This machine is one of the nicest that we have looked at and tested. It has several features that you won’t find on any other machine. For example, this is the only bread machine we have seen with a baking compartment light. It also has a swing out front door that makes inserting and removing the bread pan a snap, it also makes cleaning the inside a snap as well.

There is a nice large viewing window. A very traditional (horizontal) shaped pan. This pan is even more horizontal that the Zojirushi V-20. This machine is also one of the very few with dual kneading blades. The dual blades mean you get better dough, because it is kneaded better. In addition, all of the ingredients are mixed, even the ones in the corners of the pan. The only real problem that I have had with this pan shape and design is that the kneading blades have a tendency to be baked in to the bread.

As for cycles this machine has just about everything you could want. It has a cycle for basic, basic rapid, wheat, wheat rapid, sweet, French, dough, and quick dough. You also have controls for crust color (light, medium and dark), loaf size (2lb or 1-1/2lb) and there is even a button to extend the rise time. This machine also features a 13-hour delay timer so you can have fresh bread when you get up in the morning or come home from a hard days work.

In our testing, we found the machine to be well made and durable. It is a little on the noisy side during the kneading process, but not excessively so. All of the bread and dough we made in the machine turned out great, even the whole grain wheat and rye breads. Of all of the features this machine has, our favorite was the baking chamber light. You push a button on the control panel and the light comes on. This allows you to clearly see what is happening in the bread pan without having to open the machine. After a few seconds, it shuts off automatically.

This is a great machine it is one of our top choices for top-of-the-line bread machines. You should be able to find this machine for less than $200.

Purchase: The West Bend Baker’s Choice Plus has been discontinued.

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