Cuisinart CBK-200 Bread Maker Review

I love making home madebread, but with the addition of a new baby into the family I just don't have the time any longer.  I spent many hours reviewing bread machines before settling on the Cuisinart CBK-200.  What originality attracted to this machine was the variety of functions it provided.  The ability to make 1, 1.5 and 2 pound loaves, as well as dough, artisan breads and jams was a definite plus.  I loved that it had a 13 hour delay timer so that I could prepare my bread and wake up to that fresh baked smell in the morning!  Also, the Cuisinart CBK-200 is a very attractive looking machine, much more so than many of the plain white plastic ones.  I am very proud to display this machine on my counter top.

However, with that said, it was not smooth sailing from the start.  When I initially brought my machine home, unpacked it and set it up, I was prepared to go on a bread making spree.  I wanted to do something quick and easy, so I looked through the provided recipe book and decided on Cinnamon Raisin bread.  I gathered my ingredients, measured with care and loaded the machine.  About 10 minutes into the kneading process (if that) disaster struck.  I heard a ku-clunk sound and noticed that the pan had popped out of it's place and the dough was no longer being kneaded.  I wasn't sure if this was supposed to happen as a way to not overwork the dough (I had never used a bread machine before), but I pushed the pan back down anyway and it snapped back into place and the kneading resumed.  I did some quick online searches and found that this was NOT supposed to happen.  Oh well, fluke, I though.  However, though the course of the knead the pan kept popping out every few minutes, sometimes back to back.  I'd pop it down, it would come back out.  It was very frustrating.  When the process was finished the dough was great, but I was disappointed.  I mean, the whole reason I got a bread machine was so I wouldn't have to stand over it for hours, and with the pan popping out there was certainly no way I could use the delay timer for early morning breads like I had wanted.  Reluctantly, I cleaned up my machine, packed it back in the box and headed back to Williams Sonoma where I had originally made the purchase.  I asked for a demonstration of how their machine worked (they use the same machine in store).  I wanted to make sure I just wasn't doing something wrong.  They showed me how they install their pan, and it definitely made a sturdier connection when it popped into place.  I got a second machine, went home and unpacked it again, and set it up, this time expecting failure.

I started with a loaf of white bread.  I kept running over to the machine looking in the viewing window every few minutes, but to my chagrin the pan never once popped out.  My dough came out perfect and I was excited.  Upon baking the dough I realized however that I perfer the light crust function over medium or dark.  The other two settings just overcook the crust in my opinion.  I made a few more loaves of various breads to make sure that everything was working properly, and I haven't had a problem since.

I'm not sure how this machine compares to the others on the market, but I am very satisfied with my purchase (return and subsequent purchase).  The included recipes leave something to be desired, but I have found many online recipes that I have been trying with great success.  The included measuring cup and spoon included are dinky and plastic, however I find them quite functional.  I have a nice set of measuring cups and spoons that I don't even bother to get out most of the time anymore because these cheapos provide what I need.  One other thing to be aware of is that if you are short, the controls and the viewing window are all along the top of this machine.  Once up on the counter you may need a step stool to view.  I am only 5 foot 2 inches however, and I don't find it a terrible inconvenience.   My only other complaint about the machine would be that there are notifications for different functions (when to add mix ins, etc), but they are beep coded and there is no light to tell you exactly what the beep means.  I had to look through the manual and see "oh...six short beeps in a series of 3 means....".  Slightly inconvienent, but livable.

The machine is easy to clean.  The pan is non stick and so far the dough slides out with no problem and a sponge and hot water takes care of cleanup.  The outside needs little more than a wipedown to keep it looking nice.  Since it is stainless steel it will probably need some stainless cleaner in the future to keep it looking nice.

I know this machine is available at Williams Sonoma where I purchased it, and I believe you can also find it on Amazon, however I have yet to see it in other stores.  At $130 it is a little pricier than some other machines out there, but I believe it could be well worth it!