On 30 Sep 2006 09:14:40 +0200, Wayne Boatwright
<wayneboatwright_at_gmail.com> wrote:

>
>Following up to my own post... There have been so many great responses to my
>question, that I want to thank each of you. It's been very helpful to read
>all your comments. I think I've decided to buy a machine *after* we move. I
>doubt I'd really use it before then.
>

One piece of advice- if you buy a machine and like it a lot, buy an
extra pan from the manufacturer ASAP. I love my machine but I make a
lot of whole wheat bread and the rough flour wore down the non-stick
lining (constant use for over 12 yr). Plus, if something happens to
the rotor mechanism for the paddle, it is helpful to have another. Of
course you're gambline that the machine itself will outlast the pans,
as mine has.

I bought a second pan when I first got my machine and had to use it
after 5-6 yr, when the paddle rotor started to turn with difficulty.
(It's sealed so it's not like it can be oiled or repaired). By that
time, the company no longer made that model or replacement pans
(actually, the company's line has been taken over by another company).
Now, 5-6 yr after putting the second pan into service, the non-stick
is wearing off. I can get around it to a degree by letting the bread
cool for 10 min in the pan. That softens the crust enough to get it
out but it deteriorates the quality of the crust.

In any case, I doubled (at least) the lifespan of the ABM by buying
the second pan while the model was still available. The pan was
expensive ($40) but kept a working machine out of the landfill for a
while longer.

I am not excited about taking a chance on buying a new machine because
mine makes 1.5 lb loaves and I hate to dispose of an appliance which
essentially works fine. The new ones which make 2 lb do so by making
fatter loaves rather than longer/taller loaves. The larger slices are
(a) too big for a sandwich and (b) the slices don't fit in my sandwich
keepers. I can't have a horizontal loaf machine, one of the reasons
being that they take up too much counter space.

On the upside, the newer machines seem to have more durable, heavier
pans; on the downside, that will probably affect the character of the
crust. The crust on bread from my machine was exactly how I liked it
(thin and crispy).

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!