If you have been reading my blog, you know that I’m a chronic comparer. I take great pleasure in seeing how a similar item or problem can be approached in different ways. Variation is the essence of creativity; variation sometimes improves a product, and at other times it does the opposite.
My habit of comparing things is lifelong. When I was a pre-school kid, I had no resources, so I collected and compared pencils. You would think that all pencils are alike, but they are not. When I got a little older, I did the same thing with pens. Why pens? For the same reason as pencils. They were inexpensive and varied by brand.
Over the years, I have compared many things. A few years ago, I compared many blood pressure cuffs and found most of them somewhat inaccurate, with the expensive ones not much better than the cheap ones. A note about home blood pressure cuffs: although they’re not as precise as those in the doctor’s office, they still provide valuable information. If your doctor wants you to record your blood pressure at home, please do.
It must sound funny to some readers that a person would devote energy to such trivial pursuits, but my chronic habit of comparing is harmless. It used to bug my wife, as it made little sense to her. To be frank, it makes little sense to me, but I love doing it. My wife now understands how much enjoyment my habit gives me, so she now accepts me for who I am. Interestingly, this strange interest has benefited me throughout my life, as I am able to examine things with a critical eye trained since childhood. It is easy for me to evaluate what is an important change vs. one that is just fluff.
So why compare bread makers? I love gadgets, and few things are more gadgety than kitchen appliances. Most kitchen appliances are simple machines that need to differentiate themselves from one another. Sometimes this is done by improving the unit’s quality. For instance, a stand mixer may have a more powerful motor and an all-metal housing. Sometimes this is done by fluff. Using the same example, a stand mixer may come in a variety of colors.
I have been comparing bread makers since the late 1980s, with my first purchase being a Sanyo that made a one-pound loaf. Bread makers are interesting devices, as they are simple in design, consisting of a motor, a heating element, a thermostat, and a control board with a display and buttons. All bread makers have these components, so why are some new ones $70 and others $500? Partially, this is due to brand recognition, but the price increase is also due to the level of construction, the feature set, and the quality of the components. I’ll talk more about that later.
I have been able to coax just about any bread maker into making a nice loaf, but each has its quirks. However, to quote Father Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, “There is no such thing as a bad bread maker.” Well, I think I almost got that famous quote right. With that said, some do this with fewer adjustments than others.
My wife knows me and thoughtfully found a used bread maker, which she cleaned up for my birthday. This old Oster had a tendency to overproof, but with a little tweaking and some basic food chemistry, I was able to coax it back to its former greatness. My wife told me that she paid $10 for this gem.
It is surprising how robust bread makers are. I have used many that were sold in the 1990s that are fully usable in 2026. How many other small appliances can say that? Perhaps a KitchenAid mixer, but that is about it.
I picked up this used bread machine for $5.99. It was produced sometime during the 1990s, and it still works great today!
Are the older bread makers built better than the newer ones? I can’t say for sure, but it would seem so on first blush. Many older units are made of solid metal and have a heavy, quality feel. New premium brands continue this tradition, but many newer, less expensive bread makers are lightweights. Does that impact their longevity? There are no MTF (mean time failure) rates available on bread makers for end users to peruse. However, a lighter machine could suggest lighter-duty components, such as the motor and the drive belt.
Since I have been unable to obtain actual statistical data on bread maker failures, I have had to use softer data. This is what I know: In a heavily used bread maker, the first component that is likely to go is the paddle. Paddles are made of aluminum, a soft metal, and with heavy use, they tend to strip. The next component to break is often the bread pan, which has several failure points, including the non-stick coating, the paddle assembly, and the seal around that mechanism.
The motor of a bread maker connects to the paddle assembly via a tough drive belt. I have read reports that lower-cost bread makers’ belts will strip under heavy use, and I have also read that the premium Zojirushi brand is built with an extra-thick, strong drive belt.
I bought up this used Zojirushi at a reasonable price. It is a quality machine that runs like new today.
