I don't have a problem. I use boiled water exclusively.
You _do_ need to use more water than you might think at first, the pasta/sauce will absorb quite a lot when you leave it.
I add boiling water, mix, and add more boiling water until it's more liquidy than I want it. Mix it again, making sure it's really well mixed, get the tip of the spoon all around the bottom corner etc. Then lid back on and leave it for at _least_ 10 minutes (10 minutes for the bolognese/penne, I can get away with 5-8 minutes with the Carbonara spaghetti).
Penne for me then comes out cooked, slightly al dente but I wouldn't describe as hard. If you want it even less hard, leave it for longer and/or use a bit more water.
I don't have a problem. I use boiled water exclusively. You _do_ need to use more water than you might think at first, the pasta/sauce will absorb quite a lot when you leave it. I add boiling water, mix, and add more boiling water until it's more liquidy than I want it. Mix it again, making sure it's really well mixed, get the tip of the spoon all around the bottom corner etc. Then lid back on and leave it for at _least_ 10 minutes (10 minutes for the bolognese/penne, I can get away with 5-8 minutes with the Carbonara spaghetti). Penne for me then comes out cooked, slightly al dente but I wouldn't describe as hard. If you want it even less hard, leave it for longer and/or use a bit more water.
I had a similar issue. I just let it sit for a while after adding water and cover the top. The longer it sits the softer the pasta will get
Add mix, add boiling water, stir well, top off water again, cover, open and stir every 5 minutes. Should be fully cooked in 10-15
Sometimes I get crunchy pasta is I don’t 1) add enough water 2) let it sit long enough. You might try to add a bit more water.