Cooking rice in a Xiaomi aerogrilla seems like a simple task, but in practice many people face problems: the cereal sticks together, burns or remains raw inside. The fact is that the classic recipes for pots are not suitable for convection techniques – it requires a special approach to water proportions, temperature and time. In this article, we will discuss the scientific method of cooking rice in Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer. MJJQS01QM, MJJQS02QM and similar), taking into account the characteristics of different varieties: from long-grain basmati to glutinous rice for sushi.
You'll learn why standard 1:2 recommendations often fail, how to avoid burning without oil, and what hidden aerogril features will help achieve perfect texture, and a table of proportions for 10 popular rice varieties and answers to frequent questions, such as whether you can cook rice with meat or how to cook pilaf without a pan.
And let me warn you right away, aerogrills don't replace rice cookers, but if you do it right, they can do just as well, and the key is to understand the physics of the process, unlike a pot where water boils at 100.°C, the air grill has a different temperature distribution because of the hot air circulation, which means that the rice is cooked here at 90 to 95.°C, not boiled, which requires adjustment of time and amount of liquid.
If you've tried aerogryl rice before and you've got porridge or dry grains, don't be quick to blame the technique, and it's probably one of three things that's wrong: the rice-water ratio, the lack of pre-soaking, or the wrong regimen. Next, we will analyze each stage in detail, taking into account the specifics of Xiaomi models (for example, the model of the company). MJJQS01QM more powerful fan than budget counterparts, which affects the rate of evaporation of moisture).
1.What rice is suitable for aerogrill (and which is better not to cook)
Not all rice varieties behave equally well in aerogril, for example, round-grass rice (like arborio) tends to stick together due to its high starch content, and wild rice requires pre-soaking for 12 hours. In the table below, the varieties are ranked by fitness for cooking in Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer, from best to worst:
| Rice variety | Fitness | Features of preparation | Recommended treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basmati | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | It is crumbly, fragrant. It requires minimal soaking (10-15 minutes). | 180°C, 20 minutes |
| Jasmine | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | It's a little sticky, but it's still shaped. It's better not to mix. | 170°C, 22 minutes |
| Red rice | ⭐⭐⭐ | Solid shell -- it requires +5 minutes to standard time. | 180°C, 25 minutes |
| arborio | ⭐⭐ | It sticks together without butter. It's only good for risotto. | 160°C, 18 minutes + mixing |
| Black rice | ⭐ | It takes a long time to cook, often stays stiff. It's better to use a multicooker. | 190°C, 30 minutes |
If you're planning on cooking plov or paella, go for basmati or jasmine, which is less digestible and retains shape when mixed with other ingredients, but for sushi or rolls, aerogril is not suitable: glutinous rice requires constant moisture control, which is difficult to achieve without a rice cooker.
⚠️ Warning: Never use steamed rice (e.g. Mistral) in an aerogril. It has already been steamed at the factory and will turn into porridge with additional heat treatment. Also avoid bean mixtures (such as rice with peas) - they require different cooking times.
Proportions of water and rice: why 1:2 doesn't work
The classic rule of 1 part rice to 2 parts water is for a pot, but not for an aerogril. Here, the liquid evaporates faster due to the circulation of hot air, so the standard proportions lead to undercooked rice.
- 🌾 Rice varieties (basmati requires less water than jasmine)
- 💧 The initial humidity of the cereals (fresh rice absorbs more liquid)
- 🔥 Powers of aerogrill (in Xiaomi) MJJQS02QM Water evaporates 15% faster than water MJJQS01QM)
Use this table for exact proportions (per 1 cup of rice, 200 ml):
| Rice variety | Water (ml) | Time (min) | Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basmati (white) | 220 | 18–20 | 180 |
| Jasmine | 240 | 20–22 | 170 |
| Brown rice | 260 | 25–28 | 180 |
| Roundgrain (for risotto) | 300 | 15–18 | 160 |
🔹 Lifehack: If you're not sure about the proportions, use the finger dough method: after soaking, the water should cover the rice at the level of one phalange of a little finger (about 1.5-2 cm.
⚠️ Note: If you are cooking rice with additional ingredients (meat, vegetables), increase the amount of water by 20-30 ml.
Rinse rice 3-4 times to clear water|Soak for 15-30 minutes (except basmati)|Measure the water in the table above|Add 1 tsp of vegetable oil (optional, for crumbness)|Mix rice with water before laying in the aerogrill-->
3. Step-by-step instructions: how to cook rice in Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer
So for example, the most versatile variety, Basmati, you'll need to:
- 🍚 1 cup of rice (200g)
- 💦 220 ml of water (or broth)
- 🧂 ½ salt
- 🛢 1 tsp vegetable oil (optional)
Step 1: Preparing rice
- Rinse the rice in cold water 3-4 times until the water is clear. This will remove excess starch and prevent sticking together.
- Soak the rice in cold water for 15 minutes (10 minutes is enough for basmati).
Step 2. Set up the aerogrill
- Turn on Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer and select Baking (Bake) or Manual (Manual) mode.
