Which is the best home breadmaker?

dominiquereynolds

Kirri wrote: »

Has anyone tried Tescos own strong, think it's in a pink packet? I think it's only about 68p for 1.5kg so cheaper than Sainsburys own strong but I wasn't sure if the quality would be so good?

Just checked in the cupboard and will be using the Tesco pink packet next. Just used Hovis Granary WOW... any other flour/brands match this one?

[Deleted User]

Can I just post this useful LINK again? It gives explanations about the different sorts of flours that might be useful to people just getting breadmakers for Christmas.

dominiquereynolds

dominiquereynolds wrote: »

Just checked in the cupboard and will be using the Tesco pink packet next. Just used Hovis Granary WOW... any other flour/brands match this one?

Ok can report that did a 50/50 tesco white/tesco wholemeal flour. results brilliant :-)

I use the Thomas Allinson Dried Active Yeast (125g) (yellow tin)http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-price-comparison/Home_Baking/Thomas_Allinson_Dried_Active_Yeast_125g.html

dominiquereynolds

Have now done a 100% White tesco Breadflour in the Panasonic. No problems at all.

Victoria_Meldrew

Anyone with the little Argos Cookworks BM got a foolproof recipe? Seems from this thread that it cooks white best but we prefer brown/wholemeal. Also mine always seem to sink in at the top but I'm using the correct amounts of yeast etc. I think. Any help appreciated.

Sui_Generis

Victoria_Meldrew wrote: »

Anyone with the little Argos Cookworks BM got a foolproof recipe? Seems from this thread that it cooks white best but we prefer brown/wholemeal. Also mine always seem to sink in at the top but I'm using the correct amounts of yeast etc. I think. Any help appreciated.

I usually mix white and malted grain 3:1 and that's OK but the French loaves sink every time and the standard white occasionally.

Lovely_Dad

I was given a Prima ABM5 a couple or 3 years back which has been great, it's produced at least one loaf a day every day since and we'll never go back to supermarket bread which even the kids find unpleasant since they've got used to the real thing. I can only imagine what they put in it to make it last a week or so but it can't be good for you.

The Prima works perfectly with most breadmixes from Tesco, Morrison & Wrights but I've rarely been able to successfully produce a loaf from scratch even after experimenting with different flours, yeasts & recipies. It's still going strong but it's thrown a few unexplained failures out lately so I'm wondering if it's finally giving up the ghost. Prima seem to have completely vanished & my research suggests the Panasonic SD254/5 and the Kenwood BM450 are about the best out there if you want to produce bread without resorting to packet mix.

The lack of viewing window on the Panasonic puts me off and I've read a lot of reviews about the paddle spindle rounding off after a short time. The Kenwood is a much newer model and so far has few reviews though they're all very enthusiastic & Which? put it slightly in front of the Panasonics. There is one comparison with a Panasonic SD254 where it doesn't come out too well with wholemeal loaves but that could be because the reviewer was not used to differences in the way it works. I also found one review which said that the BM450 doesn't mix very well & that flour is left in the corners of the bread tin & I wonder if it's a real problem or just down to incorrect use.

Has anyone out there had experience of both machines or seen a sensible comparative review?

Although the Prima appears to produce one of the largest loaves out there I'd be very happy if I could find one that produces a larger loaf, longer rather than taller.

My thoughts are that the SD254 is a lot cheaper than either the SD255 or the BM450 but it's only lacking a nut/seed dispenser which is not current'y important to me. The apparent rash of faulty paddle spindles still weighs heavily, though, especially as it doesn't appear to be a one-off. Panasonic's service generally appears to be below par too. The BM450 makes a slightly larger loaf but it's hard to tell what this actually means since all the specifications seem to go by weight of loaf and external dimensions of the machine rather than providing measurments of the bread tin.

I'm in no rush but it would be a disaster if the old Prima finally gave up before I had a replacement in hand and ready to go. I don't think we could bear to eat shop-bought bread for more than a day or two and would rather avoid it altogether if possible. In fact having 2 breadmakers might be a good thing since it's often difficult to keep up with demand.

