Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA Breadmaker - Review

The Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA Virtuoso Breadmaker is one of Zojirushi's premium bread making machines designed for home bakers who want excellent results. This versatile appliance can make a variety of breads with customizable settings and features that simplify the breadmaking process.

In this review, we will take an in-depth look at the design, features, performance, reliability, noise level, ease of use, cleaning and maintenance, and value for money of the Zojirushi Virtuoso Breadmaker. Key pros and cons of the machine will also be highlighted to help you determine if this bread maker is the right choice for your needs. Whether you are an experienced or novice home baker, this review covers everything you need to know about using the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA bread machine.

Design and Appearance

The Zojirushi Virtuoso Breadmaker has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. It has a stainless steel exterior that is fingerprint resistant to help keep it looking clean. The breadmaker measures 14.8 x 11.8 x 8.5 inches, making it a good size without taking up too much space. It weighs around 16 pounds, so it's sturdy but not too heavy to move around.

This model comes in a silver/stainless steel color that gives it an elegant, high-end look. The interior bread pan has a nonstick coating for easy release and cleanup. All of the materials are high quality and designed for durability.

Overall, the Virtuoso breadmaker has an attractive, contemporary design with premium finishes. The compact size and neutral color options allow it to seamlessly blend into most kitchen decors. The sleek stainless steel exterior and modern styling make this bread machine a stylish addition to any countertop.

In terms of functionality, the intuitive control panel and easy-to-read LCD display allow you to easily program the various settings and options. The viewing window in the lid lets you monitor the bread as it bakes without having to open the machine. This allows the interior temperature to remain consistent for better rising and baking results.

The Virtuoso breadmaker comes with two kneading blades - one for regular loaves and one for gluten-free recipes. It also includes a measuring cup and spoon for adding ingredients. The nonstick inner bread pan is nicely contoured for even rising and baking. It's easy to insert and remove from the machine.

If you're looking for a high-quality bread machine that looks as good as it performs, the Zojirushi Virtuoso is an excellent option. With its stylish exterior, intuitive controls, and array of settings, it can handle all your bread baking needs. The modern design will elevate the look of any kitchen while also delivering delicious homemade loaves.

Features

The Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA bread maker has a number of excellent features that make it easy and convenient to use.

Capacity

• The bread maker has a 1 pound loaf capacity, suitable for making a standard sized loaf of bread. It can make loaves up to 2.5 pounds.

Settings and Modes

• There are 3 crust color settings - light, medium and dark to suit different preferences.
• It has a rapid bread cycle that can make bread in under 3 hours.
• There are 12 pre-set menu options for different types of bread like basic, whole wheat, multigrain, quick bread, cake and jam.

Timer

• The breadmaker has a programmable timer that allows delaying the start of the baking cycle by up to 13 hours. This allows flexibility to have fresh bread ready when needed.

Accessories

• It comes with a measuring cup and spoon, and a removable bread pan for easy cleaning. The viewing window in the lid allows monitoring the bread as it bakes.

The Zojirushi bread maker is an excellent choice for home bakers who want the convenience of being able to make delicious homemade bread with minimal effort. Its versatile programming and settings allow making everything from basic white bread to more artisanal loaves with whole grains. The timer function gives flexibility to have fresh bread ready right when you need it. Overall, the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA combines ease of use with the ability to bake a variety of breads.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Moulinex OW6101 is also a great choice. This bread maker has a 1.5 pound capacity and also includes preset programs for different bread types. While it doesn't have as many settings as the Zojirushi, the Moulinex provides excellent value for money. It can make basic white and whole wheat breads, as well as options like French bread, quick bread, and cake. The Moulinex bread maker allows customizing the crust color and has a 13 hour delay timer. At around half the price of the Zojirushi, it's a great budget-friendly option that can produce delicious homemade loaves.

When choosing a bread machine, consider how frequently you plan to use it and what types of bread you want to make. The Zojirushi has more versatility in settings and bread options, while the Moulinex provides great value for making basic loaves. Look at the capacities, settings, and extra features like delayed start timers to decide which bread maker best fits your baking needs. Either of these machines can help you easily make fresh, homemade bread on your schedule.

Ease of Use

The Zojirushi Virtuoso Breadmaker is designed to be very easy and intuitive to use. The control panel is straightforward with an LCD display that clearly shows the selected program, crust setting, and timer.

There are three crust color settings to choose from - light, medium, and dark. You simply press the crust control button to cycle through the options. The LCD displays an icon indicating which crust setting is selected.

Setting up a baking program is very simple. The breadmaker has pre-programmed menu settings for basic white bread, whole wheat bread, multigrain bread, quick bread, and more. You just select the appropriate menu button for the type of bread you want to make.

Within each program, you can further customize settings like loaf size and crust color. The machine will automatically adjust kneading, rising, and baking times based on your selections.

The included instruction manual provides clear directions and plenty of tips and tricks. It covers the basics well for first-time bread machine users. The manual also includes dozens of recipes to get started.