Replacement belts are available for many bread makers, but installing one requires extensive disassembly. There are several YouTube videos where YouTubers have replaced a belt and restored their broken bread maker.
Naturally, any other component on a bread maker can fail, from displays, to buttons, to computer boards, to the heating element. However, these seem less likely to do so.
How to test a used bread maker.
Ideally, the best thing you can do is to bake a loaf of bread, but that isn’t going to happen with a used purchase. You can run some basic tests to tell you whether a machine is likely to work.
- Check for obvious signs of severe wear and tear. Make sure that the baking pan and paddle are present and in reasonably good condition. They don’t have to be perfect.
- Plug in the machine. Make sure its display lights up.
- Press every button to make sure that they work.
- Press the cake/quick bread cycle. The kneading paddle should start up. If the machine doesn’t have a cake cycle, press the dough cycle. This second option can be a little tricky, as some bread machines have a rest period to allow ingredients to reach an optimal temperature, and they can appear inoperable during that time. Note: If you hear abnormally loud squeaking when the paddle is moving, the machine has failed, and move on. On most machines, the paddle starts and stops repeatedly; this is normal. The goal of this test is to see if the motor mechanism works; you only need to run it for about 30 seconds. Cancel the cycle by long-pressing the stop or cancel button, then move on to the next test.
- If the bread maker has a bake-only cycle, press it and wait a minute or two to see if the heating element starts to warm. If both #4 and #5 work properly, the bread maker has passed a basic electrical/mechanical test. Long-press stop or cancel to end this cycle and move on.
- Look for obvious signs of misuse. The stainless steel on newer bread makers is very thin, so don’t be discouraged by small dents. However, such damage should lower the asking price. However, if a machine has been clearly abused, give it a pass.
- Many machines at thrift stores are pretty grubby, but most will clean up well with soap/water and a bit of effort.
- It is possible to buy new paddles and even bread pans for selected machines, but some can be pricey, so be aware.
What size loaf should you consider?
A machine that can make both a 1.5-pound and a 2-pound loaf is ideal. But a machine with a maximum loaf size of 1.5 pounds can also do the job. Some machines make only a one-pound loaf. That size can be limiting, but it may be adequate for a single person or a couple with low bread needs.
Vertical or horizontal loaf?
Most modern bread makers produce a horizontal loaf that looks like a typical loaf of bread when making a 1.5-pound loaf, but can make a very tall yet horizontal 2-pound loaf.
Some bread machines have a longer horizontal pan that has two kneading paddles. These tend to produce a more traditional loaf.
Some bread machines produce a vertical bread tower. Cutting perpendicular to the loaf creates a slice that resembles some commercial sandwich breads. I used to have negative feelings about these machines, but I have come to appreciate them. The loaf may not be as aesthetically pleasing as a horizontal loaf, but in many ways, it produces a more practical slice of bread for sandwiches and toast.
What cycles are important to have?
Less than you think. You need a basic/white bread cycle that allows you to choose loaf size and crust color. This cycle can be used to make many types of bread.
Many machines have a whole wheat cycle that may allow for extra kneading or a slightly longer rise time. If your machine doesn’t have this feature, you can still make whole wheat bread using the basic cycle.
Many machines have a fruit/sweet cycle that may bake a loaf at a slightly lower temperature, as sugary breads tend to brown quickly. However, if you don’t have this cycle, you can still succeed with the basic cycle.
A dough cycle is very useful, as most will knead and ferment bread dough, which can then be removed to form and bake in your regular oven. Think pizza, dinner rolls, and the like.
Many machines have a quick loaf cycle that bakes bread in record time. However, a quicker ferment often results in a less flavorful bread with a poorer texture. I don’t think I have ever used a quick cycle on a bread machine.
