Having a big family means a loaf of bread won’t last long. If you’re planning to use a bread machine to bake for a crowd, you’ll need one with a large loaf capacity. Unfortunately, finding a large bread machine that can handle extra large loaves isn’t always easy. In this evaluation, I’ll explore large bread machines capable of making and baking loaves exceeding two pounds, like 2.5-pound and 3-pound loaves.
What are large bread loaf sizes?
I believe that a 2 lb bread loaf is typically considered a large size loaf. Anything bigger than 2 pounds could be classified as an extra large bread loaf size. For instance, common extra large loaf sizes for bread machines are 2.5 lb and 3.0 lb. However, I’ve recently come across a bread machine that offers a 3.3 lb and even a 3.5 lb loaf size option.
Large Bread Machine For 2.5 lb Loaf Size
Panasonic SD-YD250 Bread Machine
The Panasonic SD-YD250 is a versatile large bread maker that can handle a wide range of loaf sizes, making it perfect for larger families. With its LCD screen and user-friendly buttons, you can easily select the loaf size, crust color, and cooking function that suits your preferences.
This bread maker offers a variety of menu settings, including Basic, Whole Wheat, Multi-Grain, French, Pizza, Cake, Bake Only, Rapid Bake, Raisin (which even gives you an audible signal to add raisins or nuts), Sandwich, Pizza Dough, Rolls, and Raisin Dough.
Cleaning up is easy thanks to the removable baking pan with a nonstick coating and a convenient handle for easy bread removal. While it doesn’t have a viewing window in the lid, this actually helps with heat distribution inside the baking chamber, resulting in better dough rises and a more delicious crust with a beautiful color.
The automatic yeast dispenser is a handy feature that keeps the yeast separate from the other ingredients until it’s time to add it automatically. Additionally, this bread maker comes with a 13-hour delay timer, and a 10-minute power-interruption protection feature.
Although the SD-YD250 model has unfortunately been discontinued by Panasonic and is no longer available for purchase, you can still check out my review of the Panasonic SD-YD250 for a more in-depth discussion of its features, advantages, and disadvantages. It’s a shame that we don’t know the exact reason behind its discontinuation.
Breville BBM800XL Bread Maker
The Breville BBM800XL is a spacious bread machine that boasts a sleek stainless steel exterior and can produce loaves up to 2.5 pounds in size. What sets it apart is its convenient fruit and nut dispenser, which automatically adds extra ingredients to the dough. Additionally, its collapsible kneading paddle folds down after mixing and kneading, minimizing the hole at the bottom of the bread.
The LCD screen showcases a variety of menu presets, including Custom, Basic, Whole Wheat, Rapid, Gluten Free, Crusty Loaf, Sweet, Yeast Free, Dough, Pizza, Pasta, Bake Only, and Jam. It also displays the chosen crust color, loaf size, remaining cycle time, and a progress indicator. This versatile machine can even make gluten-free bread and prepare pizza dough.
Users have praised the effectiveness of the automatic fruit and nut dispenser. While the stainless steel exterior is visually appealing, it is worth noting that it may be prone to dents and marks due to its thinness. The standout feature of the Breville BBM800XL is its collapsible kneading blade, although some users find it requires more effort to keep it clean.
Overall, most people are satisfied with the performance of this large bread machine and its collapsible paddle. If you’re interested in learning more about this stainless steel bread maker, you can find pricing and additional details on Amazon (paid link).
Extra Large Bread Machine For 3 lb Loaf Size
Black & Decker B6000C Bread Machine
The Black & Decker B6000C offers the flexibility to make 1.5, 2, or 3-pound bread loaves in its nonstick baking pan. With a traditional rectangular bread shape, this bread maker comes equipped with two kneading paddles for mixing and kneading the dough.
The large viewing window on the lid allows you to monitor the baking process, while the LCD control panel makes it easy to select from eleven menu programs, loaf size, crust color, and the 13-hour delayed baking timer.
You may check out my review of the Black and Decker B6000C to learn more about its features, pros, and cons. Then again, I do not know if the B6000C model will ever be widely available again. So many bread machines have quietly disappeared over the last few years.
