Tips and Tricks

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• What does the display indicator on my breadmaker mean?

  Your Panasonic breadmaker has a variety of diagnostic indicators:

  • 01 indicates a power failure.

  • Plug and electrical symbols also indicate an electrical cutout – though if it is temporary, you may be able to resume baking.

  • The flashing hands symbol is used when baking brioche and indicates that it is time to add the butter, according to the recipe. There is also a warning beep – be aware that the butter must be added within 5-minute window.

  • U50 indicates that the breadmaker is too hot (above 40 degrees C) and must be allowed to cool before it can be used – the indication will disappear.

  • H01-H02 indicates a fault with the unit. Ask the dealer where you purchased your breadmaker for a service consultation or call the Panasonic Service Centre on 0844 844 3868.

• Can I cook jam in my breadmaker?

  Yes, there are special recipes that must be followed carefully. Always use the quantities specified, otherwise the jam may boil over. To ensure there is no scorching, which may cause the kneading blade to ‘fix’, ensure you use sufficient fresh fruit – although it may be possible to use frozen fruit (but not alcohol-pickled) – and not too much sugar. Use caster or granulated sugar, not brown or low-calorie varieties (and never artificial sweetener). And to ensure the result is not too runny, make sure the fruit isn’t overripe and that the cooking time is accurately set – but be aware that the jam thicken further as it cools. Runny jam may be used as a delicious dessert sauce!

• What if I cannot remove the bread from the pan?

  Allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes (but be careful not to leave a hot bread pan unattended for safety reasons), then use oven gloves and shake the pan several times to free the loaf, holding the handle down and out of the way.

• How can I ensure a crispy crust?

  The steam remaining in your bread after cooking can pass into the crust and soften it. Always open your breadmaker when it is done and remove the bread pan immediately. You may also wish to reduce the amount of liquid in your recipe in the future, or try the menu 08 (SD-25000: 07) mode or the ‘Dark’ crust setting. Another option is to transfer your loaf to the oven and bake it for a further 5-10 minutes at 200 degrees C/Gas Mark 6.

• Is it normal for the kneading blade to be stuck in my finished loaf?

  It is not a problem and the blade can be removed when the bread has cooled (be careful), but this indicates that your dough was a little stiff. Try adding 10-20ml extra water in the next mix. To ensure a crust does not build up beneath the blade, always remove and wash it between uses (see Breadmaker Basics cleaning tips here).

• Should I be able to smell burning?

  A slight burning smell or a small amount of smoke issuing from your breadmaker may indicate that some dry ingredients were spilt on the element when you were filling the machine (it is best to remove the pan when placing in the ingredients), or that the mixing has caused a little flour to flick out of the pan during mixing. When the baking is complete and the unit has cooled, simply wipe the element clean gently. If there is a lot of smoke and a strong burning smell, however, this may indicate an electrical fault – unplug the breadmaker immediately and ask the dealer where you purchased your breadmaker for a service consultation or call the Panasonic Service Centre on 0844 844 3868.

• Why is the bottom of my loaf still wet?

  If you leave a loaf in the machine for too long after baking, the sides may collapse and the bottom may become damp. Always remove bread promptly and, if using the timer function, set the finish time accurately for when you will be present. Another possible reason for dampness is a power cutout (see above).

• Can I stop dough leaking from the bottom of my breadmaker?

  A small amount will escape through four special holes on the underside; this is part of the breadmaker’s normal function and is to ensure proper mixing inside. If the leakage is substantial, however, check that the kneading blade’s mounting shaft is rotating properly – if not, this component may need replacing – consult the dealer where you purchased your breadmaker, call the Panasonic Service Centre on 0844 844 3868 or order online at www.panasonic.co.uk.

• Why is the yeast not dropping into the bread pan?

  If it is damp or there is a build-up of static, this may cause the yeast to stick. Always use dry yeast and ensure the unit is clean and dry before use – but note that the timing of the dispenser’s activation will vary depending on the menu program and also the room temperature.

• How come my dough has not baked?

  Most likely you either had your breadmaker set to the dough menu (which does not include a baking stage) or the motor protection device activated. This cutout occurs if there is sufficient liquid, meaning the unit is overloading because the dough is too stiff and is applying force to the mechanism. Other possibilities include a power failure (see above); if you had the recipe and settings correct, ask the dealer where you purchased your breadmaker for a service consultation.

• Why is my bread pale and sticky?

  Unfortunately it is not fully baked. If it is only slightly underdone, try allowing it to cool for longer before attempting to slice it. If it has failed to bake, though, this may be because you used too little yeast (or it was old or the wrong type – see above). Or it could be that the timer was incorrectly set, or there was a power failure (see above). You will need to clean out your machine and dispose of the unfinished dough/bread; sorry –better luck next time!

• Should there be excess flour around a finished loaf?

  If there is flour around the bottom and sides of your baked bread, try using slightly less next time or increasing the amount of liquid in the mix. It is very important to measure ingredients accurately and follow the instructions closely. Always use the measuring spoon provided.

• Why have the ingredients not properly mixed?

  Was the kneading blade incorrectly fitted or not at all? It must be in place before you add the ingredients – but note that it is designed to fit fairly loosely on the shaft (and so a certain amount of rattling is part of the unit’s normal function). Or possibly there was a power failure that cut the process short; your breadmaker will switch itself off if it is stopped for longer than 10 minutes. If this is the case, you might be able to restart the machine, provided the kneading process was not already part of the way through.

• What are all these air holes in the bread?

  This indicates too much yeast in the mix, or else too much liquid in relation to the other ingredients. Some types of flour absorb water more than others. It might also mean your loaf rose more than you expected. Experiment with different recipes until you get the bread types that are right for you.

• Why hasn’t my loaf risen?

  There’s a number of possible reasons why the quality of gluten in your flour was poor, resulting in insufficient fermentation. Firstly, check that you followed the instructions carefully so ingredients did not mix in the wrong order or ahead of the baking process, which can also result in an uneven crust on the top of the loaf.

  • Was the yeast old (check the expiry date), opened for longer than 48 hours, or the wrong type? It should be a freshly opened dry sachet marked ‘easy blend/bake’ or ‘fast action’ yeast, which does not require pre-fermentation.

  • Did you not use strong baking flour? You might try stoneground or even organic next time. Or had it been stored for too long, or in insufficiently dry conditions?

  • You may have to alter your recipe – try it with 10-20ml more liquid next time. Or with less salt, or slightly more sugar.