Try the microwave for cooking rice: 2 cups of water, 1 TBSP butter, margarine or olive oil(this keeps the rice from sticking) -- bring to a boil (5 minutes on high power). Add 1 cup rice (rinsed or unrinsed), set microwave to 50% power and cook for 15 minutes. This will make perfect rice everytime. If you want fluffier rice, fluff with a fork after the mic' shuts off. Makes three cups of cooked rice. This can be doubled, 4 cups water, two cups rice, but it takes 25 - 30 minutes of cooking time. Good luck Nels in ND