Panasonic Breadmakers Tips and Quick Questions Thread

terra_ferma

cooking-mama wrote: »

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/panasonic-sd-256wxc-breadmaker-06299230-pdt.html?srcid=867&xtor=AL-89&istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istItemId=mrqmrlp&istBid=t
Currys have the SD256 for only £69.99 at the moment,dunno if prices are being reduced in line with the April launch of the new panasonic breadmakers with seperate yeast dispenser...wonder if the prices will drop further?

interesting, the ones they were selling in the USA when I was looking for a breadmaker, a few years back, already had a yeast dispenser, can't see that point really, but maybe they make a difference

Swan_2

terra_ferma wrote: »

interesting, the ones they were selling in the USA when I was looking for a breadmaker, a few years back, already had a yeast dispenser, can't see that point really, but maybe they make a difference

I was wondering that too :think:

cooking-mama

ive no idea,i just read about them on WHICH a wee while back..Launch date is April for 2 new machines,then a 3rd one in June(tho WHICH havent actualy tested any of them yet.

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/01/panasonic-reveals-ultimate-bread-making-machine-242854/

http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/kitchen/reviews/breadmakers/panasonic-sdzb-2502/review/

shopndrop

amber5748 wrote: »

I had thisn problem with my SD254 and realised that it was due to where I had positioned my panny. It was nearer the wall on one side than the other and since I have moved it so that there is loads of space around it at all sides the problem has disappeared I also had the central heating boiler on the nearest wall so maybe that had a bearing on the dough rising evenly.

I moved my BM after reading this thread so there is lots of space around it now and haven't had an uneven loaf since. Thanks to amber5748.

sparrer

cooking-mama wrote: »

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/panasonic-sd-256wxc-breadmaker-06299230-pdt.html?srcid=867&xtor=AL-89&istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istItemId=mrqmrlp&istBid=t
Currys have the SD256 for only £69.99 at the moment,dunno if prices are being reduced in line with the April launch of the new panasonic breadmakers with seperate yeast dispenser...wonder if the prices will drop further?

Although the Panny is imho, the best bm, I'm beginning to liken these gimmicks to football kit - let's bring out a new one and make more money. The more naive will rush out and buy it, they have to have the latest everything, even though the last design was perfectly functional. I can't see that a yeast dispenser is really going to make a difference, my 255 turns out super bread, and how long does it take to add the yeast to the pan? No longer that it will to add it to a separate dispenser (yet another part to clean) surely? The majority of folks on MSE will see through the gimmick, fortunately, and won't be storing two or three 'old' but perfectly good working models in the back of their cupboards - soon to be joined by the latest one...
Just my opinion.

shopndrop

sparrer wrote: »

Although the Panny is imho, the best bm, I'm beginning to liken these gimmicks to football kit - let's bring out a new one and make more money. The more naive will rush out and buy it, they have to have the latest everything, even though the last design was perfectly functional. I can't see that a yeast dispenser is really going to make a difference, my 255 turns out super bread, and how long does it take to add the yeast to the pan? No longer that it will to add it to a separate dispenser (yet another part to clean) surely? The majority of folks on MSE will see through the gimmick, fortunately, and won't be storing two or three 'old' but perfectly good working models in the back of their cupboards - soon to be joined by the latest one...
Just my opinion.

Have to agree. I had my old 254 until it burnt out, then felt I had to go and get another one as I do it almost every day, but I would have been more than happy with another 254 if I could have got one, especially if it was cheaper than my 257! Never mind, I am more than happy with my 257 and certainly will not be going out to buy a new one just for the sake of it. Hopefully mine will last for many years to come.:j

Swan_2

sparrer wrote: »

Although the Panny is imho, the best bm, I'm beginning to liken these gimmicks to football kit - let's bring out a new one and make more money. The more naive will rush out and buy it, they have to have the latest everything, even though the last design was perfectly functional. I can't see that a yeast dispenser is really going to make a difference, my 255 turns out super bread, and how long does it take to add the yeast to the pan? No longer that it will to add it to a separate dispenser (yet another part to clean) surely? The majority of folks on MSE will see through the gimmick, fortunately, and won't be storing two or three 'old' but perfectly good working models in the back of their cupboards - soon to be joined by the latest one...
Just my opinion.

I agree too about the gimmicks, I just can't see why this series of minor tweaks would make anyone consider replacing a functional machine.

Do you think this might be prompted by the Kenwood 450 doing so well in the Which best buy tests over the past couple of years? Interestingly, according to Which, Kenwood are bringing out two new models soon.
Is there going to be a battle of the breadmakers? :think:

I have access to both a Panny 255 & that Kenwood so I'm completely unbiased, but have to say that although you couldn't tell the bread apart, the Kenwood does have a few nice features that the Panny's lack. Not a yeast dispenser though! I'm still trying to work out what the advantage of that will be.

Also, superficial I know the Kenwood looks much nicer. The Panny's always reminded me of a baby's bottle steriliser or a piece of laboratory equipment.

terra_ferma

what annoys me the most it that in the UK they are trying to pass it off as a new feature, a great technological improvement, while they've had it for years in the USA...
Reading US reviews on Amazon it seems that the yeast dispenser is simply like the raisin/nut dispenser, but opening at a different time. I'd rather have the r/n one..
Reviewers say:

-it means you don't need to be as careful about order of ingredients into the pan
-the yeast dispenser can wake you up at night with its clicking noise if your bedroom is close to your kitchen
-a surprising amount of yeast usually forms a layer that sticks to the dispensing cup and is not added to the dough.
-Yeast dispenser: contributes to a very even loaf, and makes timer operation more reliable by preventing early yeast activation
-I have decided not to use the automatic yeast dispenser because I get better results when I don't
-somehow the machine seems less sensitive to slightly incorrect amounts of ingredients

Craftyscholar

cooking-mama wrote: »

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/panasonic-sd-256wxc-breadmaker-06299230-pdt.html?srcid=867&xtor=AL-89&istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istItemId=mrqmrlp&istBid=t
Currys have the SD256 for only £69.99 at the moment,dunno if prices are being reduced in line with the April launch of the new panasonic breadmakers with seperate yeast dispenser...wonder if the prices will drop further?

If 'someone' happened to find themselves near a Currys what would they need to get from the supermarket afterwards? :whistle:

shopndrop

Craftyscholar wrote: »

If 'someone' happened to find themselves near a Currys what would they need to get from the supermarket afterwards? :whistle:

To make a basic loaf? If so, the loaf I do mostly I use bread flour (a mix of wholemeal and white), fast acting yeast (I normally use the sachets), the rest you will have in store probably, sugar, salt, butter. Of course, you can add all sorts, sundried tomatoes, olives, cooking oil, different types of flour etc.