KizerAdam663

The Panasonic SD-YD250 Automatic Bread Maker makes it easy to prepare and bake fresh naturally tasting breads. From the novice cook to the expert baker, all you really need to do is measure out the ingredients and choose one of the many preset baking options and it's all done for you. The machine runs quietly and its non-stick pan makes for easy clean up after you are done. It has a large capacity, baking 3 sizes of loaves - medium, large and extra large (over 2 pounds).

The machines comes with 4 baking modes - bake, rapid bake, raisin, sandwich, running the best suited knead, rise and bake cycles to bake bread. The fastest full cycle "rapid" bake mode for white bread takes just under 2 hours to bake a nice loaf, while the usual bake process can run about 5 hours. The rapid bake function seem to draw mixed reviews, some users say it works just as well as the regular process, while for others say that bread tasted half baked. With the bake only cycle, the machine will bake cakes.

In addition, the Panasonic breadmaker also offers settings for white, whole wheat, multigrain, and French breads, to suit the different textures and styles. You can also select light or dark crust using the crust control setting. For adding fruits and nuts, you will hear a beep that signals the right time to add them so they are not crushed.

A distinguishing feature of this Panasonic SD-YD250 review is its automatic yeast dispenser. This lets you throw all the ingredients into the pan and the yeast will drop in later at just the right time. If you are using breadmakers that do not have this feature, you will have to be more cautious when adding the yeast. You do not want the yeast to touch the water too early especially if you are using the delayed timer bake process. That will cause the yeast to expand too early and mess up your results.

Here are main features in summary:

• Mixes, kneads, rises, and bakes in 3 loaf sizes, up to 2-1/2 pounds • 13-hour delay timer - set it, go to sleep and wake up to fresh bread • Rapid bake process takes 2 - 3 hours depending on type of bread baked • Settings for white, whole wheat, multigrain, French, basic, raisin, sandwich • Bakes quick breads and cakes, like banana and gingerbread • Includes recipes for 40 breads and doughs, plus baking tips • Measures 14 by 13-1/2 by 9 inches

Compared to the more fancy Zojirushi BBCCX20, the Panasonic breadmaker may not offer as many baking options but it has lots of features and bake modes an unique ones like the Yeast dispenser. It is also priced lower and highly rated by many users. All in all, this is a great buy that will let you enjoy a nice variety to basic and specialty breads.