How To Use A Zojirushi Bread Maker: Become an expert on your machine!

Bread-making is no longer the exclusive domain of professional bakers; thanks to the plethora of brilliant modern bread machines, it’s straightforward to produce a homemade loaf. If you are looking for a bread machine that will allow you to bake bakery-quality bread in the comfort of your own home, look no further than the Japanese brand Zojirushi. 

Zojirushiis consistently one of the best bread machines on the market. Although their machines are on the pricier end of the bread machine price spectrum, I believe these convenient appliances are well worth the price. 

Haven’t you got a Zojirushi yet? Here are some of my favorite Zojirushi bread machine discounts!  

The most popular Zojirushi bread machines are the Virtuoso Plus and the Supreme. Additionally, they offer two smaller devices, the Mini and the Maestro. Despite differences in size and capacity, each machine functions similarly and produces the same result: delicious homemade bread. 

Whether you are considering purchasing a Zojirushi or have recently purchased one and need a crash course on how to use it, I will walk you through the steps of using a Zojirushi bread maker so that you can begin baking like a pro! 

Step-by-step instructions for how to use a Zojirushi bread maker 

Making bread in a machine is relatively straightforward, regardless of the model. However, it is essential to familiarize yourself with your device by reading the manual and becoming familiar with its settings and buttons. 

Here is a brief overview of the control panel’s functions. Depending on the model being considered, the layout may vary slightly. 

There are a few things to consider before beginning to bake bread. Ensure that the water you use is between 95F and 113F. (35C-45C). If the temperature is too high, the yeast will die, and the bread will not rise. If the temperature is too low, yeast will not activate at all. 

Regarding yeast, use instant yeast or bread machine yeast. This yeast is quick-acting and does not require activation and blooming in water, unlike active dry yeast. 

Although this is not as important with rapid yeast or bread machine yeast, if you use active dry yeast, keep the yeast away from the salt until mixing begins. The longer yeast is exposed to salt, the greater the risk that it will become ineffective or die. 

Now that you know all the tips and tricks for using your Zojirushi bread machine let’s begin making bread! Watch this two-minute video explaining everything you need to know to get your first loaf of bread ready if you can’t figure out how to make bread. 

If you want a step-by-step breakdown of the bread-making process, the following actions are required. 

1. First, remove the pan from the machine and weigh it using digital scales. If measuring cups will be used instead, have them ready. 
2. Attach the kneading blades to the rotating shafts in the second step. If using a horizontal pan, ensure that both edges face the same direction, affecting the loaf’s shape. 
3. Add the lukewarm water and any additional liquids, such as oil, before adding the dry ingredients. Beginning with the flour, then add the sugar and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and place the yeast inside so it is protected from salt and liquid ingredients. 
4. Step four involves reattaching the bread pan to the bread machine and closing the lid. 
5. Plug the machine into the wall outlet. 
6. Select the desired course by pressing the course button. Once you select it, the LCD screen will display the bread’s baking time. You can also choose the color of the crust at this stage. 
7. Involves pressing the start button. 
8. Upon completion of the cycle, press and hold the cancel button to terminate the operation. 
9. Open the bread pan’s lid and remove it from the oven. Please remove the handles from the bread pan and wear oven mitts. During this time, disconnect your bread machine from the electrical outlet. 
10. Turn the bread pan over and shake it until the bread is released. If the bread refuses to move, it may be stuck between the paddles. There are two coupling wing nuts under the pan. It should be easier to remove the bread if you rock them back and forth a few times. 
11. Place the loaf of bread on a wire rack so it can cool more quickly. 
12. After approximately an hour, or when it has cooled but is still warm, slice and enjoy! 

If you follow these simple instructions, you’ll soon be baking delicious bread on your machine. 

Other Fantastic Features 

The delayed timer 

Additionally, there is the delayed timer. You can add your ingredients at night and have the bread machine bake it in the morning, allowing you to wake up to the aroma of freshly baked bread. The completion time can be set up to 13 hours in advance in 10-minute increments. 

The delayed timer is straightforward to use. Make sure you don’t use any perishable ingredients like milk or eggs. 

1. Place all the ingredients in the pan as shown. 
2. Select the desired course and crust color in the second step. Note that the timer cannot be used for all cycles. It is offered in white, whole wheat, European, salt-free, sugar-free, and homemade settings. 
3. Step three involves pressing the ‘Timer’ button. The required minimum time will be displayed. 
4. You can select the desired baking time in the fourth step using the arrows. 
5. Once the timer has been set, press the ‘Start’ button. 

If you set your bread machine to bake bread in 10 hours at 9 p.m., the loaf will be ready at 7 a.m. the following morning. The delayed timer is an excellent feature; I’m sure it will become your favorite! 

The Homemade Course 

Have you ever wished the dough could rise for longer? In addition, the Zojirushi allows you to take complete control of the settings and customize them to your liking. This setting is accessible on all Zojirushi bread machines besides the Mini. 

The homemade course allows you to set separate times for kneading, rising, and baking. This means that the dough can rise for as long as desired. This setting is ideal for bread that requires a longer rise, such as sourdough bread. 

The Zojirushi allows you to store up to three custom settings in its memory, so you do not have to set it each time. To use this function, select ‘Homemade Course’ and set the desired time for each bread-making step. I suggest replicating the basic white loaf cycle to understand how the homemade course works. To begin baking, adjust the times for each phase and press the start button. 

The Zojirushi breadmaker manual contains detailed instructions on how to use the various cycles. 

Why purchase a Zojirushi bread machine? 

Numerous factors make a Zojirushi bread maker a worthy investment. People interested in eating healthier and having greater control over the ingredients in their food may choose to bake their bread. 

Additionally, baking your bread is less expensive than purchasing it from the store. A loaf of store-bought bread can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $6, with artisan bread costing even more. 

Flour costs approximately $1 per pound, and 1.5 kg of flour can easily yield two to three loaves of bread. Yes, the initial cost for a bread machine is substantial, but your Zojirushi will save you money in the long run. 

The Zojirushi bread maker is also one of the best on the market, so you can rest assured that you are purchasing a durable product. These bread machines are fully automatic and simple to operate. You can make any bread you want, from sourdough to gluten-free, because they come with a wide variety of settings. In addition, they have various useful features, such as a delayed timer and a homemade course that gives you complete control over the bread-making process. 

Zojirushi bread machines are some of the bests on the market, so you can rest assured that you’re purchasing a durable product that will last for many years. If you are looking for the best price on a Zojirushi, visit my favorite retailer’s website!