- Set the temperature to 180.°C and time 18 minutes.
- If your model supports Preheat, activate it for 3 minutes.
Step 3: Ingredients laying
- Pour water into the aerogrill bowl, add salt and oil (if you use it).
- Spread the rice evenly. Don't tamp it! It will disrupt the air circulation.
- Close the lid and start the program.
Step 4: Completion of preparation
- After 18 minutes, check the rice. If there is water on top, extend the time by 2-3 minutes.
- After the signal, do not open the aerogrill immediately - let the rice "rest" for 5 minutes under the closed lid.
- Stir gently with a fork and serve.
🔹 Tips for models without Bake: Use Air Fry mode at 160°C, but increase the time by 5 minutes. In this case, cover the bowl with foil to reduce evaporation.
💡
If the rice is too dry, add 2-3 tbsp of hot water after cooking, cover it with a lid and leave it for 10 minutes. The steam will treat the grains, and they will become softer.
4 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced air grill users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the results, and here are the most common ones:
❌ Mistake 1: Using Cold Water
Cold water slows down the cooking process, causing rice to be cooked unevenly. Always use hot water (60-70)°C) or room temperature broth.
❌ Mistake 2: Stirring during cooking
Unlike a pan, in an aerogril rice does not need to be disturbed - this disrupts the structure of the grains and leads to sticking. Exception: if you are cooking risotto or pilaf, stir only 1 time in the middle of the process.
❌ Mistake 3: Incorrect capacity
Use a wide shallow bowl (combined with aerogril). Deep containers impair air circulation, and rice is cooked longer. Avoid metallic forms - they can cause overheating from below.
❌ Error 4: Ignoring the Keep Warm feature
If your Xiaomi model supports Keep Warm, activate it after the signal for 5-10 minutes, which will help the rice to "get" to the ideal state without the risk of burning up.
⚠️ Warning: If there is no stain left at the bottom of the bowl, wash it immediately with warm water and soda. In Xiaomi air grills, the non-stick coating is sensitive to abrasives - do not use metal sponges!
What to do if the rice is burned?
5. Rice recipes for aerogril: from pilaf to desserts
Xiaomi’s aerogril is capable of more than just cooking rice. Here are 3 proven recipes with photo instructions (details hidden under spoilers):
🍗 Pillow in aerogril (no pan!)
Ingredients and process
🍣 Sushi rice in aerogril (for rolls)
Sushi requires glutinous rice, which is difficult to cook in an aerogril, but it is possible! The main secret is vinegar dressing after cooking.
The secret of vinegar refilling
🍮 Rice pudding (dessert)
Use the leftover rice of yesterday! Mix it with milk, egg and sugar, pour into the mold and cook at 170°C 25 minutes. Add vanilla or cinnamon for flavor.
💡
For multi-component dishes (plov, paella), always roast the meat and vegetables in Air Fry mode first, and then add rice and liquid to Bake mode. This will prevent the grains from boiling.
Comparison with other methods: which is better?
Aerogril is inferior to the rice cooker in the stability of the result, but wins over the pan and multicooker in several parameters:
| Criteria | Xiaomi air grill | Rice cooker | pottery | Multi-warfare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crumbability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Speed. | 18-25 minutes | 15-20 minutes | 12-15 minutes | 20-30 minutes |
| Universality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (You can cook pilaf, desserts) | ⭐ (rice) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of cleaning | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (draw-bowl) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
🔹 When to choose an air grill?
- 🏠 If you have little space in the kitchen (one device replaces several).
- 🍛 If you are preparing complex dishes (pilaf, paella).
- 🕒 If you need to save time (you can cook rice at the same time as frying meat at the top level).
🔹 When is the best time to use a rice cooker?
If you want perfectly crumbly rice every day (like a sushi garnish or Asian dishes), the rice cooker is safer, but for rare cooking or experimenting with recipes, Xiaomi aerogrills are a great alternative.
7.Care for aerogril after rice preparation
Rice starch leaves a sticky plaque on the bowl and the heating element, which over time can cause an unpleasant odor.
✅ Daily care:
- Wash the cup and lid with warm water immediately after cooling.
- Use a soft sponge and dishwashing agent (such as Fairy).
- Dry dry with a paper towel.
✅ Deep cleaning (1 time per month):
- Soak the bowl in water with soda (2 tbsp per 1 l) for 30 minutes.
- To remove the soda, use a paste made of soda and water (apply for 10 minutes).
- Wipe the heating element with a wet wipe (do not urinate!).
⚠️ Warning: Never use abrasives (like pemolux) or metal brushes to clean Xiaomi aerogrills, which will damage the Whitford Xylan non-stick coating that covers most models’ bowls.
🔹 How to Remove the Smell of Rice?
If after cooking in the aerogril there is a persistent smell, put a bowl with water and a slice of lemon on Steam mode (100)°C) for 10 minutes. Activated charcoal will also help - put 2-3 tablets of roogrill overnight.