Which is the best home breadmaker?

stilernin

jennyjelly wrote: »

Forgive me if it's an obvious question, but do the Panny SD254 & SD255 have viewing windows? I'm sure they do but I can't see one on any of the pics I have found and I think it's nice to be able to keep an eye on progess!

I have just had a trip into the shops to look at the MR 48281 (see my earlier post) and checked out the Panny.

Because it doesn't have a viewing window, the lid is much thicker than those that do. Does this extra insulation mean better baking, hence the rave reviews? I got chatting to an assistant in House of Frazer who said that some of the older machines that had larger windows suffered with condensation on the inside. Is this another reason the Panny doesn't have a window? I wonder if it would help if a folded cloth was put over the window of others to replicate the Panny? Just thinking out loud.

More food for thought - I went to John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Frazer and they only stocked the Panny and Kenwood. Are they better machines or do those companies give them a better deal? Any inside info?

I'll try the 'electrical stores' to have a look at the MR before finally committing myself.

jennyjelly

I've been thinking today that maybe it's silly to not buy the one which seems to be universally acknowleged as the best just because it doesn't have a window.

I automatically dismissed the Pannies as soon as I learned this, but really only because I'm used to looking at the bread rising. Does it really matter if the result is better? I'd rather have good bread.

So now I'm sort of changing my mind again and tending back towards the Pannies - though if I can't have a window I'll damn well have a nut dispenser to make up for it so it will have to be the more expensive SD255.

My old Hinari is still chugging along, although the timer doesn't work anymore, so I have the luxury of time to look for a good deal. Looking back through old posts on this subject it seems that several people have got very good deals just before Christmas, so crossing my fingers this will follow this year.

If anyone sees any really good buys I hope they will post them here!

MrsE_2

jennyjelly wrote: »

I've been thinking today that maybe it's silly to not buy the one which seems to be universally acknowleged as the best just because it doesn't have a window.

I automatically dismissed the Pannies as soon as I learned this, but really only because I'm used to looking at the bread rising. Does it really matter if the result is better? I'd rather have good bread.
!

:beer::beer::beer:

Get a panni:D
I have & I was hopeless with baking stuff (sponge, bread, pastry) & now I make lovely bread:D

I have lifted the lid up & had a nose anyhow:o

cooking-mama

jennyjelly wrote: »

If anyone sees any really good buys I hope they will post them here!

Dixons still seem to have the best prices £67.75 for the SD254 AND £89.99 for the SD255 http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/store/dix_page.jsp?

PS.........The SD255 is £89.99 in Amazon too,tho the SD 254 is £79.99.

Jenko2006

Ive just been on there and it's saying the 254 is £79.99

but these are doing it cheaper

http://www.kitchenscience.co.uk/kitchen_gadgets/other/breadmakers/panasonic_sd_254wxc.html?cm_mmc=Affwin-_-Feed-_-Breadmakers-_-413941&aref=offeroftheday&refid=affil&referred_site=aw&_$ja=tsid:6097|prd:60612

use KS3 code which then makes it £65.85

cooking-mama

Jenko2006 wrote: »

Ive just been on there and it's saying the 254 is £79.99

was definately £67.75 at 1 .o .clock this morning,(was at that price for over a week,must have been a special offer that has stopped today.)..still a good buy at £79.99 tho,
Kitchen science-(online store) have it for £67.89 freedelivery,but looks like its out of stock today,but since stock+prices change daily may be worthwhile checking again http://www.kitchenscience.co.uk/kitchen_gadgets/other/breadmakers/panasonic_sd_254wxc.html?cm_mmc=Ciao-_-Feed-_-Breadmakers-_-413941&_$ja=tsid:6101|cc:0|prd:413941|cat:Kitchen+Gadgets+%2F+Other+%2F+Breadmakers+%2F+

PS,sorry,ive been writing while youve been posting,but its out of stock at kitchen science place

Jenko2006

Is this worth getting ?

