What can the Fuji steaming function be used for and can I cook rice and steam veg/meat at the same time?
The steaming function on our compatible rice cookers is extremely versatile and can be used to steam a wide range of foods, including vegetables, meat, fish, dumplings and much more.
You can use the steaming function in two ways:
Steam food at the same time as cooking rice, allowing you to prepare an entire meal together.
Use the cooker as a standalone steamer without cooking rice underneath.
Steaming While Cooking Rice
If you want to steam food at the same time as cooking rice, there is a maximum amount of rice that should be cooked in the inner bowl.
This is important because rice expands considerably during the cooking process. If too much rice is cooked underneath the steaming basket, the expanding rice can push against the basket and potentially cause the cooker lid to lift or open.
For this reason, please observe the following maximum rice quantities when steaming and cooking rice simultaneously:
Rice Cooker | Maximum Rice When Steaming |
|---|---|
Panda | 1 cup |
Kumo | 1 cup |
Sakura | 3 cups |
Bamboo | 3 cups |
Fuji | 2 cups |
NS-TSQ10 / NS-AAQ10 | 2 cups |
NS-TSQ18 / NS-AAQ18 | 4 cups |
These limits apply specifically when using the steaming basket while rice is cooking underneath.
Why Is There a Maximum?
The limitation isn't because the cooker cannot cook a larger quantity of rice. It is because uncooked rice expands as it absorbs water and cooks.
If the rice quantity is too large while the steaming basket is in place, the expanding rice can rise high enough to push against the underside of the steaming basket. This could potentially cause the basket to press against the lid and prevent the lid from closing securely or push it open during cooking.
Keeping within the recommended quantities ensures that there is sufficient room for the rice to expand while the steaming basket remains correctly positioned.
What Can You Steam?
The steaming basket can be used for a wide variety of foods, including:
🥦 Vegetables
🐟 Fish
🍗 Meat
🥟 Dumplings
🥔 Potatoes and other vegetables
And many other foods suitable for steaming
You can therefore use the cooker to prepare rice and a steamed accompaniment at the same time, making it possible to create a complete meal using a single appliance.
Models Without a Steaming Function
Please note that the following models do not have a steaming basket or dedicated steaming function:
NS-LAQ05
NL-BGQ05
NS-YSQ10
NS-YSQ18
For all other compatible models, always follow the maximum rice quantity specified above when steaming and cooking rice simultaneously. This ensures there is enough room for the rice to expand without interfering with the steaming basket or cooker lid.