If you're looking for a high-quality bread maker, Zojirushi is a great option. The Japanese brand has been around since 1918, and in that time it has built a solid reputation for delivering reliable, versatile, and user-friendly products for the home.
You can make meatloaf, pizza dough, pasta dough, cake, jam, and butter with the best Zojirushi bread maker, in addition to delicious fresh bread.
For this review, we looked at all the different things that are important in a bread maker. They include the size and weight, the number of programs, the power, and how much bread it can hold.
As we progress through the review, we'll take a closer look at each of these features and explain why they're so important. Once you have a good understanding of the purpose of each feature, you'll be in a much better position to compare several Zojirushi bread makers and zero in on the one that best suits your needs.
Over the past few weeks, we've spent a lot of time researching and testing different Zojirushi bread machines to determine their quality, the bread and other foods they can make, and their capacity.
We relied on our personal experience with these machines, the experiences of other buyers, and dealer knowledge. Learn more about it here. We've made it simple by providing in-depth reviews of each product and a comprehensive buying guide.
We hope that you find this article helpful in learning more about bread makers and making an informed decision when purchasing one.
The Best Zojirushi Bread Makers Review
1. Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme - Editor’s Choice
The Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme bread maker, with its 2-pound capacity, will save you time if you frequently bake large loaves of bread. The dough is thoroughly worked with two blades.
The high rise of the cooking pan gives the bread plenty of room to rise and take shape. The non-stick nature of the bread pan ensures that both baking and cleaning up afterward will go smoothly. It's detachable, so cleaning is a breeze.
There are 10 different settings to choose from, making it simple and fast to make your preferred bread. Sourdough, whole wheat, cake, jam, dough, and homemade are just some of the possibilities you have.
You can make everything from cinnamon rolls to meatloaf to pizza to bagels and more with it. The starter can be made using the sourdough function, but you can also make and use your own starter if you choose.
Also, you get to adjust the timer and pick from three different crust shades. Thanks to the timer, you can set it to complete baking whenever you like, up to 13 hours later than the oven would normally turn off. This is convenient if you enjoy returning home or waking up to the smell of freshly baked bread.
It includes a built-in safety feature that shuts off automatically if the temperature becomes too high. Additionally, it includes a power failure backup that will keep the machine running for 10 minutes in the event of an outage, giving you plenty of time to plug into a backup generator.
The bread maker comes with a manual, a video showing how to use it, and a book of recipes.
Capacity: 2 lb
Programs: 10
Power: 700 W
Weight: 20 lbs
Size: 12.8 x 13.5 x 18.8 inches
More features: three crust shades choice, 13-hour delay timer, LCD control panel, non-stick bread pan, viewing window, measuring spoon and cup included
Pros
Cons
2. Zojirushi BB-SSC10WZ Home Bakery Maestro - Best Mini
If you're looking for a bread machine that can handle loaves up to 1 pound in size, look no further than the Zojirushi BB-SSC10WZ Home Bakery Maestro. Its sleek, vertical shape takes up very little room on your counter.
It has a number of preprogrammed courses, such as a pasta dough course, a pizza dough course, a cake course, a jam course, and a custom homemade course, so that you can spend as little time as possible preparing for baking.
Using the LCD control panel, you can choose the desired course, then add ingredients and let the bread maker do the rest, including mixing, kneading, and baking. Alternatively, you can use the customizable homemade course with your own personalized recipe. The bread can be baked whenever you want it to by using the 13-hour delay timer.
This bread machine from Zojirushi has multiple heaters that rapidly heat the interior, producing an oven spring that results in a light, well-cooked crust. Each loaf of bread you make can have a crust that is light, medium, or dark thanks to Crust Control.
Aside from that, there are other interesting features, such as the Auto Add Dispenser, which automatically adds ingredients like nuts. Since it can be removed and washed, it requires less effort to keep clean.
The bread maker can be transported and stored with ease thanks to the strong carrying handle. The additional accessories, such as the measuring cup and spoon, provide precise proportions every time. Furthermore, the 50-recipe booklet gives you a wide range of ideas to think about for the next time you feel like baking something different.
