I am in love with my Panasonic breadmaker

hiro

I have recently acquired a Panasonic SD-254 and have done a number of different loaves from the instruction book and so far they have all worked out well. I know the difference between the 254 and the 255 is the ability of the 255 to do rye bread recipes and the ingredient drop facility for adding ingredients during the process automatically.
The 254 can still be set for recipes needing ingredients added during the process and it simply beeps to tell you when to add them.
Bearing the above in mind can anyone explain why a number of the recipes in the instruction book that don't use rye flour are listed as being suitable for the 255 only?
A few of the recipes that add ingredients during the process are listed as suitable for the 254 ie. Spicy Fruit Loaf but most others ie. Cheese and Bacon Loaf are listed as 255 only.
I fancy a go at some of the recipes listed as 255 only, has anyone tried any of these and how did they do it and did they work?
Hope this isn't too long winded but it is a fairly specific question.
A bit of advice i have not seen on this forum is to lay the very tall XL size bread loaf on it's side to slice it, it doesn't sway about so much that way.
Cheers, Hiro.

danz0l

We just got our sd255, bought from ebay at £48 inclusive of postage and are really excited.

This thing looks a serious bit of kit and i'm both well impressed with the condition (it was secondhand from ebay but looks as if its never ever been used) and the seller who shipped it next day.

We've followed the instructions to make a standard sandwich loaf and are now crossing our fingers it will all turn out ok Wish us luck ....

jj171

JoeyEmma wrote: »

Just got back from Sainsbury's and Doves Organic Strong Wholemeal was 60p a bag. I got 2!

I was buying this flour. Its really yummy and at 60p, who could complain anyway...

Yesterday, the Dove's Organic Strong wholemeal flour was £1.19 from Sainsbury! I know prices are going up, but thats a rediculous price hike. It wasn't marked as a special offer for 60p. I thought maybe it was just less popular, and therefore cheaper - if that makes sense.

JJ

danz0l

ok first loaf out and i was, i have to admit, a little disappointed

We followed the recipe to the letter but it was an uneven loaf and was bigger one side than the other. We opted for the Sandwich loaf and the crust is just too fine it would seem, even splitting on the lower end of the loaf.

Never one to be deterred first time around we now have a normal basic XL loaf in and we'll see how that comes out.

I have tried a slice and although my wife loves it again i have mixed feelings. It was light and veryfine in texture but wasn't like shop bought bread so i guess i have to train myself to enjoy loafs without the additives we normally get from our branded loafs.

So mixed feelings on this one so far. I was impressed with how easy it was to clean however so thats 1+.

Lets hope the XL loaf comes out better.

Andy_Hamilton

The Sandwich setting creates much finer bubbles which is ideal to cut and should look like a bought cut loaf.
If your's is uneven, I try adding slightly more water so it can slump during the prove cycle. Different flour can take more.
If you can't get away with the yeast taste try fresh yeast.

I tried an XL loaf and it's just taller and hardly useful.

danz0l

This is alison strong bread flour as its all i could get. Will invest in Tescos Strong tomorrow.

XL loaf isn't what i expected either. Its just bigger slices but same size loaf which is a disappointment. However this one appears to have come out almost perfect so we are on the right track

danz0l

OK to follow up this morning we have just had the most delightful toast created with the XL loaf we baked yesterday in the Panasonic.

Kids even decided to have some, unusually for them, and we didn't hear a peep out of them till after they cleared their plates.

So all in all a huge success thus far and i'm very happy now and seem to be adjusting to homemade breadmaker bread slowly and surely. The XL large is possibly a little too big for us however so i'll try the large next time around and substitute butter for oil.

One question is is there a way to make my bread whiter ? I know its a silly thing but i'm so used to bright white bread and wondered if its to do with powdered milk perhaps ? Or is it additives that gives it that bleached white look ?

Andy_Hamilton

You can use fresh milk in the panasonic if you are setting the machine off straight away, you only need powedered when it's on a timer as real milk would sour.
I do a medium loaf and it's about the same size as leading brands.

Your used to white bread which has bleeched flour, you can try buying standard white flour and see if that is more like what your used to.
Oil for butter makes no difference but I always run ot of butter (hot bread and butter, mmm)

danz0l

Thanks Andy. We are popping to Aldi this morning, first time in years, so will look at the different flour they have there.

We used water and didn't use powdered or otherwise last time around. I'll have to experiment a wee bit and i have plenty of opportunity as it looks like the rest of the family loves it

Suesy_Sue

Hello!

I just had to share with you all as I have been following this thread for a while now and you all inspired me to invest in a Panny. I have just 'won' the Panny on Ebay. :j Hopefully it will arrive by the weekend.

As a new owner do you have any tips for me?

Thanks in advance.

Suesy Sue