‎Breadman ‎BK1200SS Breadmaker - Review

Breadman has been a leading brand in bread making appliances for over two decades. Originally founded in the 1980s, Breadman aimed to bring the artisan bread experience into the home kitchen. Their bread makers automate the bread making process - from mixing and kneading, to proofing and baking - while still allowing home cooks to create fresh, homemade loaves.

The Breadman BK1200SS is one of their newer stainless steel bread maker models. With its sleek design and variety of settings, it promises to deliver delicious homemade bread with minimal effort. In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at the features, performance, and overall value of the Breadman BK1200SS bread machine.

Overview

The Breadman BK1200SS is a mid-range bread machine that offers a good capacity and variety of settings at a reasonable price point. With a 2 pound loaf capacity, it can make loaves large enough for most households. The stainless steel body gives it a sleek look and makes it easy to clean.

Where the BK1200SS really shines is in the variety of settings it offers. It has 13 different settings to choose from including basic, French, sweet, and gluten-free. This allows you to make all kinds of bread like classic white, hearty whole wheat, sweet banana, or gluten-free all in one machine. The settings are clearly labeled and easy to select with the control panel.

In addition to a variety of bread settings, the BK1200SS also includes settings for making jam and pasta dough. This adds even more versatility to what you can create. The machine does most of the hard work for you with features like a built-in dispenser and nonstick coated baking pan. All you have to do is add the ingredients and press start.

While the BK1200SS offers great features and performance for the price, there are some higher-end options on the market as well. The Panasonic SD-B2510, for example, is a top-rated bread machine with higher capacity and more advanced features. It can make up to a 2.5 pound loaf and has a total of 14 bread settings. The SD-B2510 includes specialty settings like multi-grain, sourdough, and artisan breads. It also has an automatic fruit and nut dispenser to add mix-ins evenly throughout your loaf.

The Panasonic SD-B2510 is known for making consistently delicious loaves with excellent rise and texture. It uses specialized yeast and fermentation technology to replicate artisan style bread. The LCD screen and control panel are very user friendly with labeled buttons and step-by-step instructions. For those willing to invest more, the Panasonic SD-B2510 is one of the best bread machines on the market today.

While pricier than the Breadman, the Panasonic does offer some upgraded features and performance for making specialty bread recipes. However, the BK1200SS still provides great value and versatility for the average home baker. It can handle all of the basics like white, whole wheat, and sweet bread. The addition of pasta dough and jam settings also makes it more multi-purpose. Overall, the Breadman BK1200SS is a great mid-priced option that will satisfy most home bread making needs.

Design

The Breadman BK1200SS has a sleek stainless steel exterior that will look great on any kitchen countertop. It measures 16.5 x 11.5 x 10.5 inches, so it doesn't take up too much space but can still make loaves up to 2 pounds in size. The angled viewing window on the top allows you to monitor the bread as it bakes without having to open the machine. The LCD display is easy to read and navigate. There are also several buttons on the front which are clearly labeled for selecting settings and starting/stopping the baking process. The interior bread pan is made from durable, non-stick materials. Overall, the design is modern and user-friendly.

Another popular bread maker to consider is the Aroma ABM-250. This machine has a more compact, square design that takes up minimal counter space. It measures 12 x 12 x 13 inches. The stainless steel exterior gives it a sleek, modern look. There is a large viewing window on the top so you can watch your dough rise and keep an eye on the baking progress. The LCD control panel is straightforward and easy to operate. There are 12 pre-programmed settings to choose from, including options for white, whole wheat, and sweet breads. The non-stick interior pan is removable for easy cleaning. Overall, the Aroma ABM-250 has a simple but stylish design.

When comparing the Breadman BK1200SS and Aroma ABM-250, the Breadman has a slightly larger capacity at 2 pounds versus 1.5 pounds for the Aroma. However, the Aroma takes up less space with its square footprint. Both machines have similar stainless steel exteriors and viewing windows. The control panels are easy to use on both models. They both have interior bread pans made from durable non-stick materials. So in terms of design, it comes down to whether you prefer the horizontal shape of the Breadman or more compact Aroma. The Breadman can make bigger loaves, but the Aroma will take up less space on your counter. Either option will allow you to wake up to the wonderful smell and taste of fresh homemade bread!

Settings & Programs

The Breadman BK1200SS bread maker has 13 settings to accommodate different types of bread and dough:

• Basic - For regular white bread loaves. You can choose 1 lb, 1.5 lb, or 2 lb loaf sizes.

• Whole Wheat - Optimized for hearty whole wheat breads. Also has 1 lb, 1.5 lb, and 2 lb settings.

• French - For classic French-style bread with a crispy crust. 1 lb and 1.5 lb options.

• Sweet - Makes sweet breads like banana, pumpkin, or cinnamon raisin. Choose 1 lb or 1.5 lb loaves.

• Quick - Whips up a loaf in under an hour. Just 1 lb and 1.5 lb sizes.

• Gluten Free - Ideal for gluten-free bread recipes. 1 lb or 1.5 lb sizes.

• Low Carb - For lower carb bread options like keto bread. 1 lb and 1.5 lb settings.

• Cake - Bakes cakes up to 2 lbs.

• Sandwich - Crafts soft bread for sandwiches. 1 lb and 1.5 lb sizes.

• Pasta - Mixes and kneads pasta dough.

• Jam - Makes jams and jellies.

• Dough - Mixes and rises dough for baking later. Choose 1 lb, 1.5 lb, or 2 lb dough amounts.