Overall, the intuitive control panel, presets, display, and manual make the Virtuoso one of the easiest and most user-friendly breadmakers to operate right out of the box. The learning curve is minimal for new users.

Bread Making Performance

The Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA consistently produces high quality loaves with excellent crust and texture. The bread comes out with nice oven spring and an even, golden brown crust. The loaves have a soft, airy interior with a pleasant chew.

The machine does an excellent job with the fermentation and proofing process to develop gluten and flavor. The dough rises well and bakes into loaves with good volume. The horizontal loaf shape allows for nice expansion.

One of the standout features is the dual blade that thoroughly kneads the dough. This results in great gluten development and an even texture throughout the loaf. Even whole wheat and multigrain breads come out with a smooth, elastic crumb.

The heating element and baking cycle are very effective at producing loaves with an ideal internal temperature and no undercooked spots. The crust comes out crispy without being overly hard. Overall, the bread making performance of this machine is exceptional.

Reliability

The Zojirushi Virtuoso Breadmaker is known for its exceptional durability and reliability. The stainless steel body is sturdy and built to last through years of frequent use.

Zojirushi offers an impressive 1-year warranty on parts and labor, demonstrating confidence in the product's reliability. Should any issues arise, Zojirushi has great customer service to promptly address problems.

Reviews widely praise the Virtuoso's reliability, even after years of ownership. The kneading blade, heating element, and other components continue functioning like new. Owners mention making several loaves of bread every week without any decline in performance.

The Virtuoso garners rave reviews for its consistency in producing high quality loaves time after time. Settings are precise and the results are predictably excellent. Owners find the Virtuoso extremely dependable for turning out perfect bread loaves for their families.

Noise Level

The Zojirushi Virtuoso Breadmaker is impressively quiet while in operation. Users report very little noise during the kneading cycle, with just a soft whirring sound that is comparable to a quiet kitchen appliance. Even at high speeds, the kneading blade produces minimal noise that won't disturb conversations.

Once the baking cycle starts, the fan noise is noticeable but not intrusive. It hums softly in the background. Some users note you may hear intermittent sounds of the bread baking and rising, but nothing loud or disruptive. The fan helps circulate hot air during baking, but it isn't overly loud or distracting.

Overall, the Virtuoso Breadmaker is much quieter than most other bread machines. The motor and fan noise are muted, and the kneading and baking cycles happen without a lot of bothersome sounds. This appliance can operate in the background without becoming a nuisance. If you're looking for a quiet bread machine, the Zojirushi Virtuoso is an excellent choice.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Zojirushi Virtuoso Breadmaker is very easy to keep clean. The non-stick interior pan lifts out for fast and simple cleaning. You can either handwash it or put it in the dishwasher.

The viewing window and the lid can accumulate some condensation and crumbs during the bread making process. It's recommended to wipe these down after each use. The body of the breadmaker just needs an occasional wipe down with a damp cloth if any flour or other ingredients get on the outside.

Overall, users report that the Zojirushi Virtuoso Breadmaker requires very little effort to keep clean. The non-stick pan prevents baked-on messes, so cleaning is quick and painless. Just be sure to wipe up any condensation or crumbs from the lid and window after each loaf. With minimal maintenance, this breadmaker will continue performing for years of bread making.

Value for Money

The Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA breadmaker provides excellent value for money given its build quality, features, and performance. This model is priced around £250 which puts it at the higher end of the market but the price is justified.

Compared to other leading breadmakers such as Panasonic and Morphy Richards, the Zojirushi is more expensive but offers superior quality. The sturdy stainless steel construction makes it feel like a premium appliance built to last many years of frequent use.

Considering the versatility of this machine with its wide range of programs and settings, it can produce a huge variety of breads, jams, cakes and more. So it eliminates the need to buy several other standalone appliances like a cake mixer or jam maker.

The large bread making capacity produces loaves up to 2.5lbs, which gives better value than smaller capacity machines. With Zojirushi's excellent reputation for reliability and durability, owners can expect to enjoy this breadmaker for at least 5-10 years before needing a replacement.

Overall, while the upfront cost is higher, the Zojirushi Virtuoso breadmaker delivers excellent long-term value by combining high-end construction, versatile functionality, and reliable performance. For avid home bakers that make bread frequently, it's a worthwhile investment.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Large 2.0 lb bread capacity, suitable for large families.

• Intuitive control panel with LCD screen makes it easy to select settings and programs.

• Offers a total of 20 baking functions including basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, and gluten-free bread options.

• Dual kneading blades provide thorough mixing and even baking.

• Features 3 crust color settings - light, medium and dark.

• 13-hour delay start timer for flexibility.

• Keep Warm function holds the bread at the ideal serving temperature for up to 60 minutes.

• Sturdy, stainless steel exterior for durability.

• Comes with measuring cups and spoons, and a recipe book.

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other bread makers.

• Large footprint, takes up considerable counter space.

• Kneading paddle leaves a hole in the bottom of the loaf.

• No viewing window to monitor the bread as it bakes.

• Dense/heavy bread texture reported by some users.

• May require some trial and error to achieve best results.