Absolutely delicious bread while it lasts
582727
I have made bread by hand, on and off since I was a child, but wanted the convenience of a bread machine for those times I don't have time. Now the last bread machine I tried about 10 years ago was a dud-- didn't last long and the bread wasn't that good, so I was skeptical, but willing to try again...Well the Panasonic SD-YD250 Automatic Bread Maker with Yeast Dispenser makes absolutely delicious bread. Within the two weeks I have owned it, I have tried the basic white, whole wheat, french, and apple raisin and all turned out yummy! I am ashamed to say this, but the bread is almost better than mine in some regards. The flavor and texture are great. I decided to just use the ounce/fluid ounce measurements given in the recipes instead of the alternate standard cups/spoons measurements provided just so I would know how good the bread is if I am the most accurate, and I cannot complain. I will continue to measure ingredients this way. It is not difficult and I noticed that when, just for interest sake, I compared how much flour I had accurately weighed out and then saw how many cups that equalled, that it was a definite difference; it came up quite short of the number of cups they said you should use if measuring with cups. Also, just of interest, I didn't have bread flour, so instead used all-purpose but added gluten at a ratio of 1-2 Tablespoons per 2-3 cups of flour and combined it well with the flour before adding to the machine and it has worked out really well. In addition, since my daughter is vegan, I have omitted the dry milk powder from the recipes as well as substituted vegan margarine in all the recipes with no negative affects noted. The only drawbacks with the machine it seems to me include a manual which could be written a little more clearly, and the fact that I feel like bread dough gets stuck in the kneading paddle center/shaft even after soaking. Maybe I am being picky, but I guess I like the machine so much that I don't want crumbs getting stuck inside the paddle to interfere with the workings of it so I take a Q-tip and clean it out every time... To sum up: Beside the fact that I can't speak to the longevity of the bread machine, I highly recommend!!!

Update 7/27/15: I've knocked two stars off of my rating because it died last month--about one year the machine lasted. Now I know its longevity unfortunately! I just don't believe that a one year lifespan for this product is acceptable. And I can't get myself purchase another one... spending that amount of money, with it possibly lasting only one year again... : (
952251
This is the first bread machine my husband and I have ever owned, so while I can't compare it to other machines, I can say that the West Bend has absolutely delighted us from its first use.  We are not experienced bakers, so this machine must be very forgiving because it has turned out terrific loaves of bread, time after time, without a single ugly-looking or off-tasting mistake.

The machine really does complete the entire bread-making process in 45 minutes, which is terrific because I can put the ingredients in the machine, turn it on, and by the time I finish cooking the rest of the meal, the bread is done!  The loaf is easy to remove from the pan, and clean-up has been a snap.  The machine goes through only one rise cycle and requires an entire packet of quick-rise yeast, which does give the bread a slightly "yeastier" taste and aroma than other breads.  But we still find the bread delicious and are not at all bothered by the slight yeastiness.  To us, it just tastes hearty and flavorful.

As others have said, the baked loaf is a very cute oval shape (not a weird, tall cylinder, like full-sized machines apparently make) and is perfect for two people.  To be honest, it's really more than enough bread for two; we slice it into about 5 or 6 slices (3/4-inch wide), and usually save 2 of those slices for later, to have as an after-dinner treat with some sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top.  For comparison, if you eat at Outback or Lone Star Steakhouse, the West Bend loaf is taller and produces a few more slices than the brown bread loaf they bring you as a free appetizer at those restaurants.  Those who think the West Bend loaf is too small for a two-person accompaniment to dinner are probably in the habit of eating very large portions.  (Technically, ONE 3/4-inch slice of this bread is ONE serving, so if 3 slices aren't enough for you, it's really not the fault of the machine.)

I give this product 5 stars because it's a quality, reliable machine at a great price; it has unfailingly produced great loaves of bread with nice shapes, perfect crusts, and soft, yummy interiors every time, despite our inexperience with bread-baking; and it has eliminated the 3-4 hour wait normally required for home-baked bread.  We love it and would buy another in a heartbeat if ours ever gives out.
583246
I purchased one seven years ago and used it constantly.  I bought another for my son last year, and they love it.  Now that my first one ran out its life, I bought another one for myself.  And I have now discovered making artisan breads.

The only down side is that the paddle sometimes doesn't get all the flour in the corners.  This is very easily remedied by pouring a couple tablespoon fulls of water in the corners when the fast mix cycle begins.

