fine.
Check if the fridge’s temperature is right (40 degrees F or lower) For longer storage, the freezer is a safer and more convenient option. You can keep the rice in the freezer for several months.
If the leftovers have been left on the counter for more than two hours, discard them because there’s a risk of food poisoning if you consume rice with bacteria!
How to Reheat Rice in a Rice Cooker?
Reheating rice using a rice cooker is easy to learn. In a couple of steps, you’ll enrich the taste of leftover rice and have a delicious meal ready for the whole family!
Before you reheat rice in a rice cooker, you will need a couple of tools, in addition to the rice cooker. Namely, you need a spoon or a spatula to stir the rice to ensure it doesn’t become dry or sticky. It’s best to use a wooden, silicone, or plastic spoon.
Another must-have element when using the rice cooker to reheat rice is liquid! Make sure you add water or broth. This will prevent the rice from overcooking and optimize its texture.
Once you have everything you need for the reheating, it’s time to turn on the rice cooker.
Here’s a step-by-step method of reheating rice in the rice cooker:
- Put a tablespoon or two of water or broth in the cooker’s pot to ensure the rice doesn’t dry out or overcook
- Add the rice into the pot and turn on the cooker to the “keep warm” setting
- Usually, it takes around 15-20 minutes for the rice to heat entirely. Check it regularly during this period and don’t forget to stir it
- In case the rice looks dry, don’t fear and add more water to ensure it’s optimally moist during the reheating process
- The rice is done when all the water has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy and warm
- Spoon it out of the pot and serve
How Long to Reheat Rice in the Rice Cooker?
When reheating rice in a rice cooker, the process usually takes about 15-20 minutes. This duration allows the rice to slowly warm up and absorb the added moisture without drying out or becoming overly mushy.
You can adjust timing based on the quantity of rice you need to reheat and the specific settings or features of your rice cooker.
Is it Safe to Keep Rice Warm in a Rice Cooker?
Yes, it’s safe to keep rice warm in a rice cooker.
Many modern rice cookers have a “keep warm” function, maintaining the rice at a safe temperature for serving. This function ensures that the rice remains warm without overcooking or becoming unsafe to eat.
It’s advisable to use the rice typically not exceeding a few hours, to maintain its quality and safety.
How Long Can Rice Stay in Rice Cooker on Warm?
Rice can generally remain in a rice cooker on the “keep warm” setting for up to 12 hours. However, it’s ideal to consume the rice within a few hours to ensure its quality and safety.
Extended periods on the “keep warm” setting might affect the texture and taste of the rice and increase the risk of bacterial growth.
Which Are Your Other Options to Reheat Rice Leftovers?
If you don’t have a rice cooker, don’t fret! You have plenty of other effective ways to reheat leftover rice.
Below, check out the three most common methods:
- In the microwave
For every cup of rice, add one to two tablespoons of water or broth.
Transfer the rice to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it for three to four minutes and until the rice is hot enough.
The internal temperature of the rice should be 165 degrees F or higher. You can check the temperature using a food thermometer.
Serve while warm and enjoy!
- On the stove
You can use the stove to reheat leftover rice, either by steaming it or stir-frying it. If you want to steam it, transfer the rice into a saucepan with one to two tablespoons of oil or butter.
Don’t forget the water (one to two tablespoons for a cup of rice) and bring it to simmer. Put the lid onto the saucepan and stir the rice from time to time.
When the water has evaporated, check the rice’s temperature. When the temperature is right and the rice is hot, it’s ready for serving. If you want to add it to a stir fry, add it to a pan with oil.
Turn on the heat to medium and stir the rice all the time to remove any clumps. With a thermometer, check the rice’s temperature and once it reaches it and it’s hot throughout, it’s ready to serve!
- The oven
If you have a bigger batch of rice to reheat, the oven is a great choice. What you need is a shallow dish safe for the oven and a piece of aluminum foil.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spread out the rice in the dish and break up any clumps.
Sprinkle one to two tablespoons of water or broth per cup of rice and cover the rice lightly with the foil.
Heat it up for 20 minutes or so until it’s piping hot.
Final Thoughts
The rice cooker is one of the most practical appliances for boiling and steaming rice; however, many users are unaware that this kitchen gadget is also great for reheating rice!
Usually, this is done via the “keep warm” setting that most of these devices have. So, the next time you have leftover rice that’s waiting to be warmed up, use the rice cooker!
If you don’t have one, don’t worry. You can use another method to reheat the leftovers like the stovetop or the microwave!
