Moulinex OW250110 Breadmaker - Review

The Moulinex OW250110 is a bread maker that allows you to easily bake loaves of bread at home. It has a sleek and compact design that won't take up too much counter space. With this machine, you simply add ingredients like flour, yeast, salt, and water into the bread pan, select one of the preset programs, and let the machine do the mixing, kneading, rising, and baking for you. The Moulinex OW250110 can make loaves up to 900g in size and has settings for basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, and ultra-fast breads. It also features a viewing window and internal light so you can monitor the bread as it bakes. Overall, the Moulinex OW250110 delivers simple operation and consistently delicious homemade loaves. This review will examine the key features, performance, and ease of use of this bread maker.

Design & Appearance

The Moulinex OW250110 bread maker has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. It measures approximately 410 x 260 x 330mm (16.1 x 10.2 x 13 inches) and weighs around 7kg (15.4 lbs), so it has a fairly compact footprint without taking up too much space.

The bread maker comes in a stylish white finish with silver and black accents on the control panel, giving it a clean and contemporary look. The white exterior helps keep the appearance clean even with frequent use. There are no other color options available for this particular model.

The top loading lid opens smoothly on a hinge to allow easy access when adding ingredients or removing baked bread. A viewing window in the lid lets you check the bread's progress without having to open the machine. Overall, the design focuses on being sleek, modern, and functional.

If you're looking for a more affordable bread maker option with a similar design aesthetic, consider checking out the Prixton B098TJYDR5 bread maker. This model has a very comparable sleek white finish and stainless steel accents. It's a little smaller at around 380 x 240 x 310mm (15 x 9.4 x 12.2 inches) but still substantial enough for making loaves up to 2.2 lbs.

The Prixton bread maker also has a viewing window, top loading lid, and simple control panel. While not exactly the same, it provides a comparable modern bread machine for a lower price point. The Prixton model has over 1,400 reviews on Amazon with a 4 out of 5 star overall rating, so it's a proven option if you want something affordable.

When it comes to aesthetics and design, both the Moulinex and Prixton models have attractive exteriors to match contemporary kitchen decors. The Moulinex may look a bit more premium but the Prixton gives you similar visual style at a fraction of the price. Consider your budget and visual preferences when deciding between the two.

Features

The Moulinex OW250110 Bread Maker has a number of useful features that make it easy to bake homemade bread.

Capacity

This bread maker can make loaves up to 900g, which is suitable for larger households. The viewing window allows you to check on the size and rise of your bread as it bakes. With a 900g capacity, you can make large loaves to feed the whole family or even have leftovers for sandwiches the next day.

Cycles

There are 12 automatic programs to choose from including Basic, French, Whole Wheat, Sweet, Ultra Fast, Dough, Jam, Sandwich and Gluten Free options. This allows you to easily bake a variety of bread styles. With so many options, you can experiment with different types of breads from basic white loaves to artisan French bread.

Settings

The machine has 3 crust color settings - light, medium and dark. You can also choose between 3 loaf sizes - 500g, 700g and 900g. There are 3 difficulty levels for kneading - low, medium and high. A 13 hour delay start timer means you can wake up to freshly baked bread. The ability to customize the crust, size, and kneading makes it easy to fine-tune your loaf.

If you're looking for an alternative, the Panasonic SD-R2530KXE is another great bread machine option. It has a larger 1kg maximum loaf capacity and 14 auto programs. There is also an automatic fruit and nut dispenser to add mix-ins evenly. The LCD display is easy to use and it has a 13 hour preset timer as well. With the Panasonic, you can make basic loaves, whole wheat, French, sweet breads, jam, and more. Both the Moulinex and Panasonic bread makers have lots of versatility so you can enjoy homemade bread whenever you want.

Ease of Use

The Moulinex OW250110 bread maker has an intuitive control panel that makes it very easy to use. The LCD display is clear and easy to read, allowing you to easily select your desired program and crust color.

There are 12 pre-set programs to choose from including basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, and gluten free. You simply turn the knob to your desired program, add the ingredients to the non-stick bread pan, and press start. The machine does the rest.

Programming the Moulinex is very simple. You can choose a delayed start up to 15 hours in advance, allowing you to wake up to freshly baked bread. There are 3 crust color options - light, medium, and dark. You can also select loaf sizes up to a 1.5 pound capacity.

The viewing window allows you to monitor the bread as it bakes without having to open the machine. An audible beep notifies you when the cycle is complete. Overall, the intuitive interface and pre-programmed settings make this bread machine extremely easy to use right out of the box.

Performance

The Moulinex OW250110 Breadmaker delivers excellent baking performance and consistently produces delicious homemade loaves. It features a powerful 550W motor that efficiently kneads dough to the perfect consistency. The kneading paddle does a great job of thoroughly mixing ingredients and developing gluten without overworking the dough.

