I am in love with my Panasonic breadmaker

HelenKA_2

I store my bread in a hard plastic thingy (think it's called a bread keeper surprisingly!!) that I got from Lakeland a while ago but I think they still do them as my dad got one a year ago. It cost £10 but it keeps the bread beautifully fresh. With 6 of us I make a loaf more or less every day and my best tip......learn to use the timer. I'll put it on timer for when we get in (lovely smell on walking in after school!) then put it away before bed. Use it for lunches next day then finish it for breakfast the next again day.

I use 300ml water, 100g strong wholemeal, 400g strong white, tsp fast yeast, tsp salt, tbsp sugar, knob of fat. I always do the 4 hr programme since I didn't get a good result the one time I did the fast programme.

I'm a newbie, been lurking for a while but haven't got my sig sorted yet, sorry!

Helen

Oh yes and I shake it out onto a rack for cooling and immediately throw over a clean tea towel, I don't like too 'crusty' a crust

weemissy

I also bought the £10 knife in tesco and it cuts the bread really well, we keep our bread in a big multi purpose tupperware container and it stays really fresh - pleased at this as I am trying not to buy sandwich bags etc unless absolutely necessary

Farway

larmy16 wrote: »

Faraway did you mean you cook this on Rapid? I have done a four hour loaf this morning and it is perfect.

On 4 hour setting, not rapid

larmy16

Can anyone tell me how much oil they use say instead of 1/2 oz or 1oz of butter that my book says to use for a medium and large loaf respectively. The extra large is kind of scary!!

Ishtar

larmy16 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me how much oil they use say instead of 1/2 oz or 1oz of butter that my book says to use for a medium and large loaf respectively. The extra large is kind of scary!!

I've been using a tablespoon of olive oil instead of the ounce of butter/margarine. Doesn't seem to make much of a difference, but the loaf seems drier after a couple of days, which we don't find to be a problem, so you might need to increase the amount.

duchy

I was concerned the instructions were a bit vague about the raisin bake too but I intend to try and do a fruit loaf this evening (after the loaf I just put on is done and the BM has cooled down).
I'd love the banana bread recipe too please

StressedSteph

Hi all

I am teetering on the edge of buying a breadmaker, but as I made a New Years Resolution to not spend any unnecessary money, I have been looking for a bargain.

Of course, typical, even though it's prime SALE time of year, breadmakers don't seem to be included in this :rolleyes: .

I have heard everyone raving about the Panasonic SD255, but they are all around the £100 mark :eek:

What I have seen though is the model below, the SD254, this is more like £65 and that price makes me feel abit better about making the purchase.

What I wonder is, to those who have seen past posts and been on these boards fora while. Is the new version (SD255) that much better for the extra £35 ???

It seems to have 1 or 2 extra programmes, but what I will mostly be wanting it for is the kneading. I can't imagine actually baking the loaf in the machine, but then you never know, once I get it.

Sorry for my rambing. Morning everyone

Ishtar

I've got the SD255 and have to say it's fantastic! However, you're really only paying the extra for a seed/nut dispenser thingy and two or three extra programmes - I think one of these is a rye bread programme...which in honesty I'll never use.

This is my second bread machine and the only reason I paid the extra was for the dispenser as I used to get fed up hanging around for the beep to tell me to add ingredients.

If you're happy to add ingredients at the beep (raisins, nuts, etc), then go with the SD254 - there's not a lot of difference.

Hope that helps
D.

JoeyEmma

I always wanted the 255, but then the 244 was £40 on amazon the other week and I couldn't justify £60 just for an automatic raisin dispenser. I've made fruit loaf in it and just had to listen out for a beep to add the raisins, its not exactly the end of the world. The only thing is if you want to add fruit you can't use the timer on the 244.

Lorian

The difference is exactly what the previous posters said, put together. IE automatic nut dispenser and a special paddle for making ryebread.

The 254 is excellent. Not only has it made great bread (had it about 5 days now) it's quiet and looks smart. Probably the best thing I have bought for the kitchen, bar the dishwasher

(I think JE means 254 not 244)

Amazon still have loads of stock. Remember if you buy from them and if they drop the price again in the next 30 days you can claim the difference back.