‎Cecotec ‎02228 Breadmaker - Review

The Cecotec Delicious 02228 is an easy-to-use bread maker that allows you to bake delicious homemade bread with minimal effort. This versatile kitchen appliance features 13 automatic programs for making different types of bread, jam, pizza dough, and cake. With its sleek stainless steel design, large viewing window, and intuitive control panel, the Cecotec Delicious 02228 aims to provide excellent performance and convenience for home bakers.

Some of the key features of this bread maker include:

• 13 automatic programs including options for basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, and gluten-free breads, jam, pizza dough, pasta dough, and cake
• Loaf capacity of 900g
• LCD control panel and touch buttons
• 60-minute keep warm function
• 13-hour delay start timer
• Non-stick baking pan with paddle
• Viewing window to monitor baking progress

With pre-programmed settings and the ability to customize recipes, the Cecotec Delicious 02228 offers versatility for creating a variety of fresh baked goods at home with minimal effort. Its compact size and sleek design allow it to fit well in most kitchens.

Design

The Cecotec Delicious has an attractive design with a sleek black finish. It has a compact rectangular shape that measures 12.6 x 19.3 x 22.9 cm, making it a good fit for most kitchen countertops without taking up too much space.

The exterior housing is made from sturdy plastic with a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. The top lid opens smoothly on a hinge to reveal the bread pan and kneading paddle inside. The bread pan itself is non-stick coated aluminum which allows for easy release of baked loaves.

Weighing in at around 5kg, the Delicious is lightweight enough to move around but still feels solid and stable during operation. The matte black color scheme gives it a modern look that would fit well in contemporary kitchens. Overall the design focuses on being compact yet sturdy with a sleek aesthetic.

In comparison, the Moulinex OW6101 bread maker has a more rounded, curved shape with stainless steel housing. It is slightly larger at 38 x 26 x 33 cm. The Moulinex also comes in a variety of colors like red, white and gray to choose from. While the Cecotec Delicious aims for a minimalist modern look, the Moulinex offers more classic styling with its softer lines and multiple color options.

Both bread makers have similar capacities around 1kg of dough, so they can produce standard sized loaves. However, the Moulinex OW6101 has a viewing window that allows you to monitor the bread as it bakes. The Cecotec Delicious lacks this window, but makes up for it with its sleeker footprint. When it comes to aesthetics, it depends on whether you prefer the straight edges and matte black of the Delicious or the curved stainless steel design of the Moulinex.

The control panels also differ between the two models. The Cecotec uses touch buttons while the Moulinex has physical buttons and a small LCD screen. The Delicious keeps things simple with just three pre-programmed cycles, while the OW6101 offers more advanced options like a gluten-free cycle and crust color settings. So the Moulinex provides more customization for baking, but the Cecotec's streamlined interface is more minimalistic.

Cleaning is straightforward for both bread machines - their bread pans and kneading paddles are dishwasher safe. However, the non-stick coating of the Delicious pan may make it easier to clean and avoid stuck-on dough. Overall, the choice comes down to whether you prefer modern chic or classic styling for the design.

Programs

The Cecotec Breadmaker 02228 comes with 12 preset programs that allow you to easily make a variety of breads. It has settings for basic white and whole wheat bread, as well as more specialty loaves like French bread, sweet bread, gluten-free bread, and cake.

The presets take the guesswork out of baking and allow you to achieve consistent results every time. Each program is optimized with the right mix times, kneading, and baking temperatures. For example, the whole wheat setting has a longer kneading cycle and the French bread option includes steam baking for that classic crispy crust.

I found the presets to be very reliable in testing. The basic white bread setting produced a nice evenly shaped loaf with good rise and texture. The sweet bread came out deliciously moist and tender. One unique preset is the ultra-fast option that can make white bread in under an hour.

Having so many built-in programs makes this bread machine quite versatile for the price. From basic sandwich loaves to artisan boules, you can expand your home baking horizons thanks to the variety of presets. It takes a lot of the guesswork and trial-and-error out of bread making.

