Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have owned bread machines ever since about 1987 at a cost then of close to $600! Since then I have had just about every brand at one time or another. My favorites have been made by Panasonic and Zojirushi. In short you really do get what you pay for in quality and durability. This new "Zo" is heavy duty and makes a truly excellent and normal shaped loaf. I say normal as most make slightly odd shapes that are a little too wide or too tall. The added top heater solves the small flaw the previous Zo had and that was the top would have less color than the rest of the crust. I have had this machine about 2 weeks and have already made 10 loaves. All have come out perfectly including 100% whole wheat. Our favorite is a rich egg bread also know as Challah and here is my personal recipe: 2 Beaten Eggs with water to equal 10 oz - or 10 oz water and 0.90 oz of powered whole eggs 14.85 oz BY WEIGHT bread flour (I highly suggest King Arthur!) 1.5 t Salt 2 T Sugar 1/3 stick of butter (2.66 T or just cut a stick in 3 parts) 1.5 t Yeast (buy it in bulk here or at Costco as grocery store prices are insane) Optional: 2 drops of egg yellow food color (I suggest AmeriColor available here) Set the machine to the quick or normal cycle, light crust, and hit start. DO NOT use the timer as eggs are perishable. Enjoy :-) UPDATE: 04-10-2012 The machine is still going strong and has now produced well over 100 loaves of delicious bread. The pan has held up nicely and shows virtually no wear. In short this is a winner. Update 03-24-15 Can you believe the machine is still working well!?!! A few observations after many hundreds of loafs and years of use: The pan has aged as expected and should probably be replaced and the motor is making a little tiny squeak not. I may replace the machine but will just buy the same once again. I have more than gotten my money's worth on this Zo! You get what you pay for :-)