BLACK+DECKER 6-Cup Rice Cooker, RC506, 3-cup Uncooked Rice, Steaming Basket, Removable Non-Stick Bowl, One Touch

This is an excellent little appliance. Easily makes enough rice for two as a side dish. Easy to use just keep an eye on it after the cook cycle when it switches to ‘warm’. Works just right when directions are followed. Cooks ALL kinds of rices and grains. Slight learning curve on wild rices and brown rices but worth the small effort. We’ve had it a few months, use it at least a couple times a week with no problems. Non stick works fine with soak and sit.

I purchased this to replace one I had used (of a different brand) for nearly 20 years. The finish on the bottom of the metal bowl the rice cooks in had begun to scratch and come off, so I felt for health reasons it was probably time to replace it. I loved the simplicity of my previous rice cooker, and looked for something similar. Overall, I have been happy with this purchase so far. I’ll detail a few of the pros and cons below, but I think I would purchase this again.
Pros:
*The rice is consistently cooked perfectly, and tastes great. This is the most important thing, and why I would purchase again.
*The warming feature works well, and indeed keeps rice warm once it finishes cooking. So far, our rice has not dried out with this feature, but we also haven’t had to keep it warm for more than an hour or so.
*It is fairly easy to use. The method of water measurement has been a little different from my previous cooker, which is taking a little adjustment (I have to consult the manual each time I use it to remind me of ratios), but once I get my ratios it only takes a few seconds to get rice cooking. I wish they would print ratios on a sticker and put it on the cooker, so I didn’t have to consult the book each time, but I’ll learn the ratios eventually.

Cons:
*This may just be the difference of buying something 20 years ago vs today, but the quality is noticeably less than my previous cooker. The plastic and metal on everything feels thinner — not as substantial. The serving paddle feels like a thinner plastic — only slightly thicker than what I would consider disposable plastic serve ware. It doesn’t impact the results with the rice, but I do wonder if it will impact durability and longevity. I do not expect that this cooker will last 20 years like my previous one.
*This may be a silly gripe, but the serving paddle on my previous rice cooker was designed to rest in the handle on the side of the cooker, and I didn’t realize how much I liked that feature until I didn’t have it. It was great for serving to a crowd without having to set the paddle on the counter. While I technically can put the paddle in the handle of this one, it is clearly not designed to rest there, and one would have to touch the part of the paddle that comes in contact with food to remove it from the handle. Not ideal in a crowd. But, it still works.

Like I said, overall I’m happy with the purchase, and if you’re looking for a solid rice cooker, this is a good option. I’m just putting the things in this review that I would have liked to note before ordering.

OVERVIEW & BACKGROUND
Both model sizes are best for: 1-2 servings; Mainly for individuals, couples, a bit more can be squeezed out of them if servings are kept smaller.

Covers most cooking, even baking style options except for much higher temperature sort of cooking/baking like frying, broiling, grilling, roasting. These types of cooking methods are best done in another higher temperature (usually over1000 watts if electric powered) appliance like a regular range stove top, grill, or the portable stove tops sometimes called a hot plate.
***********UPDATE:**********
Be aware that there are many mini/personal size electric griddles that cover this spectrum of “higher” yet are actually LOWER wattage temperature that I did not know about at the time I wrote this. The one I now use now is rated atjust 260 watts!

I did not just buy ONE, but TWO Black And Decker Rice Cookers-though a month apart from each other. They are the smallest (RC503) and the second smallest (RC506) models which are currently offered on their present model line up. I will discuss them both here equally in the Overview & Background section. Then in their respective individual model sections, I will discuss each one separately in far more detail. Overall, I have found them both to be so very adaptable, flexible, and meeting my food preparation and nutrition needs very well, sometimes exceeding my own wildest dreams as these cookers are definitely not a One Trick Pony. I bought them both because:
-1. The huge global inflation that is causing food prices to skyrocket without an end in sight and
-2. The global supply chain breakdown which has impacted, plus severely limiting, packaged frozen food for individuals and smaller groups to my local grocery stores in a dependable, predictable, and timely manner.

While I usually prepare a 1 Pot meal or snacks using just one Rice Cooker at a time when cooking just for me, both of them can be used to make not only more food, but a variety of food when needed-generally one to two servings. I can feed up to about 4 servings depending on the size of the portion served separately intended for each person. These cookers take very little space either when stored or in use. They are very inexpensive (together I paid under 40 dollars for both at the time of this writing) and with the right recipes and ingredients, can do a wide variety of main and side dishes with so little clean up afterwards. When you do clean up the Inner Pot, use only soft non-abrasive sponge, rag, wet paper towels etc. or soak in soapy water before you start to wipe clean. Plus NEVER use metal utensils in these cookers or you will ruin the non-stick cooking surface. It is very easy to scratch it! Completely dry the insert itself before placing it back into the electric base.

I had an unexpected side benefit of lower salt intake as well as consuming more nutritious food of grains (other than the expected rice), vegetables and controlling meat amount inclusion which helped me to lose 10-15 pounds without even knowing it! They are ultra portable and can be moved from not only from room to room, but travel if I ever do that again.

