redfrock Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 My Russell Hobbs bread maker had started to go on the blink (making a racket when mixing, as if a bearing was going). We have had good use out of it as Andy takes sandwiches to work every day, but the noise set my teeth on edge, even though the bread was still coming out ok. It wasn't financially viable to repair it, so I freecycled it (explaining the problem in the ad veryclearly). So I splashed out and ordered the all-singing, all-dancing Panasonic SD255. I had wanted a Panasonic when I bought both of my previous ones, but at the time money was even more tight than it is now. I played google-queen and managed to find one place that was selling it for £14 less than general price, plus good old Quidco, so felt I had got a bargain - even though it was still an eye-watering amount of money for a bread maker. HOWEVER! It arrived this morning and I baked my first loaf of bread in it - a wholemeal fruit bread. Five hours later it was ready, and I can honestly say it is the best bread machine I have ever used. Not only was it simplicity in itself, but the results were outstanding - better than either of my previous machines. And the Panasonic recipes use a fraction of the amount of sugar that the RH recipes do. It is also really really quiet . Almost silent in fact, which means that, despite living in a bungalow I can set it on the timer so we wake up to lovely warm bread on weekend mornings without being disturbed (and no raisin 'beep' either because it has a fancy automatic dispenser ). Probably the only negative, and it is a minor one at that, is that the shortest 'normal' cycle is 4 hours. I will just have to be a bit more organised. Tomorrow I will try another recipe, and the day after that, and the one after that .... and ooops 7lbs later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Five hours! - I think that would work as well as Weigh"Ooops, word censored!"chers for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 The time element has always put me off the Panasonic, although presumably you can make dough reasonably quickly for rolls etc if you are in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 You can set it on timer to be ready in the morning or when you come home from work though and its wonderful - need weigh"Ooops, word censored!"chers now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I made the most beautifulsoya and linseed multigrain loaf today with my panasonic, using a pack of flour from Lakeland. **here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted May 21, 2008 Author Share Posted May 21, 2008 I made the most beautifulsoya and linseed multigrain loaf today with my panasonic, using a pack of flour from Lakeland. **here** Ooh - thanks Eglunitne. I always make mine from scratch but they sound really nice and are very reasonably priced too. I'll be toddling into L/L when I am back at work to pick a packet up as there is a branch just up the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Thanks for the link Egluntine - I note that the linseed one is still wheat based - I was hoping it would be something new I could try ....I'll have to continue making my own........(well, Carl will ) and adding linseeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 My panasonic has a rapid bake cycle that only takes 1 hr 55 mins (you can tell they had a target of getting it under 2 hours!!). The rapid bake loaves are not quite as high rise as the normal ones but sometimes a heavier loaf can give a more 'homebaked' feel!! However, my panasonic is quite old and does not have recipes for fancy flours. I have been looking for one for Spelt flour... does anyone know of one? I have had success with half spelt half ordinary but the all spelt loaves were real bricks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 However, my panasonic is quite old and does not have recipes for fancy flours. I have been looking for one for Spelt flour... does anyone know of one? I have had success with half spelt half ordinary but the all spelt loaves were real bricks! I'm just getting the link for the latest Panasonic manual now, and that will give you all the recipes. There are loads of them, including Spelt ones. Won't be a mo' ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 here you are! Tap in SD255 as the model, follow through the links, remembering to click the consent box to say you won't publish it (!) - I missed the box initially - and then click view, and you will get a great manual with 10s of different recipes http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/220239/index.html#anker_220239 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
