The Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker turns out high-quality bread with crispy crusts and a light crumb. Reviewers keep coming back to the automatic fruit and nut dispenser, along with how much of each recipe you can customize. TechGearLab called it a machine for recipe tinkerers, noting the included recipes give only average results. It's large and bulky enough to be a significant kitchen commitment, and the collapsible paddle is finicky and fragile. Serious bread makers who want customization more than convenience are the buyers.
Full review
Sides flex slightly and can dent
The Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker presents a substantial presence in any kitchen with its 16.4" x 9.6" x 13.3" dimensions and 16.9-pound weight. This large, square metal appliance features a sleek stainless steel housing that makes it easy to wipe clean and visually appealing in the kitchen. According to peanutblossom.com, the machine's construction is very solid, with the stainless steel body looking sleek and durable. However, the sides do flex slightly when moved around, potentially leading to denting with rough use or storage. The machine's bulkiness requires careful consideration of kitchen space, as it needs room to open fully and won't fit under standard-height cabinets without pulling forward. The machine is not one of the quieter bread makers tested, with the motor making a whirring sound during mixing and a louder noise during kneading.
Performance and Bread Quality
The Custom Loaf excels in producing crusty-textured breads with crispy crusts and light, fluffy crumb structure. According to peanutblossom.com, the machine produces excellent dough for pizza, dinner rolls, pretzels, and cinnamon buns, with the crusts being consistently crispy. However, techgearlab.com's review found that the machine's included recipes were just average, with white bread resulting in uneven texture and large air pockets, while wheat bread turned out lumpy and dense. The gluten-free bread recipe was particularly problematic, with loaves barely rising and containing obvious flour chunks. Homesandgardens.com noted that while the machine produces good bread, the loaves come out looking a little unrefined. The machine's ability to make sourdough bread was praised, with the 'Crusty Loaf' feature working perfectly on sourdough starter. The 1.5-pound and 2-pound loaf capacity allows for versatile baking options, though the smaller loaves don't work as well according to Homesandgardens.com.
User Interface and Features
The Breville Custom Loaf features a Smart LCD display with 13 customizable settings and 47 included recipes, making it highly adaptable for recipe experimentation. Techgearlab.com highlighted that this is the only model tested that allows for extensive customization of temperature and timing, with the first function being 'custom' for creating personal recipes. The machine includes an automatic fruit and nut dispenser that adds ingredients at the correct time, eliminating the need for manual addition during the kneading phase. However, peanutblossom.com noted that the selector button can be a little fussy, turning like a dial to move through program options. The collapsible kneading blade and platform that folds in before the bake function starts allows dough to expand properly. The machine also includes power interruption protection that will continue baking for 60 minutes if power is cut.
Ease of Use and Operation
The Custom Loaf requires the least amount of babysitting compared to other machines tested, with the strong motor handling most of the kneading process automatically. Peanutblossom.com reported that the program settings are very clear to navigate, making it easy to choose proper loaf size and crust darkness. The automatic fruit and nut dispenser is a standout feature that adds ingredients at exactly the right moment, allowing users to prep ingredients and walk away. However, techgearlab.com noted that the recipes included in the book were just average, and the machine's included bread recipes were not particularly impressive. The machine's interface is described as having a good manual with plenty of tips and tricks for improving loaves, though some users have found it finicky with the selector button. The collapsible paddle, while convenient for cleaning, was described as potentially problematic by some users.
Scored just 4 out of 10 for gluten-free
Despite its strengths, the Breville Custom Loaf has several notable drawbacks that potential buyers should consider. Techgearlab.com's review gave it a 5.7/10 for white bread, 4.5/10 for wheat bread, and only 4.0/10 for gluten-free bread, indicating that the included recipes are not particularly impressive. The machine's automatic fruit and nut dispenser was noted as a potential problem by some users, with one reviewer mentioning that the paddle can be finicky. Homesandgardens.com criticized the bread quality as looking a little unrefined, and techgearlab.com found that the included recipes were just average. The machine's size and weight make it difficult to store in smaller kitchens, and the sides can flex and potentially dent with rough handling. The noise factor was also a concern, with the motor being louder than average during the kneading phase. Additionally, the machine's price point of $399.95 is relatively high compared to other models, making it a significant investment for potential buyers.
Rewards experimentation over pre-set simplicity
The Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker is best suited for serious bread enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with custom recipes and want extensive control over their baking process. According to techgearlab.com, this model is ideal for anyone looking to customize their own bread recipes, though it's not a winner for any of its bread recipes 'as is' from the book. Peanutblossom.com recommends it for those who want warm, crispy-crust bread and are willing to invest in a machine that allows for extensive customization. The automatic fruit and nut dispenser makes it particularly appealing for those who want to bake bread regularly without constant monitoring. However, the machine is not recommended for beginners who want simple, reliable results from pre-programmed recipes. The large size and weight make it better suited for kitchens with adequate counter space and storage room. Users who prioritize convenience and want to avoid the mess of traditional oven baking may find this machine appealing, but those seeking perfect results with minimal effort should consider other models with better pre-programmed recipes.
Ranked 4th of 6 by TechGearLab
At $399.95, the Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker sits at a premium price point that reflects its advanced features and build quality. Techgearlab.com's review gave it a 7.2/10 for convenience and 54 overall score, ranking it #4 of 6 in their bread machine comparison. The machine's ability to customize temperature and timing, along with its automatic fruit and nut dispenser, justifies the higher cost for serious bakers. However, the included recipes were rated poorly, with techgearlab.com noting that the white bread was just mediocre and the gluten-free bread was particularly problematic. Peanutblossom.com's review emphasized that while the machine produces excellent breads, it requires significant experimentation to achieve good results. The machine's durability and sleek design make it a worthwhile investment for those who plan to use it regularly and appreciate the customization options. However, budget-conscious consumers might find better value in more affordable models with simpler, reliable pre-programmed recipes.
Still looks new after 4 months of daily use
Based on peanutblossom.com's experience with almost-daily use for 4 months, the Breville Custom Loaf shows excellent durability, still looking practically new despite heavy use. The stainless steel construction and solid build quality contribute to its longevity, with the hinges described as smooth and solid. The bread pan drops in easily and connects firmly into position, and the buttons are easy to push and use, holding up well to frequent use. However, the sides do flex slightly, which could potentially lead to denting with rough handling or storage. The machine's collapsible paddle, while convenient for cleaning, was noted as potentially problematic by some users. Techgearlab.com's review mentioned that the machine's included bread recipes were just average, but the customization options and build quality make it a solid long-term investment for serious bakers. The power interruption protection feature adds to its reliability, ensuring that bread baking won't be interrupted by power outages. Overall, the machine's robust construction suggests it can withstand regular use, though users should be mindful of its size and potential for damage during storage.
Strengths
- +Produces crispy-crust bread with light and fluffy crumb texture
- +Features automatic fruit and nut dispenser that adds mix-ins at the perfect time
- +Includes 9 custom settings to create and store personal recipes
- +Has a collapsible kneading blade that folds in before baking to allow dough expansion
Watch-outs
- −Machine is bulky and takes up significant counter space
- −The collapsible paddle can be finicky and is not scratch-proof
Rating sources
“Looking for a new bread machine? If you want warm, crispy-crust bread you should definitely consider the Breville Custom Loaf Bread Machine. Of the 5 different bread machine models we tested during production of The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook, this machine was one of my very favorites.”
Our 4.4 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
