Use your loaf senior (Panasonic SD253)

Member Name: elbar1

Product:	Panasonic SD253
Date:	26/08/08 (155 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great fresh bread

Disadvantages: slightly noisy

The Panasonic SD 253 breadmaker is an excellent buy. Two friends both recommended this model and so we thought we would try it. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I had never baked my own bread previously and this was so easy to use.

We were not sure whether to buy the SD253 or the SD252. We went for the SD253, simply because it was a newer model and we thought it would have been tested better. However, it is essentially the same as the SD252 but the SD253 has a seed dispenser. I have used both models and would recommend them both. It depends if you want to spend a little extra.

Positives:
Comes with a simple to follow instruction manual and cookery book so that you can be a bit adventurous with your breads!

It is so so easy to use this machine. There is a digital window that has the various options. You choose your size of loaf, style of loaf and darkness of the crust and then just click start.

There is a nut, seed and fruit dispenser in the top of the SD253 which means you add your seeds to a separate compartment and they will be added at just the right time in the mixing process. However, if you are always seeking shortcuts like me, you can just tip some seeds in the main compartment with the rest of the mix and it works just as well!

It is incredibly versatile. There is a rapid bake function that you just click and wait 2 hours for delicious perfectly cooked hot bread, or you can choose to make a French style bread that can cook overnight. It also has a dough option for mixing perfect dough without cooking it. Makes really delicious pizza bases. All you need to do it roll it out.

Best feature is the timer so that you can add the ingredients and time it to come on at 5am, so that when you wake at 7am, the house smells of freshly baked bread and you have warm bread for breakfast. (I have to be honest I am not organised enough to make use of this but a friend of mine does this every other day. I am jealous!)

It is also easy to clean. There is one bowl inside in which you put all the mixture. This is very high quality non stick so once the bread is done, it tips out perfectly. I have never ever had a loaf stick to the pan. Then the pan can simply be wiped clean. We usually wash it ever other use because it just doesn't need it. It seems to self-clean!

Plastic exterior is strong and hard-wearing and stays cool. Only the inside metal compartment that bakes the bread becomes EXTREMELY hot so be careful.

Negatives:
As with all breadmakers, this is quite large and so takes a lot of room up on the surface in the kitchen. We used to live in a cottage with low ceilings and there wasn't enough height between the top and base units to store the breadmaker. It was kept in a cupboard and inevitably it stayed there unused for quite some time. But we have moved and have high ceiling and a decent kitchen and our trusted breadmaker is out again! Hooray!

Slightly noisy but then what breadmaker isn't? It has to stir the mix initially and this will inevitably create noise. It isn't too bad though. Just a background whirring that stops once the baking starts. You can still listen to the radio in the kitchen when it is on and not be disturbed so it isn't that bad.

SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS
Only one thing I would change about this machine. Even at the darkest crust setting, the bread still comes out with a soft crust if you use the rapid back option. I guess it takes longer to create a decent crunchy crust but if they could magic it into the rapid bake function for us impatient types, that would be ideal!

The 5 hour setting will make lovely bread with a decent crust but for a French-style crusty crust you will need to do a much longer bake, like 12 hours.

PRICE
You can get one for under £100. More like £80-£90. A good investment if you like baking and freshly made bread!

OVERALL
Highly recommend! It is very easy to use, easy to clean and bakes perfect bread. I wouldn't be without mine! Sometimes we get bread mix packets when we are being lazy. For a decent mix with seeds, they are between 50 and 80 pence depending on where you shop. When a decent loaf costs about £1.50 these days, not only do I get fresh bread but I feel like I'm beating the supermarkets - always a nice smug feeling!

Summary: A great idea if you love bread. It is so simple to use. Highly Recommended!

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