1) The first unit I bought had to be returned due to defects (couldn’t enter manual programs, and the fruit & nut dispenser didn’t open at all).

2) The fruit & nut dispenser is pretty much useless. On my second machine, it does open, but after unlatching relies on gravity for the dumping action. Even with something relatively heavy in it such as raisins, gravity is insufficient to have it open wide enough to effectively dump the ingredient into the bread. Result: cooked raisins still in the dispenser. And forget about trying to use it for herbs – way, way too light.

3) The mechanism of attaching the pan into the machine isn’t fantastic quality and can warp with time and use. It well worked for a while but now requires a lot of fussing, particularly to get the pan out afterwards. Not impossible, but pretty annoying.

4) As others have mentioned, Breadman is no longer manufacturing replacement pans/paddles. If yours get too scratched or dinged, it’s eBay or nuthin’.

On the upside, the bread is still very tasty and well-formed. I like being able to program in custom programs. The recipe book that comes with the machine has some absolutely fabulous breads. So… I’m not dumping mine until it really breaks, but I’d probably try something else next time.

What my main concern is, is the paddle. It stays in the bread about 95% of the time, which leads to the question, why is this coated with Teflon? It doesn’t work with this. If anyone else has noticed, the Teflon blisters and flakes off into the bread. I don’t like the thought of eating Teflon. This problem occurred with my Regal’s paddle too and I’m supposing that it may be right with all that use a Teflon coated paddle. So,why is it coated? Why risk the possible negative effects of using this product on the consumer? The pan is a different tale, the coating does not flake off. One can scratch it if not careful, but at least it doesn’t come off into the bread as it’s baking. Using Teflon on the paddle really must be addressed to the makers of bread machines. It doesn’t work and it comes off into the bread, not a excellent thing. So other than eating Teflon,the paddle hardly ever staying in the pan when removing the bread and one having to tear up the bottom center of the baked loaf removing it, and the questionable action of the dispenser, it bakes the bread fantastic.

But be warned, and I didn’t catch this small nugget of information until it was already on the FedEx truck…

The pans for this machine APPEAR to be irreplaceable. APPEAR to be. I have not found anything on the net, so far (12/13/09), other than frustrated people hunting for a pan they cannot find.

“Do not immerse in water.”

The above phrase is used in the manual in regards to the pan. That sounds pretty ominous, does it not? So I do find myself slightly apprehensive at this point.Perhaps Breadman will read one of the many emails i intend to send them and provide something as obvious as a replacement part for what appears to be an accident waiting to happen.

Enough about that.

My first loaf of bread turned out…well…lets just say that it is now sitting on the forest floor not far from my house where woodland creatures can delight in it. That is because I place one too many cups of flour in the mix. Hilarity ensued.

My second loaf ( with right measurements ) turned out GORGEOUS! 1.5 pounds of wonderful, fresh, warm, sensual euphoria. <3

My third is in right now. And it smells sooooooo excellent.

The machine is a small noisy. The “extras” dispenser nearly gave us heart attacks. But it works really well. Does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Looks pretty sharp on the counter, as well. Cleans up simple (mind the pan). Really a nice machine for a really nice price.

Before this, it worked fantastic. The only complaints I have had up til now is that at times not all of the flour is incorporated (and this may be a dough moisture issue as someone else mentioned), and the paddle is hard to get out of the loaf once baked (and I always spray the pan with oil before starting to help with both of these issues).

So: when it works, it works fantastic. Proceed with caution – this model seems to have some electronic issues.

I am currently torn between finding a used or refurbished one so that I can use the pan and paddle I have as back up or trying a new model.

I set out to buy a Zojirushi with the two paddles but just could not bring myself to pay that much. But I did know I wanted a 2lb horizontal loaf that has many baking features. I am very pleased with my buy… I still miss the two paddles, but Im okay with it every time I pull a new loaf out of my bread machine.

The bread itself had no flavor whatsoever, and I followed the recipe for white bread exactly. It didn’t call for salt, which I thought was odd, but I followed the recipe and wished I’d tweaked it before I turned the machine on. It certainly could have used a small something.

The bread pan is extremely hard to remove and it isn’t too simple to place in the machine, either.

I thought I might try another loaf, but after reading other reviews here where they say the paddle was stuck in the loaf, it’s going back to the store. I’m not about to fish a metal paddle out my bread every time I bake a loaf.

Kids, this is why you don’t buy your mom an appliance!