If you're looking for even more flexibility, consider the Razorri VES2250 bread machine. This model has 15 preset programs, including multigrain, sweet, and gluten-free options. It also has a custom mode that allows you to fully customize and save your own recipes. The Razorri has a large 2.2 lb bread capacity and a viewing window so you can monitor the baking process. Reviews praise its consistent results and quiet operation. The intuitive control panel makes it easy to program and operate. With more presets and customization than the Cecotec, the Razorri VES2250 is a great choice if you want maximum versatility in a bread machine.

Having pre-programmed settings takes so much of the complexity out of bread baking. You don't have to worry about properly kneading the dough, controlling the proofing and baking times, or adjusting temperatures. Just add your ingredients and let the bread maker do the work. Presets yield professional quality loaves time after time. Models like the Cecotec Breadmaker 02228 and Razorri VES2250 have a great variety of programs to expand your baking horizons.

One downside to presets is that you are a bit limited in terms of loaf size and shape. Most bread machines can only make a standard 1 lb to 2 lb vertical loaf. However, with a bit of creativity, you can shape doughs baked in a bread maker into other forms like rolls, flatbreads, and even pizza crusts after the bake cycle. Using the dough or manual setting gives you a blank canvas to work with.

Advanced bread machines may include other presets like jam making, dough proofing, pasta dough, and cake. This further increases the versatility of what you can make. Some models have an automatic fruit and nut dispenser that adds mix-ins at the right time in the cycle, taking another variable out of your hands.

If you're new to bread making, preset programs are invaluable. As you gain more experience and confidence with recipes, you may want to explore the custom and manual settings to gain more control over the process. But for consistent, no-fuss loaves, having a variety of intelligent presets makes baking bread so much easier.

Customization

One of the standout features of the Cecotec Breadmaker is the ability to fully customize your loaves. With 13 automatic programs to choose from, you can bake a wide variety of breads like basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, and more. But what makes it really special is the customization options within each program.

You can adjust settings like:

• Crust Color - Select light, medium, or dark crust.

• Loaf Size - Choose between 3 loaf sizes from 750g up to 1kg.

• Browning - For more or less browning on the top and bottom of the loaf.

• Time Delay - Set a delayed start up to 13 hours in advance.

• Crust - Pick soft, medium, or hard crust texture.

No other bread machine on the market allows you to fine tune so many options to bake your perfect artisan loaf. The ability to customize crust color and texture, in particular, gives you complete control over the end result.

So if you love homemade bread but want the flexibility to tweak settings for your ideal loaf, the Cecotec Breadmaker delivers. With an intuitive control panel and LCD display, customizing your bake is simple. Just select your program, adjust to your preferences, add ingredients, and let the machine work its magic.

Ease of Use

The Cecotec Delicious Bread Maker is designed to be very user-friendly and easy to operate. The control panel has a simple interface with just a few buttons to select your desired program, loaf size, and crust color.

There are no complex menus or settings to navigate. To start baking, you simply add the ingredients to the bread pan, select your settings, and press start. The appliance does the rest of the work for you.

One convenient feature is that the bread pan and kneading paddle are dishwasher safe. This makes cleanup very quick and easy after baking. There's no need to hand wash the pan or scrape dough residue. Just remove the kneading paddle and pop the pan in the dishwasher.

The viewing window in the lid allows you to check the progress of your bread without interrupting the baking cycle. Overall, the bread maker is straightforward to use even for beginners. The intuitive controls and dishwasher-safe parts make the preparation, baking, and cleanup hassle-free.

Performance

The Cecotec Delicious offers outstanding baking performance for the price. Users report the bread maker consistently produces high quality loaves with excellent texture and taste.

The machine kneads dough thoroughly for an even rise and bakes bread evenly for a delicious crust. Many reviewers mention the bread comes out with a nice soft interior and crispy crust, better than many more expensive models.

Baking programs are well designed to accurately proof and bake breads. Even tricky recipes like whole wheat, multigrain, and gluten-free turn out well. The machine reliably bakes loaf after loaf without burning or undercooking.

