🚀 go-pugleaf

I'm not going to quote any of the other articles because most of them say
nothing constructive.

I personally do not recommend the DAK/Welbilt ABM 100, the original
non-turbo R2D2 model. I had one for awhile and found it to be more
inconsistent than the other machines my friends/relatives had.

Consumer Reports did a very short blurb comparing the Welbilt ABM 100
and the Panasonic/National SDBT55 1-lb model with yeast dispenser, and
found the Panasonic to be much more consistent than the Welbilt. They
complained that both ruined the bottom slice 'coz the paddle got 
stuck in it, but as a breadmachine user I've learned not to care.

Finally, a Canadian consumer magazine whose name I do not know apparently
rated the same Panasonic model above all other models they tested,
including the Welbilt. They did not test a Zojirushi, apparently, nor
did they test the 1.5-lb Panasonic. I believe that the Hitachi did well
too, but I don't remember.

My aunt has a Panasonic 1.5lb model, and her husband has converted a whole
host of his own oven-baked bread recipes to it with no problem. They are
completely satisfied with it. So, I have positive testimonial from
someone who was completely committed to baking bread by hand even BEFORE
the bread machine was purchased---an encouraging sign, I think.

My personal reason for leaning to the Panasonic is the separate 100%
whole-wheat cycle. Most machines just SAY they can handle it but only
the Panasonic (that I know of) actually changes the baking routine for
it. Of course, the higher-end Zojirushi lets you design virtually any
baking program you wish, which for the patient is a plus.

I DO believe that in this case you get what you pay for, in some respects
at least. The Panasonic model is a shade over 200 bucks at the cheapest
places, and if you actually USE the darn thing it will indeed pay for
itself, at least when you consider the breads that I buy it does...

Now quit arguing about the DAK model please! The pitch of the discussing
alone is enough to discourange someone from buying it.

Michael C. Grant
mcgrant@isl.stanford.edu
--
"Long hair, short hair--what's the difference once the head's blowed off?" (?)