- Makes a conventionally shaped loaf
- Two paddles for even mixing and kneading
- Users can program their own recipe settings
- No option to make different loaf sizes
- Crust control cannot be used on most of the settings
- Comes with an instructional video, but it's a VHS tape, which few people use anymore
- Large viewing window
- Ten settings include quick baking cycle, sourdough starter, cake and jam settings
- 13-hour programmable timer
- Setting to control crust color
- Includes 3 memory settings to program for personal recipes
- Makes one 2-pound loaf in a conventional loaf shape
- Comes with a liquid measuring cup and a double-ended measuring spoon and an instruction booklet with recipes
The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme is a favorite among home bakers. At $200, it's also one of the most expensive on the market. Is it worth it?
One of the biggest advantages of this bread machine is it makes conventional-shaped loaves, not the tall, square loaves that most breadmakers produce. It has two kneading blades, which mixes ingredients evenly. The motor is quite powerful, kneading even very stiff doughs with ease, and the machine is quieter than some other breadmakers.
The bread machine has a preheat function (to bring ingredients to optimal temperature), but if you're in a hurry, it can be turned off. In fact, the Quick Bake cycle allows you to make bread in 2 hours, and the Quick Dough cycle will have dough ready in 45 minutes.
Three programmable settings allow you to program kneading, proofing and baking times for your own recipes. The machine can also be used to make cake, jam and even baked dishes like meatloaf and lasagna.
The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme has a signal to indicate when dried fruit or nuts should be added. However, this beeping signal cannot be turned off, which can annoying if you've set the machine to make bread overnight.
Other downsides to the Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme are that sometimes a loaf will come out lopsided (This can be fixed by checking to make sure dough is evenly distributed before baking begins). The two kneading blades also means your loaf will have two holes in it. I've occasionally discovered that when using the "Dough" cycle, there appears to be a dark substance in the dough next to the kneading blades, as if oil had leached into the dough. It's also a shame the company doesn't update its instructional video to more current DVD format.
The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme is a well-built, well-designed machine, but the few drawbacks might make some wonder if it's worth the price tag.
