Russell Hobbs 10008 Breadman Pro Review

Overall Rating

Tasty Bread (the one loaf it made)

The timer function can't be used.
The machine requires constant baby-sitting.
It has a serious design flaw.

STOP!!! Read this! We were given a 'Russell Hobbs Breadman Pro - Healthy Options' as a Christmas present from our parents.
The very first time we used it we noticed a big problem. The baking tin sits on a cam which turns the kneading arm. The tin is kept in position by two spring clips. When the dough is being kneaded slowly everything is fine but when the dough is being kneaded quickly problems arise.

The weight of the ball of dough tends to knock the tin around a lot. The spring clips which are supposed to retain the tin securely aren't up to the job. As a result the tin jumps off the cam - a lot, and the bread doesn't get kneaded. You know when this has happened because the machine noise changes from a mechanical hum to something resembling a Harley Davidson with the chain off. It's necessary to pause the program and reset the tin which in itself wouldn't be too bad except... you need to do this every five seconds or so throughout the twenty minute kneading cycle.
If you go out and leave it, the cam is going to wear out - fast.

This makes a mockery of the machine's key feature - a 24 hour timer which supposedly allows you set the bread making process to start before you wake up. That can't be done as the machine needs constant baby-sitting.

I've tried adjusting the clips but to no avail. Bearing in mind this happens with just a medium loaf God only knows the problem we'd have with a larger, heavier dough ball.

At £100 this is a serious problem that can only be rectified by returning the machine for a refund and buying another brand instead - preferably one that has undergone a modicum of product testing before being booted out onto the market? A recent household appliance survey mentioned that around 80% of bread makers get used once then 'cupboarded'. Perhaps Russell Hobbs are aware of this fact and hope that by reducing the price to £60 (Argos Christmas 2005 Special Offers Catalogue), they can clear them out whilst only having to change a fifth of them for free? Who knows.

It's sad because the one loaf it made was perfect and tasty but not tasty enough to warrant putting up with this inconvenience every time you need a loaf. My advice - don't buy the Russell Hobbs Breadman Pro - Healthy Options - it has a serious design flaw. Buy some other brand - and check the baking tin fastening before you buy.