Panasonic Breadmakers Tips and Quick Questions Thread

phil_51

Tried a Lidl mix the other day on the 'timer' (9 hours) but it came out a right mess. I guess because the yeast is mixed in with the flour and not hidden underneath the flour it does not work on the timer ???

springerholic

I have the panasonic without the seed dispenser and I love it! Have had 1 dodgy loaf for reasons unknown, use it about 5 times a week, made great pizza dough and I personally wouldnt worry about the nut dispenser, I put all mine on top of the dry ingredients, dont worry about waiting for the beep and have even done this and used the timer with no problems, the main purpose is to prevent any seeds etc being crushed during the kneading process which I cant say has caused me major problems, I did put mixed fruit in separately but if I wanted to put timer on overnight then I would probably just put it all in straight away!

Jazzy_B

I've got the cheaper Panasonic, and it's great. My sister has the one with the dispenser, and she's never used the dispenser. I make seed breads by throwing everything in at the start. Sometimes I add fruit and nuts when it beeps, sometimes I put it in at the beginning. I've also made rye bread without problems.(I didn't realise there was a special blade!)

KittyBoo_2

Thanks for your replies.
I will try them out cos I can see room for improvement in my technique.
Baked again today and paddle didn't stay in the loaf although there was still a small hole but that is the beauty of home made bread.

Barbalib

I thought I'd ask the opinion of the MSE bread making collective. My dad has decided that he hates all shop bought bread and wants a bread maker. He swears he will use it himself and not make my mum do it. It'll have to be pretty straight forward as he never bothers reading the manuals and normally just rings me every time he can't work something!

So, are the Panasonics really easy to use?
Can you use any of the packet mixes you can get in the supermarkets?
Is it easy to clean?
Could your dear 70-something year old father use it without burning himself/the house down?

Lots of questions, I know; but I'd be very grateful for any opinions

hansi

Well, I'm a dear old man of 65, and I do the breadmaking in this abode using the Panasonic. I started off years ago with a Morphy Richards which I wore out and bought another one ( Fastbake) which I didn't really like because of its odd shaped loaves, but recently my other half won a Debenhams competition of £1000 shopping voucher so we changed all our kitchen items and also bought the Panasonic. Once you get over the initial panic of setting it all up and then nothing happens (Rest), it's a great machine. One word of warning however, he'll be using it a lot because once you start eating it, you can't stop. Even the bog standard white loaf is scrumptious!

Knonie

I have had the Panasonic with the R&R dispenser (the older version) for over 4 years and made my decision based on it being the GHI choice. My mum had gone through 3 other brand machines in 18 mths and was so impressed by mine that she bought one - she's had hers now for just over 3 years. Both of us agree that we'll upgrade to the latest model once ours have had their day.

I use mine to make as much as I can loaves, rolls, french sticks, pizza, cake - I don't even leave it at home for holidays as we stay in the UK self-catering so it comes along too!!

shop-to-drop

Barbalib wrote: »

I thought I'd ask the opinion of the MSE bread making collective. My dad has decided that he hates all shop bought bread and wants a bread maker. He swears he will use it himself and not make my mum do it. It'll have to be pretty straight forward as he never bothers reading the manuals and normally just rings me every time he can't work something!

So, are the Panasonics really easy to use?
Can you use any of the packet mixes you can get in the supermarkets?
Is it easy to clean?
Could your dear 70-something year old father use it without burning himself/the house down?

Lots of questions, I know; but I'd be very grateful for any opinions

Absolutely he could and especially with packet mixes. I bought my first packet mix tonight and it was so easy. Open mix, tip it in add water switch it on. Packet mix used rapid setting too. It was very delicious eaten in no time at all. I bought wrights sunflower seed mix at 75p and will be trying them all.

The biggest draw back as far as I can tell is the space it takes up on the counter.

hamish222

Hubby has ordered me one for xmas and new food processor. very excited.

Barbalib

Thank you hansi and shop-to-drop for your replies:T

I think I'll order a panasonic for my dad and enjoy lots of his home cooked bread over Christmas. Hopefully I'll be able to resist buying one myself.