I definitely recommend this Bread Maker
453441
I have had this machine for 11 years now. The first 9 of it sat unused in storage because the first few attempts to make bread were unsuccessful. Determined to make it work I pulled it out again and after making bread for a year now Ive been using it on a regular basis (once or twice a week). Ive decided that it works great for the dough cycle, and making jam is nice too. I like whole wheat bread and it just doesnt rise in this machine for whatever reason. The dough cycle is perfect. After that, pull it out and put it into a loaf pan and your bread will be perfect everytime. I feel embarrassed that I haven't been using this all along. But now we have fresh amazing homemade bread for a fraction of the cost of storebought bread. The only thing reason I gave this a four is because after a year or two of regular use this breadpan is getting pretty beat up- the nonstick coating on it is starting to come up and I need to replace it. However the cost of replacing it is $40. That I feel, is way too steep a price comparing the cost of the bread machine itself.
2099892
This bread is wonderful. It has a great flavor and very moist.  It makes great sandwiches and toast.  I highly recommend it.  Some GF breads I have tried have a great flavor but are very crumbly when sliced. This bread slices well and tastes great.
3636415
My husband & Ilove this bread!  I usually make a nice, hearty lunch sandwich with it to take to work. The bread is dense with a nutty grainy flavor. I use my Kitcheaid stand mixer & make 2 loaves at once, so the machine does all the work for me. It also freezes well. Buying the mix with "subscribe & save" also saves money.
3991960
I have purchased this bread many times and I have a hard time believing it's gluten free because it actually tastes good! It has such a fantastic flavor, and very aromatic. Plus, I highly recommend you use this as pizza bread. Just get some pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni and cook it at 400 for about 30 minutes (and I put it on broil for a while so the top cooks), and you will have good pizza. I will definitely buy this again.
3272475
Hands down, one of the best recipe books I've ever owned. Every loaf of bread I've baked since using this book has been the most delicious bread I've ever eaten. My friend from Poland says it reminds her of bread from the old country. I won't make bread unless I use poolish now. With that being said, I actually don't eat bread anymore or bake it but this book is so wonderful and knowledgeable that I plan on holding onto it forever.
4121665
This bread is delicious ! Almost tastes like a snack . I'm allergic to wheat and it's hard to find anything without it . I also buy Ezekiel bread, I use it for French toast .
4597007
This book got me back to baking bread, something I did regularly twenty years ago.  The lure of whisking up a (wet) dough and letting it sit in the fridge and wait for me to bake it was irresistible.  The bread is delicious, the crumb is unbelievable: how did humans not figure this out centuries ago? Seriously...you don't need to knead.  Sales of bread machines and KitchenAids must be tumbling.  Okay, it doesn't really save as much time as you think.  You still have to stir it up and let it sit, but that can be anywhere from 2 to 5 hours...pretty loose standards.  And you have to form it into a loaf and let it sit again for 2 hours (they say 45 minutes...but longer is better when the dough is cold).  But the bread is absolutely delicious.  Lots of variations to try, all good.  We always have a pile of olive oil dough in the fridge now, for homemade pizzas and breadsticks.  I have to think we've already saved over a couple hundred dollars in pizza delivery...the homemade is SO much better.  They teach the technique...I bet I can write my own recipes following their formula.  Highest recommendation.
715389
I am obsessed with this thing. I have used it a ton since I got it. Yeah, thicker bread doesn't work the best. But I use it at least once a week.
853026
I bought this book more than a year ago and reserved my review until I  carefully and thoughroughly tried many of the recipes. My conclusion is  that it is EXCELLENT in regards to being a machine oriented bread  book.
What is good about the recipes is that I could alter them a bit  (with different berries, or nuts, added or deleted) and the bread still  turned out very well.  I found with a well rounded grocery list of staples,  I could get a huge variety of breads that satisfied the entire  family.
Bread Machines are great, especially if you use them to do the  dough and go to the extra effort to put them in your own oven.  I was  really impressed with the variety in the book.  I especially love the  machines when cold weather comes upon us, as there is just nothing better  than fresh baked bread on a winter/fall day.
If you are reluctant to  experiment, try this book. It is pretty much a sure bet for just about any  recipe.
896885
I have really enjoyed this machine.  I have used it for years and the results have been consistently good.  It "danced" itself off my countertop one day while kneading.  The plastic broke but the machine still works fine.  I thought about replacing it since I don't want to leave it unattended with the broken plastic but I can't find a bread machine that has consistently good reviews so I'm going to hang onto this one until it finally dies.
1560521
This bread tastes really good, but the problem I had with it is; that it gets soggy and falls apart even after just a day in the fridge. It won't stand up so you can't toast it, I had to use the toaster oven so I could lay it flat.
1644013
I gotta tell you, I love this bread.  The nuts add a wonderful crunch to the bread.  Toasting it makes it even more crunchy. It is a very dense bread so one slice cut in half makes a very satisfying sandwich.  Throw some sauted veggies and scrambled eggs and you have a meal.  Wonderful.
Some local grocery stores carry it, so am happy to buy it locally as well.
I should probably order it a case at a time because I discovered that my lovely counter surfing boxer loves it to.  I  bought a loaf last night and while  in the shower this morning, she devoured the entire loaf!  Today is her 4th birthday so I'll say happy birthday girl, but if you do it again, you might not make it to your 5th birthday (JUST KIDDING!).  Anyhow, that was the second loaf she ate.  The first was only a partial loaf.
We are both very satisfied with the product.
2111218
Have seen this bread on the shelves of the higher end grocery stores.  Finally gave it a try.  First time I tried it untoasted, and used it to make a sandwich.  Wasn't really impressed.  But later, I toasted this bread.  I have to say that, when toasted, it's one of the best breads I've ever had.  A very chewy, almost caramel-like consistency that's very tasty.

However, I can't buy this bread any longer, because I object to the name.  I'd thought this "Dave" guy featured on the bread's wrapper was a health advocate bodybuilder, who made a great ("killer") bread.  But I now see that he was a violent felon, and the term "killer" is being used by this company as a coy reference to his outlaw past.  I understand that this bread company does hire ex-cons and it is to be commended for that.  But I can't approve of their glorifying violence, and I can come to no other conclusion but that this is what they're doing with their "killer"marketing campaign.

A bread that is every bit as good and even better than this brand is the Eureka organic bread.
724457
I had doubts about this bread as I was making it, because the dough was very sticky, making it difficult to knead and form the dough, but the final baked product was so good!  Crunchy outside, doughy and not too sweet on the inside with raisins giving it a burst of sweetness here and there.  To die for with butter on it!