After using a friend's Oster/Sunbeam breadmaker for a couple of months, I got hooked on the idea of making my own bread. Since I didn't need a full-size 2lb. model, I decided to try this 1.5lb unit. What appealed to me at first was the compact footprint and the oversized viewing window.
The burn-off issue described here and elsewhere on the web is pretty accurate. My package included a correction sheet for the manual that clarifies that the pan should be in the machine when you run it dry the first time. This may explain why some people reported that the dome window was melting. Anyhow, I ran the machine outside with a bit of water in the pan and that worked out fine.
After that, it was time to try my first white bread. The machine is pretty noisy compared to the Sunbeam model I'd first used. Unless your bedroom is far enough from the kitchen, you will hear this sucker if you decide to use the delay timer for morning fresh bread.
The first loaf I made was a failure since Fleischmann's active dry yeast (unlike others) is not suitable for bread machines. The granules are different sizes and do not dissolve fast enough. So I bought instant yeast which has very small granules which should have done the trick...but it looks like it was old! I had to use double the amount to get the bread to rise to a decent height. Anyhow, now I buy yeast in large vacuum packs. It is very reliable, last forever and is labeled "instant" or "quick" yeast.
So far, I've made over a dozen breads, mostly whole grain or variations of "healthy" breads. For a small family or couples, this unit is a great value. I've used stone-milled and unbleached wheat with success, although I never add the egg that almost every recipe in the book uses. Pizza dough recipe was good, but I cut down the sugar and yeast to get a thinner crust. If you like it doughy, follow the recipe as stated.
The only caveat is the crust colour control...never set it higher than LIGHT. On my machine at least, the MEDIUM setting caused the sides to almost burn...and I've never tried the DARK setting because of this.
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Toastmaster TBR15 1-1/2-Pound BreadmakerProduct Description: Hot, fresh bread... easy, fast, just pennies per loaf! Toastmaster 1 1/2-lb. Programmable Breadmaker. Just load ingredients in the Breadmaker, plug it in, and select a baking program on the touchpad controls. That's it! This time-saving gadget kneads ingredients and bakes bread in a few hours... or even under an hour with the Fast Bake program! Electric touchpad controls; 8 settings include basic, fast bake, French, whole wheat, sweet, quick break, dough and bake only; Crust-control programming lets you select light, medium or dark crust; 13-hour delay timer lets you wake up or come home to freshly-baked bread; Large viewing window; 1-hour "stay warm" cycle; 31" cord; 11 x 10 x 12"h. 9 lbs., 7 ozs. Toastmaster 1 1/2-lb. Programmable Breadmaker
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I picked this up at a little strange store here in town - brand new - for $10.It is a bit of a joke.Please realize that it does not mix bread for you, but to be fair - it doesn't say that it does.It also only heats to 300 degrees.That is not nearly hot enough to brown bread.This is a bread machine that can be purchased in 4-packs as a promotional item. (Google it!) Please, look at another bread machine.
