Do you want a bread machine that has both a yeast dispenser and a raisin dispenser? You might be excited by the Panasonic SD-YR2500 bread maker because it has two automatic dispensers. Here is my review of the Panasonic SD-YR2500 bread machine.
Why Buy The Panasonic SD-YR2500?
The Panasonic SD-YR2500 includes two functions that were previously found on two separate Panasonic bread machines.
The yeast dispenser is the special attraction of the Panasonic SD-YD250.
The raisin dispenser is the highlight of the Panasonic SD-RD250 bread machine.
Both the yeast dispenser and the raisin dispenser are now available in a single Panasonic bread machine: the SD-YR2500.
Please note that the Panasonic SD-YR2500, which was released in 2015, is now a discontinued model. As a result, you will not be able to buy it anymore.
If you want to buy a Panasonic bread machine with an automatic dispenser, then you will have to look elsewhere. Specifically, you should take a look at the Panasonic SD-R2550, which has an automatic fruit and nut dispenser. Although, it does not have a yeast dispenser. To learn more, you may read my Panasonic SD-R2550 review.
Of course, if you do not want to read my review right this minute, then you could check the current price for the Panasonic SD-R2550 bread machine on Amazon (paid link).
Panasonic SD-YR2500: Yeast Dispenser
Do not add the yeast with the other dry ingredients into the bread pan. Put the other dry ingredients into the bread pan and then add the liquid. Place the bread pan inside the bread maker and close the lid. Now you may pour the dry yeast into the dry yeast dispenser. Keep in mind that static or moisture might prevent all the yeast from dropping into the bread pan.
Panasonic SD-YR2500: Raisin Nut Dispenser
The dispenser opens automatically for all programs, not just for the raisin nut programs. Nevertheless, use one of the Raisin Nut menu options for making bread or dough that requires fruits or nuts. You may also use the dispenser for dried herbs and seeds. Still, do not use hard, large seeds which might scratch the non-stick coating of the bread pan.
Moist or sugary ingredients such as fresh fruit, cheese and chocolate should never be added to the automatic dispenser. These ingredients might melt and stick to the inside of the dispenser. Add them by hand after the bread machine beeps for it.
Panasonic SD-YR2500: Control Panel
The LCD screen and buttons are the main features. The top of the LCD screen shows indicators for the current stage of the program: Rest, Knead, Rise, Bake, End. This is good because there is no space in the lid for a viewing window where you can see what the bread maker is doing. The LCD also shows small indicators for loaf size, menu program number, program time remaining and crust color.
Here are the buttons of the control panel and what they do:
- Menu: choose one of the sixteen menu options.
- Size: medium (about 1.5 lb) or extra large (about 2.5 lbs).
- Timer: set the 13-hour delay timer.
- Crust: choose a light or dark crust color.
- Start: begin the program you selected earlier.
- Stop: press and hold to cancel or stop the program.
The size and crust color of the bread loaf can only be changed for the first four bread baking options.
The delay timer is only available for the Basic, Basic Raisin Nut, French and French Raisin Nut programs. Use the increase or decrease buttons to set the delay timer for delayed baking, or to set the baking time for the Baking Only function (number 8).
Bread And Dough Options
The Panasonic SD-YR2500 offers the user both bread making and dough preparation options. There is a total of 16 menu options to choose from: eight baking options and eight dough programs.
1. Basic (it takes 4 hours from start to finished loaf.)
2. Basic Raisin Nut (for added nuts and raisins)
3. Basic Rapid (makes bread 50% faster in 2 hours total)
4. Basic Rapid Raisin Nut (timer delay is not available for rapid baking)
5. French (neither loaf size nor crust color is available)
6. French Raisin Nut
7. Gluten Free
8. Bake Only (from 30 minutes up to 1 hour and 30 minutes)
The menu list continues with the dough options:
9. Basic (2 hours and 20 minutes)
10. Basic Raisin Nut
11. French
12. French Raisin Nut
13. Pizza
14. Gluten Free Pizza
15. Pasta
16. Gluten Free Pasta
Gluten-Free Recipes
The Panasonic SD-YR2500 can make all types of bread: from 30% whole wheat bread to gluten-free bread. The SD-YR2500 operating instruction manual has three recipes for the Gluten-Free bread setting (number 7).
The first recipe uses Hodgson mix flour, while the second recipe requires “Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix”. The third gluten-free recipe uses brown rice flour, potato starch and xanthan gum.
There are three recipes for the Gluten-Free pizza menu option (menu option 14) and only one gluten-free pasta recipe (option 16). These gluten-free dough recipes require ingredients such as white rice flour, soy flour, tapioca flour, potato flour and guar gum.
Accessories
Three accessories are included. The first accessory is a measuring cup for liquid ingredients (maximum 8.5 oz./250 mL).
The second accessory is a measuring spoon with two sizes (15 ml and 5 ml) for measuring yeast, sugar and salt.
The third accessory is a menu label sticker which displays all the baking and dough making options. You may paste it on the side of the bread machine or on top of the lid for easy reference. You can paste it anywhere else in the kitchen, so long as you do not paste it over the attention label, steam vent or air vent of the bread machine.
Finally, an operating instruction manual is probably included in the box.
Non-Stick Bread Pan
Both the bread pan and the single kneading paddle are coated with a non-stick coating. Take care not to use hard utensils, large ingredients or abrasive cleaners which might damage the non-stick coating. The bread pan has a wire handle for carrying the pan safely.
Panasonic SD-YR2500: The Verdict
The Panasonic SD-YR2500 seems to be a great bread machine. Follow the operating instructions and recipes very closely, and the bread machine might reward you with perfectly baked bread loaves.
The SD-YR2500 has no viewing window, but this is because it has both a fruit raisin nut dispenser and a yeast dispenser.
Furthermore, it has menu options for making both gluten-free bread and gluten-free dough. However, this does not mean that the SD-YR2500 is only a gluten-free bread machine. It can bake all types of bread and even cake.
The Panasonic SD-YR2500 is not a cheap bread machine due to its two automatic dispensers, but it might have been worth buying if you are a fan of Panasonic bread machines. Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, the Panasonic SD-YR2500 bread machine is now no longer available.