Panasonic breadmaker - is it worth getting the one with the dispenser

[singingtree]

I think I really want to be able to make raisin bread - but can you do that with the non-dispenser model? ie the 254 not the 255?
or do you think I'd get the dispenser one and then never really use that bit - there's a £20 difference in price

I've had the non-dispenser model for a year (and used it daily), and eventually learned that you can pop in the raisins/seeds whatever at the beginning, and the bread still comes out perfectly.
If you do want to follow the instructions to the letter, the machine buzzes halfway through the bake, and you put your raisins/seeds in then. In my opinion, save your £20!

Have the dispenser and never used it.

Do these have the gluten free flour option as well?

I use our dispenser for raisin bread and wouldn't be without it.

I always wished I'd paid the extra for the dispenser

I love and as I make our bread overnight (Economy 7) and can make seeded breads. Would not want to get up at 5am to pop in the seeds

I definitely found that putting the seeds/raisins in at the beginning on the Panasonic 254, along with the flour and all other ingredients, works just as well. My friend has the Panasonic 255, and there was no discernible difference between our finished wholemeal, seaded loaves!

(I've had much time on my hands this year to experiment... was living in the Horn of Africa, so this was my only way of getting bread too).

managed to create two threads somehow - dunno how that happened
am going to go for the raisin one - am dreaming of all the lovely fruit toast I am going to eat this winter