Price Range: $290-325

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The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker is the follow up to the popular BB-CEC20, which was rated by many as the best breadmaker on the market. We’re going to take a look at the BB-PAC20 to see if it improves on the previous model without taking away any of the features that put it’s predecessor at the top of the list.

Firstly, For anyone who is unfamiliar with Zojirushi bread machines, they are at the top end of the market, they’re built to last, and to perform well. They are proof that you have to pay for quality.

What’s New?

Despite being considered the best of the best, the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 did have one or two minor flaws, the most frequently mentioned was that the loaves would often come out white on top, instead of featuring the same brown crust all the way around. We’re pleased to see that the BB-PAC20 has addressed this issue by way of an ingenious lid with a built in heating element that gives the loaf an even color and texture all the way around. The loaves can be baked up to 2lbs and come out looking more like the shelf bought loaves than any machine before it.

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Price Range: $135-175

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Sitting just below the top end of the market, this Panasonic breadmaker offers a surprising number of features for it’s price tag.

The Panasonic SD-YD250 bakes bread in 3 loaf sizes (medium, large & extra large) up to 2 ½ pounds and in many different varieties including white, multi-grain, whole-wheat and French.

The easy to use LCD control panel offers a myriad of baking settings including rapid bake, raisin, sandwich and pizza or raisin dough. Continue Reading »

Price Range: $130-160

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As is the case with all our reviews, we visited the manufacturers’ site to get all the in-depth specs on the West Bend 41300 but were greeted with only a few lines on the unit’s features. This lack of information probably would have been a surprise if we hadn’t read numerous user reviews complaining of the same problem with the West Bend 41300’s user manual.

From all reports it’s a great unit but the lack of information and incorrect information in the user manual is a major concern. What good is a great bread maker if you don’t know how to use it? Continue Reading »

Price Range: $190-$220

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This entry from Zojirushi is a 1 pound bread maker suited to a home baker that doesn’t need to feed a whole family. The compact size and small loaves make it perfect for anyone who’s conscious of bench space and waste. A great little unit for a small apartment.

A Zojirushi bread maker is generally a high quality machine and the Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Bread maker is no exception. It comes with settings for cookie and pasta dough, cakes, pizza, croissants, meatloaf, fruit jams. It also comes with a very handy quick bake feature for when time is an issue. I find this feature great for when I want fresh bread to go with dinner. The other features include different crust shades, texture controls including regular, firm or soft. Continue Reading »

Price Range: $55-$100

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The West Bend 2lb Bread maker features a non-stick loaf pan, which assists in the blending of the ingredients and kneading of the dough as nothing sticks to the side of the pan. The non-stick feature also makes for easy cleaning.

A generous 12 setting electronic menu and crust selection ensures bread just the way you like it. With a 600 watt motor there is ample power without wasting expensive energy. The robust white plastic exterior makes for easy cleaning and will blend with any décor. Continue Reading »

Price Range: $150-190

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The Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker features a generous 3lbs non-stick loaf tin and baguette trays able to bake 4 mini baguettes at a time. Clear digital display, with touch pad controls and a glass viewing panel in the lid. 14 pre-programmed bread settings and a warming setting add to the functionality of this machine.

The body is white plastic for ease of cleaning. The bread and baguette marker comes with a range of accessories and recipes, including an instruction booklet. The appliance measures approximately 26½ x 19 x 15½ inches and weighs approx.19 pounds. There is also a 12 month manufacturer’s limited warranty. Continue Reading »

Price Range: $170-$220

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A compact bread maker the Panasonic SD-RD250 Automatic Bread Maker with Fruit/Nut Dispenser has a host of features which include; Scratch-resistant nonstick bread pan for easy cleaning and longer life. A 13 hour delay start timer. 5 different baking modes, the choice of 2 different loaf sizes, with the choice of crust darkness for bread just the way you like it.

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Price Range: $120-140

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Yet another entry from the Breadman range, the Breadman BK1060s comes in a brushed aluminium finish that will look great in a modern kitchen sporting stainless steel appliances. Many breadmakers in the same price range as the BK1060s have a cheap, plasticy look and this unit from Breadman puts them to shame.

It comes with 14 baking functions for low-carb, gluten free, artisan dough and jam, 3 different loaf sizes and 3 crust colors and a 15 hour time delay feature. The Time delay feature is perfect for anyone who wants fresh bread waiting for them in the morning. You simply choose the cycle you want, add all the necessary ingredients and then set the timer to bake for you overnight or while you’re at work. I have to admit this is probably my favorite feature in a breadmaker. It’s like having a personal bakery in your kitchen, not to mention the amazing aroma you wake up to. Continue Reading »

Price Range: $120 – $180

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Cuisinart are a well respected and trusted kitchen brand and all reports point to the Cuisinart bread maker being no exception. The Cuisinart CBK-200 comes with the standard features for most breadmakers in this price range but also offers a few exclusive settings such as a low carb, gluten free and artisan cycles.

The standard features include 3 different loaf sizes, 3 crust shades and various presets such as white, rapid white, whole wheat, rapid whole wheat, French/Italian, rapid French/Italian, quick bread/cake, dough/pizza dough, sweet breads, jam, last minute loaf and bake only. Continue Reading »

Price Range: $65-$85

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Coming in at the lower end of the market, the Oster 5838 has a compact, simple design with an intuitive control panel, 3 step programming capable of 3 different loave sizes up to 2 pounds, a keep warm feature, 13 hour preset and 18 bake settings capable of bread, jams and gourmet dough and 3 crust shade settings. Out of the box it comes with a manual containing over 50 recipes.

At this price range you won’t find all the bells and whistles like automatic ingredient add-ins collapsible paddles etc but the Oster 5838 is more than capable of doing all the basics well. Continue Reading »