How to cook the perfect rice in a Xiaomi rice cooker

Modern kitchens are unthinkable without smart machinery that can take over routine cooking processes. Xiaomi’s Mijia or Mi Home Ricemakers have become a hit with their minimalist design and functionality. However, many owners face difficulties in their first run: rice can burn, stay raw or turn into porridge. Understanding how it works is key to getting restaurant-quality meals at home.

Unlike conventional electric pots, smart rice cookers use complex heating and pressure algorithms that can automatically adjust temperature depending on the type of cereal. In this article, we will detail how to prepare the cereals, choose a mode and use a mobile application to achieve the perfect result. Your goal is to get crumbly, fragrant rice that will be a great basis for sushi, pilaf or simple side dish.

Preparing rice and choosing the right cereal

The first and most important step is choosing a rice variety. Different types of grains are required for different dishes: long grain is suitable for side dishes, round-grain is suitable for cereals and sushi, and brown is for dietary nutrition. The quality of the grain directly affects the final taste, so try to use proven brands. Xiaomi rice cookers do a great job with most varieties, but the water calibration may vary.

The flushing process cannot be ignored, because it removes excess starch dust. If you don't, the finished dish will stick together in a single lump, regardless of the device settings. Rinse the rice until the water drains clear. For best results, soak the cereals for 20 to 30 minutes, allowing the grains to be soaked in moisture evenly.

⚠️ Warning: Never exceed the maximum mark inside the bowl, even if it visually appears that rice is scarce.When boiled, the foam can rise and clog the pressure valve, which will lead to contamination of the internal mechanisms.

There's a common misconception that all kinds of rice are cooked the same way. In fact, basmati requires less water than jasmine, and brown rice needs a longer languish. Proper preparation is 80% of the success of the entire operation. Use the measuring glass that comes with the kit to keep the exact proportions.

Proportions of water: table and rules

Balancing the cereal volume with the amount of liquid is a science that is easy to master. The device usually comes with a measuring glass, which may differ in volume from a standard faceted glass (often about 160 ml), using the right utensils to measure is critical, otherwise the calculations will go wrong. The water must be clean, preferably filtered, so as not to bring in foreign smells.

So for convenience, we've created a proportions table that will help you navigate your desired outcome, and that's relevant to standard white rice, which is most commonly used in everyday cooking, and if you're cooking other varieties, the parameters can vary slightly.

Please note that modern models with a function IH-Heating (induction heating) may require slightly less water due to more intense evaporation and steam circulation. If the rice is too dry, next time add literally 10-15 ml of water to the bowl. Conversely, if the grains stick together, reduce the amount of liquid.

Use of buttons and display of the device

Xiaomi’s rice paddy interface may seem ascetic, but behind a single button there are many features. The standard model usually has a physical on/select mode button and a small LED display. Navigation through the menu is done by repeatedly pressing the main button or through the touchpad, depending on the version of the device.

To start the basic cooking program, just press the "Cook" or "Start" button. The device itself will determine the temperature and time. However, to fine-tune the modes, the indicators on the display show the selected type of product: rice, porridge, soup or steam. Cyclical switching allows you to select the desired program before starting.

⚠️ Warning: Do not open the lid immediately after the signal about the completion of cooking. The inside is high pressure and temperature, a sharp discharge of steam can damage the seal or cause a burn.

Some models have a delayed start function, which allows you to lay down food in the evening. Use a button combination or an app to activate the timer. This is especially convenient for making breakfast before waking up. The main thing is not to leave perishable foods (meat, milk) at room temperature for a long time.

Management through the Mi Home app

The real magic begins when you connect a rice cooker to a smartphone through the Mi Home ecosystem. The mobile app gives you access to dozens of additional recipes that are not available with manual control. You can download a cooking profile for a particular dish, such as Risotto with mushrooms or Uzbek plov, and the device will display the desired temperature curves.

To connect, make sure the rice cooker is plugged in and is next to your phone. In the app, click + and select the device from the list. Once paired, you can have remote control and process monitoring, see where the cooking is and be notified when the dish is ready.

There's a favorite feature in the recipe library, where you can save your settings. If you've experimented with water and time ratios for a particular rice variety, keep this profile. In the future, you don't have to guess, just choose a saved script, and this is especially true for complex dishes where accuracy is important.

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Use the "Keep Warm" function with caution. Although a rice cooker can keep the temperature up to 12 hours, after 4 hours, the texture of the rice begins to deteriorate and it can dry up at the edges.

Secrets of cooking various dishes

Xiaomi's rice cooker is not just about cooking grains, it's a full-fledged multi-kitchen gadget, for example, to make smudge porridge or congee, you need to choose the appropriate mode, which involves prolonged languish at low temperature, in which case water is added in a ratio of 1 to 5 or even 1 to 7, depending on the desired density.

Do you like sushi? Use Sushi or Sticky Rice. It's specifically designed to make the grains sticky but not boiled. After the program, let the rice stand for 10 minutes, then gently stir it with a spatula, adding a rice vinegar, sugar and salt dressing. The heating technology in this mode prevents the bottom from burning, which often happens when cooking glutinous varieties in conventional pans.

You can also steam, you can use a special plastic basket that comes with a set, and while the rice is boiling down, you can cook vegetables, fish or dumplings on top, and you can save time and you can make a full meal in one device, and the steam goes through the holes, evenly heating the food.

There's a separate algorithm for pilaf lovers: First, roast meat and vegetables (if the model allows for water-free heating or uses "Fry" mode), then add rice and water. Intelligent temperature control will keep the oil from burning, and the evaporation mode will eventually create that famous crust. However, for classic pilaf, it's better to use the "Multigrain" or "Brown Rice" mode for deeper heat treatment.

Bowl care and maintenance

The durability of a rice cooker depends on how you care for it. The inner bowl is covered with a non-stick layer that is easily damaged with metal spoons or hard sponges. Use only a silicone or wooden spatula. Wash the bowl with a soft sponge with a non-abrasive detergent immediately after use until the food remains dry.

Pay special attention to the top valve and the inside of the lid. There is often a accumulation of starch plaque, which over time can sour and give an unpleasant odor. Removable parts of the lid and pressure valve must be regularly removed and washed under running water. Hygiene devices ensure that your rice will always smell fresh, not old fat.

⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to wash the rice cooker body, the heating element or immerse the device in water, this will short circuit and break the electronics.

If you notice that the rice has started to burn more often than usual, check the bottom of the inner bowl and the heating element for the presence of sodium.Even a tiny sticky grain can disrupt the tight contact between the bottom of the bowl and the ten, which will lead to uneven heating.

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Proper care of non-stick coating and regular cleaning of the pressure valve prolong the life of the device by 2-3 times and guarantee a stable taste of dishes.