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This feels like a subject STW will have all the answers to 😉 I've got a Panasonic 2500, had it for years- I bake gluten free bread every couple of days with it (using glutafin's select multipurpose mix, gf fans). It's just broken the base connector- the thing that stirs the stirrer- and tbh while I can probably replace that, it's all pretty tired and getting a bit cranky anyway and could do with a new bowl, so, probably best just to get a replacement- it's done great, outlasted my kenwood about 3:1 and was better to boot.
So, first instinct is to go direct to another Panasonic, this one did so well and also gf bread recipes tend to be aimed directly at Panasonic as kind of an industry standard, the mix I use was literally designed to work with one of the cycles in this machine. But, they're not cheap, you could buy a CRC hardtail for that! And I figure that since it's years now since Panasonic became such a standard, probably it's long enough that loads of other companies are just copying them?
I don't really need fancy modes, don't need a seed-adder or sourdough stirrer or whatever, it'll only ever be making standard bread. It'd be nice to have a wee bit more control than the 2500 has- you can really only select program and dark/medium/light, there's not any real customisation. Being able to save a full custom program and have it remember it even if unplugged would be ace. But otherwise I think the Panasonic was really pretty close to ideal...
The answer is the current Panasonic that meets your kneads
Not helpful but I've been offered a 2501, are they good then? How much do you find a loaf costs?
The answer is the current Panasonic that meets your kneads
There's always someone who will rise to the challenge🤦
Just use your loaf.
squirrelking
Free MemberNot helpful but I’ve been offered a 2501, are they good then? How much do you find a loaf costs?
The 2501's the exact same as mine except it has the ingredient dropper thing, so yep it's good, my only complaint was the lack of useful customisation of the programmes. But it's got a million presets so there's probably still one for most jobs. I'd assume that's something that newer machines do better? No idea of costs, I get a bread mix on prescrption so it's just salt, oil, sugar and heat that I have to add.
sharkbait
Free MemberDo you have an oven?
(Sorry!)
Yep and I've done loaves in the oven, but when you're doing it every 2nd day it's an absolute drag.
In terms of kitchen appliances, Panasonic only make Microwaves and Bread Makers. Their Bread Makers come top in most reviews
I get a bread mix on prescrption
You what now?
My Panasonic is probably 15/16 years old and despite walking itself off a worktop and beating a hole in the casing, refuses to die.
How much do you find a loaf costs?
Using bog standard non artisan armpit ground Allisons wholemeal strong flour is probably works out about 80p a loaf. Sadly I probably waste more machine made bread than shop bought though as it is passable on day 2 but no longer than that, and we don't eat that much bread.
Sadly I probably waste more machine made bread than shop bought though as it is passable on day 2 but no longer than that, and we don’t eat that much bread.
You could consider freezing it? I make a sourdough loaf every 1.5 - 2 weeks as I also don't eat much bread. I slice it and freeze it, either toast from frozen or leave out for 10 mins or so to make a sandwich. Would work the same with yeasted I think, definitely for toasting anyway.
convert
Full MemberI get a bread mix on prescrption
You what now?
Coeliac disease, so I get a little bit of basics every month through the NHS, to offset availability and cost of gf staples. I take mine as bread mix, 9 loaves worth a month basically
If it's the bearing at the bottom of a Panasonic then a replacement part is just over 20 quid and takes 5 minutes to fit with a screwdriver. The bearing died on mine but done a few years more since.
Apart from that Panasonic works well and seems to be the standard.
Link to one supplier. Google or eBay has lots more: https://www.kitchenwareonline.com/panasonic-sd-200-kneading-mounting-shaft-c2x13938327
Our 2550 has been used every other day for 3 years, it's very good. I think with the current ones you'll need to get one of the more expensive ones with the seed etc. dispensers if you want the manual modes. But they're usually cheaper than RRP on Amazon anyway, so not too expensive.
We’ve had a Panasonics for 20 years - annoyingly the solenoid for the seed hopper in the lid had just gone and it’s not listed as a spare. We’ll likely replace it with another Panasonic because they just work. Any problems are usually down to old yeast or rubbish flour. Our favourite it the Panetone loaf - hence the well-used seed hopper.
If your machine lasted along time before being brown bread, then buy another Panasonic if you have the dough.
Our favourite it the Panetone loaf
Made one of these to see what it was like. Gave the remainder to my mother-in-law who used it to make bread and butter pudding. I'd recommended it
It's hte shaft above that basically, the bit that goes into the "oven" and connects to the bottom of the pan and does the spinning. Definitely fixable and teh part's £8! So I'm doing that anyway, but it's a good time to think about replacement anyway
We upgraded from one Panasonic to another, I'll check which model. I don't really see any difference in the loafs. The new one is supposed to be able to assess the room temp to help with the mixing and baking but it doesn't seem to make any difference to the loafs so I would say the newer ones do pretty much the same as the older ones.
EDIT: new one is a 2550, old one was a 253
We've had a few breadmakers over the years and most have had some sort of niggle with releasing the bread when done.
Now have a Panasonic 2530, which is a dream to use. Just a single blade but the bread always slides straight out when done.
Eating some wholemeal bread out of it right now.
So I'd stay with Panasonic and get the model best suited.
We have a Panasonic, had it for a few years now and gets used frequently, it’s been really good and been super reliable.
I do use the oven as well, when I feel like doing a big loaf batch by hand, but it’s just hard to beat the ease of use and consistent results from the Panasonic bread machine.
I’d stick with Panasonic.