KITCHENARM 85203 Bread Machine: Full Review

The KITCHENARM 85203 is a popular automatic bread machine that makes bread-making easy. It features a compact and sleek stainless steel design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. With its easy-to-use control panel and viewing window, you can keep an eye on your bread as it bakes. The KITCHENARM 85203 allows you to make a variety of bread styles including basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, and even gluten-free options. It can make loaves up to 2 pounds in size. The appliance comes with 12 pre-programmed settings including options for rapid baking. With the included measuring cup, measuring spoon, and hook, you have everything you need to start making homemade loaves. Overall, the KITCHENARM 85203 bread machine delivers simple operation, versatile baking modes, and delicious results.

Design

The KITCHENARM 85203 bread machine has a nice compact and square design that fits well on most kitchen countertops. Its dimensions are 14.1 x 11.7 x 12.4 inches (35.8 x 29.7 x 31.5 cm). The bread machine is offered in black or white color options to match any kitchen decor.

It has a simple LED display panel on the top front. This display shows the selected baking cycle and cooking time countdown. There are also several button controls next to the display for programming the various settings. Overall the design is clean and simple, focused on the basics for making bread.

The Frigidaire EBRM100-SSRED is a stylish and efficient bread machine that offers a modern design with a stainless steel finish, complementing any kitchen decor. It features multiple pre-programmed settings for different types of bread and dough, making it a versatile choice for home bakers. The compact design ensures it fits well on kitchen countertops without taking up too much space. Additionally, the LED display panel is user-friendly, providing clear information on the baking cycle and time remaining, making it an excellent addition to any kitchen.

Features

The KITCHENARM 85203 bread machine comes with a variety of features to help you make delicious homemade bread with minimal effort.

• Programmable Settings - This bread machine has 12 different programmable settings to choose from including basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, ultra-fast, dough and more. You can easily select the appropriate setting for the type of bread you want to make.

• Delay Timer - The delay timer allows you to add ingredients to the bread machine in the morning or evening and program it to start baking later. This way you can wake up or come home to freshly baked bread. The timer can be set up to 13 hours in advance.

• Keep Warm - Once your bread is baked, the keep warm function will keep it warm for up to 60 minutes so it stays fresh if you can't consume it immediately after baking. This prevents the bread from getting cold if you aren't able to slice it right away.

A comparable product to consider is the West Bend 47413. This model is known for its reliable performance and versatility in bread making. It features multiple loaf size options and customizable crust settings, ensuring that you get the perfect bread every time. The compact design fits easily on your kitchen counter, and its intuitive digital controls make it a user-friendly choice for both novice and experienced bakers.

Ease of Use

The KITCHENARM 85203 bread machine is designed to be user-friendly, with an intuitive control panel and preprogrammed settings for different bread types. The control panel features an easy-to-read LCD display and touchpad buttons to select your settings.

There are 14 preset programs available, including options for white bread, French bread, whole wheat bread, quick bread, jam, dough, cake, and more. This allows you to get started right away without needing to manually input settings each time. The manual setting is also simple to use if you want total control - you can customize the bake time, loaf size, crust color, and ingredients.

The included instruction manual provides clear directions and tips for getting the best results. Between the presets and manual modes, both beginner and advanced users will find this bread maker easy and convenient to operate. The interface is straightforward without too many complicated buttons or sequences to remember.

Overall, the control panel, presets, and manual on the KITCHENARM 85203 provide a user-friendly experience for homemade bread with minimal effort. The intuitive design allows even first-time bread machine owners to have success right out of the box.

Bread Quality

The KITCHENARM Automatic Bread Machine produces high quality bread in terms of crust, texture and taste.

The crust comes out nicely browned with a crispy exterior and a soft interior. Many users report the crust is comparable to bakery bread with an even golden color all around the loaf. The crust can be customized based on preferences by using the different crust color settings.

The interior bread texture is light and airy with an evenly distributed crumb structure. The loaves are not too dense or heavy. The machine kneads the dough thoroughly to develop the gluten, allowing the bread to rise well for a fluffy texture.

In terms of taste, the bread has a pleasant flavor that is yeasty and wheaty. The machine disperses ingredients evenly during mixing so the bread has a consistent taste throughout. Flavors like honey wheat or raisin cinnamon come through nicely. The basic white and whole wheat breads have a subtle sweetness. Overall, the bread tastes fresh baked.

