Hamilton Beach 29982 Bread Machine: Full Review

The Hamilton Beach Breadmaker is a popular mid-range bread machine that automates the breadmaking process in your home. Hamilton Beach is a leading kitchen appliance brand known for making affordable and reliable products.

The model being reviewed here is the Hamilton Beach Programmable Bread Maker with Gluten-Free Setting, model number 29982. This bread machine can make a 1.5 or 2 pound loaf in 3 different crust settings - light, medium, or dark. It features dedicated settings for artisan bread, gluten-free bread, quick bread, and dough. The unit comes with a viewing window, 13-hour programmable timer, keep warm mode, and included measuring cup, spoon, and kneading paddles.

Overall, the Hamilton Beach 29982 provides a solid set of features and consistent performance for the price. It streamlines homemade bread and allows you to wake up to the smell of fresh bread. This review will dive into the key details on how this bread maker performs to help you determine if it's the right appliance for your countertop and baking needs.

Design & Build Quality

The Hamilton Beach 29982 Breadmaker has a sleek and modern design with a black plastic exterior housing and curved edges. It feels sturdy and well-constructed, with no loose or flimsy parts.

The bread pan itself is made of heavyweight, non-stick coated aluminum which allows for even heat distribution and easy release of baked breads. It feels durable enough for regular use.

In terms of dimensions, the bread machine measures approximately 14 x 12 x 12 inches (length x width x height). It has a relatively compact footprint given its functionality, making it a good option for smaller kitchens.

The exterior housing doesn't show fingerprints or smudges easily, so it maintains a nice look over time. Overall, the build quality is impressive for the price point. The materials used don't feel cheap, keeping this bread machine competitive with more expensive models.

Additionally, the Deco Chef BMSTS01 offers a variety of advanced features including multiple settings for different types of bread, a digital display, and an automatic fruit and nut dispenser. This model stands out for its sleek stainless-steel design and user-friendly interface, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced bakers. Its sturdy build ensures longevity, making it a welcome addition to any kitchen that values performance and reliability.

Features & Settings

The Hamilton Beach Bread Maker 29982 comes with 12 pre-programmed settings to prepare a variety of breads, dough and jams:

• Basic Bread - For regular 1.5 lb basic white bread
• French Bread - For crispy crust French bread
• Sweet Bread - For sweet breads like banana walnut bread
• Whole Wheat Bread - For hearty whole wheat bread
• Quick Bread - For quick bread with 60 minute bake cycle
• Gluten Free Bread - For gluten free bread recipes
• Artisan Dough - For hand shaped artisan dough
• Pizza Dough - For homemade pizza dough
• Pasta Dough - For pasta dough and noodles
• Cake - For preparing cake batter
• Jam - For making jams
• Bake - For baking dishes without kneading

It has 3 crust color settings - light, medium and dark to get the desired crispness.

There are 4 different loaf sizes that can be made - 1 lb, 1.5 lb, 2 lb and 2.5 lb.

It has an express bake setting that reduces baking cycles by 30% to quickly prepare a loaf of bread.

There is a 13 hour delay timer that can be used to schedule preparation for future baking.

The keep warm function keeps the bread warm for 60 minutes after baking before automatically switching to standby.

Additionally, the SEEDEEM BM8220 is a versatile bread maker that offers an array of programs for baking various bread types. It features a user-friendly interface and a non-stick pan, making it easy to clean. The product also supports gluten-free baking, appealing to a broader audience. With its compact design, the SEEDEEM BM8220 fits perfectly into any kitchen, providing convenience without occupying too much space. Ideal for both beginners and experienced bakers, this machine simplifies the bread-making process and ensures delicious results every time.

Ease of Use

The Hamilton Beach Breadmaker 29982 is designed for intuitive use right out of the box. The control panel features an easy-to-read LCD screen and simple button controls to select your settings.

There are two main ways to use the bread machine - the pre-programmed settings or custom mode. The pre-programmed settings automatically select the optimal bake time and temperature for 14 different bread varieties. Simply add your ingredients, select the bread type, loaf size, crust color, and press start.

For more customization, you can use the manual setting to adjust the baking time, loaf size, and crust darkness. The manual setting gives you flexibility if you want to bake an unusual bread recipe.

Setting up the machine is very straightforward. The included instructions provide clear directions for putting the bread pan into the machine and connecting the kneading paddles. Hamilton Beach has helpful videos online demonstrating how to get started if you need a visual guide.

Overall, the interface is intuitive enough for beginners but also gives more advanced users the control to customize their bread. The simple options and ability to just "set and forget" makes even first-time bread making an easy process.

Baking Performance

The Hamilton Beach Breadmaker consistently produces high-quality loaves with excellent baking evenness and crust.

The bread comes out with a nice domed top and evenly browned crust thanks to the breadmaker's precise temperature controls. It bakes bread evenly from edge to edge without any hot or dense spots.

