The Panasonic SD-R2530 is one of the brand's higher-end bread makers. Panasonic are the UK's market leaders for these appliances, so we had high hopes for this model. But is it any good? Our experts put it to the test in another of our in-depth reviews. Read on to find out what we thought of it!
Related: Top 5 Best Bread Makers
Design & build
We've already reviewed one of Panasonic's bread makers, the SD-B22510WXC. This model is very much the next step up, with the same basic design but with more features.
From a design point of view, the main difference between the two models is that the SD-R2530 is black, whereas the SD-B22510 is white. Otherwise, there's not much between the two. Both are landscape-oriented, which means you still get a good amount of space on your kitchen counter in front of the machine for measuring out ingredients and so on. However, the lid opens up quite high, so you might want to place it away from kitchen cupboards.
There's no viewing window (in fact, none of Panasonic's models do), so you do have to just trust that it's doing its thing. However, it's increasingly rare to find bread makers with a viewing window. The screen on the bread maker is just a basic LCD one, and not the largest or brightest. It does have a list of all the different settings printed on the machine, though, so you won't need to dig around for the manual to check what each one does.
Finally, the bread maker comes with a selection of measuring spoons, as well as a measuring cup. When baking bread, it's essential to follow measurements exactly, so having these included definitely comes in handy!
Performance
This is where the Panasonic SD-R2530 really shines. It has 30 different modes, making this a remarkably versatile kitchen appliance. Four of them are for gluten-free breads, but there are also options for pizza dough, cakes, and even pasta.
There's also a specific mode for bread mix, which we've not come across in other models we've tested. We actually made up a packet mix when testing the other Panasonic bread maker, which lacks this feature, and it turned out fine. That being said, if you're investing in one of these appliances, then you'll likely be putting in the effort to make your own bread mix. We whipped up a loaf of white bread on the medium browning setting, and the maker delivered a crisp, crunchy crust with a beautifully soft interior.
The SD-R2530 also has a fruit and nut dispenser, so any extra ingredients can be added automatically rather than having to do it manually partway through the bread making process.
Panasonic SD-R2530: The Verdict
If you're seriously thinking about getting into bread making, then we really can't recommend the Panasonic SD-R2530 enough. It's not that much more expensive than Panasonic's other model, and offers a huge array of options for budding bakers- plus delivers delicious results!
