Review of Kenwood Rapid Bake BM250 breadmaker

GH Institute

Breadmakers

Features

Viewing window. Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. 3 crust colours. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: basic, wholewheat, sweet, French, packet mix, gluten free, dough, pasta dough, cake, jam. Options: rapid bake. Prog times: white 3 hours 25 mins, wholemeal 3 hours 48 mins based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour.

Comments

The basic white loaf from this model has a smooth, domed crust and even colour on both top and sides but has a slightly salty taste. The wholemeal loaf is good but quite small and the texture a little dense. The rapid white loaf has an open, cake-like texture but is a good shape and colour. The display is hard to see and there is no programme guide on the machine. We found dough gets caught under and around the blade easily. Approx size of white loaf: 18 x 17 x 12cm

Rating: 87/100

Price: £49.99

Stockist: 02392 392333 - http://www.kenwood.co.uk

GHI Test Report - October 2008

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Other products in Breadmakers

Review of Kenwood BM450 breadmaker

Features
Viewing window. Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. 3 crust colours. Internal light. Measuring cup and spoon. Programmes include: Basic, rapid white, wholewheat, wholewheat rapid, french, cake, gluten free, artisan dough, jam, pizza. Programme times: white 3hr 15s and wholewheat 4hr 35s based on large loaf size and medium crust colour.
Comments
Good points: Excellent white and wholewheat results. Good rapid bake results and under 60 minutes. Flavour and texture good for gluten free recipe given.
Drawbacks: the markings on the measuring spoon come off easily.

Rating: 84/100

Price: £85

Stockist: 02392 392333 - http://www.kenwood.co.uk

GHI Test Report - July 2010
Review of Panasonic SD-257 breadmaker

Features
Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. Nut dispenser; 3 crust colours. Choice of blades for rye or regular bread. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: basic, whole-wheat, rye, sandwich, gluten free, brioche. Options: bake only, rapid bake, raisin bake, raisin dough. Programme times: white 4 hours, wholemeal 5 hours based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour.
Comments
Good Points: This is a consistently good performer with excellent white, rapid white and wholemeal loaves. The front-angled display is easy to see and the controls are easy to operate. It is simple to programme with clear step by step instructions and a wide choice of recipes.
Drawbacks: None

Rating: 94/100

Price: £120

Stockist: 0844 844 3857 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk

GHI Test Report - July 2010
Review of Panasonic SD-256 breadmaker

Features
Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. Nut dispenser; 3 crust colours. Choice of blades for rye or regular bread. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: basic, whole-wheat, rye, French, Italian, sandwich, gluten free, pizza. Options: bake only, rapid bake, raisin bake, raisin dough. Programme times: white 4 hours, wholemeal 5 hours based on extra large sized loaf with medium crust colour.
Comments
This is a consistently good performer with excellent white, rapid white and wholemeal loaves. The front-angled display is easy to see and the controls are easy to operate. It is simple to programme with clear step by step instructions and a wide choice of recipes.

Rating: 95/100

Price: £100

Stockist: 0844 844 3857 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk

GHI Test Report - July 2010
Review of Panasonic SD255 breadmaker

Good Housekeeping Top Scorer
Features
Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. Nut dispenser; 3 crust colours. Choice of blades for rye or regular bread. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: basic, whole-wheat, rye, French, Italian, sandwich, gluten free, pizza. Options: bake only, rapid bake, raisin bake, raisin dough. Programme times: white 4 hours, wholemeal 5 hours based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour
Comments
This is a consistently good performer with excellent white, rapid white and wholemeal loaves. The front-angled display is easy to see and the controls are easy to operate. It is simple to programme with clear step by step instructions and a wide choice of recipes. The programmes are longer than most other models. Approx size of white loaf: 20 x 17 x 13cm