Many machines feature a dozen or more cycles, but most are slight variations of the above cycles. You may find them useful, but I typically don’t
Many newer machines have a gluten-free cycle that may or may not be useful for making gluten-free bread. I don’t make gluten-free bread, but I have explored this topic, and it seems that some gluten-free users like using the gluten-free cycle, while others use the basic bread setting. If I had Celiac Disease, I probably would opt for a machine with a gluten-free cycle just to have that option.
Extra Features
Some bread makers have features ranging from a fruit-and-nut dispenser to dual heating elements to very fancy displays. Most of these features are unnecessary. You may find some handy, but if you don’t have them, you can still produce a good loaf of bread.
Programmability
Most machines have fixed programs; some machines allow you to change some parameters of a program, some have additional programs that do a singular function, like kneading or baking, and some machines permit you to write a complete custom program that allows you to control every aspect of the bread-making process from start to finish.
If you have a machine that is working up to spec and plan to make standard breads, like white, whole wheat, and raisin. You don’t need programmability.
I have used a number of programmable machines and have made hundreds of loaves of bread, including many specialty breads, without ever needing to customize or write a program. One exception may be a used machine that is slightly off calibration. If you had such a machine, the ability to program various parts of a baking program may be useful. With that said, I have used machines with slight calibration issues and simply adjusted the yeast or made other easy recipe fixes to achieve a good result.
What has my experience been in buying used machines?
The least expensive place to buy a used machine is a thrift store, where you can often score one for under $10. Next would be Facebook Marketplace. There are some great deals to be found on Marketplace, but you will also find resellers who buy thrift store machines and then jack up the price. eBay is also a viable option, but it usually has the highest prices, plus shipping. However, eBay is often where you can find premium used machines, such as Zojirushi models. Amazon sometimes sells refurbished and used machines via affiliate sellers.
This thrift store special looks pretty grubby, but she was less than $5. I had to rescue her!
A little soap, a little water, and a little elbow grease and she is as good as new!
I have purchased machines from all four venues. Thrifted machines are often very grubby, but typically clean up well with some soap and water. Marketplace machines are usually cleaner, and Marketplace often has newer machines than thrift stores. EBay is variable, but typically these machines are cleaned up and tested in a rudimentary way. The one used machine I bought from Amazon looked brand new, but it was the only one that was D.O.A. Luckily, Amazon has a good return policy.
When possible, I follow the above testing rules. I consider machines under $20 to be a casual purchase, and as long as they seem to be working, I’ll buy them. If a seller expects a high price, I expect the machine to be working at factory specs.
What is the number one problem I find with used machines?
The number one issue that I find with used machines is a slight temperature miscalibration. This usually means the machine is running slightly higher than normal, which can lead to overproofing and, sometimes, a darker crust. I wrote an entire post on how to deal with overproofing (see my March 9, 2025 post). You can always use a lighter crust setting if your crust is too dark, or take your bread out 5 minutes before the bake cycle ends.
Once I know a particular machine’s quirks, temperature miscalibrations become a non-issue.
I have seen more minor temperature miscalibration issues with used Cuisinart machines than with other brands. However, I have also seen these problems with a newer KBS machine, a very old Breadman machine, and a very old Oster machine. I can make excellent bread in all of these machines with just minor recipe tweaks. What tweaking? Again, see my post from March 9, 2026, for exhaustive details.
All the thrifted Cuisinart machines I have tried tend to overproof, likely because their thermostats are slightly mis-calibrated. However, with a little tweaking, I can get them to behave. In this case, all I had to do was reduce the yeast by 1/4 of a teaspoon.
Another issue
I have found a few machines (usually newer ones) that seem to have been programmed for a different market. These machines can be used successfully, but they can be a pain, as each type of bread requires some trial and error. These problems have occurred with bread makers from companies that also sell some excellent machines, so it is difficult for me to give advice on brands to avoid.
In-house, OEM, and OED manufacturing
Zojirushi designs its bread makers and has its own manufacturing facilities. Other premium brands design their bread makers, but then have an OEM manufacturer build them. A more recent trend involves OED manufacturers. These third-party companies not only build a product, but they also design it. That is why you may find nearly identical bread makers sold under several different brands. A company may sell an awesome machine alongside a so-so model, as the models may have come from two completely different OED manufacturers.
