Introduction
I made this video of myself using a bread maker (Panasonic SD206) in 2001 but had no means of publishing it back then. So I have decided to publish it now so that the effort wasn’t completely wasted.
I hope it helps people who are considering getting a bread maker but are not sure how one is used in practice.
Issues I Had Using A Bread Maker
An example of a simple issue that I found is the need for a place on the worktop with plenty of space above it. The space is needed to facilitate opening the bread maker lid. They are by nature tall even with the lid closed due to the depth of bucket required to contain a loaf, and the space required beneath it for the paddle activating mechanism.
In my kitchen at the time I struggled to find that place because of all the wall cupboards. As you can see in the video I had to place it on the front edge of the worktop. The lid is so thick it cannot be fully opened because it touches the cupboard behind it.
Another unexpected issue, with this model at least, is it wobbles about on its tall rubber feet. This occurs while mixing the dough due to its eccentric position within the bucket.
The Video: Using A Bread Maker – Panasonic SD206
Some Differences Among Bread Makers
The Panasonic SD206 instructions specify a particular order in which the ingredients are placed in the bucket. On discussing this with friends I found their instructions for alternate brands generally specified putting in the ingredients in reverse order. In all cases they put water in last and used the flour to segregate the yeast from the salt and sugar. This lets the mixture rest for hours without the yeast being activated by the sugar or killed by the salt. Then mixing the dough commences.
My Conclusions After Using A Bread Maker
I soon got the hang of using this bread maker. Then I used it every other day to make bread for my lunchtime sandwiches at work. I put the ingredients in before I went to bed and timed it so that the loaf was ready by the time I got up in the morning.
Eventually I stopped using it and gave it to my cousin who was keen to try a bread maker.
Please note there were no technical reasons for me giving it away. I just started putting on weight because of the lovely bread it produced. That was because there was a lot of butter and sugar in the bread I was making. I found I was taking half a loaf of bread to work each day.
Now I’m retired and weigh less my wife suggests we get a new bread maker.. Watch this space.
Time Passed & We Got A New Bread Maker
We bought another Panasonic Bread Maker Model SD-ZX2522 at the end of February 2020. This one is all “singing and dancing” and there’s no wobbling about with this one. We love it.
We still use flour from Caudwell’s Mill amongst other brands. My wife is the baker and loves experimenting with recipes for loaves and cakes all found in the instruction book.
We bought it in a hurry just before the Covid-19 lockdown in case there was going to be a food (in particular bread) shortage.
This model is still very tall and has a thick lid. The bread making process is very similar but load ingredients is different. There is a special compartment for the yeast in the lid. This opens and drops the yeast into the mix when the program is ready for it.
There is also a compartment in the lid to hold other ingredients until required. It holds seeds and small dried or chopped fruit which it drops in at the right moment.
Reference
- Instruction Manual with recipes for the Panasonic SD206.
- Some spare parts can be obtained for the Panasonic SD206 from:
- Parts are also available at Google Search.
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