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Due to the shape of the bread pan, bread produced by an automatic bread machine rarely resembles a conventional loaf of bread. On the market, however, are bread machines with horizontal loaf pans that make a rectangular loaf.
Most bread machines produce loaves that stand upright due to the shape of the bread pan and the single kneading blade. Rectangular bread pans are utilized by bread machines that produce horizontal loaves, like those purchased from bakeries.
Automatic bread machines that produce loaves of traditional shape have two kneading paddles to ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly combined and kneaded.
A single paddle bread machine produces a tall and square loaf, whereas a double paddle bread machine produces a more rectangular loaf.
We have selected Zojirushi and West Bend bread machines that can produce rectangular loaves as examples. Continue reading for a brief overview of each bread machine.
Our Top Picks
Zojirushi Horizontal Loaf Bread Machine
There are three bread machines manufactured by Zojirushi with horizontal loaf pans: the BB-CEC20, the BB-PAC20, and the BB-PDC20. Let us examine each in brief detail.
The Zojirushi BB-CEC20 bakes a two-pound loaf of traditional bread in its rectangular bread loaf pan. It has two kneading blades and a powerful motor for more effective mixing and kneading. The available menu options include Basic, Quick, Wheat, Dough, Jam, Cake, and Sourdough Starter, and three Homemade Menus that can be customized and saved according to your preferences. The Quick cycle bakes bread in approximately two hours. There is also a 13-hour delay timer.
Zojirushi BB-PAC20BA BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker with Gluten Free Menu setting
Amazon.com
The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 is a more recent model capable of producing horizontal loaves. It has a gluten-free setting for baking gluten-free bread and an additional heating element in its lid for a more uniformly golden crust. The older model BB-CEC20 lacks a gluten-free menu and an extra heating element.
Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf Gluten-Free Bundle
★★★★★
Amazon.com
User reviews
Very expensive breadmaker but quality seems up to par. Have used various breadmakers for decades with most only lasting 1-3 years. Decided to try a high end unit this time and wanted one that would make a more conventional loaf that is longer and not so high. This Zojirushi BB-PDC20 BA seemed to fill the bill so I ordered it and got the bonus stainless cup set and Cuisinart serrated knife. The cup set is excellent but the knife is really on the short side for bread.Unpackaging the unit was a pleasant non-disappointing experience complete with a well designed box and packaging. Everything seems to be built to a high quality level. Disappointingly the breadmaker is made in China but seems to be well built and an example of how good product they are capable of producing.Nice features on this machine include a clock so delay baking requires no calculation, just set the desired done time and you’re done. The delay function will go to a max of 13 hours in advance only, and the beeper function is shut off so you get no reminder when it is done. I’ve had machines with longer delay settings possible and found that on occasion I used longer delays. This unit has a lid heater in addition to the bottom heater. The longer pan uses 2 small paddles leaving the least amount damage to the bottom I’ve ever seen. The dual heaters result in a consistent crust on bottom, sides and top. Although I say complaints of uneven loaves having to level the dough at beginning of the last rise but so far mine have been perfect. The internal texture of the bread is more consistent with fine holes than I am used to seeing.I tried their recommendation to us a scale to measure ingredients for flour rather than sifting and leveling individual measuring cups and found it to be a Godsend for saving time and no mess to clean up. Picked up a $10 Ozeri scale here and I’m never going back to measuring cups for flour again.Breadmaker includes 2 nice recipe books that cover all the usual bases plus gluten free, salt free and sugar free breads including programs for them. Haven’t tried their recipes yet but have used several of my tried and true recipes that have come out well. Oddly enough the recipe I have used the most on other machines had a slight top collapse. No biggie though as I usually have to adjust a recipe or two for a new machine.A couple of things noting that this breadmaker doesn’t do that other may include programs and recipes only for 2 lb loaves. It would be an easy matter to use one of the programmable programs and simply setting a reduced bake for smaller loaves. Included in the documentation is add ingredients and total cycle time for each program. Detailed individual cycle times for regular medium white bread course is included but lacking for all the other programs which I would have liked to have provided. It also does not include a light or add ingredients bin dispenser but was probably left out to provide a more useful upper heater element In the lid. Having functionality take precedence over unnecessary features is fine with me. Also glad it does not have an auto yeast add feature as I would never trust it to work consistently in the long run. I’ve already ordered replacement paddles to have on hand as they typically only last a year or so.Unit runs very quiet and motor doesn’t seem to strain like most mixing dough.Very pleased with this purchase so far. Will update this review down the road as appropriate. Hopefully I’ll have no need to do that.
