I have only praise for this bit of equipment in my kitchen. In 18 months, I can't remember every buying shop bread. Now I've got into the routine, my last job at night is to programme the bread maker and the smell of fresh baking wakes up the whole household. Marvellous

Having had a Panasonic SD206 for a number of years, I decided to opt for a new model and have given my other one to my brother-in-law. I haven't bought a loaf of bread for over 4 years and find that home made tastes so much nicer. My grandchildren love to come to visit just to have my bread and butter now. This newer machine is so easy to use, and I would deffinitely purchase another should this one stop working, and can recommend to anyone.

It's by far the best bread maker on the market, very easy to use as the instructions/recipe book is excellent

The 1 hour 55 minute rapid bake is amassing and does a very good quality loaf, in fact I have found no difference in the quality of the bread from a four/five hour bake and the rapid.

it also does very nice cakes!!!!

I have used other bread makers before this, but none compare with the Panasonic Breadmaker SD254. It is a pure delight to use and an even bigger delight to eat the bread that it makes. I can honestly say that the bread is the best that I have ever eaten. The Panasonic SD254 is a dream to use and I feel that it is more or less guaranteed that you will have great results for your efforts. The baking process is rather slow, but this ensures that your bake is perfect. I cannot recommend this machine highly enough. I don't think that breadmakers get any better than this one!

Previously had a small cheap breadmaker which was OK, but this Panasonic Breadmaker SD254 is so much better!
The loaves are much softer, fluffier and larger.

Before owning this Panasonic Breadmaker SD254 I've have had quite a few breadmakers, I use them every day and they usually break long before the 12 months warranty is up.

The top and bottom of it is this breadmaker produces excellent bread time after time. To do this with a wholmeal loaf it waits for around 1 of its 5 hours cooking time just resting to get the ingredients to the correct temperature before it starts. The three hour quick cook it waits around 10 min but still produces an excellent loaf, though very slightly heavier. This is the closest to the loaves produced by the other cheaper breadmakers I have used. I often like the heavier texture so make this type most often, the main downside is the inability to set it on timer for the quick programme so if you want it first thing in the morning you need to use the long programme. The crust colour is often decided by the breadmaker and again doesn't let you alter its colour.
The bread pan is very well made compared to the others I have tried and the paddle only makes a small thin hole in the bread. The paddle looks loose and is but this allows bread trapped in it to prevent it from staying in the bread when it's removed. Just pour some water in when cooled and in a minute or so it just pulls off very easily, a simple wipe and it is ready to go again.

I will always recommend you to buy extended warranty especially if you are going to be a heavy user. Also bear in mind the process of taking it back if it breaks, I have had around 8 break in around 7 years. Hopefully the extra money I have spent this time will mean it is more durable, while I find out this I am able to eat far superior bread to those I have made before. It is well worth the extra money compared to the Morphy Richards and others I have owned

Upto now I am pleasantly pleased with results from my Panasonic SD254 bread maker, I could not warrant the spending of more money for the next model up purely to add raisins and viewing window. The price was also a contributory factor as Makro currently has it on offer for a snip at £49.99 + VAT. BARGAIN!