Buying a Kenwood Bread maker was a huge mistake (Kenwood BM250)

Member Name: uberhousewife

Product:	Kenwood BM250
Date:	16/04/09 (123 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: none

Disadvantages: Worst, that the bread is unreliable

For many years I used a Breville bread machine and was entirely happy with it until it wore out due to constant use. I bought a Kenwood from John Lewis, relying on their choice for quality.
As an experienced bread maker, I can find nothing positive to say about it. Where to start? The results are unpredictable - often a rock-hard lump of stodge. The hole underneath is unnacceptably large.
My previous machine made buns, pizzas, pasta etc. This one, only bread and cakes - the results with basic brown and white are bad enough, I wouldn't try anything else.
The rapid loaf requires the heating of fresh milk and an egg, so I consider there is no rapid option.
There is no light to enable you to see what is happening during the process. The display is not illuminated so is very difficult to read. I suspect the bleeping when the controls are set exceeds safe levels of noise, as it is almost painful to stand next to. It comes with measuring utensils but the figures rub off in no time. It is quite difficult to lock the pan down into its holder.
I very much regret not having had the time return it to John Lewis as totally unnacceptable immediately.

Summary: iinferior in every way to my previous machine

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Features: