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Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf of bread
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Purchase options and add-ons
Color | Stainless Steel / Black |
Product Dimensions | 10.5"D x 18"W x 12.88"H |
Wattage | 700 watts |
Brand | Zojirushi |
Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash Only |
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About this item
- Various healthy course settings include Multigrain, Whole Wheat, Rapid Whole Wheat, Gluten Free, Salt Free, Sugar Free and Vegan
- Double Kneading Blades thoroughly knead dough for superior results; Dual heaters on the bottom and lid of the bread maker promote even baking and browning
- Rapid courses allow you to bake a loaf of white or whole wheat bread in just 2 hours and 25 minutes
- Large, easy-to-read LCD display with convenient key code on lid simplifies course selection; RAPID SETTING: Use Rapid setting to have your loaf ready to eat in under two and a half hours
- Electrical Rating 120 volts / 700 watts.Cord Length:39 inch
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This Item Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf of bread | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | -11% $399.99$399.99 List: $447.99 | $169.99$169.99 | $89.99$89.99 | $199.99$199.99 | -30% $139.99$139.99 List: $199.99 | -15% $319.95$319.95 List: $377.93 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Easy to clean | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 | — | 4.4 | 4.5 |
Easy to use | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.3 | — | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Timer function | 4.7 | 3.7 | 4.3 | — | — | 4.4 |
Versatility | 4.7 | — | 4.3 | — | — | 4.4 |
Durability | 4.7 | — | 4.3 | — | — | 4.4 |
Sold By | Amazon.com | ART Appliances | Amazon.com | Neretva Home | Neretva Home | Amazon.com |
capacity | 2 pounds | 2 pounds | 2 pounds | 2 pounds | 2 pounds | 2 pounds |
material | Stainless Steel | Fully Stainless Steel Body, Non-stick Ceramic Pan, Stainless Steel Fruit Nut Dispenser, Dual Quartz Heaters (17 Menu; 15 Hours Delay Time; 15-Minute Power Interruption Recovery; 3 Loaf Size & 3 Crust Colors; Low Noise DC Motor Design; Up to 1 Hour Thermostatic) | — | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
number of programs | — | 17 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 10 |
voltage | 120 volts | 120 volts of alternating current | — | 110 volts | 110 volts | 120 volts |
wattage | 700 watts | 710 watts | — | 850 watts | 565 watts | 700 watts |
care instructions | Hand Wash Only | Dishwasher Wash & Hand wash - Nonstick pan, Kneading Paddle, Measuring Cup and Measuring Spoon | Dishwasher Safe | Hand Wash Only | Hand Wash Only | Hand Wash Only |
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Customer Review: The Best Ever !!!
James E. Oliver Jr.
From the manufacturer
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Dual HeatersHeaters on the bottom and lid of the breadmaker promote even baking and browning. |
Double Kneading BladesThoroughly knead dough for superior results. Both the Baking Pan and Kneading Blades are nonstick coated for easy cleaning and removal of bread. |
Large Viewing WindowAllows you to view the kneading, rising and baking of your bread. |
LCD DisplayLarge easy-to-read LCD Display with convenient key code on lid simplifies course selection. |
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Whole Wheat and Multigrain CoursesBake delicious whole wheat bread using the Whole Wheat or Rapid Whole Wheat courses. The Multigrain course has been specially designed to bake breads that use a combination of whole grain flours, with added ingredients like nuts and seeds. |
Special Courses for Special DietsGluten Free, Salt Free, Sugar Free and Vegan courses allow you to avoid unwanted ingredients, and are specially designed to produce the best results for each type of bread. |
Go Beyond BreadThink outside of the loaf! Versatile Dough, Cake and Jam courses give you the flexibility to make a variety of foods. |
Homemade CourseCreate your own unique course using the Homemade course. Adjust the knead, rise and bake times with 3 programmable Homemade memory settings. Recipe Book recipes include Cinnamon Roll Bread, Mini White Bread, Meatloaf Miracle, Homemade Pasta, Gluten Free Dinner Bread, and more. |
In 2018, Zojirushi Corporation celebrated its 100th anniversary, and a century of products designed to improve customers' quality of life-bringing comfort, ease, vitality and affluence to people around the world. Striving to remain faithful to the principles that embodied the company's first 100 years, and the reputation of quality and durability it earned them, Zojirushi looks forward to a future of continued innovation and inspired design.
Other Settings and Features
- Automatic 2-lb. breadmaker bakes a large traditional rectangular shaped loaf, using ingredients you select
- Convenient 12-hour clock with 13-hour delay timer makes it easy to set the delay timer for fresh bread when you want it
- European course setting bakes light and savory breads that pair well with a variety of cuisines
- Rapid courses allow you to bake a loaf of White or Whole Wheat Bread in just 2 hrs. and 25 mins.
- Crust Control lets you choose from three available crust colors: Light, Medium, or Dark
- Recessed handles on the bottom of the breadmaker allow for easier transportation and storage
- Accessories include a Liquid Measuring Cup, Nested Measuring Cups and a Measuring Spoon
Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker (BB-PDC20) | Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme Breadmaker (BB-CEC20) | Zojirushi Home Bakery Maestro Breadmaker (BB-SSC10) | Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker (BB-HAC10) | |
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Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars
6,638
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4.5 out of 5 stars
2,846
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4.5 out of 5 stars
482
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4.5 out of 5 stars
2,076
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Capacity | 2-lb. loaf of bread | 2-lb. loaf of bread | 1-lb. loaf of bread | 1-lb. loaf of bread |
Kneading Blades | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Clock | 12-hour | - | 24-hour | - |
Course Selection | Numeric key code | Selection cycling | Numeric key code | Selection cycling |
Double Heaters | Bottom and lid | - | Bottom | - |
Viewing Window | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ |
Number of Courses | 15 | 10 | 15 | 9 |
European Course | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
Special Diet Courses | Gluten Free, Salt Free, Sugar Free and Vegan | Gluten Free | Gluten Free, Salt Free, Sugar Free and Vegan | - |
Homemade Course | 3 memories | 3 memories | 3 memories | - |
Product information
Color | Stainless Steel / Black |
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Product Dimensions | 10.5"D x 18"W x 12.88"H |
Wattage | 700 watts |
Brand | Zojirushi |
Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash Only |
Item Weight | 24 pounds |
Manufacturer | Zojirushi |
ASIN | B07BQ28TQ6 |
Item model number | BB-PDC20BA |
Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #6,989 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #10 in Bread Machines |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | March 25, 2018 |
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Product Description
Get performance like you've never seen from a breadmaker. A revolutionary heating element built into our Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker changes the way you can bake bread at home. With perfectly browned crust every time, anyone can be a master baker. From novice to expert, now any home baker can take advantage of our most technologically advanced breadmaker, loaded with menu settings and options for the ultimate in versatility. For a basic bread recipe, simply add in measured ingredients, close the lid, make a selection from the user-friendly LCD control panel, and the Home Bakery Supreme takes care of the rest--baking up a rectangular-shaped 2-pound loaf of bread to perfection. Choose from three crust shades--light, medium, or dark--and from various healthy course settings, such as multigrain, whole wheat, rapid whole wheat, gluten free, salt free, and vegan. Best of all, the machine's timer can be set to delay the end of the baking cycle by up to 13 hours, which makes it possible to wake up to the smell of freshly baked, homemade bread in the morning or to come home to a warm loaf at the end of a long day at the office. The bread maker provides two blades for thorough dough kneading and a higher rise, a large viewing window, an "on" indicator light, a start/reset button, and a removable nonstick bread pan for easy cleaning. Accessories include a liquid measuring cup, nested measuring cups, and a measuring spoon. Instruction manual and recipe book also included.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, appearance and ease of cleaning of the bread making machine. They mention that it makes the best bread ever, has some nice looking recipes and that it's well designed. Customers are also satisfied with ease of performance, and ease to use. However, some customers have mixed opinions on size, value, and sturdiness.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the bread making machine. They mention that it makes the best bread ever, the loaves are perfect every time, and it's easy to use. The bread is very tasty and the crumb has a great flavor. The machine is multi-functional and produces better, more consistent loaves of bread.
"...In both 2 lb. and 1.5 lb. loaves, the crust is just right - not tough or hard; the top is golden and even; every loaf/cake, complex or simple, has..." Read more
"...There’s the color-by-numbers recipes,including gluten free, salt free, and sugar free options, and dough/bagel/cake/jam choices...." Read more
"...My loaves are perfect every time. Basic cycle, light crust timing for this is 1:04 with rest off, 1:35 with rest on on a kitchen timer...." Read more
"...(good rise, nice shape, golden crust and moist and tasty) and was very easy!..." Read more
Customers find the bread making machine easy to use. They mention it's simple to use, very quiet, and stable. The prep and baking was easy and straightforward, and the timer is much easier to use than the Breville. The website has some helpful troubleshooting information, and it works better than the other brands. Overall, customers find the product to be great to use and recommend it to others.
"...In true Zo form, it's simple to use, very quiet and stable, and finished goodies slip right out with minimal holes and cleanup...." Read more
"...Heavy duty construction, simple precise instructions without any ambiguity, clear step by step recipes that yield amazing soft tasty loaves with..." Read more
"...I find the manual is very clear and easy to read, with gram weights alongside the volume amounts for all recipes...." Read more
"...(good rise, nice shape, golden crust and moist and tasty) and was very easy!..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the performance of the bread making machine. They mention that it works very well, produces consistent results, and has never had a malfunction. The heated lid seems to work well, and the bread comes out absolutely perfect. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and durability of the product.
"...and even; every loaf/cake, complex or simple, has been almost freakishly flawless..." Read more
"...It gives excellent results, and that upper baking element sets it above the rest of the Zo/Breville pack...." Read more
"...It came out absolutely perfect (good rise, nice shape, golden crust and moist and tasty) and was very easy!..." Read more
"...Even after owning it several years, this machine works like a charm. I still use it at least 6 times a week...." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the bread making machine. They mention that it has a sleek outline, and attractive design. The machine is well-designed and produces regular, normal looking slices of bread. Customers also appreciate the adjustable times of each function of the machine.
"...loaves, the crust is just right - not tough or hard; the top is golden and even; every loaf/cake, complex or simple, has been almost freakishly..." Read more
"...Easy to clean, sleek outline, and attractive design looks great on the countertop." Read more
"...The upper baking element gives me loaves with lovely golden crowns, instead of the pale tops from most machines...." Read more
"...After seeing the modern look, cool interface, and more granular programmable control of the Breville (e.g. temperature control) I want to take one..." Read more
Customers find the bread making machine easy to clean. They mention that it is simple to clean and that the books had not been soiled at all.
"...Easy to clean, sleek outline, and attractive design looks great on the countertop." Read more
"...Very easy to wash bread pan. So after 2 loaves, I recommend." Read more
"...Clean up is easy but you need to aware that you cannot submerge to dough bucket in water...." Read more
"...soap and have to be more aggressive with the washcloth, but it is easy to clean none the less...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the bread making machine. Some mention that it's worth the price and they've saved so much money baking bread instead of buying it, while others say that it is expensive and the Zojirushi isn't cheap.
"...My. We just sampled our first taste of the new loaf…it is well worth the cost!..." Read more
"...machine, IMO the Zo Virtuoso is the clear choice and worth every penny of it's price...." Read more
"...I have saved so much money baking bread instead of buying it, and now my entire family cant stand store bought bread, even my toddler tastes the..." Read more
"...Final Thought: I like the machine, the bread is good - just not sold on the price level for what it does...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sturdiness of the bread making machine. Some mention that the Zojirushi has a much stoutier build quality, whereas the Breville is made of thin aluminum. The reliability and ease of use make up for the high price, while others say that the paddles do not wear out so quickly. The manufacturer is turning out questionable quality, and it is fussy and unforgiving. The paddles really tear up the bottom of the loaf.
"...In both 2 lb. and 1.5 lb. loaves, the crust is just right - not tough or hard; the top is golden and even; every loaf/cake, complex or simple, has..." Read more
"...We attempted and oatmeal bread and it over proofed and fell in the center...." Read more
"...Heavy duty construction, simple precise instructions without any ambiguity, clear step by step recipes that yield amazing soft tasty loaves with..." Read more
"...What would make the new Virtuoso machine perfect? Paddles that do not wear out so quickly..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the size of the bread making machine. Some mention that the bread texture, flavor, size, shape, and best of all smell is great, and the long, horizontal loaf which makes normal-sized slices for sandwiches. The slices will fit in your toaster. However, some say that the full size loafs are a little too tall and take up quite a bit of counter space. The machine is very large and will take up a lot of counter pac e, but it has very little clearance and the paddles are not very tall.
"...second try...compared to a regular loaf you'd buy at a store, the size is spot on. I put a ruler next to the white bread pics so you can see...." Read more
"...Slice it up and it's great for the toaster or sandwiches...." Read more
"...It is huge and very heavy (I think 28 lbs.) and luckily I had a place I could place it and just use it from there. Very easy to wash bread pan...." Read more
"...Glad I did. This one makes a large loaf perfect every time. We enjoy their recipes and really like the whole wheat bread recipe...." Read more
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Surprisingly, this machine actually has exceeded our expectations; even 100% whole wheat bread, which in the ancestor Zo could be iffy, is perfect. In both 2 lb. and 1.5 lb. loaves, the crust is just right - not tough or hard; the top is golden and even; every loaf/cake, complex or simple, has been almost freakishly flawless (true, you are paying for those double paddles and top heater, but do they ever make a difference!). In true Zo form, it's simple to use, very quiet and stable, and finished goodies slip right out with minimal holes and cleanup. Paddles remain in the pan, not the bread, and separate easily after briefly soaking the cooled pan in warm water. A "Shape" stage can be used to remove the dough to specially form it or remove the paddles before baking (the splines will remain, but the resulting holes will be much smaller without the paddles), and raising the lid will stop the machine temporarily without interfering with the program. Like older models, the initial "Rest" period warms ingredients as needed before mixing so no need to bring them to room temp first, but a cool new feature is the ability to bypass this stage if you don't need it, which shortens the overall time considerably. The "Add" signal also beeps for a longer period so you have less chance of missing it, which is easy to do if you're not nearby since it isn't very loud. Although the DVD manual provided is unintentionally comical and prim, and mind-numbingly redundant, it does have some useful info not included in the written manual.
One consideration before buying would be your available space: since it bakes a horizontal loaf, this is a hefty machine with a footprint 18"w, 11"d, and with the lid raised, 20"h, plus space needed behind and at sides for vents. An extension cord will probably be needed unless parked directly in front of an outlet.
Although we've only begun to tap its many talents, after over a month of frequent use (2 - 3 times/wk. for whole-grain breads w/nuts/fruit/seeds, banana bread, cakes, and pizza dough so far, and hopefully noodles soon), we're delighted with our new Zo and recommend it without reservation; we also appreciate Amazon's free shipping and right-on-time arrival before Christmas.
Just an added note if you're new to bread makers (and to set straight some previous detractors' comments) - for best results with any machine, take the time to measure ingredients by weight rather than volume and add them in the order recommended in your machine's manual, since order can vary by manufacturer and doesn't necessarily match that listed in cookbook recipes. And if you need more reasons to think Zo, check out the King Arthur Flour website blog where they used one to cook almost every dish last Thanksgiving (except the turkey)!
Enter the Zo Virtuoso. Here's why I love it:
It bakes at 248ºF to 305ºF, depending on course and crust. Excellent for soft sandwich bread. And fewer sunken loaves from too much oven spring.
It's loaf pan is a classically shaped pan, not the weird hybrid "horizontal" pan that many machines have. Those pans give a really tall, shorter loaf. It also appears to be heavier than other pans. The upright handles are a nice feature, too.
It's paddles leave really small holes, and don't get stuck in the bread. This makes it a true "Set and Forget" machine because I don't have to set a timer to remind me to remove the paddles before the last rise. Oiling the paddle posts and paddle holes makes it easy to remove them with a brief soak when I wash the pan. When I'm going to be home for the full cycle and want almost no hole at all, I set a kitchen timer to beep right before the 3rd rise begins. I remove the dough and paddles, re-oil the paddle post, shape the loaf and drop it back into the pan without the paddles. It bakes up with a perfect shape and tiny little holes.
Aligning the paddles before adding ingredients to the pan makes my loaves rise and bake evenly. No lopsided loaves.
It knows how to tell time. There's no need to figure out how many hours & minutes to add for the Delay Timer. I tell it what time I want bread, and that's when I have bread.
The "add stuff now" beeper is disabled when using the Timer. I can sleep through the night.
The upper baking element gives me loaves with lovely golden crowns, instead of the pale tops from most machines.
My USA Pan loaf pans fit into the baking chamber. Nice when I want a loaf without any holes at all for guests.
I find the manual is very clear and easy to read, with gram weights alongside the volume amounts for all recipes. No need to convert and calculate.
Per Zojirushi, opening the lid will indefinitely pause any program, allowing me to extend the rise time or take as long as I want to shape a loaf. This will come in handy when I want to make Monkey Bread in the Zo's pan.
I've made many white and wheat sandwich loaves, and cinnamon raisin bread (from the manual). All have been delicious, not a dry, over-baked loaf in the bunch. I've perfected White Sandwich Bread by modifying the recipe in the manual so that it bakes soft and fluffy, but full of flavor. For a 1.5-lb loaf I use: 1 cup water (8oz), 3 Tbls dry milk, 3 Tbls honey, 2 Tbls butter (unsalted, room temp), 1tsp table salt, 375 grams bread flour (3 cups), 1 Tbls vital wheat gluten, 1 Tbls KAF Instant Sourdough flavor, 1.5 tsp SAF yeast. Use the Basic course. I prefer the Light crust setting. The addition of sourdough flavor not only enhances flavor (it will not make your bread taste like sourdough bread), it also helps preserve the bread because it contains vinegar. For a Light Wheat Sandwich Bread with the same character, I use 10 oz water, 2Tbls dry milk, 2 Tbls honey, 1.5 Tbls butter, 1 tsp salt, 241 grams bread flour (2 cups) and 149 grams whole wheat flour (1 cup), 1 Tbls vital wheat gluten and 1.5 tsp SAF yeast. Use the Basic course and Medium crust setting. The Light Wheat Bread is modified from the recipe of the same name found on food.com.
My only quibble, and it's really minor, is that it's not as whisper quiet as the HB and WB machines were. They were REALLY quiet. The Zo sounds like you'd expect a bread machine to sound. It can thump a bit when it first begins mixing, but soon settles into a nice, quiet knead cycle. The thumps aren't loud at all, they're just unique to the Zo. Like I said, a minor quibble. And the other machines beep when using the delay timer. My kitchen is near my bedroom. I can sleep through the Zo's mixing, but not those timers.
If you only want a bread machine to make dough that you'll then bake off in your oven, consider the Hamilton Beach or another inexpensive machine. You do not need to spend a lot. But if you want to bake gorgeous bread in your bread machine and not have to mess about with timing and beepers in the middle of the night and paddle removal issues, if you don't want to have to babysit your bread machine, IMO the Zo Virtuoso is the clear choice and worth every penny of it's price. It gives excellent results, and that upper baking element sets it above the rest of the Zo/Breville pack.
UPDATE - It's now the end of April and temps here in Tampa are solidly at 85-90ºF most days. I like the Zo even more in hot weather than in winter. It doesn't heat up my kitchen, and I can cook some things in it without sweating over a hot pan. Last night I made Sloppy Joes. Throw everything (use your own recipe) into the pan in no particular order with no need to brown the beef or onions, select JAM and let 'er rip! If it needs a little thickening (cooked in a closed system means no moisture loss), add a cornstarch or flour slurry at the end of the cycle and give it a stir while you toast the buns. Also, monkey bread is the bomb. And really easy. Make the dough in the Zo. When it's ready, shape into balls, roll them in the sugar/cinnamon mix, then pour your caramel and nuts into the pan, dump the dough balls in, and continue to bake. There's no need to use the dough and cake programs (although you could), I did it on the Basic program. Stupendous! Next week, risotto!
1-Yr Update - Still going strong, making a loaf of bread every week. Last summer our 4 grandsons stayed with us for the whole summer and I used it every other day for their favorite white bread. I thought my paddles were getting loose so ordered another pair. Turns out I'd forgotten how much play there is in them. The original pair is just fine. I routinely remove the loaf for final gentle shaping and rise, remove the paddles and stick the dough back in the machine. My loaves are perfect every time. Basic cycle, light crust timing for this is 1:04 with rest off, 1:35 with rest on on a kitchen timer. When the timer buzzes, open the lid of the Zo and proceed with paddle removal and final shaping. When you replace the pan and close the lid, the program will proceed to the 3rd rise and bake. If you misjudge timing a little and open the lid before the punch down, it won't matter, because the spindles (provided you added a little oil to them before dropping the shaped dough in the pan) will spin around without disturbing your dough.
2-yr update - For New Years day I need some cranberry sauce and had way too much to do, so I dumped everything into the Zo and set if for the Jam cycle. Perfect cranberry sauce without needing to monitor it on the stove. I'll be making it the same way this Thanksgiving.
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First, I am truly impressed with how quickly I received my purchase from Amazon. I bought the item on a Saturday and got free shipping (which was supposed to take 5-7 days) and it arrived two days later. The packaging was great, no damage to the box, padding inside to ensure that it didn't slide around.
When I unwrapped the machine I was immediately thrilled with the quality of the machine itself. Compared to my Cusinart bread machine you can tell you get what you pay for. The machine is solid and doesn't feel like tin like my previous machine. The bread pan is also impressive. I love the handles on each side (which is also a new feature on this Zojirushi model), the pan is also very solid with a good weight to it. Another big improvement from my previous machine is how the easy it is to insert and remove the pan into the machine (this is the one major thing I hated about the Cusinart bread machine).
The first bread I made was Challah (egg bread). This is used on the dough setting then braided by hand and finished in the oven. The dough setting worked perfectly. The double paddle made a big difference in the texture of the dough. I then made a bread machine recipe for oatmeal bread (my mom used to make this when I was a kid). I found the recipe online. It turned out great, it didn't rise as nicely as I would have liked, but it browned perfectly and it was yummy.
Tonight I decided to try the original recipe my mother used to make (not meant for the bread machine) and modified it slightly. The results were AMAZING!! You can take any bread recipe and modify it slightly for your bread machine.
Here is the recipe if you want to give it a try.
Wholesome Oatmeal Bread:
1 cup of warm water
2 Tbsp of unsalted butter
2 Tbsp of brown sugar
1/4 cup of honey
1 1/2 tsp of kosher salt
1/2 Quick Oats
2 3/4 cups of white bread flour
2 1/4 tsp of bread machine yeast
(I put the ingredients in the machine in this order making an indentation in the flour on top for the yeast to sit)
Put the machine on the Basic Regualr cycle. I like the medium crust setting.
Enjoy!!
I highly recommend this machine. If you are looking to invest in a quality machine this is worth every penny, I've had a cheaper machine and it only lasted a year before it completely died. This machine is also incredibly quiet and it's nice not to have to babysit it to make sure it doesn't bounce off the counter during the kneading cycle...LOL!!
Firstly, it is a full-size loaf, horizontal, not vertical, so you have the same kind of bread as when you buy in the store, great for sandwiches, etc. Second, the dual paddle is a major game changer. Every loaf I made (I've done 4 already) the machine mixed it incredibly well and evenly. The rise was even across the loaf, no higher end as I've had with some of my other machines. The crust setting is also amazing as you can set the color of preference. Granted something similar came with my other two machines, not all 4 machines, but this actually really made a deep, rich brown color on medium setting, and it has a heater in the top lid! So you can have darker bread all around the entire load. The dark setting was also very good, not a lot darker, but for those who want a real Euro dark color bread this is possible in this machine. The weight of the machine is substantial, you will feel it, and its big. The bread pan is also much weightier, and solid than other machines I've had, so I'm expecting it will hold up longer. Another great thing is that the paddles don't stick inside the loaf and need to be dug out after baking leaving large holes, so your slices are not uneven, missing pieces. Very annoying when trying to make a sandwich and a chunk of the bread is missing. I do recommend spraying the paddles inside/out before you insert with a little food spray oil, like canola or something neutral. This makes it easier to remove from the machine after baking without causing any issues with the coating on the pan.
Super easy clean-up, just put hot water and a little soap in the bread pan, let it sit for ten minutes, and you can wipe it out with a cloth, no scrubbing needed. You cannot submerge the pan though, this is covered in the manual, which is also very extensive. A lot of directions come with this so be sure to read them.
I can't wait to try the other settings and recipes including the sourdough starter.