• Bake - Bakes pre-made dough without mixing or kneading.

Ease of Use

The Breadman BK1200SS bread maker is very easy to use. The controls are intuitive and user-friendly, with a simple LCD display and buttons to select your settings. The manual provides clear instructions for operating the machine and includes tips for getting the best results.

Cleaning the bread maker is straightforward thanks to the non-stick pan. The kneading paddle and bread pan detach easily for handwashing or can be placed in the dishwasher. The viewing window and exterior surfaces can be wiped clean as needed. There's minimal effort required to maintain this machine.

Some handy design features improve the convenience factor. The collapsible kneading paddle folds down during the bake cycle so it doesn't leave an indent on the loaf. There's also a fruit and nut dispenser if you want to add mix-ins. The bread maker does the work for you with no fuss.

Performance

The Breadman BK1200SS performs very well when it comes to baking bread. The loaves come out with excellent baking results - the bread has a nice soft crumb on the inside and a crispy, crunchy crust on the outside. The shape and size of the loaf is also impressive - it's uniform and evenly baked.

The bread maker does a great job of kneading the dough and allowing it to rise properly before baking. This results in loaves that have just the right texture and don't end up too dense or heavy. The baking cycle produces sufficient heat to give the crust a nice golden-brown color without over-baking.

One area where the BK1200SS really shines is with the crust setting. There are three crust color options - light, medium and dark. Choosing the darkest setting produces a crust that is crispy and almost crispy bread-like. For those who enjoy a chewy, crunchy crust, this machine delivers excellent results.

The size of the loaf is another advantage of this breadmaker. It can make up to a 2 pound loaf which gives you a good-sized hearty bread for sandwiches, toast, or just enjoying sliced. The loaf shape comes out consistently rectangular with rounded edges. Overall, the BK1200SS scores very high marks in performance and baking results.

Noise Level

The Breadman BK1200SS is a fairly quiet bread maker compared to other models. There is minimal noise during the kneading and baking cycles, allowing you to run it even at night without disturbing your sleep.

The kneading process produces a gentle whirring sound that is not overly loud or distracting. It's comparable to the volume of a small kitchen appliance like a blender or food processor on low speed. You can carry on conversations nearby without needing to raise your voice.

Once the dough has been kneaded and the baking cycle starts, the noise level remains low. There is a very soft hum coming from the bread maker as the bread bakes, but it's unobtrusive. Unless you are standing right next to it, you likely won't even notice the sound.

Overall, the quiet operation is a nice feature, especially for those who like to bake bread overnight. The Breadman BK1200SS won't wake up your family members or prevent you from getting a good night's rest while using it. Noise is definitely not an issue with this bread machine.

Value

The Breadman BK1200SS is reasonably priced compared to other similar bread makers on the market. At around £100, it offers excellent value given its range of features, solid build quality, and performance.

For your money, you get 12 different programs to make a variety of breads, jams, and doughs. It can make loaves up to 2 pounds in size. The machine is constructed with brushed stainless steel that looks great and makes it easy to clean.

In testing, it consistently baked high-quality loaves with good rise and texture. The ingredients are thoroughly kneaded and mixed, resulting in tasty homemade bread. While not the cheapest option, it delivers outstanding results that justify the price tag.

Many buyers and experts agree that the Breadman provides professional-grade performance at an accessible price point for most households. The powerful motor and heating element have the strength needed for reliable bread making over years of use.

Overall, if you want a versatile bread machine that can handle large batches and different recipes with ease, the BK1200SS gives you tremendous bang for your buck. It's a worthwhile investment for home bakers who want quality baked goods.

Pros & Cons

The Breadman BK1200SS 2lb bread maker has many positives as well as a few potential drawbacks to consider:

Pros

• Produces high quality loaves with excellent texture and taste. The dual kneading paddles do a great job developing gluten.

• Lots of settings and programs to choose from including basic, whole wheat, rapid, sweet, and gluten-free options.

• Very easy to use control panel and intuitive programming. Just add ingredients, select settings, and press start.

• Sturdy stainless steel body looks nice and makes cleanup easy. Viewing window lets you watch the bread as it bakes.

• Compact size good for small kitchens. Makes up to a 2lb loaf which is good for most households.

Cons

• Can be noisy, especially during kneading cycles. The motor and paddles make a whirring sound.

• Shape of loaf is not as evenly rounded on top compared to some other models.

• No fruit/nut dispenser like some competing breadmakers have. You need to manually add mix-ins at the beep.

• Only a 1 year warranty which is less than many competitors.

Overall the Breadman BK1200SS performs very well and produces delicious loaves of bread. The many features and programs make artisanal bread easy for any home cook. Some noise and shape issues but excellent value given the quality and versatility.

Conclusion

Overall, the Breadman BK1200SS is a solid option for making bread at home. It's a mid-range model with plenty of features for the price. The stainless steel design looks sleek on the counter and the digital controls make it easy to use. With 12 different settings, you can make a variety of breads from basic white loaves to more artisanal options. The horizontal loaf pan design ensures even baking.

Performance is quite good for a bread machine in this price range. Loaves turn out well-risen with a nice crusty exterior. The non-stick pan releases bread easily without sticking. While not the quietest model, the noise level is reasonable.

If you're seeking an automatic bread maker that can handle 2-pound loaves, the Breadman BK1200SS is a great choice. It delivers tasty homemade bread on a consistent basis. The features and build quality make it a worthwhile investment for any home baker. Just be prepared to experiment some to nail down the perfect settings for your favorite recipes. But the end results will be worth it.