poky,
the "system" won't work if it's less than half filled.
What I did last time for our #2 was,
I cook porridge in a connieware pot for me & for him too;
1. wash rice in pot, add water, bring to boil without cover
2. while waiting for rice+water to boil, chop/cut ingredients & "standby"
3. when water boil, stir, then let it boil for another 5mins
4. then throw in all the ingredients
5. wait for pot to boil... ... ...
6. then cover with lid & off fire
then go & do "my stuffs", wash clothes, bath, etc, etc... return to pot after half hour
7. on fire, stir, boil without cover again for 5mins
8. cover with lid & off fire
Prepare the table, utensils or even bath our boy...
Next trip to the pot, porridge should be ready to eat.
Ingredients I used... Mix & match...
Fish - cod, thread fin, ikan bilis, silver fish, salmon, etc.
Meat (mostly mince) - Pork, chicken, beek (when I buy from store, I'll "flatten" in a plastic bag with a bottle, then "break" into small pieces & throw into porridge directly when cooking)
Fiber - carrot, potato, pumpkin, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, corn, green peas, etc.
Misc. - Egg, tofu, tau kau, apple, banana, etc.
HTHs.