You will become an instant bread baker. I’ve been looking at buying a bread maker for some time but was hesitant on whether I would actually use it enough to justify it. BUY IT! I finally took the plunge because I was worried I may not be able to buy bread through this isolation and I am so glad I did. I’ve never made bread in my life and this machine made me an instant bread baker. We’ve used this machine every other day since it was delivered and we haven’t had 1 bad loaf (well maybe once because I didn’t put one of the paddles in correctly but that’s user error). We’ve become creative and started adding in all sorts of ingredients. They’ve all been wonderful. perfect crust all around. For the bread making uninitiated, this is a great purchase. You will not regret it. It’s easy to use, easy to clean.
Awesome product. Love my Zojirushi bread machine. First time I ever made bread and it tasted great. I was very surprised that I can even do it with very simple instructions. I even made coconut buns and pineapple pies doughs with it. As well as pizza dough with it. I’m looking forward to explore new dough recipes with my Zojirushi bread machine. Awesome product and great investment.
Amazing bread machine. This bread machine is amazing. It’s so easy, makes perfect bread and dough, and super easy to clean. It is a little big, mainly just long, but it makes bigger loaves of bread. I made a gluten free bread as well and it turned out great. The recipe book that comes with it makes it pretty easy to get started.
Inconsistent results. I borrowed my mother-in-laws Zojirushi bread machine and made spelt bread once a week for a month and the loaves turned out perfect every time. My husband bought me my own Zojirushi bread machine and we bought the virtuoso plus. My first loaf of spelt bread turned out perfect. The next 3 loaves have all fallen so flat that I have to throw them away. I haven’t done anything different. I always weigh my ingredients. I’m just so frustrated at wasting all my ingredients. I am afraid to try it again.
Great machine. A solvable niggle from poor quality control. When first used this very expensive machine made a heck of a racket. The issue was all of the screws holding the metal to the inside of the lid were not tightened properly. A quick bit of screwing and all’s good.Made a few different loaves so far and they’ve come out really nice.Be careful cleaning those blades. I can see that coating coming off if you’re not careful
Bread did not turn out consistent. tried several recipts but the bread did not turn out consistent, did not raise uniformly,
Great bread, easy to make. Well worth the price, lots of features, loads of bread receipts, easy to follow instructions and to make.
The Zojirushi BB-PDC20 is appropriately dubbed the Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus. Possibly the best Zojirushi bread machine available on the market. It features a 2-pound loaf pan with dual kneading blades. Dual heaters within the baking chamber and the lid ensure that the loaf is evenly baked with a uniformly colored crust. The control panel features an LCD display and a menu with Gluten Free, Multigrain, Rapid Whole Wheat, Salt-Free, Sugar-Free, and Vegan options.
See more full review of Zojirushi Horizontal Loaf Bread Machine here
West Bend Horizontal Loaf Bread Maker
West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Programmable Horizontal Dual Blade with 12 Programs Including Gluten Free, 3-Pound, Gray
Amazon.com
West Bend’s Hi-Rise bread machines have existed for many years. The West Bend 41410 Hi-Rise bread machine replaced the 41300 model. The 41410 model was replaced by the 47413 model of the West Bend bread machine.
Two kneading blades are included in the extra-large, nonstick bread pan of the West Bend 47413. It can produce loaves weighing up to 3 pounds! Custom, French, Gluten-Free, Sweets, Basic, and Wheat are among the twelve menu options.
Conclusion
The West Bend 47413 is the more cost-effective option when compared to the Zojirushi BB-PDC20.
Despite this, the Zojirushi BB-PDC20 is likely the best bread machine for producing horizontal loaves.
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