Bread machine purchase

I brought an inexpensive Welbilt (I can't remember the model) home 2 weeks ago (with rebate it would have come to about $40). This was at a discount store and there was no place to open it, look , etc.

I brought it back the next day .... it had a built in bread pan .... you could not take it out! they supplied a wire thing that you inserted and it lifted the bread out -- after the baking was done the machine 'ejected' the bread up about 1/2 to 1 inch. I didn't like this idea - but I made 1 loaf (since it was rectangular I thought I might like it). It was ok .... but not that great.

I was purchasing this for a Xmas gift for my daughter-in-law .... and she had told me if I got a different brand than I had - to try it ... since I've been using machines for a long time.

I have a Regal -- about 4 years old - and it still works very well tho the kneading blade is getting a little worn in a couple of spots ...which sometimes makes its stick. Today I ended up buying my d-in-law almost the same Regal - tho it is a bit larger - makes up to 2 lb (mine is old - only up to 1-1/2 lb back then).

I think the Zo is very good .... and it is probably what I will buy when my 'goes'. There is another - breadman ultimate or something that gets a lot of good raves on some of the bread sites. I haven't seen it in the stores I've been to. I think the Zo is very good for whole wheats and other grains. Some say that when you 'do' your recipes or other recipes than in the manual - it takes a bit getting used to. And also, with the 2 kneading blades, you sometimes have to 'help' the dough during the first kneading by using your rubber spatula. That happens with some recipes in all machines. My Regal makes good wheat and whole grain breads as long as I program it for the longer period (more knead/rise) times.

Enjoy what you get. Use it a lot the first couple of weeks .... so that, if you're not pleased, you can exchange it.