One area where the Hamilton Beach really shines is with the crust. It can bake crusts to be soft and tender or crispy depending on your preferences, with crust color settings ranging from light to dark. The dark crust setting in particular produces bread with a deliciously crispy crust without being burnt.

The loaves have great oven-baked bread texture on the inside as well. The dough is evenly kneaded and proofed during the baking cycles resulting in bread that is light and airy on the inside with a nice chewy texture.

Overall, the baking performance provides professional bread shop quality loaves with excellent crust and internal consistency. It's easy to get artisan style bread results in your own home kitchen with this bread machine.

Noise Level

The Hamilton Beach Bread Machine 29982 operates at a reasonable noise level that is comparable to other bread machines on the market. The motor produces a low hum during kneading and mixing cycles that is not distracting but may be audible in smaller spaces.

Some users note the cooling fan can generate additional noise when it periodically turns on. However, most do not find this excessive or bothersome. The machine itself does not produce loud bangs or clangs.

Overall, the noise level is unlikely to disturb conversation or activities in adjacent rooms. It allows making bread while others sleep or work nearby. Some bread machines generate more noise, especially older models, while others aim for ultra-quiet performance. But for most users, the Hamilton Beach hits a good middle ground of acceptable bread machine noise levels.

Accessories

This Hamilton Beach bread machine comes with a number of useful accessories to make baking loaves easy.

• Kneading Paddle - The kneading paddle mixes the dough thoroughly and efficiently during the kneading and baking cycles. It easily attaches inside the baking pan.

• Baking Pan - A non-stick baking pan is included to hold the dough and allow it to rise without sticking. The pan can hold loaves up to 2 pounds.

• Measuring Cup & Spoon - To accurately measure all the ingredients for your bread recipes, a handy 1 cup liquid measuring cup and 1 tablespoon spoon come included.

• Viewing Window - There is a viewing window on the top of the lid so you can monitor the progress of your bread as its baking without having to open the machine.

• Keep Warm Mode - After the loaf is baked, the machine has an automatic Keep Warm mode that kicks in for 60 minutes to keep the bread hot and fresh until ready to serve.

The accessories included with this machine make it easy for both beginners and experienced bakers to make delicious homemade loaves of bread. You have everything you need right in the box.

Cleanup

Cleaning up after using the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker is very easy. The non-stick interior pan lifts out for fast and simple handwashing or can be placed directly in the dishwasher. Any excess flour or crumbs can be easily wiped out from the bread maker's interior with a damp cloth. The viewing window and exterior are also easy to keep clean. The included measuring cup, spoon, and kneading paddles are all dishwasher safe as well. Having dishwasher safe parts makes cleanup after baking a breeze. You won't have to scrub any tough messes. The non-stick surface also prevents dough and crumbs from sticking and makes rinsing residue away effortless. Overall, the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker is designed for quick and easy cleanup.

Price

The Hamilton Beach 29982 Bread Maker is competitively priced among similar bread machines on the market. At around $100, it delivers solid performance and features for an affordable price point. This machine is a good value for home bakers looking for a moderately-priced option.

Compared to other popular bread makers from companies like Cuisinart, Zojirushi and Breville which can cost $150-$250, the Hamilton Beach sits at the lower end of the spectrum. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles or high-end design of pricier models, but gets the job done well for casual baking needs.

Considering its generous 2 lb loaf capacity, wide array of settings and modes, and overall ease of use, the 29982 provides excellent functionality and reliability that users appreciate in an affordable package. For those looking for value, it delivers quality breads without breaking the bank.

While it lacks some bonus features of elite machines, the Hamilton Beach hits a sweet spot of value for money. It provides an accessible entry point to bread making, with solid performance that meets most needs. For home bakers seeking good results without excessive cost, the 29982 represents a budget-friendly option worth considering.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Large capacity - can make up to 2lb loaves, good for larger families
• Sturdy, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel housing
• Lots of customization options with 12 pre-programmed settings + 3 manual modes
• Delay timer and keep warm function
• Nonstick, removable pan for easy cleanup
• Comes with measuring cup, spoon, and hook for lifting out baked goods
• Relatively affordable for a programmable bread maker

Cons:

• Larger footprint, heavy - not ideal for small kitchens
• Display is not backlit, hard to read in dim lighting
• No gluten-free or artisan dough settings
• Can be loud when kneading - may disturb light sleepers
• Pan seal can leak flour during baking
• Battery backup for power outages is not as long as higher-end models

Overall, the Hamilton Beach 2982 is a solid mid-range bread maker that performs well for basic loaves and offers versatility at an affordable price point. The extras like delay timer and keep warm function add convenience. Downsides are lack of specialty programmings, noise, and some minor design issues. Still a good value model compared to pricier competitors.