Excellent kitchen equipement (Panasonic SD254 Breadmaker)

Member Name: poppyjoe

Product:	Panasonic SD254 Breadmaker
Date:	22/04/09 (145 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Timer setting, control of crust colour

Disadvantages: None

I thought long and hard before investing in this panasonic breadmaker. It is more expensive than many on the market but I have to say it was worthy investment. I have had this machine now for just over a month and I have not bought any bread or rolls since then. The machine is easy to use and consistenly produces lovely smelling and tasting fresh bread.

I have tried most of the settings now and the bread, pizza bases, rolls have all been delicious. I have tried several of the cake/loaf recipes from the book and these have all been delicious as well. I have not missed the seed dispenser or rye flour blade in the SD255 model and I have glad I saved myself the £30. I bought this machine from amazon for £67.99 with the SD255 model retailing for nearer £100.

There are lots of features to make sure you get the bread you like, e.g. crust darkness and size. I find that a large size is big enough and the XL is just a bit too tall for sandwiches etc. The sandwich setting gives a lovely soft bread and it is very easy to cut once it has cooled. The settings are easy to use and lifting the breadpan out just needs a little anticlockwise turn and then lift although you will need a think oven mitt as the handle gets really warm. It can take a good few shakes for the bread to fall out as well.

Others have sometimes said that their breadmaker is noisy and vibrates when mixing, I can say in my experience this model is very quiet with only the sound of the blade going round but you can only just hear this.

Although the machine does take up a bit of workspace it is not so big that it looks cumbersome and out of place. The breadpan just needs a little wipe to clean it and they suggest that you don't wash it. To be honest though any bits of dough dry after a few minutes and then just need a little wipe and they come out easily.

In order to measure out the yeast, salt and sugar you get a little plastic spoon and this is not dishwasher safe which is a bit annoying. I have ended up just using my own measuring spoons and this has been fine.

I am over the moon with my breadmaker and really glad I splashed out on this. It is also really good to be able to be in control of what you are eating instead of buying bread with additives and preservatives.

An excellent piece of kitchen equipement.

Summary: Excellent breadmaker producing lovely bread every time

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