Do you want to see what is going on in the baking chamber without lifting the lid? You need a bread machine with a viewing window. Most bread machines have viewing windows in their lids through which you can monitor the progress of the bread making process. Take a quick look at these popular bread makers with a viewing window.
Zojirushi Bread Maker With Large Viewing Window
The Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme measures 12.8 x 13.6 x 18.9 inches and weighs 20 pounds. It has a large rectangular viewing window, probably larger than any other bread machine on the market.
The BB-CEC20 bakes a 2-pound traditional shape bread loaf in its rectangular nonstick bread pan. It has two kneading blades and a strong motor for better mixing and kneading.
The following menu options are available for making a variety of recipes:
1. Basic
2. Basic Wheat
3. Basic Dough
4. Quick
5. Quick Wheat
6. Quick Dough
7. Jam
8. Cake
9. Sour Dough Starter
10. Homemade (you can program your own kneading, rise and bake time preferences).
The key benefits of the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 are its large viewing window and its rectangular baking pan that produces a traditional shape bread loaf. Furthermore, the Homemade menu setting allows you to program and save your own baking preferences. Other good features are the 13-hour delay timer, automatic shut-off system and a 10-minute power failure back-up.
The main cost of this Zojirushi bread maker is its suggested retail price of more than $250. It is also a big bread machine that requires a lot of counter space.
If you want to know more, then read our Zojirushi BB-CEC20 review.
Cuisinart Bread Machine With Viewing Window
The Cuisinart CBK-100 bread machine has a viewing window for checking on the bread dough without opening the lid. The lid, kneading paddle and baking pan are all removable for easy cleaning.
The CBK-100 can prepare and bake a 1, 1.5 or 2-pound bread loaf size in its nonstick bread pan with its single kneading paddle. Crust color options are light, medium or dark.
You may choose from the following 12 pre-programmed menu options:
1. Basic/White
2. French/Italian
3. Whole Wheat
4. Sweet
5. Gluten Free
6. Packet Mix
7. Cake
8. Dough
9. Pasta Dough
10. Jam
11. Bake-only
12. Rapid Bake
The Cuisinart CBK-100 has a power failure protection system. If the power is lost and restored within 15 minutes, the bread maker will remember where it was and continue with the bread making process. If the power is gone for more than 15 minutes, then the unfinished bread will probably end up in the rubbish bin.
The benefits of the Cuisinart CBK-100 is its affordable price point, it is easy to use, quick to clean and has a menu option for making gluten-free bread loaves. It also has a 13-hour delayed-start timer and a keep warm cycle.
The suggested retail price of the Cuisinart CBK-100 is usually less than $200. However, you cannot program your own custom bread cycle. The LCD might also be difficult to read for some people because it has no backlighting.
Conclusion
Most bread machines have a viewing window in the lid, except for certain Panasonic bread makers that have automatic yeast dispensers.
The automatic baking appliances above are just two of the more popular choices, but there are many others.
If you can afford an expensive bread machine with a large viewing window and have enough counter space available, then you might choose the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme (check price on Amazon – paid link).
You might also take a look at a newer Zojirushi bread machine, such as the BB-PDC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus.
If you want an affordable bread machine with a viewing window and a gluten-free cycle, then choose the Cuisinart CBK-100. However, it seems to be in short supply, thus you might have to consider getting the newer Cuisinart CBK-210 custom convection bread maker (buy it on Amazon – paid link).
Thank you for reading our post about bread machines with a viewing window.