I love kitchen gadgets and one that has been on my ‘want’ list for a few years is a bread maker. I rarely make bread or dough-based foods due to the time it takes with proving and kneading, so the thought of popping all of the ingredients into a machine and everything being done for you sounds wonderful. I read a lot of bread machine reviews online but couldn’t make a decision but when an email pinged into my inbox about doing a review of the Panasonic SD-ZB2512 Bread Maker, I may have let out a loud squeal of excitement and it has been sat in my kitchen for two weeks now with me quietly cursing the end of term craziness that was coming between me and trying out my new gadget.
Finally yesterday I was able to get the bread maker out to see how it all worked. I have never used one before, so I literally had no idea what to do. The instruction booklet is easy to follow, with clear instructions and lots of pictures to show you exactly how to use it and also a brilliant selection of recipes which is a great source of inspiration. I was amazed by how many different things you can make with the bread maker, not only can you make a wide range of different types of bread and dough, you can also use it to make cakes and even jam and compotes.
Once the bread maker is unboxed, it is very simple to set up. It is pretty much all included within the machine with a detachable bread pan inside, two kneading blades and a yeast dispenser and separate dispenser for dry ingredients which is inside the lift up lid.
The Panasonic SD-ZB2512 Bread Maker is a very sleek-looking machine, it is smaller than I expected and doesn’t need a huge amount of space but you do need to ensure that you have enough space between the bread maker and anything else as it gets quite hot.
In addition, you also get two sourdough cups with lids, which you can use as a sourdough starter or to help measuring liquids. It also includes a plastic measuring spoon and a sourdough starter spoon.
The instructions talk you through each stage of the process. You choose which kneading blade you need and attach it to the bottom of the bread pan and then in turn attach that securely into the machine. Dry ingredients go into the pan first apart from the yeast and the chunkier ingredients followed by the wet ingredients (the yeast and the chunkier other dry ingredients go separately into the yeast and raisin and nut dispensers). Next take to the control panel at the front of the machine and you choose the size, what colour you want your crust and using the menu button to program what type of bread or dough that you are making.
The Panasonic SD-ZB2512 Bread Maker also has a timer which is such a useful function. You can add all of your ingredients and set the timer so that the bread finishes baking up to nine and a half hours after you set the machine up. This means that you can wake up to the magical smell of freshly baked bread every morning.
So far I have made a few loaves of white bread and I am totally amazed by the how easy it is to do. You program the machine, press start, close the lid and four hours later you have a wonderful loaf of fresh bread and judging by how quickly it has disappeared each time, I think the rest of my family are as happy about the bread maker as I am.
Once your creation is baked, the machine beeps to let you know and you need to take it out as quickly as you can to let it cool. The bread pan can be easily removed and washed ready for the next time.
I am really impressed with the Panasonic SD-ZB2512 Bread Maker. I had no idea that a bread maker would be so easy to use or that you could make so many different things with it. I can’t wait to experiment with other recipes from the book and the children have already requested cheese and bacon bread which I agree sounds delicious. Our summer holidays will be filled with the smell of baking and I will report back in a few weeks to let you know how I have got on and share a few of our favourite recipes. If like me, you are considering investing in a bread maker, do it. I am loving mine and I know that it is fast going to become one of my favourite kitchen gadgets.
I was sent the Panasonic SD-ZB2512 Bread Maker for the purpose of this review. All images and opinions are my own.
Oh wow look at your bread. Bet it’s absolutely lovely to wake up to fresh bread smells every morning and it’s probably so much healthier than shop bought bread too! I’ll be looking out for more of your creations now 🙂
what is the difference between that Panasonic SD-ZB2512 (which you bought and reviewed) compared to Panasonic SD-ZB2512KXE? I cannot seem to find anything that tells me the difference between the two models. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Looking at the two models and judging by the similarity in the model number, I can only assume that the KXE is a slightly updated version as it looks and sounds exactly the same. Maybe contact Panasonic direct and ask them as I’m afraid I don’t know.