Article: Some rice cookers have a removable bowl or pot, while others must have the rice placed directly in the cooker. Most of the time, rice cookers will come with a measuring "cup" or scoop that can fit 3/4 cup (180 mL). Alternatively, use an ordinary measuring cup. One cup (240 mL) of uncooked rice will generate anywhere from 1 1/2 cups (360 mL) to three cups (720 mL) of cooked rice, depending on variety.  Leave enough space for this expansion to prevent the rice cooker from spilling over. Most rice cooker instructions recommend cold water. How much water you add depends on what kind of rice you're cooking and how moist you prefer it. There are often graduated marks on the inside of a rice cooker, indicating how much rice and water should be added, or instructions on the package of rice. Alternatively, use the following suggested amounts depending on your variety of rice, but keep in mind you can always adjust these in future if you prefer your rice more chewy or soft:  White, long grain - 1 3/4 cups of water per 1 cup of rice (420 mL water per 240 mL rice) White, medium grain - 1 1/2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice (360 mL water per 240 mL rice) White, short grain - 1 1/4 cups of water per 1 cup of rice (300 mL water per 240 mL rice) Brown, long grain - 2 1/4 cups of water per 1 cup of rice (520 mL water per 240 mL rice) Sold as "parboiled" (not half-cooked at home) - 2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice For Indian style rices like Basmati or Jasmine, less water is needed as a drier rice is desired, use no more than 1 1/2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice.  Use only 1 to 1 if you washed the rice previously.  It is ok to add bay leaves or cardamom pods directly to the rice cooker to enhance the flavor. This is not required, but some people soak the rice to shorten the cooking time. Soaking may also make the cooked rice stickier. Use the amount of water measured earlier to soak the rice at room temperature, then use this same water for cooking. Some rice cookers simply have an on/off switch. Others have different settings for brown or white rice, or the ability to delay the cooking until a specified time period has passed. You are unlikely to run into problems if you just go with the basic settings, but it's a good idea to figure out what each button or option does if possible.
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Measure the rice with a cup and put it into your cooking pot. Measure the water. Soak the rice for thirty minutes, if desired. Check your rice cooker for special options.