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Rating:  - Love this breadmaker!
I ordered this with some reservation after reading a couple of reviews here, and can't think what they did wrong! If you follow the directions, this breadmaker works wonderfully! I have made most of the recipes in the book that is included, as well as lots from the internet, and all have turned out beyond my expectations. I use this breadmaker 1-2 times a week, and am always very pleased with the results- friends and office workers are now asking for their own loaf of bread every week!
Rating:  - Makes bread as it should
After reading reviews on Amazon, I decided to go ahead and get the Breadman TR875. I thought the reviews didn't really spell out doom and gloom for the TR875 like some units reviewed. The main reason I chose it was multiple programs and 2 lbs loaf capability.
It arrived as expected but right off I noticed something peculiar about the shipping box. I expected to find a retail package inside of the outer generic cardboard box but rather I found the breadmaker itself inside the outer box packed in a formed foam packaging. Ok, so no problem with that it appeared.
After removing the unit and placing on the counter, I was shocked to see the unit appeared to have been reconditioned and was not new as described and sold. The reason I suspected it was a reconditioned unit was due to the following hints. The clear vinyl cover on the LCD display was not present. The manual instructs you to remove it so hint #1. The LCD display also had what appeared to be a couple of hard water spots on it. I wiped them to see what they were and one wiped away, the other one would not. It is still there. Hint #2. User manual appeared to have a couple of dogearred pages. Maybe so, maybe not, not a bit issue. Hint #3 - maybe.
So I debated returning the unit as unsatisfactory but reasoned I had purchased the 1 year extended warranty from Amazon so even if it was a reconditioned unit, if it worked and died I was covered. I had all my paper work and after peeling the the label off the delivery carton (can be used as a return label when flipped over) I found another label on the box stating this unit was destined for a Mervyns delivery so it appeared that it may have been either a return or a reconditioned. Hint #4.
Anyway, after reading the manual and learning what it was supposed to do and not do, I set forth to create the first loaf in the new (or hopefully new) breadmaker. Using a known good wheat bread recipe I had been using I added ingredients and pressed the START button. Three hours and fourty five minutes later, a perfect loaf of wheat bread. So although the unit appeared to be a reconditioned unit, it works great and has lots of features that I'll probably get around to using someday. So far after about 3 weeks of using it (we make about 3 loaves a week) it has worked flawlessly on wheat, white, french and sourdough except the loaf when I put in too much yeast and had the loaf from hell growing in the pan - way too big.
The reason I dinged the TR875 one point is the noise it makes when mixing and kneading. I can hear it in the kitchen doing its thing when I am watching TV in the living room about 35' away over the TV audio. But the unit is sturdy and sits well so it doesn't try to walk around like some I have seen. The LCD display is well placed although the mode indications and the labeling on the edge next to the LCD should line up a bit better (off an few millimeters with labeling too low). I like the window in the lid top as my old unit did not have this. Also the pan lifts right out easily and when the bread comes out of the pan, most of the time the paddle stays in the pan. My old maker always had the paddle stay in the bread which was a mess to remove once the loaf cooled down.
Would I recommend the TR875? I'd have to say YES, due to the features vs price. But be aware of any possible bait and switch tactics with regards to new vs. reconditioned/used units. I try to always get an extra year or two service contract providing it is worth the cost.
Gene - Ridgecrest, CA
Rating: - So far, So good
I've had the TR875 for about a month now. I make 2 or 3 breads a week and have been busily trying different recipes. The breads come out great with a minimum of fuss and cleaning. The various settings make things easy and I've done everything from sweet raisin bread types to caraway rye. The recipes in the instruction booklet are for all intents and purposes more than adequate and despite comments to the contrary, there is no need in my opinion to buy an auxiliary cookbook.
On the subject of recipes, there are scores of bread books on the market, some pretty useless, some quite good, and if you decide to buy one, browse through a few, disregard the hype on the book jackets and choose something that appeals to your particular tastes.Beyond that, and I hate to take any income from hard working authors, the internet is a source of infinite advice and recipes. The main thing to remember is that there is one basic recipe,slightly different depending on white or whole wheat flour, and an infinite number of variations, most not very complicated. A little reading and a bit of common sense will result in a never ending stream of fresh bread. There is no need for special 'bread machine' recipes. Other than following the manufacturer's basic instructions (liquids first, then dry ingredients)recipes are the same whether you use a machine or knead by hand.
There are only two drawbacks and neither of them really detracts from the enjoyment of having fresh bread basically on demand. The first is freshness. The breads don't keep very well, although I guess the addition of fat and sugar will help that issue. But if you're used to getting a baguette fresh from the bakery daily then you understand that basic breads do not keep well. For me that's not a problem since I tend to French and Italian type breads and enjoy the fresh taste of a new one every day.
The other drawback is that I haven't yet been able to duplicate the really doughy flavors and textures of good bakery breads. I'm not talking about packaged breads or supermarket bakeries here, but quality bakeshops like the small Italian and other ethnic bakeries that are found in neighborhoods or like a quality chain, perhaps Panera. The fact that the bread machine is preprogrammed is what makes it so usable and convenient, but the variables inherent in hand kneading and associated rising times are what give bread its overall qualities. Regardless of that though, since I no longer have the time or patience to make bread by hand, I'm enjoying my Breadman and its breads that are really much better than most anything I can find in a supermarket. And now that I'm familiar with the product I think with a little research and experimentation I will eventually find the perfect bread.
I recommend the Breadman TR875 highly.
Rating: - Easy to use
I recently purchased this unit to replace an old Sun Beam machine. I am impressed with the front panel, as it's user friendly and extremely easy to set up. I should point out, if you use spring water (bottled water) your breads will come out perfectly. Tap water never worked well for me.
The unit runs fairly quietly and the finished loaf is easy to remove. Just tip the pan and the bread fall out. In my old machine I practically needed a crow bar to get the bread out, and had to dig the paddle out of the bread. In this unit, the paddle stays in the bread pan.
A friend bought a more expensive unit from Amazon; it wasn't user friendly. The manual was cryptic and the front panel was esoteric.
The TR875 is a joy. (Where do they get these model numbers from?)
I have to admit I bought a breadmaker cook book, so get recipes from that book. My favorite is potato bread. This unit has a jam setting, but really, I'll buy my jam from a supermarket.
Rating: - Great bread Maker
My son and I are gluten intolerant and we do own a regular bread maker. The Breadman TR875 does a great job making edible gluten free bread. We use the Gluten-Free Pantry mix for sandwhich bread which is fast and easy. It takes few ingredients and takes barely over an hour for the finished product where our old bread makes took over three hours. I slice the loaf when cool and store in an air tight container and place in the fridge where the bread lasts for about a week. I would recommend this bread maker to people who have gluten allergies or not. It looks good on the counter and works fairly quietly.
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