Quest for the Best Deal on a Zojirushi Bread Maker
Zojirushi's automatic home bakeries have taken North America by storm, amassing a loyal Zo fan base across the continent, from Southern California and Texas to Toronto and Montreal in Canada. The Zo enthusiasts describe Zojirushi's bread makers as top of the range in terms of bread texture, easy to use, and exceptionally versatile (did you know that the Virtuoso BB-PAC20 and Supreme BB-CEC20 models can make things like meatloaf and sourdough starters – and that is of course in addition to breads, cakes, doughs and jams).
Whether you're looking to replace your old Zojirushi model or whether you're simply looking to buy a top rated bread machine, the task of finding the best modern Zojirushi bread maker for your family may not be as easy as it may sound. Today, several models are available in the US and Canada, and all of them have received good reviews on Amazon and all of them are great workhorses. Therefore, it is important that you peck around for the best deal / model for you. For example, if you don't have a big family to feed, you might want to get the Zo Mini (BB-HAC10), which produces 1-lb loaves, instead of getting the Virtuoso or Supreme, which produce 2-lb loaves. The Mini model is likely to be the cheapest Zojirushi model you'll find in the US or Canada (at least if you're looking for a new machine rather than a used or refurbished product).
But that's just one example of how getting a bread maker that best matches your requirements can save you hard earned money. To get more examples, keep reading.
Finding the Best Zojirushi Home Bakery System for Your Home
What's the best Zojirushi bread maker? Unfortunately, there's no straightforward answer – instead, the verdict depends largely on your requirements and preferences. How many kneading blades should the machine be equipped with (i.e. dual vs single blade construction)? Do you want to be able to create your own customized baking cycles? Should the breadmaker have a pre-programmed gluten-free cycle? How many crust options do you want to be able to choose from? Do you prefer traditional horizontal loaves or tall, vertical loaves? What about the loaf size?
To help you find the best deal for your requirements and budget, HealWithFood.org did some online research and put together a comparison chart that shows how different Zojirushi bread machines available to American and Canadian shoppers compare against each other in terms of key features, functions and price. Have a look:
| Virtuoso BB-PAC20 | Supreme BB-CEC20 | Mini BB-HAC10 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon deal | |||
| Highlights |
|
|
|
| Customizable programs | 3 | 3 | None |
| 100% whole wheat program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gluten-free program | Yes | No | No |
| Jam/compote program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Complete list of programs | See manual | See manual | See manual |
| Lid heater (for extra-even baking) | Yes | No | No |
| Crust options* | Light Medium Dark | Light Medium Dark | Regular Light |
| Loaf size | 2 lb | 2 lb | 1 lb |
| Loaf shape | Horizonal | Horizonal | Vertical |
| Keep warm function | Up to 60 min | Up to 60 min | Up to 60 min |
| Kneading blade system | Dual blade | Dual blade | Single blade |
| Viewing window | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LCD display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Delay timer* | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Electrical rating | 120 volts / 700 watts | 120 volts / 700 watts | 120 volts / 450 watts |
| Detailed description, user reviews, price information, etc |  Learn more Learn more | Learn more Learn more | Learn more Learn more |
*Only available on select programs (see the user manuals for details)
