Rice water boils over and makes a mess — how do I stop it?

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# **Rice Water Boils Over and Makes a Mess — How Do I Stop It?**

If you’ve ever cooked rice, chances are you’ve experienced this universal kitchen frustration: you turn your back for just a minute, and suddenly the pot is **boiling over like a miniature volcano**. Starchy water spills onto the stovetop, hisses as it hits the burner, and leaves behind a sticky mess that somehow hardens the moment it cools.

It’s annoying. It’s messy. And it makes a simple staple feel unnecessarily stressful.

The good news? Rice water boiling over isn’t a mystery — and it’s absolutely preventable. Once you understand *why* it happens and apply a few smart techniques, you can cook perfect rice without scrubbing your stove ever again.

Let’s break it down.

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## **Why Rice Water Boils Over in the First Place**

To stop rice from boiling over, it helps to understand what’s going on inside the pot.

### **The Role of Starch**

Rice contains a high amount of starch. When rice cooks, starch granules are released into the water. As the temperature rises, these granules swell and thicken the liquid.Continue reading…