I am a single person on the SNAP (food stamps) program right now. I am on a very limited food budget of hovering just under 200 dollars per month. That means I have to be very careful even before this huge inflation wave happened. While I always hunted for bargains, used store discount cards, and coupon clipped in the past, that proved not to be enough anymore, especially now with the double whammy of inflation and supply breakdown. I decided I need to eliminate food waste as close to 100% as possible. So I purchased the tiny RC503 first with my Stimulus check. I noticed such a huge drop in waste (approaching the upper 90 percentile), I decided to buy the RC506 a bit later as it is the smallest model to offer an included Steam Basket. Plus I needed a bit more “room” for a little more food. This combo proved to be the best means to reach, even exceed, my goals.

***Reasons To Buy Any/All Of These Rice Cooker:s***
-*Rice Cookers can be used in less than ideal situations. If you don’t have a traditional kitchen available and need to set up some sort of makeshift portable/temporary/transitory/even an emergency sort of meal prep area, station, or center, all you need is a reliable power source (preferably an electrical outlet-otherwise a generator) to power up and operate the Cooker(s). RC503 is only 200 watts, and RC506 is 300 watts. So easy on electricity unlike the higher wattage appliances out there.
-*Addressing Special Dietary Issues. If you or someone in your group has a special diet be prepared just for them, it is very easy to do in a rice cooker such as these. Even if you visit outside your home or residence at someone else’s place, it can be easily done right on the spot. Especially great for Diabetics, people with food allergies, personal/religious belief dietary restrictions (i.e. veganism, keeping Kosher etc.). You will still be able to dine with others without calling undue attention to the food in front of you just like everyone else.
-*Faster than a “Slow” Cooker. Most meals average around 30 minutes or so.
-*Not heating up the kitchen when the weather is very hot, especially hot and steamy, times of the year.
-*Easy to use (only 1 Device Operating or Control Lever) and ability to prepare as simple or elaborate meals/snacks as you want.
-*Cheap on the food budget without sacrificing nutrition . -*Proportion Control practiced without undercutting with a decent amount of food per person. Leftovers eliminated unless intentionally desired by the user.
-*Numerous “Rice Cooker” recipes available both online, at your local public library, and in purchased cookbooks specializing in preparing raw ingredients in a rice cooker. I collected several books and searched online and I now have a huge selection of entrees to choose from. Just like eating out in a restaurant-without the cost!

RC503
The smallest (and cutest) model offered. It DOES NOT come with a Steamer Basket. Still it is great for very small proportions (like a side dish or a snack). I cooked white rice in it just for me and it came out perfect! Just remember to use the included rice measuring cup and the spatula/spoon/scoop included in your box for best results.
The included rice measuring cup is great for rice measuring accuracy within this Rice Cooker unless otherwise specified by your chosen recipe. Then I use the regular cups used by most people.. The usual regular measuring cups might make your rice overflow as it is somewhat bigger than the included rice measuring cup.

RC506
This is the one size up model. I usually prepare my main 1 Pot course, a bit bulkier items (like ribs shown being prepared and served in the included photos), and could be pressed to squeeze out an extra proportion for an unexpected guest far easier than the micro mini RC503. The included Steamer Basket allows me to steam a little something extra within it without having to use my little RC503 all the time just for a very small extra amount of food. Just remember to use the spatula/spoon/scoop plus the rice measuring cup included in your box for best results.
The included rice measuring cup is great for rice measuring accuracy within this Rice Cooker. . The usual regular measuring cups might make your rice overflow as it is somewhat bigger than the included rice measuring cup unless otherwise specified by your chosen recipe. Then I use the regular cups used by most people.
******”UPDATE-June, 2024*******
It has been some years since I last wrote the above review. Since then, I actually lost around 50% of my SNAP (Food Stamps) monthly allowance. Plus Inflation seems not to let up very much if at all. How am I coping with these major changes without going back to the local Food Banks or even begging? By relying on these same rice cookers 99% of the time now.

I “translated” my favorite food dishes into cooking them in one or usually both of my rice cookers at the same time each day. I will let you see for yourselves-via above new pix-the tasty, healthy results right out of the rice cookers. I wish you could smell & taste them for yourselves!

“Swedish Meatballs” & “Japanese Style Curry Bowl” are my absolute favorites shown above. The Swedish Meatballs & Japanese Curry sauces are cooked separately (each one entree was prepared on separate days) in one rice cooker. The Egg Noodles & Udon Noodles are cooked in the other cooker due to different cooking times as well. When it is time to serve them, The Meatballs was served in the all metal insert which it was cooked in. The Curry was served in a more traditional ceramic bowl.

The money savings from this “less is more” approach is noticeable very quickly after nearly 100% implication. My food bill no matter how much the time period passed (weekly, monthly), added up very quickly, after I stopped eating out completely and relying on these rice cookers far more than before. I am able function (stay within a very meager, now far more limited) budget, even thrive health-wise, thanks to this nontradional approach in food preparation in everything I do. I hope and wish you success as well as you explore your own way!

Last rice cooker died…got this one as a replacement. Black and decor is a quality brand! This cooker is easy to use, comes with everything pictured, and best of all is dishwasher safe!!! I like how you can sit the lid in the handle. Keeping it off the counter, and mess free. Button is easy to use, takes up only a little room, but easy to store when not in use.

Great cooker, the rice has a beautiful, fluffy texture. Easy to use, nice simple design. One thing: the 3-cup version is really only enough for 2 people having a side serving of rice, or 1 person eating a rice meal. For me it was too small so I bought the 6-cup version.

This a compact one person and one meal cooker. Cooks one cup of rice. It take approximately 20 mins.