Zojirushi BB-HAC10WZ Home Bakery Bread Baker Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my fourth bread machine in the past 15-20 years. I started out using the original Zojirushi, which was a great machine (but eventually died after many years of loyal service). More recently, I had been using a full-size Zojirushi BBCCX20 and a Breadman Ultimate. I still use both the Breadman and the Zojirushi BBCCX20 for specific purposes (I bake a lot of bread), but the Zo Mini is the only machine that stays permanently on my counter now. It has become, by far and away, my favorite bread machine.
For starters, I should explain why I still use the Breadman and the full-size Zo:
o The Breadman (which seems to be sold under a variety of private labels these days) is the most flexible machine on the market in terms of the range of cycles and the ability to adjust the cycle timing. I especially like the Pause button for breads that refuse to proof as quickly as expected. The motor is weak, though, and the machine is very noisy.
o The full-size Zo has a great motor. It's the only option for making 2-pound loaves of whole-wheat bread. It also has the ability to program custom cycles (but no Pause button once a cycle is under way). On the downside, it has a very annoying beep to signal when it's time to add fruit/nuts -- the beep goes for a very long time and can't be silenced, which is a problem if you use the machine on a delay setting to bake bread overnight. Like the Breadman, it also takes up quite a bit of counter space.
Now, on to the Zojirushi Mini:
+ The Zo mini produces the perfect size loaf for every day. The larger machines are great for producing 1.5 to 2 pound loaves, which are the right size for a big gathering. But a loaf of that size is too big for everyday meals. The Zo Mini, on the other hand, produces a loaf that's perfect for everyday use -- we generally eat half the loaf as soon as it comes out of the machine, then finish off the loaf the next day before it goes stale.
+ The Zo mini takes up less than half the counter space of the full-size loaf machines. It's so small that I can leave it out all the time, which makes it really easy to bake a loaf of bread on a whim.
+ The Zo mini seems to live up to the Zojirushi reputation in terms of motor power. I've had no trouble with very stiff whole-wheat doughs.
+ The Zo mini is very quiet. The difference between the Zo and my Breadman in terms of noise is amazing. This is especially important if you like to use the machine on a delay setting overnight so that you can wake up to fresh bread.
On the downside:
- The Zo mini does not have the same options as the full-size Zo to create customized baking cycles, and it still doesn't have a Pause button (why hasn't Zojirushi figured this out by now?).
- The beeper that indicates when to add fruit/nuts still can't be turned off. On the positive side, though, the beeper only beeps about five times on the mini, which is a huge improvement over the 15-beep cycle on the full-size Zo (which always kept me from using the full-size Zo overnight).
In a nutshell: The Zojirushi Mini is the closest thing I've found to the perfect bread machine. It's compact and simple, with a powerful motor, and it produces the ideal size loaf (i.e., one that you can finish before it goes stale). Although I continue to use my bigger machines for holidays, the Zo Mini is now the only bread machine we use on a regular basis. It's a great addition to the kitchen if you enjoy fresh bread.

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BB-HAC10WZ Features: -White finish -1 lb. automatic bread maker -Includes an easy-to-follow instruction video, manual and recipe booklet -Compact and slim design-perfect for singles and smaller families -Three bread textures to choose from: regular, firm or soft -Cookie/pasta dough setting to prepare homemade cookies and pasta -Durable non-stick interior -13 hour delay timer -Menu settings include: basic bread (regular, firm), soft, French, dough, cookie/pasta dough, cake, jam and quick baking Specifications: -Capacity: 1 lb. loaf of bread -Quick baking cycle prepares breads in under 2 hours -Crust control, function allows you to select regular or light crust -Electric Rating: 120 volts/450 watts -1-year manufacturer's warranty -Overall Dimensions: 12'' H x 8'' W x 11'' D The Home bakery Mini Bread Maker is ideal for small families. This slim machine contains a convenient viewing window, a user friendly east-to-read LCD control panel and a programmable timer that delays baking up to 13 hours. Select from three bread textures: Regular, Firm, or Soft and make the best bread at anytime. You can also make additive and preservative-free fresh fruit jams in only 80 minutes! Manual

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