Breadmaker Recommendations Please

ali-s · November 13, 2011

My Panasonic SD256 breadmaker has finally died. I have been using it for at least eight years two or three times a week. Unfortunately my budget will not stretch to another Panasonic at the moment, so can any one recommend a good and reasonably price alternative. I had a Cookworks breadmaker before the Panny but didn't rate it at all, although that was about 10 years ago.

I don't need a nut dispenser or cake and jam making option. I would like one with a timer, fast bake setting, different sized loaf setting and a crust setting. One that does dough and pizza dough would be good.

Thank You.

counturchickens · November 21, 2011

We have a kenwood bm450. It is our first one so I can't compare, but it does all the things you mention. It is stainless steel as it is on display, we love it.

ali-s · November 22, 2011

I was looking at a Kenwood bread maker at the weekend. It was in a store cupboard at work. It was bought to make gluten free bread for a boarding pupil. The pastry chef used it twice and the results were not good. No fault of the bread maker but the chef was using the wrong type of yeast for a start and as she was used to making bread by hand didn't take much interest in the bread maker, I think she wanted it to fail.

I think I will ask if I can borrow it for a while, just until I buy a new one. seems a shame to have it stored away collecting dust when I could make good use of it.

Mrs Webmuppet · November 22, 2011

I have a Morphy Richards breadmaker, it's very basic (only has 6 settings) and makes a small square loaf. It cost about £35 a couple of years ago, I bought it when my old breadmaker lost the will to bake. I have to say the current machine is ok but not a patch on the old one. I tend to use it make dough and then shape the dough and bake it in the oven. Makes fab dough for Omletina's Butterkaka ( my team at works fav. cake)

clucker1 · November 22, 2011

I was in the same predicament about a year ago, after my Panansonic died after 11 years of use. I hunted round and found one on Amazon for £99. Also decided the extra investment would be a saving in the long run as no dodgy loaves of bread which I would have to throw away. The newer model is far better at brown bread too.

snowberry · November 27, 2011

I had a lovely Morphy Richards one about 7 years ago that recently died when it got dropped so I bought the new one that does have the nut dispenser (though it available without). The kneading blade at the bottom drops down after it's finished its kneading so you don't get the gaping hole at the bottom of the bread when it's cooked.

Patricia W · November 28, 2011

I bought a Morphy Richards for one son last Xmas and a Panasonic for the other. One has stopped working - but can't remember which - I'll find out.

Tutti Frutti · November 29, 2011

I don't know what your budget is but... Amazon have the new model for £100 without nut dispenser/jam making or £109 WITH AND they're offering £20 cashback from Panasonic until 31/12/11 which makes them "only" £80/£89

Click

I agree about the timer - nothing nicer than waking up on a Sunday morning to freshly baked bread for breakfast!