Which Breadmaker? Don't groan

pandaonmyshoulder

I have for weeks now been reading all the posts about various breadmakers and Panasonic seems the best BUT...... We have 6 in our family and use at least 1 family sized loaf per day, would a breadmaker loaf be big enough?????

Also heard tell that some brands leave a hole in the centre where the paddles has been?????

RacyRed

I think they all leave a little hole in the bottom where the paddle has been, On my Panny it isn't too bad, a small round hole and a thin line where the paddle extracts.

Xtra Large loaves are pretty big and I would think would be equivalent to a shop bought family sized?

I imagine the key for you would be slicing the loaf, HM tends to = doorstep slices so uses up faster. I don't have a slicer but you can find more advice on the whole subject In the BM collection, HERE

Ticklemouse

I think ALL of them leave a hole in the centre, otherwise there wouldn't be anything to mix the dough, if there wasn't a paddle. However, you get used to it.

You'll find that the slices tend to be thicker with HM bread, so invest in a decent breadknife - it really does make a difference to the slices you can cut. However, you may find that if you make a loaf overnight, for use at breakfast time and then ut another loaf in to be finished for when you get home in the afternoon, you can use that at night/to make the pack-ups for next day.

The taste of HM bread certainly makes up for the fact you have holes in your loaf, IMO

bargainqueen_2

Hey glad someone else brought this up, on recommendations from you lovely people I bought the magic Pana SD-253, but none of the recipes turn out well! I used to have a cheap old BM and it was heaps better but has gone to a better home now. Do you guys use the recipe book that came with the 253? Or is it maybe because in this country they don't seem to have "bread" flour but just flour or strong flour?
Sorry don't mean to hijack your thread panda... ;-)

susank

I have the Panasonic ds 251 one before the one you are talking about and its great - using bread flour its not a problem and I would say if any problems its due to stale yeast which needs to be very freshly opened. Lakeland have a great looking bread slicer and I am hopeless at slicing so I would really need this one.........

nik0510

hi panda, i got a pan 253 last week, we have a family of 2 plus 3 little ones, we use one a day (large size), bread is so so tasty, today i sliced it into 12 slices enough for a sandwhich each (making up a picnic, going to the zoo), and there were 2 left over for toast, plus the ends, i am not that good at cutting but buy it, it is brilliant, have only made the white and the 50 percent wholemeal, oh and the cinamon and sultana, really lush toasted with butter, i put mine on every day. do not regret buying it all.
go for it......

wizzkid_3

Hi Panda

I bought a BM in ASDA a few weeks ago (Durabrand I think) for £24. I do at least a couple of 2lb loaves a day for my lot (7 of us). I thought I would have to make a white and a wholemeal as the kids refuse to eat shop wholemeal, but, they think the half and half I make is lovely. If anyone knows of a BM that makes bigger loaves than this I would be grateful. I think we may use more bread now as it is much tastier than shop bought. I certainly don't regret it, I have saved so much money through not popping to the shop for a few loaves of bread and then finding I've spent 50 quid on other stuff that I probably didn't need.

FreebieFi

Another vote here for the panasonic s253!! I love mine- i only ever tend to make the medium sized loaf however as the bigger loves tend to be 'taller' rather than wider. Maybe i could overcome this by slicing the loaf the other way round? will have to try!

I have 5 in my family and a medium loaf will usually last a day, i tend to buy some ready sliced as back up as i haven't got into the habit of baking every day.

I also have the kenwood electric slicer bought 2nd hand from ebay which cuts good slices, but be warned- it is awkward to use and LETHAL!!

Fi

shoperholicnot

I have had the Pan 253 for about 18 months now and love it to bits..when I first got it I could not slice bread and i would always end up with slices that were wonky and too thick, i have perservered and can now cut bread ok and quite thin if i want. bought a cutting machine but found it a bit dangerous and took it back! just takes practice. on the whole I think the Pan makes lovely bread. when i make the extra large loaf, I have to cut the slices in half to fit it in the toaster but its a minor inconvience that is soon forgotten once I taste it!

pollys

Hi there are 6 in my family too and I have the panasonic, I make a large loaf every day and it does us plenty of toast and sandwhiched for packed lunches (4 packed lunches) I use an electric knife to cut the bread.

HTH

jaybee

I love my Panasonic! Had it for nearly a year now - had to get it after all the rave reviews on here!!! The hole in the bottom thing is not really a problem - I just cut the slices in half from top to bottom instead of from side to side (if you know what I mean). Never buy 'shop' bread any more.