Reliability is excellent, with very few reports of mechanical issues even after years of frequent use. The non-stick pan releases loaves easily without tearing. Overall, the Delicious delivers exceptional baking results for homemade bread that rivals bakery quality.

Accessories

The Cecotec Delicious comes with a good range of accessories to get you started with bread making. Inside the box you'll find:

• Kneading paddle - This is used during the kneading and mixing stage. The paddle helps combine all the ingredients together into a smooth dough.

• Bread pan - The bread is baked inside this non-stick coated pan which can hold up to 900g of dough. The pan is square shaped.

• Measuring cup and spoon - Used to accurately measure ingredients like flour, yeast, salt etc. The cup holds 300ml and the spoon holds 15ml.

• Hook - This can be used to help remove the bread pan after baking. Just hook it under the pan handle and lift out.

• User manual - Includes recipes and operating instructions.

The accessories included cover everything you need to start baking right away. The paddle, pan and measuring tools are all good quality. Additional pans can be purchased separately if you want to bake multiple loaves at once.

Noise

The Cecotec Delicious 02228 bread maker operates at a moderate noise level that is typical for most bread machines. The sound levels are not overly loud or disruptive but you will hear the motor running and kneading noises while a cycle is in progress.

Some key aspects regarding the noise:

• The noise is noticeable but not excessive. You can carry on a conversation nearby without needing to raise your voice much.

• Kneading cycles are the loudest, with a whirring motor and thumping sound as the dough is worked. This lasts 15-20 minutes.

• Bake cycles generate a gentle hum from the heating element and fan.

• Mixing and resting periods are quieter with just a low motor hum.

• Overall noise is reasonable for a bread maker and won't disturb most households. It's not whisper quiet but not obtrusive either.

• Closing the lid helps muffle noise if required.

• Placement on a sturdy surface rather than thin countertop may reduce noise transmission.

So in summary, the Cecotec bread maker has moderate, average noise levels. The kneading cycles are loudest but not intolerable. Noise should not be a deterrent for most buyers.

Price

The Cecotec Delicious 02228 bread maker has an MSRP of £90, which puts it in the mid-range price point for bread makers. Overall, it offers good value for money considering its features and performance.

Some key things to consider on price:

• The 02228 is more affordable than many comparable bread makers from leading brands like Panasonic and Morphy Richards, which can cost £100-150. So it's a good option if you want quality without overspending.

• While not the cheapest bread machine you can buy, the 02228 doesn't feel "cheap" in terms of build or features. You get a sturdy, well-designed machine.

• Features like the viewing window, fruit and nut dispenser, and crust color options make it comparable to more expensive models. You're not missing out on key functionality.

• The 02228 can handle larger loaves up to 1kg, whereas some budget bread makers max out at around 700g loaves. So you get good capacity for the price.

• It comes with an array of included accessories like measuring cups, spoon, hook, and recipes. This adds extra value over the barebones machines.

Overall the Cecotec 02228 hits a sweet spot of reasonable pricing while still delivering performance, features and capacity to satisfy most home bakers. It's a good mid-range option if you want quality bread without overspending.

Conclusion

Overall, the Cecotec 02228 is a solid bread maker that offers good value for money. It has a sleek stainless steel design that will look great on any countertop. The machine comes with 12 pre-set programs, including options for basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, and gluten-free breads. You can also customize settings like crust color and loaf size.

Operation is straightforward with an LCD screen and control knob to select settings. The viewing window allows you to monitor the baking process. Performance is reliable, producing consistently well-risen loaves with good crust and texture. The non-stick pan releases bread easily. Accessories like a measuring spoon and hook are handy extras.

Noise levels are average for a bread maker. The motor hums during kneading and baking cycles. It's not overly loud, but you'll hear it running in an open concept kitchen.

At around £70, this Cecotec bread machine is competitively priced. It doesn't have as many fancy features as some pricier models, but provides excellent functionality. If you're seeking an affordable, user-friendly option that can handle basic bread recipes, the 02228 is a great choice. It would make a nice addition to any home kitchen.