Bread makers - recommendation please

[Radiatorvalves]

We’ve had a Panasonic SD 2500 for years. Love it and use it 3-5 times a week for bread and occasionally for pizza dough. Sadly it’s not very well and is producing dense bricks despite everything else remaining the same.

Is it worth contacting Panasonic? Suspect not given its prob about 10 years old.

So if we need to get a new one, has anyone got opinions on the SD 2530 vs the 2015? There’s about £20 difference.

Thanks in advance!

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A bit of schmoozing, how much you love their products etc, you never know....

I have a Morphy Richard’s fastbake and love it.

I have a Panasonic, love it and wouldn’t change brands.

Check if the paddle stirring thing in the bread pan needs a bit of oil. We're on our second Panasonic and this one is about 15 years old. I noticed that it was stiff recently and sprayed it (inside the pan) with a bit of spray oil. It's working fine again. Also check that your yeast isn't too old as that can stop loaves rising.

I tried different breadmakers between Panasonic one and two, but none of them were as good or as versatile. I make lots of different breads as well as jam and cake, including vegan cake, in mine and everything turns out great.

I got a replacement Panasonic SD-YR2540. The last one went through a phase of making bricks out of wholemeal flours before the motor died.

The new one keeps producing sunken loaves and I have not got to the bottom of whether it is a problem with the bread maker, or the recipes. Currently working on the water content.

The recipe book that came with it says to use 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar which is mad so I don't trust it, and so far, if I am making something special, I just use it to make to dough and bake it in the oven.

Kenwood
Had it ages
Tbf only bought this one because it was stainless steel.

I’ve only ever had Panasonic.

Have you actually checked the paddle is going round?
It could be the drive belt that turns the paddle has come off or broken. I’m sure I replaced mine a couple of years ago and it wasn’t a difficult job.

I would try a new batch of yeast too.

The Panasonic 2530 is on offer at £150 at John Lewis. We have the 2540 which is also on offer at £199.

Thanks all! The paddle is fine. The problem is to do with the heating element. A couple of weeks ago I got nice big lives, nicely browned. Now I get nasty pasty little pale bricks. I could try and snooze Panasonic but realistically I might get the special offer from John Lewis.

I’ve just got a cheap Russell Hobs and it’s fine. Not a lot of difference from my previous Panasonic, but I don’t do complicated recipes. One half and half loaf.