Zojirushi BBCCX20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread Machine
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Zojirushi BBCCX20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread Machine
Customer Review: Bread Pan Leaks After 45 Loaves
Summary: 1 Stars
Bottom Line: The bread pan developed a leak after about 45 loaves and Zojirushi would not agree to replace the pan because the warranty had recently expired.
I purchased the Zojirushi BBCC-X20 and enjoyed using it for approximately 1 year. I carefully read all the instructions and always made sure to clean the inside of the baking pan with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a non-abrasive sponge in order to protect its no-stick surface. I made approximately one loaf each week that I was home. I made the same wheat bread recipe every time. However, the machine started to malfunction after making about 45 loaves. The finished loaves began to be very dry and sometimes the machine would produce hardened dough rather than bread. I then realized that the bread pan was leaking at one of the rotating shafts and the no-stick surface was coming warn just below both kneading blades. If I filled the pan with a cup of water and set it on a counter, approximately 1 tablespoon of water would leak out in just one minute. Clearly this leak was the source of the reason the machine was failing.
Zojirushi's customer service representative explained to me that the material used to seal the rotating shaft typically deteriorates after about 18 months of use and results in the symptoms that I was experiencing. My interpretation of this statement is that the product is flawed by design, and that my experience was not unusual in any way. In a polite tone the customer service representative explained that the warranty had expired. He recommended that I purchase a new baking pan for $60 and offered to waive the shipping costs. He would not respond to my question about whether it was reasonable for a customer to expect an appliance, if well cared for, to last more than one year.
I would not recommend that others purchase this appliance if they would like it to operate for more than one year. If you are okay with a bread machine lasting only a short time I would consider buying one of the lower-priced models made by another manufacturer. The Zojirushi BBCC-X20 bread machine, however, is a failed product.
Customer Review: I LOVE this bread machine!
Summary: 5 Stars
I decided to purchase a bread machine to make bread for my sister. She's highly sensitive to any product (bread or otherwise) made with fluoridated water (causes MS symptoms) and I couldn't find a bread anywhere that wasn't made with water that had fluoride added by the water supplier. I contacted a LOT of bread manufacturers, all with the same answer: fluoridated water.
So, I did a lot of research on bread machines. This machine is terrific! And the recipes in the accompanying book are great. I've made a lot of loaves since my purchase and all but one came out perfectly. Regarding the one that didn't: I decided to skip the warm-up cycle (which warms the ingredients before it starts kneading) and the bread fell a bit on the top center during the baking process. It still tasted fantastic, though. However, I do recommend that you don't skip the warm-up cycle for the ingredients.
I always use the light crust setting because we prefer lighter crusts. It's the perfect color for us. I like both "crusty" type breads and softer crust breads, but my sister prefers the softer crust. To make hers soft, I wrap the loaf in dry paper towels and seal the loaf in a plastic bag a few minutes after getting it out of the pan. When it has cooled completely, I remove it from the bag, remove the paper towels, pat the surface of the bread with a dry paper towel, and store it in a clean, dry plastic bag. It's absolutely awesome.
The machine is quiet, easy to use, and easy to clean. The kneading process is thorough and the baking process controls the heat perfectly. The finished breads are equally yummy made on all the settings (basic, quick, basic wheat, etc.). The only thing I haven't tried yet are my own recipes with the user control settings. The recipes supplied are so good that I just haven't felt the need to try anything else. DO, however, make sure that you use a good BREAD FLOUR. It makes a world of difference.
My highest reccomendation. And my sister can now eat bread again that's fluoride-free and made with the freshest, most wholesome ingredients.
Customer Review: Bad machine and worst customer service
Summary: 1 Stars
I got this machine as a gift from my husband and I really really wanted to like it. BUT - after 6 months of use, I must say this is the worst machine I have ever had.
Fist, once the machine starts baking, you can't adjust the time. That means if your bread needs few extra minutes, you have to finish it in the conventional oven. With my old breadman the bread always came out with a nice crust, with Zojirushi no matter what crust setting I choose, the top is always much much lighter then the sides and bottom and not crusty at all. I called the customer service few times and they are like robots, first they adviced me to use different kind of yeast, even though I said the loaf rised over the top of the pan, then they said to use fresher ingredients and lastly they said NO bread machine bakes the top as well as the sides. What a lie, my old machine did.
