Panasonic Breadmakers Tips and Quick Questions Thread

hansi

I have the model with the seed dispenser but to be honest, I never use it. I just bung everything in with the rest of the ingredients. Never had a problem.

Unity

smj wrote: »

Hi,

I am trying to decide if its worth paying the extra £20 for the raisin/nut dispenser on the SD255 compared to the SD254.

I am not bothered about nuts or raisins, but would like to make seeded bread (sunflower, poppy etc). Can I just throw the seeds in at the start, or do you need to add them part way through ?

I anticipate setting the timer, ready for fresh bread in the morning, so will not be awake to add seeds part way through.

Reading the feedback, people seem to have a few problems with the automatic dispenser, so interested to hear if its really worth paying about 30% more for the SD255 over the SD254.

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve.

I personally didn't know there was a model without the automatic dispenser , but I have made good use of mine. I find it excellent for making the "Five seeded bread" recipe in the booklet that comes with it. It's also great for sun dried tomatoes. If you can afford it, I think it is a good addition to have since you don't have to be worried about being around to add nuts/seeds etc. at the right time.

hansi

Like I said, I don't bother with it even with seeds. I just chuck them all in together. Easier to clean at the end too:j

Pitlanepiglet

I have the model with the dispenser, I use it quite a bit when making fruit bread and I've never had any problems with it. If it's just small seeds you could just chuck them in at the beginning but I'd imagine fruit gets a bit chewed up by the paddle if you put it in earlier?

Pitlanepiglet

Second post, I along with some others were having problems with our Panny's earlier in the year. I just wanted to put an update most on that ours now appears to be working absolutely fine.

I'm not sure what the problem was, I'm fairly sure we had a dodgy bos of yeast, I used it for some hand baking and it didn't rise well so that was one issue. Hubby is supposedly taking more care putting in the ingredients but I suspect that he isn't so I'm not sure that this is a factor! One of the suggestions at the time was about outside temperature and I wonder if this is an issue - that when it's warmer it changes the way the yeast works?

Dunno, but having been worried about ours, it now seems to be fine!

Unity

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

I have the model with the dispenser, I use it quite a bit when making fruit bread and I've never had any problems with it. If it's just small seeds you could just chuck them in at the beginning but I'd imagine fruit gets a bit chewed up by the paddle if you put it in earlier?

You are so right, if you put fruit in it does tend to disintegrate and it's the same with sun-dried tomatoes. Also any heavy ingredients like nuts mean the bread doesn't rise as well as when these are added after the initial proving.

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

Second post, I along with some others were having problems with our Panny's earlier in the year. I just wanted to put an update most on that ours now appears to be working absolutely fine.

I'm not sure what the problem was, I'm fairly sure we had a dodgy bos of yeast, I used it for some hand baking and it didn't rise well so that was one issue. Hubby is supposedly taking more care putting in the ingredients but I suspect that he isn't so I'm not sure that this is a factor! One of the suggestions at the time was about outside temperature and I wonder if this is an issue - that when it's warmer it changes the way the yeast works?

Dunno, but having been worried about ours, it now seems to be fine!

I also had the same problem which was cured by buying some new yeast. I've tried a few different kinds and it's definitely better to go with the individual sachets rather than a packet which once opened can't be effectively re-sealed (I used a Lakeland Klippit for the pack of Allinsons I'd bought which was better than nothing).

I've tried different makes of yeast - branded and shop's own and found the best by far for me is 'Hovis'.

sparrer

I've had my SD255 for a couple of months now and really love it. Just one thing - there's beginning to be a brown discoloration in the bottom of the machine which I can't get rid of. Tried a damp cloth with a tiny bit of washing up liquid but it isn't shifting. I can't scour it so does anyone have any suggestions how I could get rid of it please?

hansi

I don't think this is a problem. If I remember rightly, there's something in the instruction book that says it will discolour.

caveman38

We have bought a Panasonic bread making machine. The quality of the bread is good but the taste is not what we expected.
After reading threads from previous poster we were expecting superb bread and wonder if you more experienced breadmakers can offer tips and/or advice to improve the taste of our bread.
Till now we have used the recipe in the Panasonic book that came with the machine.
The flour we have used is "Allinson" strong white bread flour, "Doves" quick yeast, "Clover" spread and well sugar, salt , water which are the same in everyones house.
Is it OK to use clover or must you use "real" butter. Is it OK to use cold water straight from the tap. Is that brand of flour know to be good.
Can someone advise on the above please plus give tips that will give us the wow factor that will make our bread enjoyable not just cheap.
Thanks in advance.

Penelope_Penguin

BM bread is better than much shop-bought, but it's not to everyone's taste Have you ever made bread by hand - that way you'll know what the best bread tastes like

Possibly post your exact recipe and exactly why you don;t like it and maybe someone can help.

Penny. x