How to Use a Panasonic Bread Machine

Fresh bread from a bread machine

The smell of freshly baked bread rivals bacon and coffee on many people's list of favorite morning smells. The easiest way to experience fresh bread is by using a bread maker. Panasonic makes different types of bread makers, and they are all built similarly and easy to use. Bread machines do most of the work for you to eliminate the normal struggles associated with making bread. With a bread machine, everyone can experience the comfort of fresh bread in the morning.

Things You'll Need

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp. dry milk
• 1 1/2 tbsp. butter
• 1 1/2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp. dry yeast
• Oven mitt
• Knife

Instructions

Preparation

1. Ensure the machine is not plugged in. Remove the bread pan from the machine by twisting lightly counterclockwise and pulling the handle up.

2. Secure the kneading blade onto the shaft of the pan, making sure that it is clear of crumbs and other debris. Twist until the blade is locked in.

3. Place all ingredients into the pan, except yeast. Add water last.

4. Put the bread pan back into the machine, making sure that it makes contact with the bottom of the machine. Make sure the pan handle sits at rest against the side of the pan.

5. Close the lid of the machine securely. Add yeast to the yeast dispenser on the machine lid, then close the lid of the yeast dispenser.

6. Plug the machine in. Do not press "Start" immediately. Position the machine in a safe place for the cooking period.

Setting the Cook Program

1. Select "Basic" bread on the right-hand side of the display panel. Do this by pressing the "Select" button immediately, as "Basic" will be automatically highlighted.

2. Select "Bake" as your baking option. Select "M" for medium size, or adjust for your recipe.

3. Press "Start/Stop" to start the bread making process. The red light should turn on, indicating that the process has started and the keypad is no longer operational. Do not worry if the machine does not start working immediately, as the dough needs to sit and settle to a certain temperature before beginning.

Finishing Your Bread

1. Press "Start/Stop" when the machine beeps. If this button is not pressed, the machine will keep the bread warm for one hour after beeping. If the bread is left in pan for more than one hour, it will start to sweat and become soggy. Use the oven mitt to remove the pan because handle will be extremely hot.

2. Turn the pan upside down and shake it to loosen the bread. Sometimes the kneading blade will stick to the bread. If this happens, remove it with tongs or another grabbing utensil.

3. Place the bread on a rack. Let it cool for 10 to 20 minutes before carefully slicing. Be sure to unplug the machine when finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Bread machines are capable of making many types of bread, including raisin bread, french bread and multigrain bread.

References

• Panasonic.com: Bread Machine Support

Resources

• Bread-Maker.net
• Hillbilly Housewife: Bread Machine Basics