Capacity: 1 lb
Programs: 15
Power: 450 W
Weight: 16 lbs
Size: 13.6 x 8.8 x 12.5 inches
More features: recipe book, measuring spoon and cup included, automatic dispenser, LCD control panel, carry handle, double heater, 13-hour delay timer, quick course option, 3 crust color choice
Pros
Cons
3. Zojirushi BB-PAC20BA Home Bakery Virtuoso - Best Gluten-Free
The Zojirushi BB-PAC20BA Home Bakery Virtuoso is a great option for regular bakers of big loaves thanks to its 2 lb capacity. There are ten different presets to choose from, such as whole wheat, dough, cake, jam, and homemade, which lets you set the knead and rise times for your own personal recipe.
One striking feature of this model is the wide variety of options available in the menu. One of the most important of them is the ability to make gluten-free bread for anyone who needs it. If you frequently bake the same kind of bread, you may want to take advantage of the three memory settings to speed up the baking process even more.
The bread machine's dual blades thoroughly knead the dough for optimal baking results. The top of your bread will always be perfectly baked thanks to the additional heater on the lid. It's also possible to take the dough out and shape it evenly with your hands. When it's time to do so, the bread machine will beep, generally before the first rise, so keep an ear out for that.
The LCD control panel is simple and quick to respond to your inputs. It allows you to select the preferred preset course, set the timer, and check the completion time. You can keep an eye on the baking process without lifting the lid thanks to the sizable viewing window.
Capacity: 2 lb
Programs: 10
Power: 600 W
Weight: 22 lbs
Size: 18 x 10.5 x 13 inches
More features: quick course option, lid heater, dual kneading blades, measuring spoon and cup included, LCD clock, 13-hour delay timer
Pros
Cons
4. Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Mini Breadmaker - Budget Pick
The Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Mini Breadmaker is ideal for singles, couples, and other individuals who don't need large loaves of bread on a regular basis. As a result of its slim and compact design, it requires very little room on the kitchen counter, making it ideal for smaller kitchens.
Choose from regular, firm, or soft bread textures, as well as pre-set programs for basic bread, quick bread, French bread, dough, pasta dough, cake, and jam.
The speedy baking cycle of this 450-watt appliance allows you to have fresh bread in less than 2 hours. Using the timer's delay feature, you can put off the end of the baking process for as long as 13 hours. The viewing window on the lid allows you to keep track of the baking process. The lid is easily removed for cleaning.
The settings may be modified quickly and easily with the help of the simple LCD control panel. From here, you can choose your baking mode, bread texture, baking time, and start/pause the process.
The bread machine has a strong handle, making it easy to carry and store. The cable can be stored neatly and securely in a slot in the back.
A recipe booklet, a how-to video, and written instructions are included with the bread maker purchase.
Capacity: 1 lb
Programs: 8
Power: 450 W
Weight: 12 lbs
Size: 8 x 11 x 12 inches
More features: More features: crust color control, 13-hour delay timer, quick course option, measuring spoon and cup included, cookie-pasta dough settings
Pros
Cons
Things to Consider
We've laid out the inner workings of various Zojirushi bread makers as well as their advantages and disadvantages for your perusal and consideration. However, the meat and potatoes of getting a good bread maker is learning how they function and choosing the best one from the options available. In the following, we'll discuss these points in further detail.
Reliable and durable – Zojirushi bread machines' benefits
Zojirushi is a Japanese company with a history dating back nearly a century to when it was founded in Osaka in 1918. The company's dedication to developing high-quality products and, more recently, its efforts to automate as many of those products as possible, propelled it to the position it now holds as a global leader in the manufacturing of household products.
Zojirushi bread makers maintain the same standard of excellence for which the brand is known. Then, here's what you'll get when you purchase one of these bread machines:
Device that's simple to use
A versatile appliance that can bake numerous types of bread, cake, jam, and more. Depending on the model, a bread machine has a variety of settings for personalizing your loaves.
