Rommelsbacher MRK 500 Review: Multi Rice Cooker (1.5 L)

Name: Rommelsbacher MRK 500 Multi Rice Cooker (1.5 L)
Brand: Rommelsbacher

Rommelsbacher MRK 500 at a glance

In short: the Rommelsbacher MRK 500 scores 7,9/10 in our single rice cooker review (from €80). Biggest strength: 6 programmes. Main compromise: low carb reduces rice quantity.

All specifications come from manufacturer data sheets and the Amazon catalogue and were cross-checked before publication. The rating is an editorial overall assessment based on this data; we do not trial products ourselves.

Rommelsbacher MRK 500: what works, what doesn't?

What works well

6 programmes: rice, wholegrain, low carb, rice pudding, soup, reheating
Low-carb cooking method: reduces the starch in the rice via the steaming insert
LED display with remaining time: programme and remaining time at a glance
1.5 L for 1 to 4 people: enough for small families & batch cooking
Cool-touch & German brand: hand-warm on the outside, solid build quality

Points of criticism

Low carb reduces rice quantity: the method noticeably lowers the usable amount
Non-stick sensitive: wooden/plastic utensils needed, no metal

Specifications in detail

Capacity	1.5 L usable volume (2 L pot), up to 6 portions (1 to 4 people)
Power	approx. 500 W
Technology	Microprocessor temperature control
Programmes	6: rice, wholegrain/risotto, low carb, rice pudding, soup, reheating
Display	LED (programme, remaining time, keep-warm)
Rice/steaming insert	Stainless steel insert for low carb & steaming
Inner pot	removable, non-stick coating
Housing	Cool-touch (hand-warm on the outside)
Accessories	Stainless steel rice/steaming insert, measuring cup, spatula

What does it cost to run?

At a maximum of 500 W power draw, an hour of use at 35 ct/kWh (German electricity price) costs about 18 cents. That applies at full load; real cooking and working cycles usually run lower.

Calculation basis: 35 ct/kWh (German electricity price, 2026, rounded). Values from the manufacturer data sheet; actual costs depend on use and tariff.

Build quality & everyday use

What carries the Rommelsbacher MRK 500 in everyday use: 6 programmes (rice, wholegrain, low carb, rice pudding, soup, reheating) and Low-carb cooking method (reduces the starch in the rice via the steaming insert). We have to be honest about the weaknesses: low carb reduces rice quantity, since the method noticeably lowers the usable amount.

If you set the device up to save space, make sure it stands on a stable, level surface with some air around it. This protects the mechanics and electronics in continuous use.

“Rommelsbacher MRK 500 Multi Rice Cooker (1.5 L): 6 programmes and low-carb cooking method, and the trade-off is that low carb reduces rice quantity. At 7.9/10 a fair deal from €80.”

The MiniHaushalt.de editorial team

Who is the Rommelsbacher MRK 500 suited to? (buying advice)

Perfect for:

✓Anyone who wants to cook more than rice
✓Low-carb & rice pudding fans
✓1 to 4 people / batch cooking

Less suitable for:

✕Absolute single mini size
✕Anyone who only needs simple rice

Rommelsbacher MRK 500 compared with alternatives

Head-to-head with the top alternatives from our single rice cookers comparison

Feature	Rommelsbacher MRK 500	Yum Asia Panda Mini	Reishunger Digital Mini
Volume	1.5 L	0.63 L	0.6 L
People	1–4	1–3	1–3
Technology	Microprocessor	Adv. fuzzy logic	Fuzzy logic
Programmes	6	6 functions	8
Steamer insert	yes	yes	yes

Similar single rice cooker models

Reishunger Mini 7.6/10 · from €40 Tristar RK-6142 7.4/10 · from €26 Macook 300W (0.6 L) 7.1/10 · from €30 Reishunger Digital Mini Rice Cooker 0.6 L 8.9/10 · from €110 Tristar RK-6238 8.1/10 · from €65 Adler AD 6418 7.5/10 · from €24

Frequently asked questions about the Rommelsbacher MRK 500

What distinguishes a multi rice cooker from a normal one?

A multi rice cooker like the Rommelsbacher MRK 500 has several electronically controlled programmes, here rice, wholegrain/risotto, low carb, rice pudding, soup and reheating, instead of just one cooking setting. A microprocessor monitors the temperature, and an LED display shows remaining time and status. That lets you cook not only rice but also porridge, risotto or soup in one appliance.

How does the low-carb function work in a rice cooker?

With the low-carb method, the rice is cooked in the insert above the water, so part of the starch is washed out and stays in the water, which reduces the carbohydrates taken in. The downside: the usable amount of rice is therefore smaller. If you watch your carbohydrates, the Rommelsbacher gives you this option directly as a programme.

How many people is the Rommelsbacher MRK 500 enough for?

With 1.5 litres of usable volume (2 litre pot) it cooks up to six portions of rice, suitable for one to four people or for batch cooking. That makes it the largest appliance in the comparison and more of a compact family multi-cooker than a pure single mini. For a single person it is a bit big, but very versatile.

Is the Rommelsbacher MRK 500 recommended?

The Rommelsbacher brand (German maker, established in kitchen appliances) speaks for solid build quality. If you want maximum functional variety with a display, you get a lot of appliance for the money here.

7.9 / 10 · Multifunction · 6 progr.

Verdict: is the Rommelsbacher MRK 500 worth it?

A solid option with a clear profile: if you can live with low carb reducing rice quantity, from €80 you get mainly one thing: 6 programmes. It suits best: anyone who wants to cook more than rice.

If you want to compare alternatives, you will find detailed data and reviews on our single rice cookers comparison page.

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Rommelsbacher MRK 500: the multi rice cooker with 6 programmes for 1 to 4 people