bread machines are such a loaded topic for some!! some people get downright fierce in defence of theirs :) I really like mine it is a WElbilt w/o a lot of gizmos others don't like the company though -- i have had no problems.
Your price range is good -- you can get them for Quite a bit more -- but if you are doing light duty and just wnat a fresh loaf you don't need to go high.
Some tips ... window are not a big deal as we all peek anyway :)
an add fruit beep is nice but mine does not have it and i don't need it as my fruit does not get pulvarized but on many machines they do if added at the begining.
an extra knead or wheat cycle is VERY nice to have even for regular white bread but can be overcome by reseting the machine after first knead.
mine has a built in system that auto ejects the bread and i like this easy to clean -- i just wipe it out and i'm done -- be sure that the bread pan is coated and you may want to use pam or such anyway ... on the kneader too -- i do not need to do this on my machine. if it is a lift out pan check the differences in the pans is one more solid than another?
some are noisy mine is and that is a bother to some (not us)
i have heard good and bad on all the machines you listed but i think it was the middle one that i have heard the best aobut what was it's name again??? I remembered that when i read it.
is it light? how does it fit under your cupboards?
you want it to do both 1.5-2 pound loaves if you can not 1 pound mine does all 3
basic settings: light, med, dark & dough, white, wheat, french these are on alomost all machines and are nice to have.
I like a timer that will let me say "be done in 7 hours" then i push start and it gos on when needed to be done in time THIS is GREAT! Quick rise is nice too.
MOST IMPORTANT use it a LOT in the next 30 days -- a loaf a day if you can to make sure that it works well and that you like -- it's size, noise ect. and if you don't take it back the the store RIGHTaway! You can simply state that it did not meet you satisfaction. Manufactureres are nortorious aobut not helping 6 mos down the road :)
good luck let us know what you get & how much it was!
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you might want to concider the purchase of a bread cutting system at the same time it really makes a difference :) I like mie it is Hamitoltin beach and has electric kniffe with a plastic cutting guide ... LOVE it! have everything on hand before youbuy so you can use right away!! you'll wnat to.
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