Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker Review

The Breville BBM800XL is a programmable bread maker with a single collapsible paddle, automatic fruit dispenser, LCD screen and stainless steel color. My review of the Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf bread maker discusses its features such as the various buttons, push-dial, dispenser, removable lid and collapsible paddle. I also answer questions about its collapsible paddle, automatic fruit dispenser, loaf size and custom settings.

Breville BBM800XL: Control Panel Buttons

At the top of the control panel are three buttons: Weight/Temp, Beeper and Light.

The weight/temp button changes the weight and temperature readings from Fahrenheit and pounds to Celsius and kilograms.

The beeper button mutes the sound alerts.

The light button is pressed and held to turn on a light inside the baking chamber. The light makes it easier to see what is going on when you look through the viewing window in the lid.

At the bottom of the control panel are four buttons as well as a push-dial.

The delay start button does exactly that: delay the start of a bread program by up to 13 hours.

The modify button is used for modifying the temperatures and times of the various bread making cycles.

The cancel button is used in two ways: use it to cancel and return to the main menu before a cycle is activated, or press and hold it to cancel a bread cycle after it is in progress.

The start/pause button is pressed to start a bread cycle. It will pause the bread cycle if you press and hold it until the word ‘PAUSE’ is flashing on the LCD screen. Press it again to continue the cycle.

Breville BBM800XL Bread Maker Buttons and LCD Screen
The control panel has LCD screen, buttons and selection dial.

Selection Push-Dial

The push-dial is used for selecting a setting, crust color and loaf size. You turn it to scroll through the options on the LCD screen. You push it down to select an option. The push-dial selector is also used when you have pressed the modify button. You use the push-dial to change the temperature and time values.

Automatic Fruit And Nut Dispenser

An automatic fruit and nut dispenser is built into the lid of this Breville bread maker. The capacity of the fruit and nut dispenser is about a 3/4 cup size. Only use dry ingredients, no liquids please!

The sound of the automatic dispenser door dropping open is loud, so do not be alarmed by it. It drops open about eight minutes before the second kneading phase ends. The fruit and nut dispenser works on the following settings: Basic, Basic Rapid, Whole Wheat, Whole Wheat Rapid, Gluten Free, Crusty Loaf, Sweet, Yeast Free and Dough.

Breville BBM800XL Bread Maker Automatic Fruit and Nut Dispenser
The Breville BBM800XL has a fruit and nut dispenser.

Removable Lid

The bread maker has a removable lid with a large viewing window. You can see the progress of the bread through the viewing window without having to open the lid. Use the light button to illuminate the interior of the baking chamber.

Nonstick Bread Pan

The Breville Custom Loaf bread maker has a nonstick coated bread pan with a handle to make it easier to remove from the baking chamber and to make the bread easier to remove from the bread pan. There is a drive shaft in the center of the bread pan. The drive shaft drives the kneading paddle.

Collapsible Kneading Paddle

The Breville BBM800XL has a single collapsible paddle for mixing, kneading and punch-down. The collapsible paddle should be pushed down firmly onto the drive shaft. Push the collapsible paddle into the upright position so it can mix the ingredients. It is important that the paddle is in the upright position before you start a bread making program.

Breville BBM800XL Bread Maker Collapsible Paddle Positions
Collapsible paddle positions: flat or upright.

The drive shaft is able to rotate in both directions. The Breville bread machine can push the collapsible paddle flat or upright by reversing the rotational direction of its drive shaft.

Please note that this is not the only paddle that comes with this Breville bread maker. It also has a fixed paddle that is used for stirring jam when using the jam setting. The Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf bread maker comes with two paddles: a collapsible paddle for making bread and a fixed paddle for making jam.

Breville BBM800XL Bread Maker Fixed Paddle
Fixed paddle is only used for making jam.

Can you remove the collapsible paddle?

There is a way to remove the kneading paddle before the bread dough is baked. This method leaves only the small hole made by the drive shaft in the bottom of the bread.

To do this, you wait until the remove paddle alert is sounded at the start of the third rise phase. Press and hold the start/pause button. This will pause the ‘Rise 3’ cycle.

Open the lid (while wearing oven mitts) and remove the nonstick bread pan from the baking chamber. Remove the dough from the baking pan, remove the collapsible paddle, and replace the dough in the center of the baking pan. Now you can return the baking pan to the bread machine.

Close the lid and press the start/pause button. The bread maker will continue with the third rise and baking cycle.

