We got a Breadman Ultimate TR2200 from my mom who didn't use it anymore, and for the past year or so we've been using it fairly regularily for making bread and pizza dough. Yesterday when I went to make pizza dough I noticed the shaft seemed bound up. I was able to free it and made the dough, but I noticed the shaft was loose, a sure sign of a worn bearing/bushing, and I noticed some black stuff on the dough near the mixer paddle, either grease or metal dust.
They no longer make parts for that model. While I can find new pans for $20 on eBay, they are all used, so who knows how long they will last.
I could also almost certainly repair it myself, but I don't really feel like doing that, as I'd have to source a bearing/bushing, plus the seal is worn and those run $20 for new ones.
New bread machines start at just $50 on Amazon, at roughly 4-4.2 stars, and run up what seems like the top of the line Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus at 4.5 stars (2500 ratings), but with a $270 price tag. I do think we want dual mixers, which cuts out the $50 models, as the single mixer usually leaves some unmixed flour on the sides of the pan, especially with a 1 lb-loaf, if you aren't around to scrap it down partway through the kneading cycle (such as an overnight run or you start it and run off to do some errands).
Anybody have thoughts on recommended models? I like buying quality things, especially if they last, so I'm leaning towards the Zojirushi. I'd especially like a brand that I know I'll be able to buy replacement pans, belts, or other parts for it a few years down the road, rather than chucking out (or trying to DIY repair) an otherwise perfectly functioning machine.
Oh and yes, I know I can almost buy a quality kitchen mixer at that price, but the kitchen mixer won't mix dough and then automatically keep it at just the right temp for rapid rising even if your kitchen is 65 °F in the winter, or let you throw a bunch of ingredients inside before bed and wake up to fresh loaf of bread that's just so delicious to eat hot with some butter melted over the top of the slice. ?
They no longer make parts for that model. While I can find new pans for $20 on eBay, they are all used, so who knows how long they will last.
I could also almost certainly repair it myself, but I don't really feel like doing that, as I'd have to source a bearing/bushing, plus the seal is worn and those run $20 for new ones.
New bread machines start at just $50 on Amazon, at roughly 4-4.2 stars, and run up what seems like the top of the line Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus at 4.5 stars (2500 ratings), but with a $270 price tag. I do think we want dual mixers, which cuts out the $50 models, as the single mixer usually leaves some unmixed flour on the sides of the pan, especially with a 1 lb-loaf, if you aren't around to scrap it down partway through the kneading cycle (such as an overnight run or you start it and run off to do some errands).
Anybody have thoughts on recommended models? I like buying quality things, especially if they last, so I'm leaning towards the Zojirushi. I'd especially like a brand that I know I'll be able to buy replacement pans, belts, or other parts for it a few years down the road, rather than chucking out (or trying to DIY repair) an otherwise perfectly functioning machine.
Oh and yes, I know I can almost buy a quality kitchen mixer at that price, but the kitchen mixer won't mix dough and then automatically keep it at just the right temp for rapid rising even if your kitchen is 65 °F in the winter, or let you throw a bunch of ingredients inside before bed and wake up to fresh loaf of bread that's just so delicious to eat hot with some butter melted over the top of the slice. ?
