How to cook rice in a commercial steamer?

Cooking rice in a commercial steamer offers a convenient and efficient method for preparing large quantities of perfectly cooked rice. Whether you’re operating a restaurant, cafeteria, or catering business, mastering the art of cooking rice in a commercial steamer is essential for delivering high-quality, fluffy rice to accompany a wide range of dishes.

In this guide, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of achieving optimal rice texture and flavor using a commercial steamer, allowing you to streamline your food preparation while maintaining excellent culinary standards.

Ingredients and Tools:

• Rice
• Water
• Commercial steamer
• Steam tray or perforated pan
• Measuring cup
• Timer

Instructions:

Prepare the Rice

To prepare the rice, start by measuring the desired amount of rice using a measuring cup. The typical ratio for cooking rice is 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water, but this may vary depending on the type of rice and your preference. Different types of rice, such as jasmine, basmati, or brown rice, may require slightly different water-to-rice ratios and cooking times.

For example, jasmine rice typically requires a 1:1 water-to-rice ratio, while brown rice may need more water and a longer cooking time. It’s important to follow the specific instructions for the type of rice you are using to ensure the best results. Additionally, rinsing the rice before cooking can help remove excess starch and improve the texture of the cooked rice.

Rinse the Rice

To properly rinse the rice, place the measured rice in a fine-mesh strainer or colander and rinse it under cold running water. This process helps remove excess starch from the rice, which can make it overly sticky when cooked. Rinsing the rice also helps improve its texture and prevent clumping.

To acquire the right consistency and prevent sticking, rinse rice carefully before steaming in a commercial steamer. Commercial steaming requires following the steamer manufacturer’s instructions to cook rice uniformly and fully.

Add Water

• In the steamer’s steam tray or perforated pan, add the rinsed rice evenly. Make sure the rice is spread out in a thin layer for even cooking.
• Measure the appropriate amount of water and pour it into the steamer’s water reservoir. The amount of water needed will depend on the type of rice and the manufacturer’s instructions. Generally, it’s 2 cups of water per cup of rice.

Set the Steamer

When preparing to cook rice in a commercial steamer, the first step is to turn on the steamer and set it to the appropriate temperature and cooking time for rice. It’s crucial to consult the steamer’s manual for specific instructions, as settings may vary depending on the brand and model of the steamer.

Some commercial steamers feature pre-programmed rice cooking settings, while others require manual temperature and time adjustments. Perfectly cooked rice requires proper steamer settings.

Additionally, to guarantee equal cooking, larger quantities of rice may require adjustments to steaming time and temperature.

Cook the Rice

• Place the steam tray with the rice inside the steamer.
• Close the steamer’s lid to trap the steam.
• Start the timer based on the recommended cooking time for rice (usually around 15-20 minutes). To ensure that the rice is cooked through, it will be steamed.

Check for Doneness

• After the set cooking time, carefully open the steamer’s lid and check the rice. It should be tender and fully cooked.
• If the rice isn’t done to your pleasure, steam it for a few minutes more.

Serve

• When the rice is perfectly cooked, turn off the steamer.
• Carefully remove the steam tray or pan with the cooked rice.
• Allow the rice to rest for a minute before serving to let any excess steam escape.

Enjoy

• Your perfectly steamed rice is ready to serve as a side dish or as a base for various recipes.

Remember that mastering the technique of cooking rice in a commercial steamer can significantly enhance the efficiency and quality of rice preparation in a professional kitchen setting. By following the precise steps outlined in this guide, you can consistently produce large batches of perfectly steamed rice, catering to the demands of a bustling food service environment.

Embracing the use of a commercial steamer for rice preparation not only ensures uniform results but also frees up valuable stovetop and oven space for other culinary endeavors. With this invaluable skill, your culinary establishment can elevate its rice-based offerings, providing patrons with delectable and flawlessly cooked rice as a staple accompaniment.