Steamer/rice cooker How do I operate the steamer mode on this unit? I know I need to add water and insert the platic steamer tray, but how much water and do I put the food to be steamed right on the plastic insert?

Are you maybe putting too much water in. usual amount is equal parts water to rice. Except for brown where you need an extra half cup water to each cup of brown rice. Remove the steamer tray, of course when cooking rice.

For white rice, put 2 cups water in the bottom and 2 cups water in the rice dish along with 2 cups rice (also in the rice dish!). Plug it in and when the light goes out, it's ready. Also, one thing to remember is to clean the little well after each use with a bit of vinegar so it doesn't build up hard water deposits (unless you're lucky enough not to have hard water!) It makes a BIG difference in the rice steamer's operation. BTW: each mark on the side of the steamer's base is about 1 cup which equals about 20 minutes of steam time. Hope that helps. -Donna

#1. If you have "Long Grain" rice Ratio is 1 extra cup of Water ie: 2 cups of Long Grain Rice you add 3 cups of water.
#2: If you have "Short Grain " Rice is Equal Portions of Water to Rice, ie: 2 cups of "Short Grain " Rice then 2 cups of water.
Hope this Helps.
BT

It's easy

The steam tray as you call it goes on the inside bottom of the cooker. It's purpose is to keep the cooking rice separated from the heating element during the steaming process. The basic measurement is 2 parts water to 1 part rice. Add a quarter cup more water for brown rice. The automatic shut-off won't turn off until the water is gone. It's magic! Cleaning; soak the cook pot and perforated plate to remove rice goo DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL PADS or abrasive cleanser. I use a nylon dish cleaning brush to remove the stuck on brown material.

went online and looked at blogs by other people.... dont need the steamer insert if you are not steaming anything. The 10 cup maker uses 10 cups (included in box) and makes almost 20 cups rice!!

need to fill it with water until about 2" from the inner line of the unit.

your cooker can only cook about 1 1/2 cups of rice(raw) add 1 cup rice to 1 1/2 ( 1/3 if youlike dryer rice) water , you should have a lever, push down to cook it will pop up when the rice is finished allow about 4 min to let the steaming stop

to steam you need a steamer basket or the fan folding type, it should be about 1/2 inch off the bottom of the cooker add about 1/2 cup water( time will depend on what your steaming)

To practice, add i cup of rice to cooker, and then 2 cups of water (water should cover the rice 2 times over. You can add salt if you wish, then turn the cooker on and when it goes off, it is done.

Here's all the info I've been able to find:

The older Rival rice cooker steamer should have a base, a lid, steamer basket, and rice bowl.

To cook rice, fill center basin of base with water. Place the rice bowl on basin. Add rice and water as follows. For white rice add water in a 1:1 ratio to rice plus 1/2 cup. For brown rice add water in a 1:1 ratio to rice plus 3/4 cup. Examples: 1 cup white rice, 1-1/2 cup water; 2 cups brown rice, 2-3/4 cups water. Put lid on and plug in and in about 50 minutes you should have delicious rice.

Timing is Everything
Whether using the Rival Steamer for a main dish or for a side dish, cooking is easy. But not Fast. Rice and steamed vegetables actually take twice as long to cook in this steamer. The simplicity comes since you add your rice or vegetables in one step. No waiting for one thing to happen before you can do the next. Put water and fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry or rice in the basket or bowl that come with the unit, cover, plug in and wait for the light to go off per the timing chart.
1/4 cup water takes 6 -7 minutes
1/2 cup water takes 10-12 minutes
3/4 cup water takes 16-17 minutes
1 cup water takes 19-22 minutes
1.25 cups water takes 24-26 minutes
1.5 cups water takes 26-30 minutes
2 cups water takes 38-39 minutes
2.5 cups water takes 43-44 minutes
3 cups water (max fill) takes 45-50 minutes.

Steamed Chocolate Pudding (From the Rival Steamer Guide)
3/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1.5 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped nuts
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. Cream butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beat well. Add egg and melted chocolate; blend well. Add milk alternately with dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Fold nuts into batter. Pour into greased 8"x4" loaf pan. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Place pan in steamer basket. Cover and steam until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Serve warm with **Marshmallow Cream Sauce. Water: 1 cup. Time: 19-22 min.

**Marshmallow Cream Sauce:
16 large marshmallows
1/3 cup cream
In a small saucepan, combine ingredients and melt over low heat. Serve over Steamed Chocolate Pudding.