We recommend the following process for steaming and grain-cooking at the same time:

1. Start cooking grains.
2. Consult the Measuring & Cook Time Guide (included with your cooker) to determine the steaming time of your ingredients.
3. Add ingredients to the steaming basket.
4. If the steaming time is less than 10 minutes, wait until the 10-minute countdown timer begins on the cooker, and add the steam basket to the cooker at the required steaming time (i.e. if your vegetables take 6 minutes to steam, add them to the cooker when the countdown timer reads 6 minutes). If the steaming time is greater than 10 minutes, you can add your steamer basket to the cooker at any time and use an external timer to determine when to remove it. Once you remove the steam basket, reseal the lid and allow the grains to continue to cook until their cooking cycle completes. Always be careful when opening the cooker as the steam is very hot.