Cooking perfect rice in a stainless steel inner pot is easy, but it's a little different from using a non-stick cooker. This guide covers our Hoper Layer and Buffalo models, with tips to ensure fluffy, delicious rice every time.
Quick Start: The 4 Key Steps to Perfect Rice
- Rinse Rice: Wash your rice thoroughly in a separate bowl until the water runs clear.
- Use the Right Ratio: Add rice and water to the inner pot. Start with a 1-to-1 ratio (e.g., 1 cup of water for 1 cup of rice) and adjust as needed.
- Select & Cook: Choose your desired cooking function and press start.
- Rest the Rice: This is the most important step! When the cooker switches to "Keep Warm", turn the power off and let the rice sit with the lid on for 10-15 minutes. This prevents sticking and creates a fluffy texture.
Instructions for Buffalo Rice Cookers
These tips are specific to the Buffalo brand of stainless steel rice cookers.
Using the BoilSteam Function (5-cup model)
The BoilSteam function cooks rice in the included steamer basket for a different texture.
- Place the washed rice into the **steamer basket**, not directly into the inner pot.
- Add water to the inner pot. The water level should just reach the top of the rice once the basket is inserted. The standard ratios do not apply here.
- Press the "BoilSteam" button and select your cooking mode. For brown rice, you may need to experiment with adding more water.
How to Install the Gasket (3-cup mini model)
This video demonstrates how to correctly install the inner silicone gasket on the mini smart cooker lid.
You can also refer to this image guide for installation:
Instructions for Hoper Layer Rice Cookers
These tips are specific to the Hoper Layer brand of stainless steel rice cookers.
- Minimum Rice Amount: For best results, adhere to the minimum capacity. For the 10-cup and 6-cup models, use at least 2 cups of rice. For the 3-cup model, use at least 0.5 cups of rice.
- Brown Rice: For brown rice, a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 2.5 cups of water is recommended, but this may vary depending on the grain.
General Rice-to-Water Ratios
The following table is general advice only. The ideal ratio can vary depending on the age, type, and mixture of the rice. All capacities are measured using a standard 160ml rice cup.
| Rice / Model | 3-cup model | 6-cup model | 10-cup model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasmine / Short Grain | 1 : 1.2 | 1 : 1.2 | 1 : 1 |
| Basmati / Long Grain | 1 : 1.5 | 1 : 1.5 | 1 : 1.5 |
| Brown Rice | Soak 2–8 hrs Ratio 1 : 1.5 |
Soak 2–8 hrs Ratio 1 : 1.5 |
Soak 2–8 hrs Ratio 1 : 1.5 |
General Maintenance Tips
- First Use: A faint, plastic-like smell during the first few uses is normal as new components heat up. This will dissipate over time.
- Heating Base: The internal heating base may get dirty. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth only; do not use detergents.
- Stainless Steel Care: While durable, stainless steel can erode. Clean the inner pot thoroughly after each use and avoid leaving salty or acidic foods (vinegar, lemon juice) on the surface for extended periods.
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