What’s the Best Pot for Cooking Rice? [Size and Type]

Steaming rice on the stovetop seems simple, but it's surprisingly easy to mess up. One of the main issues new chefs face is picking a pot for their preferred rice. If you're wondering what's the perfect pot for cooking rice, then you've got to check out the research below.

The best pots for cooking rice usually measure 3-5 quarts and are made with stainless steel and aluminum. These materials help distribute heat evenly, so rice is less likely to stick to the bottom. It's also a good idea to use pots with a thick base, as this will prevent uneven hotspots. 

For more tips on choosing the best pot for your rice, please keep reading. In this post, we're going to go over everything you need to know to cook a fantastic dish of rice.

What Pots Are Best For Cooking Rice?

There are many pots you could use to steam or boil rice, but some pots are better than others. Let's review a few of the most popular pot options for making wonderfully fluffy rice.

Can I Cook Rice In A Stock Pot?

Stock pots are a fantastic option for cooking rice at home. Many chefs recommend using a 4 – 5-quart stock pot when cooking rice for more than one person.

A significant reason people enjoy using stock pots has to do with their lightweight design. Unlike Dutch ovens, stock pots are easy to move around if you need to strain water after boiling your rice.

As a bonus, many stock pots nowadays are made with materials like stainless steel and aluminum. Both of these features help distribute heat evenly, making it less likely that rice will stick to the bottom.

Here's a well-reviewed steel stock pot put out by SKY LIGHT:

Find out more on this Amazon link. 

For more info on what you could use a stock pot for, be sure to check out this previous KitchenSeer post.

Can You Cook Rice In A Nonstick Pot?

Yes, nonstick pots are fantastic for cooking rice. Since these pots have a nonstick coating, you don't have to worry about your rice clinging to the bottom.

If you are going to use a nonstick pot, remember to avoid using metal utensils as these will leave scratches. You also don't want to use nonstick pans over extremely high heat because this could wear away the Teflon layer.

Here's a highly-reviewed 5-quart nonstick pot that can be used to boil rice.

Click this Amazon link to find out more. 

Can You Cook Rice In A Stainless Steel Pot?

Stainless steel pots are another great option for cooking rice. Not only is this material elegant, but it's also easy to clean and helps retain the flavor of your food.

The only drawback with stainless steel is that it doesn't have excellent heat transfer on its own. To ensure your stainless steel pot has even heating, make sure the manufacturer includes a layer of aluminum or copper.

Here's a well-reviewed AVACRAFT stainless steel pan with an aluminum core.

Click this link to find out more info on Amazon. 

What's The Best Way To Cook Rice In A Pot?

Now that you've picked your perfect pot, it's time to explain the art of rice cooking. In this section, we'll take a more in-depth look at a few methods for boiling or steaming rice.

How Do You Steam Rice In A Pot?

There are many different methods for steaming rice in a pot, but here's a ">basic way to cook short-grain white rice.

• Place your uncooked rice in a strainer and rinse with cold water for about 30 seconds.
• Place the strained rice in your cooking pot.
• Unless otherwise directed, place two cups of water for every cup of rice you put in the pot.
• Turn the heat on high and wait till the water comes to a boil.
• Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer and place the lid on the pot.
• Cook for 15 – 18 minutes before removing the cover.

How Do You Cook Rice In A Frying Pan?

If you don't have any pots in your kitchen, don't fret! You can still cook a delicious side of rice using a frying pan.

After washing your rice with cold water, place it in a frying pan and cover with water until the rice is slightly submerged. Next, place a lid over your frying pan and turn the heat on high.

Once the water starts to boil, bring the heat down to a simmer and keep cooking for about 5 minutes. When you notice the rice beginning to plump up, turn the heat to high and wait until you hear a sizzle. After you hear a hissing, turn the heat off and let the rice steam for at least 10 minutes.

While we're on the subject, don't forget you could cook fantastic stir-fry rice using a Chinese-style wok. Be sure to read our previous post on the pros and cons of nonstick woks.

Which Is Better: Steamed Or Boiled Rice?

The two most significant differences between steamed and boiled rice are nutrition and texture. Let's briefly review both of these issues so you could choose the best rice cooking style.

Is Boiled Rice Healthier Than Steamed Rice?

In terms of nutrition, there's still a great debate over steamed vs. boiled rice. Boiled rice has fewer carbs and calories, but it also has fewer nutrients than steamed rice. Remember, you have to strain cooked rice, which inevitably strips away many healthful compounds.

Does Boiled Rice Taste Different Than Steamed Rice?

Steamed rice is usually far stickier when compared with the firm texture of boiled rice. This makes steamed rice an excellent option for rice cakes or sushi, but not so hot in soups or sauces. The steaming process works best with short-grain varieties, while boiling is best for long-grain rice.

How Long Does It Take Rice To Cook In A Pot?

Figuring out how long to cook your rice depends on what rice you're cooking. Each rice variety has different consistencies that require different steam times and water ratios.

Here's a shortlist of the standard times it takes to cook rice in a pot. For specific info on your brand of rice, please read the manufacturer's label.

• White rice: 18 – 20 minutes

• Brown rice: 35 – 40 minutes

• Black rice: 40 – 45 minutes

How Does Jamie Oliver Cook Rice?

If you want to cook rice like a pro, check out this ">full-proof strategy designed by all-star chef Jamie Oliver:

• Fill a standard tea mug with white rice and pour it directly into a pot over high heat.
• Pour two more "mug's worth" of water (either hot or cold) into the pot.
• Add a pinch of salt and cover with a lid.
• Keep your burner on high heat for 8 – 10 minutes.
• Take the top off of your pot and serve the rice.

Put Your Pot To Good Use Making Marvelous Rice

Although you could use any pot that adequately fits your rice, we recommend using a stainless steel pot with a broad base for the best results. Hopefully, the tips listed above have given you a bit of insight into cooking tasty rice.