Can the Breville BBM800XL make gluten-free bread?

Yes, it has a gluten-free setting for making gluten-free bread. This setting has a shorter kneading and rising phase, but it bakes at a higher temperature. Gluten-free dough made with rice, potato or tapioca flour is wetter and less elastic than wheat flour. It needs less kneading and more heat to produce a firm bread loaf.

Does the Breville BBM800XL have a yeast free setting?

Yes, it has a yeast free setting for making bread recipes that use baking powder or baking soda instead of yeast. The yeast free setting does not have any rising cycles. The baking powder or baking soda is activated by liquids and by the heat of the baking phase, therefore it does not need a rising phase.

The yeast free setting mixes and kneads the ingredients and then goes straight to baking the bread loaf. Crust color and loaf size options are disabled for the yeast free setting.

Does the Breville BBM800XL have a yeast dispenser?

No, it does not. What it does have is an automatic fruit and nut dispenser, but this cannot be used for yeast.

If you want a bread maker with a yeast dispenser, then you should consider the Panasonic SD-YD250 bread maker.

What bread loaf sizes can it bake?

It can make the following loaf sizes: 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5-pound. The actual weight of the finished bread might be slightly less or slightly more than these figures due to the type of flour used or the amount of fruit and nuts that was added.

Does it have a pause feature?

Yes, it has a pause feature that is controlled with the pause button on the control panel. You can use the pause feature to pause any phase of the bread making process, except for the keep warm phase. This allows you to shape the dough by hand before the baking cycle, or to add fruit and nuts after the ‘add-in’ alert signal.

Can you modify the menu settings?

Yes, you can modify the time and temperature of the different bread making phases: preheat, knead, rise, punch-down, bake and keep warm. You select the bread setting with the push-dial. Press the modify button and use the selection push-dial to modify the values you want. If you are satisfied, press the start button to start the modified bread setting.

Please note that the modifications are not stored in the bread maker’s memory. If you want to keep the settings, then you need to use the custom setting.

How To Store Custom Settings

You turn the selection push-dial until the indicator on the LCD screen points to the custom setting. It is right at the top of the settings list on the LCD screen. Press down on the push-dial to select the custom setting. There are nine spaces available where you can program your custom recipe. Use the modify button to edit the values of the different bread preparation phases.

You can use the whole wheat setting as a template because it includes all the bread preparation phases. After you have programmed all the available bread settings, you can press the start button.

How To Clean The Breville BBM800XL

The bread pan is the part that will need the most cleaning. You remove the bread pan from the machine and use a soft sponge and some soapy water to wipe it clean. Do not use an abrasive material because the bread pan has a nonstick coating. Do not submerge the bread pan in water, just put soapy water inside the pan. You may also clean the paddle with dish soap and water. The rest of the bread maker can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Breville BBM800XL versus Zojirushi Bread Maker

The Breville Custom Loaf bread machine allows you to either modify existing menu settings or to create up to nine of your own custom settings. It has a collapsible paddle that is pushed flat by the bread machine before the baking phase starts. This leaves a smaller hole in the bottom of the bread loaf.

This Breville bread maker looks shiny, and it has a lot of special features, but it all comes at a price. It costs more than $250, which puts it into the same price class as the Zojirushi bread machines.

The biggest differences between the Breville BBM800XL and the Zojirushi bread makers are the single collapsible paddle, baking pan shape and the automatic fruit dispenser. The Zojirushi bread machines have dual non-collapsible kneading blades, horizontal baking pans, and do not have automatic fruit dispensers. For example, read my Zojirushi BB-PDC20 review.

Conclusion

The BBM800XL can make gluten-free bread loaves and even prepare pizza dough. The automatic fruit and nut dispenser seems to perform well at its task.

The stainless steel looks attractive, but it is a little on the thin side so watch out for dents and marks. If you prefer a plain white color bread machine, then this Breville bread maker is not for you.

One of the main reasons to buy the Breville BBM800XL is for the collapsible kneading blade. Yet, some people do not like it because the paddle requires more cleaning to keep it clean. Overall, most people seem to be satisfied with the collapsible paddle, even though a few people had trouble with it.

In brief, the Breville BBM800XL is an expensive bread machine with a stainless steel exterior and an automatic fruit dispenser that offers the user a lot of menu program options, including the ability to create and store your own custom settings. If you want the best collapsible paddle bread machine on the market, then I guess the Breville BBM800XL is your top choice. Shop now on Amazon (paid link).