So since I didn't like the bread with unbaked top, I would only make dough in the machine and bake it in the oven. I must say that this machine kneads well and the dough rises nicely.
After few months of use, it started leaking motor oil into dough {where the kneading blades are attached to the pan}. So again, I called the customer service and the lady was very surprised it happeden after once it is in the warranty, because, she said, it usually happens between the fist and second year of use and then the pan is no longer good!!!! So, they actually make the baking pan to only last for a year, so you would spend $80 for a new baking pan every one or two years!!! {that is what other new breadmakers cost!!!} Since it was in the warranty, I send it back and they refused to send me a new one, because - according to them, my machine was OVERUSED!!!!!! I mean, what is overused?????? I did use it every other day, sometimes even daily, but is nothing in the manual saying how often you are actually supposed to use the machine!!!!
I am done with this company, I will not purchase a new baking pan, instead I am going to buy Breadman corner bakery. At least I heard their customer servise is good.
Customer Review: Zojirushi bread machine
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this bread machine three days and WOW!! It has consistently produced excellent whole wheat bread every time. I watched the DVD video and payed special attention as to where they placed the ingredients in the pan. I love this machine! My wife passed away a few months ago and she always made bread by hand and it was always delicious. I missed the smell of bread baking in the oven so my brothers wife suggested I get a bread machine. I researched all of them and kept coming back to the Zojirushi. I have the Zojirushi 3-cup rice maker and it works flawlessly so I knew I couldn't go wrong with their bread machine. It came very well packaged and all parts were included. My first loaf was awesome and the crumb was beautiful. The machine is not small but I have a huge center island in the kitchen so it looks good just sitting there. I have read some reviews for competing machines where the complaint was that they were too loud. For me, this machine is quiet. I don't have any experience with other machines so I am a little biased here in regards to sound output. This machine is not cheap so you get exactly what you pay for, a well built and very functional appliance, for your kitchen. The instructional manual contains recipes so if you are like me and have never used a bread machine the included recipes come in handy and they produce incredible tasting bread the first time. The DVD is well done and shows us novice bread makers important steps in the bread making process. An example, when you put your ingredients into the baking pan you must never let the yeast touch the water. I have no idea why this step is important but learning that one thing I suspect was why the bread comes out fantastic. You can even set what level of browness you want the crust to be. I truly enjoy using this bread machine for several reasons. The most important is that it is the top of the line in machines, has an easy to use the digital interface and when it is baking the bread it fills the house full of the beautiful aroma of baking bread and just that makes me very happy.Customer Review: Exceeding Expectations!
Summary: 5 Stars
The only daily problem I have had with this machine is how to pronounce its name. I've owned a couple bread machines prior to this one. I'm not a bread making pro but we are bread eating pros in this family. A nice loaf can often make or break a meal. This bread maker is easy to use and makes an excellent loaf of bread. Just follow the directions. If you are tempted, as I often am, to experiment just make sure you read and understand some principles in bread making. If my experimental loaf does not come out as well as I wish, I refer to the manual's last pages where suggestions are made. They really work well.
The Zojirushi is easy to use. Its not as quiet as I was lead to believe but its certainly a lot quieter than my former bread makers. The directions are easy step-by-step directions and the troubleshooting section at the end of the manual is awesome for perfecting your loaves. The bread comes out as good or better than bakery bread in both appearance and especially taste. This machine really makes it easy while allowing for your own creativity. Just put in your ingredients in the required order, press the darkness level and then start. Sit back, relax and in about 3 hours you will smell a fresh loaf of bread baking. The loaf is comes out in the shape of those in the store.
The Zojirushi makers forgot to add a substitution list to the manual. For instance, I use real milk, not powdered milk. The manual tells you this is fine but fails to make the conversion from water and power to liquid milk. The other upgrade they could make is to allow a pause for better rising of heavy loaves. Finally will someone tell this company to pack the video in DVD format. What is it with this ancient VHS format movie. I have not been able to view it. lol
If you are truly a novice, like me, willing to follow directions and read the directions, principles and hints prior jumping into that first loaf you make perfect bread of your choice each time. I strongly recommend this bread maker for the average or novice user.