Rice is cooked by heating in boiling water or steam, or a combination (boiling until water evaporates, then continuing in steam generated by continued heating). It absorbs a great deal of water in the process, expanding its volume and using up the cooking water. The moisture and heat gelate and soften the starch granules in the rice.The cooking time for raw rice (not parboiled beforehand) ranges from about 15 minutes up, depending upon type and freshness of rice, method, and desired result (from separate grains to disintegrated porridge). For the modern home rice cookers, the smallest single-person model cooks 1 rice cup (180 ml) whereas the largest cooks 10 rice cups (1.8 liter). The prices vary greatly, depending on the capacity, features, materials used, the countries of origin.

rice cooker