Bread made by an automatic bread machine usually does not look like a normal bread loaf due to the shape of the bread pan. However, there are bread machines on the market that have horizontal loaf pans that produce a rectangular bread loaf.
Introduction
Most bread machines make loaves that stand up vertical because the bread pan is shaped that way, and it has only one kneading blade.
Bread machines that make horizontal loaves, like the loaves you buy from the bakery, have bread pans with a rectangular shape.
Automatic bread machines that make traditional shape bread loaves have two kneading paddles to ensure that the ingredients are mixed and kneaded well.
A single paddle bread machine makes a tall, square loaf in contrast to a double paddle bread machine that makes a more rectangular loaf.
We have chosen examples of bread machines that can make rectangular loaves: the ones from Zojirushi and from West Bend. You may continue reading for a short summary of each bread machine.
Zojirushi Horizontal Loaf Bread Machine
There are three Zojirushi bread makers that have horizontal loaf pans: the BB-CEC20, BB-PAC20 and the BB-PDC20. Let us take a quick look at each.
The Zojirushi BB-CEC20 bakes a 2-pound traditional shape bread loaf in its rectangular bread loaf pan. It has two kneading blades and a strong motor for better mixing and kneading results. The menu options available are Basic, Quick, Wheat, Dough, Jam, Cake, Sourdough Starter as well as three Homemade Menus which you can customize and save with your own preferences. The Quick baking cycle bakes bread in about 2 hours. It also has a 13-hour delay timer.
The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 is a newer model that also makes horizontal loaves. It has a gluten-free setting for making gluten-free bread, as well as an extra heating element in its lid for a more uniform crust color. The older model BB-CEC20 has neither a gluten-free menu setting nor an extra heating element.
The Zojirushi BB-PDC20 is not called the Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus for nothing. It might be the best Zojirushi bread machine on the market. It has a 2-pound horizontal loaf pan with dual kneading blades. The dual heaters inside the baking chamber and the lid ensure that the loaf is baked evenly with a consistent crust color. The control panel has an LCD screen and offers a menu with a variety of options such as Gluten Free, Multigrain, Rapid Whole Wheat, Salt Free, Sugar Free and Vegan.
To sum up, the Zojirushi BB-PDC20 might be the best bread machine for making a mouth-watering 2-pound horizontal loaf (check price on Amazon – paid link).
West Bend Horizontal Loaf Bread Maker
The Hi-Rise bread makers from West Bend has been around for many years. The West Bend 41410 Hi-Rise bread maker replaced the old model West Bend 41300 bread machine. However, the 41410 model was replaced by the newer model West Bend 47413 bread machine.
The West Bend 47413 has an extra large nonstick bread pan with two kneading blades. It can produce large loaf sizes of up to 3 pounds! The twelve menu options include Custom, Dough, French, Gluten-Free, Sweet, Basic and Wheat.
We are not going to go into all the details here, but you can learn more about the West Bend 47413 Hi-Rise bread maker at online retailer Amazon (paid link).
Conclusion
In brief, the West Bend 47413 is the more affordable option compared to the Zojirushi BB-PDC20.
Nonetheless, the Zojirushi BB-PDC20 (click here to read my review) is probably the best bread machine for making horizontal loaves.