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How to Cook Rice in a Japanese Clay Pot with Double Lids?

How to Cook Rice in a Japanese Clay Pot with Double Lids?

You will need: Donabe Japanese Clay Pots.

Japan has a tradition of cooking rice in donabe Japanese clay pots. This is also the most common reason why customers buy a donabe. We designed a video instruction for new users. It's an easy process anyone can follow.

We used a single-lid donabe in the video, but the principle remains the same. Donabe stores high heat, so we only keep the high heat until the water boils.

  • For a donabe with a single lid, we turn the heat to low and continue cooking for 3 - 4 minutes. If you are using a donabe with single lid, please refer to our article on How to Cook Rice in a Donabe Japanese Clay Pot.
  • With a donabe with double lids, we shut off the heat completely at the end of the cooking time.
  • This video is for reference only. Please refer to the step-by-step instructions below.
  • The volume of a rice cup is 150ml, different from the 1 cup used as a standard liquid measuring cup.

White Rice

  • Rinse the rice.
  • The rice to water ratio is 150ml rice : 190-200ml water.
  • Cover the clay pot with double lids.
  • Use medium high heat.
  • Turn off the heat after the recommended cooking time.
  • Let the rice sit for another 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Take off the lid, stir the rice and serve. 

Please refer to the following cooking times. Every cooktop is different, so the cooking times are for reference only.

  • 1 cup - 7 minutes
  • 2 cups - 9 minutes
  • 3 cups - 11 minutes
  • 4 cups - 12 minutes
  • 5 cups - 12 minutes
  • 6 cups - 15 minutes

Tips:

  • The rice is cooking when you see steam coming out of the steam valve. This is an indication that the pot has reached its highest temperature. You may wait for about 30 seconds and then turn off the heat. 
  • For home use only.

Brown Rice

  • Rinse the rice and then soak it for about 2 hours.
  • The rice to water ratio is 150ml rice:190-200ml water.
  • Cover the clay pot with double lids.
  • Use medium high heat
  • After the recommended cooking time, turn to low heat for another 20 minutes.
  • Then turn off the heat and let the rice sit for an additional 20 minutes. 

Please refer to the following cooking times. Every cooktop is different, so the cooking times are for reference only.

  • 1-2 cups - 9 minutes
  • 3 cups - 11 minutes
  • 4 cups - 12 minutes

Rice to water ratio for brown rice.

  • 1 cup : 300-340ml water
  • 2 cups : 620-670ml water
  • 3 cups: 930-1000ml water
  • 4 cups: 1240-1330mlwater
  • Maximum 4 cups.

Porridge

  • Rinse the rice and then soak it for about 30 minutes.
  • The rice to water ratio is 75ml rice : 450ml water.
  • Do not cover with the lid.
  • Cook over medium high heat.
  • When you see the water boil, turn to low heat for another 30 minutes.  Turn off the heat. Salt to taste. 

Please refer to the following cooking times. Every cooktop is different, so the cooking times are for reference only.

  • 1-2 cups - 9 minutes
  • 3 cups - 11 minutes
  • 4 cups - 12 minutes
Additional information: 
  1. Remember a reasonably heated cookware and heated oil (not overheating) are key.
  2. Users will need basic cooking techniques and common sense (understanding of proper heat control, knowing how to check the food periodically, and so on).
  3. Heat level, Please note that the heat levels shown below are for general reference only. Every cooktop is different. The following ranges apply if 10 is the maximum.
  • Low heat: the heat level is 1-2.
  • Medium low heat: the heat level is 3-4.
  • Medium heat: the heat level is 5.
  • Medium high heat: the heat level is 7-8.
  • High heat: the heat level is 9-10.

Click here to see all Donabe Japanese Clay Pots.

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