West Bend 41200 Programmable Bread Machine, Stainless
by West Bend
(Click here)
Product Summary
Manufacturer: West BendBrand: West Bend
Model: 41200
Color: Silver
Product features:
- 490-watt programmable bread machine with blue backlit LCD control panel
- Choose from 1-, 1-1/2-, and 2-pound sizes and 3 crust settings
- 12 settings for making basic, specialty, and wheat breads, plus dough and jam
- Delay start; 1-hour keep warm; non-stick pan for easy cleaning; recipes included
- Measures 13-1/2 by 12-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of West Bend 41200 Programmable Bread Machine, Stainless
Customer Review: Can't mess up a loaf with this machine!
Summary: 5 Stars
I received my West Bend 41200 Bread Machine several weeks ago and have not been disappointed! I have produced 5 loaves from it so far - about 1 a week. All have come out perfect despite my imprecise measurements and in one case, my outright mistake for one ingredient's quantity. I bought it because I wanted standard, horizontal loaves instead of the odd-size vertical loaves my old Welbilt produced.
First, the shortcomings:
1. Skimpy manual does not have many recipes and is missing 1 pound loaf recipe (I have shared mine below).
2. Although pan stays in place well, it does not have a "positive lock" feel. Time will tell if this will become a problem.
Some things to note:
1. Alarm to add nuts or other ingredients is very loud and cannot be bypassed.
2. Done alarm is very quiet. You may need to set your own reminder alarm if you are not close by.
3. The 1 pound loaf setting produces loaves that are the closest to purchased bread size. The 1 1/2 pound loaf setting produces a taller bread slice that is fine for toast or spreads but your hotdog or burger might get a bit lost in it. I can't imagine making a 2 pound loaf.
4. Manual mentions that it has the ability to make it through short-term power interruptions (less than 5 minutes). I have not tested this myself.
5. Takes up about a 12 x 14 inch footprint on your counter.
What I like the best:
1. Perfect light, airy loaves without needing precise measurement techniques. My old Welbilt bread machine was *very* picky about the ingredient measurement and even then, would still produce poor loaves on occasion. With this one, I just scoop the flour with the measuring cup and use reasonable care with the other ingredients.
2. Much quieter than my old machine. You can actually be in the same room with it and not need to turn up the volume on the television or your voice.
3. Crust control works well. Light crust is actually very light.
4. Large viewing window - much larger than any bread machine I have ever seen. It is oval and about 6.5 x 5.5 inches.
5. Stable on the counter with absolutely no tendency to "walk" around during kneeding. Note that I have not tried the 2 pound loaf setting.
I have only tried a few of the settings that this machine possesses. I have only made 1 1/2 and 1 pound loaves on the basic bread setting. I use white flour mixed with whole wheat flour. I have tried the light and medium crust settings (both worked exactly as I expected) but not the dark setting. I have not tried the timed setting yet.
I live near Denver (mile high city) so the high altitude can cause bread to crater. I have been adding in a couple of teaspoons of vital wheat gluten to the general purpose flour I have been using and have had no trouble with cratering.
The manual has 1 1/2 pound and 2 pound recipes but no 1 pound recipe. I borrowed the recipe from my old bread machine manual and it worked perfectly. Here is is:
1 Pound Basic Bread Loaf Recipe
Water: 3/4 cup
Oil: 4 tsp
Sugar: 4 tsp
Salt: 1 tsp
Flour: 2 1/4 cup
Yeast: 1 1/2 tsp
On my second 1 pound loaf, I dumped the whole yeast package in, forgetting to measure out just 1 1/2 teaspoon. The loaf still came out perfect.
In conclusion, I'm very happy with my machine although I have only been making basic bread and have not used the timer yet. Long-term durability still has to be determined.
Description of West Bend 41200 Programmable Bread Machine, Stainless
Compact Breadmaker with non-stick pan for easy clean-up and easy loaf removal. Stainless Exterior - 490 watts with window to view bake cycle. Audible alert for adding "extras". Recipes included.Bread Machines
Kitchen and Housewares
Bestsellers in Bread Machines
Panasonic Bread Machine 2.5 Lb.Panasonic; Panasonic; Kitchen
Price in other shops:
Oster Inspire ExpressBake 2-lb. Breadmaker - 5836Oster; Kitchen
Focus Electrics WB 2 Lb. BreadmakerFocus Electrics; West Bend; Kitchen
Best price: $85.99
Price in other shops:
Wolfgang Puck 1lb Automatic Bread Maker with Gift Boxes BBME015Wolfgang Puck; Wolfgang Puck; Kitchen
Breadman BK1060S 2-Pound Professional Bread Maker with Collapsible Kneading Paddles and Automatic Fruit and Nut DispenserBreadman; Breadman; Kitchen
Price in other shops:
Zojirushi BBCEC20WB Home Bakery Supreme Breadmaker bread machine, WHITE.Zojirushi; Zojirushi; Kitchen
Best price: $249.99
Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker KitZojirushi; Zojirushi; Kitchen
Best price: $179.95
Zojirushi BBCCX20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread MachineZojirushi; Zojirushi; Kitchen
Best price: $199.00
Price in other shops:
Regal Bread MakerBBQ Guys; BBQ Guys; Kitchen