West Bend 47413 Hi-Rise Bread Maker
West Bend offers a high-capacity bread machine with the West Bend 47413 Hi-Rise bread maker. This machine features dual blades and a horizontal loaf pan, allowing you to choose from three different loaf sizes: 2-lb, 2.5-lb, and 3-lb. Customize the crust color by selecting light, medium, or dark options.
With 12 menu settings, you can bake various types of bread like Basic, Wheat, French, Sweet, Dough, and Gluten-Free. The instruction manual includes numerous recipes for both dough and bread loaves.
For more information on the West Bend 47413 Hi-Rise bread maker, you may read my comprehensive review. I also discuss the older West Bend Hi-Rise bread machines in that review, but the 47413 model number is the only one that is still available to purchase online. Otherwise, you can see current pricing for the West Bend 47413 on Amazon (paid link).
SAKI SK-BM8910 Bread Maker Machine
The SAKI SK-BM8910 bread maker comes with three different bread size options: 2.2 lb, 2.7 lb, and 3.3 lb. Additionally, the SAKI bread maker offers three crust color choices.
The display will show you the total time based on the functions you select. With 12 different programs to choose from, including options like Basic Bread, Quick Bread, Sweet Bread, and more, the SAKI SK-BM8910 offers plenty of versatility. You can even delay the bread making process for up to 15 hours.
Once the program is finished, the SAKI bread maker will beep ten times to let you know it’s done. The keep warm function will then activate until you take your bread out of the pan.
In summary, this bread maker is perfect for larger families, as it can make loaves up to 3.3 lb in size. If you’re interested, you can find the pricing for the SAKI SK-BM8910 bread maker on Amazon (paid link).
Davivy vs. Patioer: which has the worst brand name?
During my research for this review, I stumbled upon two extra large bread machines with a 3.3 lb loaf capacity: the Davivy and the Patioer. Let me briefly discuss these machines.
At first glance, they appeared quite similar to me, with only a few minor cosmetic variations. However, it’s worth noting that both the Davivy and the Patioer offer the exact same 15 menu programs.
- Basic
- French
- Whole Wheat
- Sweet
- Butter Milk
- Gluten Free
- Super Rapid
- Cake
- Knead
- Dough
- Pasta Dough
- Yogurt
- Jam
- Bake
- Homemade
You know what? Upon reviewing the product images once more, I have come to the realization that it is actually the same model, just with two different brand names. This conclusion is supported by the fact that both machines share the model number BM8906.
It seems that the Davivy brand name may be slightly superior to the Patioer brand name, although the difference is not significant. I mean, it is basically the same damn bread machine.
Which is the largest bread machine?
The Patioer 3.5 lb bread machine stands out for its ability to make the largest loaf size. Marketing materials boast about its capability to produce extra large loaf sizes: 2.5 lb, 3.0 lb, and 3.5 lb.
While the exterior of the Patioer 3.5 lb machine resembles the BM8906 models, it features a slightly different design for the viewing window, buttons, and LCD screen.
In terms of menu programs, this extra large bread machine offers the same 15 options as the Davivy BM8906 and Patioer BM8906 models.
Similar to the other Patioer model, this 3.5 lb model is equipped with dual blades and utilizes a horizontally shaped loaf pan.
At present, the Patioer 3.5 lb model appears to have the largest loaf capacity available on Amazon (paid link).
Conclusion
I think that the Black & Decker B6000C and the West Bend 47413 are the most economical bread machines for creating large bread loaves. However, it seems that the Black & Decker B6000C is currently not readily available.
Out of all the large bread machines mentioned in the review, the Breville BBM800XL is likely the most expensive one. Nevertheless, if you desire a bread machine with a 2.5-Lb capacity, an automatic fruit dispenser, and a collapsible kneading paddle, then the Breville BBM800XL is the ideal choice.
On the other hand, if you prefer to bake 3-pound bread loaves using a budget-friendly large bread machine with two kneading paddles, I recommend selecting the West Bend 47413 Hi-Rise bread maker (buy it on Amazon – paid link).
If you don’t mind purchasing a relatively unknown brand name, the Patioer 3.5 lb bread maker does produce the largest loaf size among them all.