Accessories

The KITCHENARM 85203 bread machine comes with a number of handy accessories to help you get started making bread right away. It includes a measuring cup and spoon set for accurately measuring ingredients like flour, sugar, yeast, oil, etc. The set comes with a 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/4 cup measuring cup along with a tablespoon and teaspoon measuring spoon. Having a dedicated set of measuring cups and spoons for your bread machine ensures you use the right amounts of ingredients for the best results.

The machine also includes a bread pan for mixing, kneading, and baking the dough. The pan is made of sturdy non-stick coated metal to evenly bake the bread and allow for easy release and cleaning. It clicks securely into place in the bread maker. Some additional accessories include a hook for removing the bread pan, an instruction manual and recipe book, and a power cord. The hook lets you safely remove the hot pan without burning your fingers after baking. The included recipes range from basic breads to sweet breads, pizza doughs, jams, cakes and more.

Overall, the accessories provided with the KITCHENARM bread machine provide everything you need to start making homemade loaves and more right out of the box. The measuring tools help with accuracy and the non-stick pan distributes heat evenly for perfect bread texture.

Cleaning

The KITCHENARM bread machine has a removable bread pan and kneading paddle that make cleaning easy. Simply remove the bread pan after baking and wash it by hand or in the dishwasher. The non-stick coating prevents dough and crumbs from sticking.

One downside is that the paddle can be difficult to clean thoroughly. Small bits of dough tend to get lodged in the crevices. It requires scrubbing with a bottle brush to completely remove residue. But overall, the removable parts and dishwasher-safe pan help streamline the cleaning process.

Noise Level

The KITCHENARM bread machine runs fairly quietly while kneading and baking loaves. There is a low hum from the motor and occasional clicks from the kneading paddles, but the noise level remains unobtrusive. You can carry on conversations and listen to music or podcasts while the machine is operating without needing to raise your voice much.

Some buyers do report the machine seems slightly louder than other brands they have owned. However, the noise is not excessive and shouldn't disturb others even if the bread maker is used at night or early in the morning. The beeping alerts when you need to add ingredients or when a cycle finishes are loud enough to hear in another room.

Overall, while not the absolute quietest model available, the KITCHENARM bread machine generates an acceptable amount of noise during all stages of the breadmaking process. Unless you require a completely silent appliance, the operating sounds should not be an issue under normal conditions.

Warranty

The KitchenArm 85203 bread machine comes with a 1 year limited warranty. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

To receive service under the warranty, customers need to contact KitchenArm support. KitchenArm will determine if the issue qualifies under the warranty coverage. If it does, KitchenArm will provide replacement parts or arrange for service.

The warranty only applies to the original purchaser and is not transferable. It also does not cover damage from misuse, abuse, accidents or unauthorized repairs. Consumables like bread pans are not covered either.

Overall, the 1 year limited warranty provides decent protection against defects. However, some competing bread machines offer longer 2 or 3 year warranties. So the KitchenArm 85203's warranty is reasonable but not outstanding.

Pros and Cons

The KITCHENARM Automatic Bread Maker has several pros and cons worth considering:

Pros:

• Produces high-quality loaves with nice texture and soft interiors. The bread is light and airy with good oven spring.

• Lots of programming options including 3 loaf sizes, 3 crust colors, and 12 pre-programmed settings. Allows for customization of the baking process.

• Easy to use control panel and LCD screen. Clear instructions and intuitive interface.

• Includes several accessories like measuring cups and spoons, a hook for removing the bread, and a recipe book.

• Quiet motor operation during kneading and baking. Minimal noise disturbances.

• Sturdy, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel body. Looks nice on the counter.

• Good value for the price compared to other bread makers. Reliable performance at an affordable cost.

Cons:

• Kneading paddle leaves a hole in the bottom of the loaf.

• Difficult to remove the bread pan for cleaning. The handle is slippery and pan gets very hot after baking.

• Confusing manual with grammar issues. Instructions could be clearer.

• No viewing window to watch the bread as it bakes.

• Only a 1 year warranty which is less than some competitors.

• Mixed reliability, with some units failing earlier than expected.