Can it steam vegetables on top while the rice cooks below? ie at the same time? Does this change the results of the rice and/or veggies?
1057797
You need to prepare to steam or cook the vegetables. Then put them on top of the rice after adding water in the cooker.
1057798
Yes, it can although the rice takes longer than the vegetables to cook. In some instances, it depends on the vegetable one may be steaming. I like mine well done. The only rice I steam is the organic brown rice, and this rice requires more water than white rice and a longer time to cook which would definitely overcook the vegetables.
1434782
yes you can use a steamer basket, so long as it isn't so tall that when you put the produce on top the vegetables block the valve on top. I have a silicone basket that I use and it works fine. I let the liquid come to a boil before I put the basket in and you can find charts online that will give you approximate times for different vegetables. Check out hip pressure cooking.com.
456528
I put everything together. The only thing you have to make sure of is the time needed to steam each veggie. You might want to steam some separately and then put everything together. Enjoy !
1554032
Yes! It works great for steaming vegetables as well as using to cook and drain pasta.
1652367
It doesn't hold a lot of veggies. You could cut a potato in half and steam some green beans or broccoli. That's it. Enough for one person for a meal. Not enough for two. (Although I use it constantly as it works brilliantly at steaming dumplings.) And yes, you can cook rice and steam together.
1365093
Yes, definitely. The steaming part is used when you need to steam something otherwise just use put the rice on the "bowl" into the base and cover with the glass top. Don't forget to press the switch to cook :)
1585744
That is correct. I have to be honest, this system is completely modular and great to use if you have the space. I was able to boil shrimp, rinse, fry food, rinse, add water, steam my veggies, rinse and then deep fry my turkey on Thanksgiving without much mess or hassle. This machine does it all. So yes, solely steaming vegetables is great in this machine.
197941
yes, there are direction for cooking rice. I use my steamer for veggies and it makes terrific hard boiled eggs. I haven't had much luck making rice
1653438
No. It has a plate with holes that will hold food about 1/2" above the base of the cooker bowl. The unit is unique (in my experience) in that you put water in with the rice cooker insert bowl as well as on the outside which adds steam to the rice. I have not tried steaming meats by placing them on the plate; it might work with water surrounding the cooker bowl.
1039896
I've never tried steaming rice, but I don't think it would work well. There are two trays inside, one with larger holes and one with smaller. The larger holes definitely would be too big for rice, and the smaller ones probably would also be too big.
2061550
Don't know never done it. If you are trying to steam vegetables put the water in the bottom and veggies in basket and set appropriate program.
1129401
I used it several times it burned my rice. Takes up too much counter space. Don't know about veggie steaming
1853417
It would depend on how much pasta you want to cook. If 1-2 servings, yes, I've actually done that with mine. But once the water level gets too high in the bottom, you end up sort of boiling/steaming what's in the top. I suppose it wouldn't make that much of a difference, but when I like my veggies lightly steamed, I use very little water. A larger version of this would do more servings nicely I'm sure!
2008971
I use an electric rice cooker, Rice Select with water or chicken broth. I haven't tried mixing in vegetables before cooking, but I do sometimes heat them in the steamer basket on the top of the rice cooker.
516136
About 30 minutes. And then it suggests you let the rice sit for about 10 more minutes to let the steam escape. You can also use the vegetable steamer while cooking the rice. You just wait till the rice is nearly done and put the veggies in about 10 minutes before the rice is done. I make a mixture of white and brown rice together. Then pour all the rice and the veggies into a skillet and add whatever sauce or broth or egg mixture. I love this cooker.
1604399
Hi Michelle, I have been using it to cook white rice. It's fast but can be messy at times because of the steam and overflow. I have not tried it with popcorn or steam vegetables but it comes with a steamer. I like it but read other comments too.
1434780
YES, you can steam veggies as long as your steamer basket fits in the pan. Or you can use the trivet if that works for the veg you're steaming. Add liquid (water, broth, etc), 1/2 cup or up to the level of the trivet or basket. Close the pressure cooker and start timing when it comes up to pressure. For veg that cook in a short time, reduce pressure immediately by running cold water over the outer edges of the cooker or by holding down the pressure release valve. For those requiring a longer cook time (most root vegetables), allow pressure to reduce normally.