Unless doing sushi or risotto rinse excess starch.

How much water to use? Put rice in the pot and fill with water until it reaches the first joint of your index finger. Brown rice needs a bit less water than that. Water level should always be less than half the pot height. Otherwise, heat transfer is not optimal and you get uneven rice doneness (yes, that's a word, shut up autocorrect).

Don't forget salt, or use stock.

Cover the pot.

Start with high heat, but always give the mixture a few stirs at the beginning to prevent sticking at the bottom.

Wait until water is boiling, then gradually decrease heat.

If you can't see the water rice is done. Leave the pot covered for ~15min. It's a thing.