I bought a nice, lesser-known KBS machine for under $100, and found the exact same machine selling for over $200 under a different brand name at a different store.
What brands to consider?
Premium brands like Zojirushi, Breville, and Panasonic are built very well and may last longer than those from a more price-conscious brand. I have a Zojurushi Supreme BBCC-X20 from around 2008. This almost 20-year-old machine was purchased used and runs like a new machine. I also have a Panasonic SD-150 bread maker that was purchased new in the 1990s, and it works flawlessly in 2026.
Here is a Zojirushi Virtuoso (top-of-the-line) that I picked up for $70. You may think that is a lot of money for a used machine, but these bread makers retain their value. In fact, the price was low. It works perfectly, but it has some superficial dents, which lowered its resale value.
Every once in a while, I see a post from someone who scored a Zojirushi, Panasonic, or Breville machine for next to nothing. However, these desirable machines are often picked up by resellers and up-charged on sites like eBay.com or sold on ShopGoodwill.com. With that said, I have bought a couple of premium machines on eBay at a reasonable (not bargain) price, and you can too if you are patient and catch the right deal. When it comes to eBay, always check the shipping costs, as I have seen sellers list a machine at a reasonable price only to tag on an astronomical shipping fee.
My wife bought me this Panasonic YD-150 new sometime in the 1990s. It works perfectly in 2026.
Two quality brands you can still find at thrift stores are Breadman and Regal. Both of these brands are built very well, and I have found units from the early 1990s that run perfectly.
Oster has been making bread makers since the 1990s. They tend to be more lightweight (more plastic), but users seem to like them. The same can be said of Wellbuilt. I have never tested a Wellbuilt machine, but it is not uncommon to see people using old thrifted ones on YouTube videos. I also watched videos of people happily using thrifted Sunbeam machines. On the surface, their construction appears similar to that of an Oster unit.
There are many other machines from the past from brands like Toshiba, Toastmaster, and even Betty Crocker. My view is that if a machine passes the simple test I listed above and costs under $20, it is worth giving it a try. Your mileage may vary.
A number of newer brands have emerged, many of which seem to be made by OMD manufacturers. I have tried several KBS machines with good results; however, one KBS machine tended to overproof. I bought that machine on Marketplace for $20, and it looked brand new. The overproofing was easily corrected with a simple recipe adjustment. I have also tried the brands Kitchen-In-A-Box and Osipoto with good results.
I picked up this KBS machine on Marketplace for $20. It looked brand new, but it was overproofing, which is likely why the seller wanted to get rid of it. However, all it took was reducing the yeast by 1/2 teaspoon, and it is now making great bread.
So what do I do? I make most of my own bread and bread products. At this point, making bread takes only 5 minutes. I often rotate my machines for no reason other than that I think it is fun. Yes, a bit weird to think that using different bread machines is fun, but no shaming, OK?
The bottom line is that you can very likely find a working bread maker for very little cash if you shop the used market. It is also likely that you can buy a premium used bread maker for considerably less than new if you take your time and do a little hunting.
You likely don’t need all of the bells and whistles that some bread makers offer, as most of us will only use the machine’s basic functions. However, you may want those additional features if you do a lot of experimenting and recipe conversion. The vast number of bread machine users (based on my watching of dozens of YouTube bread-making videos) make one or two types of bread. Many also use their machines to make dough. Those who are regularly making different types of bread seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Lastly, don’t forget that you can start with a decent used bread maker to test your bread-making chops and to see if using a bread-making machine becomes part of your regular routine. If you then get the itch for a new premium machine, you have lost little in the process.
Happy purchasing!
Mike
This is a gag photo that I sent my wife, telling her that I “accidentally” found myself in a thrift store and couldn’t leave this lonely little breadmaker. In reality, I couldn’t pass up its $5.99 price tag.