Rating: 90/100

Price: £99.99

Stockist: 0844 844 3857 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk

GHI Test Report - October 2008
Review of Morphy Richards Accents breadmaker

Features
Viewing window. Delay timer. 2 loaf sizes. Keep warm. 3 crust colours. Internal light. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: basic, wholemeal, sweet, French, speciality, dough, cake, jam Options: bake only; fast-bake; dessert; homemade Programme times: white 3 hours, wholemeal 3 hours 40 mins based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour
Comments
This model produces an excellent white loaf, with smooth domed crust and even browning. It loses points for the wholemeal loaf which has a heavy texture and sunken appearance, with a bland flavour. The rapid white loaf results are very good. The clear, bright display panel is easy to see but the controls could do with more written graphics. Instructions are comprehensive but rather text heavy. The stainless steel shows finger marks. Approx size of white loaf: 18 x 16 x 12cm

Rating: 87/100

Price: £89.99

Stockist: 0870 060 2614 - http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk

GHI Test Report - October 2008
Review of Kenwood Rapid Bake BM250 breadmaker

Features
Viewing window. Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. 3 crust colours. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: basic, wholewheat, sweet, French, packet mix, gluten free, dough, pasta dough, cake, jam. Options: rapid bake. Prog times: white 3 hours 25 mins, wholemeal 3 hours 48 mins based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour.
Comments
The basic white loaf from this model has a smooth, domed crust and even colour on both top and sides but has a slightly salty taste. The wholemeal loaf is good but quite small and the texture a little dense. The rapid white loaf has an open, cake-like texture but is a good shape and colour. The display is hard to see and there is no programme guide on the machine. We found dough gets caught under and around the blade easily. Approx size of white loaf: 18 x 17 x 12cm

Rating: 87/100

Price: £49.99

Stockist: 02392 392333 - http://www.kenwood.co.uk

GHI Test Report - October 2008
Review of Russell Hobbs Breadman breadmaker

Features
Viewing window. Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. Nut dispenser. 3 crust colours. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: white, wholemeal, French, fruit and nut, dough, pizza dough, cake, jam. Prog times: white 3 hours 10 mins; wholemeal 3 hours 35 mins based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour.
Comments
There is a slightly uneven rise on the basic white loaf and the wholemeal loaf is sunken in the centre with a heavy texture. The rapid white loaf works well with a good shape and colour but the programme is quite long for a quick programme at 2.10 hours. The instructions are clear and easy to follow and include a wide selection of recipe cards. The display is not easy to see unless you stand directly over it. Approx size of white loaf: 17 x 16 x 12cm

Rating: 83/100

Price: £99.99

Stockist: 0845 658 9700 - http://www.russellhobbs.co.uk

GHI Test Report - October 2008
Review of Antony Worrall Thompson BR11 breadmaker

Features
Viewing window. Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. Nut dispenser. 3 crust colours. Internal light. Quick reference cards at side of machine. Measuring cup and measuring spoon Programmes: basic, wheat, sweet, French, scone, gluten / yeast free, pizza dough, pasta dough, cake, jam. Options: bake only; turbo. Prog times:white 3 hours 25 mins, wholemeal 3 hours 56 mins based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour.
Comments
The basic white and rapid white loaves are slightly salty tasting with a puffy crust which collapsed inwards on the second test for basic white bread. The texture is open and cake-like for all loaves, including wholemeal which was also pale on top. The bread pan is stiff to remove. There are plenty of recipes provided but none for a basic gluten free recipe. The control panel is simple and easy to use. Approx size of white loaf: 18 x 19 x 13cm

Rating: 82/100

Price: £99.99

Stockist: 0800 525089 - http://www.breville.co.uk

GHI Test Report - October 2008
Review of Team UKI Rapido breadmaker

Features
Viewing window. Delay timer. 2 loaf sizes. Keep warm. 3 crust colours. Carry handle. Measuring cup and measuring spoon Programmes:basic, wholewheat, sweet, French, sandwich, dough, cake, jam. Options: bake only, quick, 2 rapid progs. Prog times:white 3 hours, wholemeal 3 hours 40 mins based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour.
Comments
This model produces square shaped loaves. The white loaves have a puffy crust and the texture is a little cake-like and open with a slightly salty taste. The wholewheat loaf rose and sunk and has a heavy texture. Instructions are not very logical but it has a good size viewing window. Approx size of white loaf: 18 x 12 x 12cm

Rating: 75/100

Price: £59.99

Stockist: 0121 693 1959 - http://www.teamuki.com

GHI Test Report - October 2008