Baking results are consistently impressive. The loaves have a lovely browned crust and a light, airy texture on the inside. The bread is evenly baked without any dense or uncooked spots. This breadmaker can handle a variety of doughs from basic white bread to whole wheat, French, sweet breads, and pizza dough. It reliably allows dough to rise properly before baking.

The Moulinex provides flexibility with three crust color settings - light, medium, and dark. So you can achieve the desired crust darkness. There are also 12 pre-programmed settings for making different types of bread, along with 3 manual modes that allow full customization. Overall, the performance and baking capabilities of this breadmaker are exceptional.

Noise Level

The Moulinex OW250110 Bread Maker has a relatively quiet motor and operation compared to other bread makers. The noise level is acceptable for a kitchen appliance that performs mixing, kneading, and baking.

The noise is primarily generated during the kneading cycle when the blades are aggressively mixing and working the dough. This tends to be in the range of 60-70 decibels which is about the level of normal conversation. Some reviewers note you may need to turn up the volume on the TV while it kneads.

Once the kneading is complete, the noise level drops down as it simply allows the dough to rise and bake. During baking, the noise is minimal, just the light hum of a fan circulating air. This makes it unobtrusive if making bread while doing other activities or having conversations in the kitchen.

Overall, the noise is not excessive, certainly quieter than a blender or food processor. If concerned about noise, placing the bread maker in a corner of the kitchen or on a rubber mat can dampen vibrations and keep it as quiet as possible during operation. But in general, it should not disturb most households.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Keeping the Moulinex OW250110 clean is fairly straightforward. The non-stick bread pan lifts out for easy cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher. Be sure to avoid abrasive scouring pads, as they can damage the non-stick coating over time.

The viewing window and exterior can be wiped down as needed with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid submerging or soaking the bread maker.

It's a good idea to clean the kneading paddle and bread pan after each use to prevent baked-on residue. Allow all parts to fully cool before cleaning. The paddle can be hand washed or placed in the top rack of the dishwasher.

Take care not to get the interface panel wet when cleaning the exterior. A barely damp cloth is sufficient for wiping away dust or spills on the outside.

Overall, the Moulinex bread maker doesn't require extensive cleaning or maintenance. Just be sure to keep the bread pan and paddle clean, while wiping down the exterior as needed.

Value for Money

The Moulinex OW250110 Bread Maker offers excellent value considering its features and performance. At around £120, it sits at the lower end of the typical price range for bread makers, making it very affordable.

Despite the lower price point, the Moulinex comes with a 3 year warranty which is as good as more expensive models. This gives great peace of mind on the build quality and durability.

Compared to other leading brands like Panasonic and Morphy Richards, the Moulinex holds up very well. It matches their functionality and programs while costing noticeably less. Models with similar features from other brands are usually £150-£180.

The Moulinex also has a good sized bread pan at 900g capacity which can make loaves up to 900g in weight. Many comparably priced bread makers only accommodate up to 700g loaves.

Overall, the Moulinex OW250110 provides tremendous value for money. For the price, you get an excellent bread maker that can deliver consistent, high quality loaves. It's a great option for anyone looking for an affordable but fully-featured bread machine.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Large 1.5 lb loaf capacity
• 15 pre-programmed settings for different bread types
• Easy to use control panel with LCD screen
• Timer for delayed baking up to 13 hours
• "Keep Warm" function for freshly baked bread
• Non-stick baking pan for easy cleaning
• 2 kneading paddles included
• Compact design saves counter space

Cons:

• No gluten-free or whole wheat settings
• Kneading paddle can get stuck in bread
• No fruit & nut dispenser like higher end models
• Louder than some comparable bread makers
• Only 1-year warranty

Overall, the Moulinex OW250110 bread maker provides excellent value and performance for the price point. The generous loaf capacity, pre-programmed settings, delay timer, and keep warm function make it easy to get professional results. Downsides are the lack of specialty settings, noise level, and short warranty compared to premium models. For most home bakers needing a basic, affordable bread machine, the pros seem to outweigh the cons.

Conclusion & Recommendation

Overall, the Moulinex OW250110 Bread Maker is a great option for making bread at home. It's easy to use, even for beginners, with 19 pre-set programs and 3 loaf sizes to choose from. The viewing window is handy for monitoring the baking process. Performance is solid, producing well-risen and evenly baked loaves with good crusts. The non-stick pan also makes it simple to remove finished loaves.

Noise levels are reasonable and won't disturb you too much. Cleaning is straightforward as long as you don't let ingredients dry and stick inside. The machine feels sturdy and well-built considering the price point.

There are some downsides - options are fairly basic compared to higher end models, and the paddle leaves an unnatural hole in the bottom of the loaf. But for the price, it represents excellent value and is a great entry level option if you're new to bread making.

Overall, I would recommend the Moulinex OW250110 Bread Maker. It delivers tasty homemade loaves with minimal fuss. The simple interface and solid performance make it a great choice for budding home bakers. As long as you don't need fancy settings or have high expectations of perfection, it's an excellent and affordable way to start making your own bread.