hi, hope this helps. first you have to know how old your rice is as older the rice more water it takes and vice versa. The thumb rule is 1 cup rice to 2 cups water. when it gets its first bubbles turn the heat low and its done in when holes appear in it or water has dried up appox 10 min.. this is for the Indian basmati rice. always use a glass lid so u can see through instead of lifting the lid and letting the steam escape. to get each grain separate turn the rice into a plate and spread it out to dry. hope this helps