Durability and reliance
A quick and easy method for having fresh, warm bread on hand at any time.
Price tag
The typical cost of a Zojirushi bread machine is between $200 and $400. Small bread makers with fewer features can be found for about $200, while larger models and those with more features and accessories can be found for $300 and above.
Buying a Zojirushi bread machine based only on price is a mistake since, if the machine's loaf capacity or available programs are insufficient, it will be of little use to you.
Features to consider while buying the best Zojirushi bread maker
Now let's take a look at the specifics of a Zojirushi bread maker and what you should be looking for. We'll go over how these factors affect the loaf size you can achieve, the number of preset courses it can manage, the degree to which you can tweak adjust its settings, and the availability of replacement parts.
Weight and size
When it comes to Zojirushi bread makers, the weight generally relates to the capacity of the appliance. The Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme and the Zojirushi BB-PAC20BA Home Bakery Virtuoso are two examples of large bread makers that typically weigh between 20 and 25 pounds because of their capacity for baking large loaves.
They are bulkier and, hence, need more storage space in the kitchen. Before settling on one of these, measure the available area on your countertops. Bread machines with smaller capacities, used most often for baking loaves weighing 1 pound, can weigh anything from 10 to 16 pounds. Smaller kitchens can greatly benefit from them, given how little space they take up.
Loaf capacity
What size loaf can be made by the machine? Breads larger than a pound cannot be made in a bread machine designed for only 1-pound bread. Invest in a 2-pound capacity bread machine, like the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme, if your family regularly consumes a loaf of bread a day.
You can make two-pound loaves of bread with little effort with such a bread machine. The machine can also make smaller loaves of bread, if that's what you need. Therefore, you have a degree of freedom.
Easy to use
A good bread machine won't be difficult to use. The good news is that every Zojirushi bread machine is simple to operate. A front LCD control panel has all the buttons you'll need to operate the device. Simply pushing the buttons will allow you to make the desired adjustments.
The labels on the buttons are legible, and the controls are intuitive. The bread maker also eliminates the need for manual mixing and kneading. Putting the ingredients in the machine in the right order is all you need to do.
Zojirushi bread machines include preset recipe programs. Simply add the ingredients called for in the selected program, and the machine will do the rest, including mixing and kneading the dough.
Check to see how many programs the model you're interested in has available before making a purchase. A variety of doughs, cakes, jams, and other home-cooked delights are covered by these programs.
Memory settings are a handy feature found on many Zojirushi bread makers. they will preserve and remember your choice of program the next time you bake, considerably simplifying the process for you if you make particular types of bread regularly.
Design and materials
Zojirushi bread makers are normally rectangular in shape, and the bread that is baked in one of these machines has the same dimensions as loaves of store-bought bread. Although most bread machines (small bread makers included) are tall and slim, there are also others that are short and wide.
Non-stick stainless steel is commonly used for baking pans due to its durability and minimal maintenance requirements. The exterior can be constructed from tough plastic that is not only heat resistant but also sturdy, simple to clean, and safe to the touch. The steel paddles that knead the dough and the motor that powers the machine are also important components.
The appearance of a loaf
There are bread makers that make loaves that look just like the ones you buy at the bakery store. While some bake their bread in a vertical shape. The latter, after being sliced, yields chunky pieces that are too big to use in a standard kitchen appliance like a toaster or sandwich maker.
If you want to make toast, you'll need to cut and shape these slices to the correct size. Why are the shapes different? It's possible to find single-paddle bread machines. Bread pans are often taller than their horizontal counterparts to make up for the paddle's restricted horizontal reach.
The bread from this type rises high. Regularly shaped loaves of bread can be achieved in bread makers with two paddles, one on each side of the pan. Bread that is horizontal in shape can be achieved because the paddles can spread the dough to both sides of the pan. However, these bread machines are more costly, so keep that in mind if you care about the bread's shape.