Any advice gratefully received.

cooking-mama

Ive tried quite a few different breadmakers recently,some through shops and returned as faulty and others borrowed from friends...I did try the Panasonic SD254 for a short while,and yes it made perfect looking bread every time,but it was also kinda damp bread and it took way longer than other BM,S(average 4hrs white and 5hrs wholemeal),kids didnt particularly like the taste of panasonic bread,panasonics helpline told me to try Canadian flour(when i mentioned damp bread)none of this type in my area,and so the panny wasnt for me,never tried a 100% wholemeal tho....and yes i did miss the viewing window.
I now own a Kenwood BM450,and i love it,much quicker than the panny,bread is taller rather than longer(maybe the pan is slightly wider but not by much)the bread is a lot whiter than in the panny too,less of that yukky yellow tinge..must admit ive stuck to 3 programmes,and its capable of 15,plus 5 you can programme in yourself-the convector fan helps with the baking and crust too,french bread is lovely and crispy on the outside..,the only disadvantage i found was that the kenwood is quite a bit noisier than the panasonic,1st night i had it on timer it woke us up when it started kneading,even the dog was barking..at 4am!!
I also have this Rachel Allen one that i bought for my daughter(and as a 2nd BM,cos we go through 2 loaves a day) http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4228022/Trail/searchtext%3EBREADMAKER.htm
I only paid £34+ for this BM,it is often reduced 1/2price in Argos,and if you notice the current price is valid until 22nd Jan,which may indicate it will be reduced again on that date(the kenwood and both panasonics are also due a price change on 22 Jan..i bought my kenwood for £97 from Argos)
The Rachel Allen BM,makes a long "normal shaped loaf",like out of a bread tin,,this is because it has a longer breadpan with 2 paddles in(therefore 2 holes in breadbase instead of 1,but that doesnt bother me)I havent had a bad loaf yet,it comes with quite a lot of recipes,but i dont recommend these..too much oil/sugar/salt...also a recipe for wholemeal bread with no mention of wholemeal flour!,ive used recipes from BM book(from library)and online,this breadmaker also works in cups rather than weights,i wouldnt say its better than the panasonic,but for me its just as good(which is great if you get it for £34)it also has a convection fan...its a bit cheap n plasticy looking,dunno if i would pay £74 for it,but its a great deal and well worth it if you get it for 1/2 price..bakes perfect packet mixes too.
overall for me,the Kenwood BM450 is the best breadmaker invented(wish it was a bit quieter tho)..good luck in your search,and remeber prices change all over the place so check out Amazon/Dixons/Argos/Comet etc etc before you buy,and if choosing Argos,hang off until 23rd,to see if prices do drop.x
Panasonic SD254 is only £67.84 in Dixons today,the Kenwood BM450 is £94.04(but has been down to £87+ before. http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/store/dix_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1313866219.1263516882@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadejgdmfhejcflgceggdhhmdfon.0&page=SimpleSearchProducts&low_bound=0&up_bound=0&criterion=breadmaker&AtimeStamp=3440917295

izzwizz_2

I have a Panasonic SD255, previously had 3 different breadmakers (including Breville - useless). Love the Panasonic, and use mine every day with no trouble.

A tip - don't bother pulling out the paddle & cleaning after every use. A little dough sticks down there and keeps it from wearing. The pan's non-stick and easy to clean with just a tea towel after use if baking, although you need to use some water if you're just making dough.

I've never used a Kenwood so can't comment on that one.

mummy2mygirls

Hello all, I'm sure this has been asked so many times but i just wanted to see what Breadmaker you use and how you find it??
I have a cheap Argos one and not 100% sure on it - well the rest of the family are not!! The bread is always a bit thick (If you know what i mean...) i have tried a few different receipys but i just cant find one i like! So was thinking maybe upgrading the bread maker to see how i get on??
I have heard lots of good things about the panasonic ones - do you think they are worth the extra??

Any opinions would be great thanks