"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>I will not be defeated! So TJ doesn't carry my bread anymore. I'm looking
> into a bread machine.
>
> Much research has narrowed my decision to a Panasonic SD-YD250 ABM.
>
> After reading back through the r.f.c archives and web reviews a couple
> things came to mind.
>
> The loaf size is much larger and more a square than an ordinary
> rectangular loaf of white bread, so I'll be using it just to make the
> dough and bake it in a reasonable loaf pan. I don't want to increase the
> size of a sandwich as a result. I like my 4"x4" sandwich surface area.
> That and one reviewer mentioned that the slices don't fit in a regular
> toaster. I'll no doubt bake the first couple loaves in it. Do other bread
> machines bake ordinary loaves?

Mine makes a tall rectangle that is sandwich sized once cut. I do sometimes
let it make the dough and bake in a different pan like for rolls or Foccasia
(sp?)

>
> I don't understand the use of an advance-ON timer. Can you really leave
> those ingredients just sitting there for 13 hours without spoiling?

My manual says don't leave spoiling ingredients in there for more than 4
hours. If I want to leave it longer I'll do a french bread, which is just
water, yeast and flour.

>
> The unit is rated at 550 watts. Where is the energy spent? The kneading
> is probably the most costly, with one hour of baking being second and the
> resting being last, for a claimed 4 hour loaf cycle. I'm not worried
> about the cost, just wondering.

I would think the warming and baking would take up more of the energy.

>
> The recipes in the on-line manual.pdf call for butter but my old bread
> ingredients list canola oil. Is this a practical substitute in an ABM?

I enjoy experimenting with my bread machine. I very seldom have had
something I couldn't remedy. I think only once did I make something that
wasn't edible. Not really sure what happened it just turned out as a giant
rock hard lump. Have never happened again. It was a really good smelling
"rock hard" lump. Just disappointing to see first thing in the morning.

Lynne

>
> Lowest price: $119.00 at Abt Electronics.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Andy