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001801&langId=-1&productId=1500583603

Lemoncurd

Kenwood BM450 vs Panasonic
My verdict is that the BM450 is definitely a contender!
http://www.johnlewis.com/230510657/Product.aspx?source=14798

After 3.5 years of almost daily use our trusty Panasonic SD252 was ready for an upgrade. The pan showed signs of wear and it just didn't seem worth buying a replacement pan so we toddled off to Costco to get a sparkly new SD255 (last time we'd been in they had been cheaper than anywhere online). Shock horror, they no longer stocked them and now had the Kenwood BM450 instead, we left empty handed. The next week I noticed that Lakeland now also had replaced the Panasonic with the Kenwood, which got me thinking... When a voucher arrived for an extra £15 off the BM450 at Costco the decision was made.

First impressions were that the BM450 looks much nicer, the touch controls are lovely, sometimes I can't resist going and pressing them!
The pan is lightweight but otherwise remarkably similar to the Panasonic. The kneading mechanism is the same although I never seem to be able to get the paddle out even if soaked. I've found that the BM450 leaves a bigger hole in the loaf.

We got off to a very slow start - it almost seemed wrong to be switching allegiance, particularly after reading how strongly people feel about the Panasonics.
Initally we were very disappointed by the bread, the rapid white loaf (58min) although it tasted nice enough had a very crumbly cakey texture. I then went on to doing the egg enriched white, this was lovely and light and a huge hit with the children but - I was used to putting the bread on timer at night to be ready in the morning, couldn't really do that with an egg in it, an egg in every loaf also doubles the cost!
Why wasn't there a nice basic recipe like the Panasonic has? It took me a few more weeks before discovering that there was - rather than in the colour recipe book it was hidden in the little black and white instruction leaflet. Since finding this we haven't looked back! The shorter time to make it is a bonus too - 3hrs instead of 4 in the Panasonic.

We love the Marmalade cake and Gingerbread, easier to make then the Panasonic versions and sooooo much moister. I make the Gingerbread weekly at the moment. The brioche is also lovely and very moreish.

The loaf sizes are slightly different, for our family of 4 we tended to do the 400g flour loaves in the Panasonic and they were the perfect size to use in one go. The BM450 has options using 350g/450g/550g flour instead. We've been doing the 450g recipes which are a little bigger but now we are a family of 5 so I guess this will work out quite well for us.

Sui_Generis

Jenko2006 wrote: »

Is this worth getting ?

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001801&langId=-1&productId=1500583603

I've been debating a Panasonic or whether I'd actually get any use out of one and when this was on sale last week I thought well for £24 I'll give it a go.

I can report it makes superbly textured white bread! Flavour a little lacking and I usually eat granary but baby steps - I'll get there eventually. I'm amazed at how good the plain white loaf is with this little breadmaker.

So what do you experts think as to ingredients? I'm currently using Sainsbury strong white with rapid yeast (the only one they had). Is there much difference in flour and yeast? Oh and can anyone advise on how to make a loaf that's similar to Sainsburys Organic Malted bread?

One more request - does anyone have a recipe for brioche?

janiebaby29

Sui_Generis wrote: »

I've been debating a Panasonic or whether I'd actually get any use out of one and when this was on sale last week I thought well for £24 I'll give it a go.

I can report it makes superbly textured white bread! Flavour a little lacking and I usually eat granary but baby steps - I'll get there eventually. I'm amazed at how good the plain white loaf is with this little breadmaker.

So what do you experts think as to ingredients? I'm currently using Sainsbury strong white with rapid yeast (the only one they had). Is there much difference in flour and yeast? Oh and can anyone advise on how to make a loaf that's similar to Sainsburys Organic Malted bread?

One more request - does anyone have a recipe for brioche?

Here's a brioche recipe
http://www.kenwoodworld.com/en/Kenwood-Kitchen/Breadmaker-Recipes1/White-Bread/Brioche-Bread/
I have one now in my breadmaker