July 2023 is learn the eccentricities of our new
KBS Bread Machine Model MBF-041
because there is much about it I rather like!

I won’t bore you with a repeat of our loss of Westy the Westbend machine that has graced us since 1998 or the unhappy demise of Fiona, the Pioneer Woman (Hamilton Beach) due to a power surge scrambling (apparently irretrievably) it brains.

Since Westy hit 20 (1998-2018) I have been keeping an eye of offerings and refining my list of “I Wants”
Note: It is possible that some time more detail will be added as to the Why of each, but then again everyone has different needs and should think it through for themselves In no particular order …

Good/Excellent Price Value Ratio – 18 months ago that was under $75 USD . Thanks to Bidenomics that was adjusted to Under $100 USD. Between a Amazon Deal of the Day and a $40 (now listing $30) It took the price of the KBS Bread Machine Model MBF-041 from $110 to $80 plus tax.

Loaf Size: I wanted one that had the “timing” for 3 sizes, 1 lb, 1.5 lb, or 2 lb (really wanted 1,2, or 3 lb but that was NOT going to happen in my chosen price range. After much thought, KBS Bread Machine Model MBF-041 and it 1 lb and 1.5 lb sizes – our most used choices…

Small Foot Print – When comes to counter space – every inch matters – at only 9″D x 10.9″W x 10.1″H The KBS Bread Machine Model MBF-041 met this need/wish nicely.

No Weird Colors. There was another machine in the running, but honestly who want puke green in their kitchen

I did not know how much I would like the way the dual heating elements improved the evenness of the crust = top, bottom and sides.

The KBS machines are a bit noiser than some = not a major issue since I am only there until sure the water/flour ratio is correct (first mix about 5 minutes) I am rarely in the kitchen during the process

Barrel/Pan is a tight fit and that may be more of a plus than a minus

The machine is rather light, so a bit of “dancing” does occur during initial mixing if there is too little liquid. That is easily solved initially with a silicone mat that seems to stick to the counter and the machine feet. The, of course by carefully added liquid to get the dough “right” As mentioned elsewhere, I stay in the kitchen during that first 5 minutes anyway, so no real problem for me.

So far ALL of my usual 1 and 1.5 lb recipes worked just fine using comparable “settings/functions” turned out well – except for one where for some reason I did not add the yeast – but the machine cannot be blamed for that.

For some, the smaller size loaf options may be an issue, but as I prefer to bake more often than worry about bread becoming inedible = this is not an issue for us either.

The manuals, no polite way to say it – are not for beginners. All the basic information is there, but not written in a way that a new user can be anything but initially confused. After viewing the KBS & Aicok manuals & downloading several pdf resources found in the Amazon Listing for various KBS models.
– There are functions I will never use – but that is not necessarily a minus.

For easy reference there is a “Bread & Dough” Idea List In Amazon that shows some of the ingredients and useful ancilliary tools

Executive Summary – I am pleased with this purchase – experimenting will go on. A further list of resources will be done when I have time and energy. Only time will tell

Note: Links in this post may be to an Affiliate account so if you buy something they may or may not pay me a small commission. Or, you search just using the name and model number or other information provided in this post.