Award winning breadmaker with special gluten free program and cookery advice line
Which? Best Buy May 2004/ Good Housekeeping Perfect Gift Award December 2004

Dimensions: (hxwxd) 37x34x26cm
Weight: Approximately 7.5 kg
Accessories: Measuring cup (240 ml), measuring spoon, UK recipe book including over 100 bread and dough recipes.
Power supply: 230-240V AC 50Hz
Power consumed: Maximum 500W
Timer: Digital Timer (up to 13 hrs)
Protective device:10 minute Power Interruption Protection
Loaf capacity: 1 kg
Cost of white loaf: 56p
White loaf baking time 4hr
Raising loaf baking time 4 hr.

Additional Features: raisin nut dispenser, Italian/French programs, 3 loaf sizes (medium, large, extra large), pizza dough option, super rapid option (1 hr 55 mins), crust colour control, 100% whole wheat bread option, bake only option for cakes/tea breads.

Which? Best Buy May 2004/ Good Housekeeping Perfect Gift Award December 2004.

With the superior build, quality and simplicity of design and operation, this breadmaker is an ideal addition to your home. It gives you the convenience of having fresh bread at anytime from fresh basic ingredients and can cater for special dietary requirements e.g. gluten free, low salt, high fibre.

The SD253 has a Raisin Nut Dispenser that automatically adds additional ingredients to your recipe and can also bake gluten free loaves on the Gluten Free Program, using a wide range of gluten free bread mixes (we sell the Dove's Farm and Glutano mixes to suit this breadmaker - see this aisle).

The SD253 has a Super Rapid Option to produce a white or brown loaf in only 1 hr and 55 mins and Sandwich Option to bake softer bread with a thinner crust - ideal for making perfect sandwiches. This model also features a Versatile Dough Option to make dough from white, brown or wholemeal flour for rolls, buns, croissants, etc and a French Dough Option for crusty French sticks. The Bake Only Option is also ideal to cook a selection of tasty cakes and teabreads.

Which? Magazine said: 'The best breadmaker on test was the Panasonic SD253. The bread was a hit with our testers, with one noting that it was 'superior to shop-bought'. The only criticism was that 'it makes you eat more bread because it tastes so lovely'.

Some users were critical of the relatively long baking times, but our bread expert believes longer programs tend to result in a better loaf, and she felt the bread from this machine 'looked great, and had a nice colour and shape'. It comes with a whopping 100 recipes for bread and cakes and has a raisin dispenser so you don't have to hang around to add fruit. On the downside there is no viewing window so you can't spy on your loaf.'