Spare parts availability
Eventually, due to the inevitable wear and tear of regular use, you'll have to replace some parts of your bread machine. In time, you will need to replace the kneading blade, paddles, and baking pan. Zojirushi bread maker replacement parts can be purchased from the manufacturer as well as from official Zojirushi retailers both online and in-store.
Warranty
Every Zojirushi bread machine comes with a one-year warranty. The parts and workmanship are covered by the warranty, but not the non-electric components, accessories, or disposable parts.
You can take your bread machine back to the store from which you bought it, any Zojirushi service center, or the manufacturer itself (Zojirushi) if it breaks during the warranty term.
Be careful not to do anything that would render this warranty null and void, or you won't be able to take advantage of it. A few examples of situations in which the warranty will not apply are:
- Damage resulting from improper usage, abuse, accident, or neglect
- Whenever there is evidence of unauthorized modifications to the bread machine.
- If the bread machine has been repaired anywhere other than the manufacturer or authorized service center.
- If you haven't kept it clean as recommended in the instructions.
- If you're using it for commercial purposes.
- In the event that the lot number has been removed or defaced.
- If it was not made to US/Canadian market specifications.
- If Zojirushi did not import it.
Great Zojirushi bread recipe
Having a tried-and-true recipe that consistently results in a perfectly baked loaf of bread is a great way to get started with your Zojirushi bread maker and build your confidence for experimenting with different recipes. One of the best ways to use your Zojirushi bread machine is to make this:
- Put two cups of water in the bread pan.
- Put in ⅓ cup honey.
- Add 2 tsp salt.
- Add 4 cups of whole wheat flour (can be store-bought or home-ground).
- Add a little less than ½ teaspoon of regular yeast.
- Put the lid back.
- Choose the homemade course.
- Press the start button.
- It takes around 3 hours to cook.
This dough can be used to make 2 pizza crusts, 14 rolls, or 1 loaf of whole wheat bread.
FAQ
Are Zojirushi bread machines made in Japan?
While the Zojirushi brand originated in Japan, the majority of the machines now on the market are made in China. However, the majority of the research and development and quality control policies and decisions are made at the company's headquarters in Osaka, Japan.
How to convert a regular bread recipe for my Zojirushi bread machine?
It's important to make sure your ingredients don't overload your Zojirushi bread maker, so be sure to weigh them according to the instructions. Doing so can void the warranty and perhaps harm the machine. The following are some rules of thumb provided by Zojirushi:
When using bread flour, 1 cup is equal to 4.5 ounces (or 128 grams).
Whole Wheat Bread Flour; 1 cup is equivalent to 4.2 ounces (120 grams).
If you're using freshly milled or ground flour, rather of store-bought flour, which is commonly used in bread makers, be careful to measure by weight rather than volume. Four ounces is about equivalent to one cup of home milled flour.
How do I bake a gluten-free loaf in a Zojirushi bread maker?
Select the gluten-free option from the bread machine's control panel if it has one; the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme, for instance, has; then, add the ingredients in the amounts shown. Once the timer goes off, the machine will automatically begin mixing, kneading, and baking your gluten-free bread.
Any gluten-free bread recipe can be adapted to the bread maker's cycle times if the machine does not feature a gluten-free option. To bake delicious gluten-free bread, Zojirushi suggests starting with the Basic Course.
Our Verdict
The Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme is highly recommended as the best bread machine currently available. The fact that you can use it to bake bread in loaves as large as two pounds is a major plus. The dual-blade mechanism, memory settings, auto-off, 10-minute power backup, and included video tutorial are also notable.
For smaller households, we recommend the Zojirushi BB-SSC10WZ Home Bakery Maestro as our second-best option. programmed courses, the double heaters, the automatic add dispenser, the crust control function, programmed courses, carry handle, and the measuring cup and spoon are just a few of the appealing features and accessories in this model.
Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Mini Breadmaker is the third-best bread machine on our list. We enjoy how lightweight and compact it is. Our favorite features are the customizable bread settings and the rapid baking cycle. The convenient carrying handle and detachable lid are further highlights. The price is also reasonable. So that's another good thing.
