Black & Decker B2300 All-In-One Horizontal Deluxe Automatic Breadmaker for 2- to 3-Pound Loaves

Comment: This is my 3rd Black and Decker bread machine over the last 13 years. The first one was great absolutely loved it and it lasted almost 8 years. The second one also great no real complaints except for the recipe book so used the original book. This machine however is terrible. No recipes that I will use, difficult to remove the paddles, overdone loaf on the outside, complicated panel and menu. Hardly ever use it and will look for a different brand shortly.

Comment: Do not buy a bread machine if you like inexpensive store-bought generic bread (or if you are not well-disciplined in restricting your intake of superb-tasting bread). It is not worth the cost or effort. These machines are excellent for producing "artisan style" breads without all the questionable additives. The shelf life is much shorter, but this is never a problem because the bread vanishes so quickly.

Busy or in a hurry? - Let the machine do the job from start to finish (just check and adjust the moisture content when the additions signal sounds and centre the loaf after initial kneading ends. Got some time and want a traditional or special loaf shape? - Set the machine to knead and rise and then hand work the final shape before baking it in the oven.

This bread machine has a large pan and plenty of "headroom" for tall loaves to expand without reaching the lid. I like the texture of the bread it produces. There are plenty of options to bake different types of bread.

The instruction book has a few interesting recipes but is pathetic in terms of regular types of bread. - Use breadmaker recipes you already have, download recipes from the web, or download operating instructions for a B & D B1620 breadmaker. The two paddles are 1/8" above the bottom of the pan, which usually makes them hard to remove from the bread which bakes under them. This also makes bread removal difficult if they stick on their shafts. Allowing ten minutes at room temperature helps the removal of machine-baked loaves.

B & D claims to be able to bake larger loaves in this machine, but the motor labours badly - even when you are baking some 2 lb recipes. You must monitor the knead or a heavy/dry recipe may completely stop the kneading. Perhaps this is why several reviewers have had early failures.

A great machine for a first-time buyer, or someone who bakes smaller loaves. I bought mine as a back-up (and when I want two loaves in-a-hurry) for half the recommended price. Buy a Zojirushi BBCCX20 Bread Machine if you want the "Rolls-Royce machine" (see my review).

Comment: I bought this breadmaker a year ago for myself for my birthday and could 't be happier with it. Unlike other models, this one gives you a 15-minute warm up period so you do not have to worry as much about the temperature of the ingredients as you put them in to the machine. I have made at least eight different recipes on a regular basis and the only time something did not work was more of a result of the recipe than the machine. All recipes are not written equally! Plus you must take into consideration the humidity and time of year.

This breadmaker has made the best dough and breads I have ever had. I am a foodie with a disabling illness which prevents me from being able to make bread from scratch but with the help of this machine, I can still eat the taste of home-baked bread without the pain of kneading. I literally can no longer live without mine, I am no longer able to eat store-bought bread. Which is just fine with me! Nothing is more wonderful than fresh bread.

Comment: I received one of these for a gift and absolutely love it. So I bought one for my mom. First time out of the box and it starts smoking when turned on. Black & Decker wants her to pay shipping for a new one. Wrong way to do business!! Bad customer service!

Comment: I love this breadmaker! I am a novice at breadmaking, and this machine produces lovely bread and also lovely dough. It makes me feel like a pro. I love it!