Breadmaker Reviews

Price Range: $290-325

Rating:  

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.

The viewing window has also increased in size this time around, however if looking through the window isn’t enough for you then the BB-PAC20 actually allows you to open the lid during a cycle without resetting or even pausing so you can watch the kneading or baking process in action. This is a great feature for those occasions when you’re trying out a new recipe and want to keep a close eye on what’s going on.

 

>>Currently on Sale at Amazon<<

 

One other area which the new Zojirushi not only improves in, but also innovates with, is the addition of two handles at either end of the bread pan. This makes removing the pan so much easier with the Home Bakery Virtuoso than any of the other breadmakers we’ve reviewed so far.

We always love to see a company actually listening to their customers, and not only address the concerns they have, but also innovate and improve in other ways. The new features in the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 have shown that they’re definitely listening to their buyers this time around.

 

What other features does it have?

Some of the features that didn’t need improving have been left intact for the Zojirushi BB-PAC20, such as the excellent dual kneading paddles which perform admirably when it comes to the more difficult to mix recipes like whole grain breads, allowing for well-raised loaves.

One of the best qualities of the previous model was the huge range of custom settings available, and the BB-PAC20 leaves them intact but also allows you to store up to 3 different custom recipes so you can get the machine working on your favorite creations with the touch of a button.

Despite the fact that the previous model was excellent for gluten free baking due to the huge number of baking options, it ironically lacked a pre-set gluten-free baking setting, this is yet another minor flaw the BB-PAC20 has addressed with the new gluten-free menu setting.

 

What makes it better than the rest?

Again, this Zojirushi machine is capable of not only baking bread but also kneading dough for pizza bases, cinnamon rolls, artisan breads, buns, cakes, sourdough and can even make jam to compliment your home baked bread.

Other features include an alert to notify you when the bread is ready, an overnight or delay function that lets you set the bread to bake at a specific time so you can enjoy fresh bread in the morning or when you come home from work.

The motor has also had an overhaul and makes use of the heaviest-duty drive ever seen in a Zojirushi breadmaker. This is something that may not seem all that important from the outset but for anyone who has owned a cheaper breadmaker before they can probably attest to the fact that the motor can quickly decline after extended use. The Zojirushi machines might cost a little more than your average breadmaker but if you intend to get several years of use out of it then it makes a sensible investment.

We really liked the LCD display on the previous model but we like the new one even better. It’s still easy to read and easy to use but it’s also better to look at this time around. And speaking of looks… the finish on the BB-PAC20 has also been improved. We’ve always preferred the stainless look over the mostly plastic models and the BB-PAC20 features more of that stainless look finish and is complimented with a glossy black plastic trim.

 

What are other people saying about the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso?

The BB-PAC20 is selling like hot-cakes, and on amazon the buyers are leaving almost nothing but praise for this durable machine. Out of the 16 reviews left so far, 14 of the users rated it 5 out of 5 stars. Many of the buyers are owners of the previous Zojirushi models and are pleased that they have addressed all of their concerns regarding the uneven baking and odd-shaped loaves.

The 2 negative reviews left at the time of writing seemed to be related to buyers who received faulty machines. If you buy from somewhere with a good return policy like Amazon.com then you shouldn’t have any problems if you’re unlucky enough to get a faulty unit. We generally find that Zojirushi Machines have much fewer faults than most brands.

 

The Verdict…

The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker is without a doubt, the best breadmaker we’ve reviewed yet. It manages to keep the great features of the previous model intact, improves on the few minor flaws, and manages to innovate with features not yet seen in any other breadmaker. The few consumer reviews appearing on the internet so far have been promising; with most praising the great quality bread it produces.

There are definitely cheaper models out there that will do a good job for their price, such as the Panasonic SD-YD250, but the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker really does go the extra mile with the dual kneading paddles, easy to remove and clean baking tray, built in heating element in the lid, huge range of custom cycles and the high performance, durable motor.

 

Where to Buy?

It’s hard to go past Amazon.com when it comes to breadmakers and general kitchen appliances due to both their excellent return policies, and also their frequently discounted prices and free shipping. If you can find this model for less than $300 then go for it. Click Here to check out their current price.