The Breadman TR520 is the best choice if you are buying your first bread maker and don’t want something too expensive. This basic bread machine is not at all difficult to use, and best of all it is really affordable.
If you’re just baking your own bread for the first time, this $50 bread machine will certainly not make a big dent in your pocket, and the helpful preset cycles will make your baking experience a smooth one.
I feel that experienced bread bakers may find a lack of customizable options with this bread machine, so if you think you need to be in control of kneading time and etc, the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 would be a better choice.
The Breadman TR520 can make different varieties of bread even though it doesn’t allow you to customize many things. You can make all kinds of bread with herbs, nuts and seeds, honey, whole wheat, and even pizza dough.
The great thing about this bread machine is that you can choose to bake your bread in an hour! The fast bake mode does just that, so baking bread can be as simple as measuring out the ingredients and pressing a button to get fresh bread an hour later.
The bread is really good, and you can choose to bake 1, 1.5 or 2-pound loaves with this bread machine. I’ve noticed that you will need to test the amount and type of yeast to be used for different types of bread to get the perfect loaf.
The paddle is removable with this bread machine, so don’t worry about getting a hole in your loaf as long as you remember to take out the paddle before the baking starts. I love how the lid is removable too, so I can get it cleaned before baking another loaf.
The Breadman TR520 kneads well, though a bit more powerfully than the build can take, so there will be some grinding sounds and ‘walking’ on the kitchen counter top during that cycle.
Someone tells me that if you add a little water and scrape down the sides of the baking pan it will help smoothen matters, but I for one don’t really bother. I would just place the machine deeper into the counter top in case it falls off.
At an attractive price like this the Breadman TR520 is a good buy and yields some delicious bread that you will appreciate. If you can overlook the walking problem then this is the best basic bread machine you can get.
For a larger model go for this big baking machine, while this bread machine is good for gluten-free recipes. Check out more of my bread machine reviews here.
