# TLDR Review: BLACK+DECKER RC516 Rice Cooker

*Published: 2025-01-14 | Updated: 2025-02-07 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/black+decker-rc516-rice-cooker*

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## Product: BLACK+DECKER RC516 Rice Cooker
**Brand:** BLACK+DECKER

## Pros
- The rice cooker is beautifully designed and feels substantial in weight.
- User-friendly design facilitates easy meal preparation.
- Delivers consistent results for both white and brown rice.
- Non-stick inner pot simplifies cleaning process.
- Keep-warm function maintains the perfect temperature for meals.
- Highly reliable and recommended for its simplicity.
- Previous smaller models lasted for years with frequent use.

## Cons
- Poor quality observed, with multiple units exhibiting defects.
- Produced smoke and a burning smell on first use, raising safety concerns.
- Replacement unit also showed defects and failed to cook properly after limited use.
- The START SWITCH is problematic and trips off unexpectedly.
- COOK/WARM indicator lights are not functioning.
- Disappointment with receiving the wrong size (8 cup instead of 16 cup).

## Bottom Line

The BLACK+DECKER 16-Cup Rice Cooker, while favored for its design and user-friendliness, has received mixed reviews regarding its quality and reliability. Many users have reported significant issues such as smoke, burning smells, and dysfunctional controls. If you're considering a purchase, ensure clarity on the product's specifications and be prepared for potential quality inconsistencies. If these issues are a concern, a different rice cooker model may be a better option.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| The rice cooker is beautifully designed and feels substantial in weight. | Poor quality observed, with multiple units exhibiting defects. |
| User-friendly design facilitates easy meal preparation. | Produced smoke and a burning smell on first use, raising safety concerns. |
| Delivers consistent results for both white and brown rice. | Replacement unit also showed defects and failed to cook properly after limited use. |
| Non-stick inner pot simplifies cleaning process. | The START SWITCH is problematic and trips off unexpectedly. |
| Keep-warm function maintains the perfect temperature for meals. | COOK/WARM indicator lights are not functioning. |
| Highly reliable and recommended for its simplicity. | Disappointment with receiving the wrong size (8 cup instead of 16 cup). |
| Previous smaller models lasted for years with frequent use. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| martquickly.com | $28.49  | Check |
| MercadoMagico | $28.99  | Check |
| Big Lots | $29.99  | Check |
| Boscov's | $29.99  | Check |
| Boscov's | $29.99  | Check |
| P.C. Richard & Son | $29.99  | Check |
| SAMA Department Store | Otusk | $29.99  | Check |
| Wayfair | $29.99  | Check |
| Mercari | $30.00  | Check |
| iPC Store | $31.00  | Check |
| Walmart | $32.99  | Check |
| IT Devices Online | $34.10  | Check |
| Amazon | $34.99  | Check |
| Bed Bath & Beyond | $34.99  | Check |
| Boscov's | $34.99  | Check |
| Store Seven | $34.99  | Check |
| zorotools.com | $35.40  | Check |
| Ideal True Value Home Center | $35.97  | Check |
| HEC Distribution | $36.00  | Check |
| Macy's | $36.89  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*