Cuisinart BK-220 PC Review (CBK-110)

There is nothing better than the smell and taste of fresh bread. It’s a fact.

But what bread machine lives up to the hype and provides truly delicious results?

To help you decide, today we’re evaluating the Cuisinart BK-220PC Bread Maker (available to buy on Amazon). It comes with 12 different settings, a 13-hour delay timer, and an easy-to-use LCD display.

Even still, not everyone is after the same thing when it comes to a bread maker. Tastes in quality will differ, some might require a quicker machine, and others might have opinions about the alarm included or how noisy it is.

So, is this the right machine for you?

Let’s take a closer look in our comprehensive Cuisinart BK-220 PC Review.

Before we go any further though, it’s important to point out that the BK-220PC model number has since changed to CBK-110. If you’re wondering why we use these two models interchangeably, rest assured that it’s the same machine – just with a different number.

Introducing the Cuisinart BK-220 PC Bread Maker

The Cuisinart BK-220PC (or CBK-110 – whichever you prefer!) is a 2 lb bread maker that is most similar in style to the popular CBK-100 and CBK-200 models from the same company.

Like those machines, it boasts 12 different pre-programmed settings for a variety of delicious loaves (with light, medium or dark crust).

All three machines look similar, but the BK-220PC weighs a lot less. It’s almost 40% lighter than the CBK100 or CBK-200.

In fact, the main appeal of the BK-220PC over the CBK-100 is that while the machines can produce equally large loaves, the BK-220PC has a much more efficient design and takes up less counter space. It’s also quieter and slightly more reliable than its predecessor, the CBK-100.

The CBK-200 is a higher-end premium option which uses convection heating and has some additional settings (gluten-free and low-carb doughs) – but it comes at a higher price.

See more: the CBK 100 vs 200 compared

Who Is It For?

The Cuisinart BK-220PC is one of the bestselling bread machines of the last ten years.

The reason for that?

It appeals to the vast majority of beginner-to-intermediate home bakers. If you are looking for a simple yet reliable machine to produce delicious loaves of homemade bread, the BK-220PC offers everything you will need and more.

Three of the essential deliverables that we look for in a good bread machine are – crust, color and texture.

This machine delivers in each area, with a decent amount of customisation available, but not so much that it becomes intimidating for a beginner to get started with.

It’s a beautiful looking bread maker that is priced very competitively when you consider that similar brands are selling machines with the same features for about 30% more.

Let’s take a look at some of those stand-out features…

Top Features

12 Settings

The Cuisinart BK-220PC Bread Maker comes with 12 different settings to choose from, depending on your desired type of bread.

You can pick from white, french, whole wheat, sweet, gluten-free, artisan, cake, dough, or even jam.  There’s also a bake-only option, an ultra-fast option, and a packaged mix option, so you can use store-bought bread mixes in the machine as well.

Capacity

This bread maker also allows you to make different bread sizes. You can create a one-, one-and-a-half-, or two-pound loaf.

If you’re baking for a large family or party, storing extra for later, or sating a personal craving, you’re never forced to make too much or too little. Choose the setting that fits your needs and let it roll.

LCD Display

This bread maker also includes an LCD display, where you can access and control each of the functions.

Through this display, you can pick the setting, the loaf size, set the timer, turn the inner light on and off, and select the crust color you’d prefer.

The screen is large and clear enough to be read at a distance, so you never have to get too close to the hot machine.

Attachments

This Cuisinart Bread Maker also comes with added accessories, so you can dive right into baking – no secondary purchases necessary.

These include a bread pan and kneading paddle, both of which are removable for easy cleaning. The ability to lift out the bread pan also makes it simple to remove your finished loaf without getting too creative.

Light

A highly unique feature of this Cuisinart Bread Maker is the light. With just the press of a button, you can activate or power down the interior light, giving you a prime view of what’s going on inside.

Whether you’re checking the progress of your bread or just using it as an impromptu light in your dark kitchen, you can now easily see the interior of the bread maker.

The Specs In a Nutshell

• Weight: 10.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.25 x 13.25 x 11.25 inches.
• Loaf Capacity: Up to 2 lbs.
• Settings: 12 settings.
• Timer: 13-hour timer.
• Stand-Out Feature: 12 different settings.

Cuisinart BK-220 PC Review

The Positives

Extremely Easy to Use

We’re happy to report that this Cuisinart Bread Maker is very easy to use. Due to the LCD display and its simplistic instructions, even those with no prior bread machine experience will have it up and running in minutes.

Once the machine is unboxed, you need only plug it in, insert the bread pan and paddle, add your ingredients, and close the lid. From there, select the type of bread you want to make, the size, the darkness of the crust, and then press start. It’s as simple as that!

You won’t have to bother with fussing around with complicated features and instructions with this bread maker, making the process so much easier. Now, your attention can be used on so many other things like creative bread recipes!

Super Versatile

With so many different settings, you’re never limited to making one or two types of bread, nor are you stuck with just one size.

You can explore the flavors, the baking styles, and the health benefits at your leisure – whether that takes you to white bread, whole wheat, gluten-free, or beyond.

Additionally, you can pick between light, medium, and dark crust, depending on your preference or the details of your recipe.

While there are a variety of bread recipes you can try with this machine, you can go even further and conjure up things like jam and cake batter in this bread maker too! You can limit the number of machines on your countertop with this Cuisinart.

Incredibly Convenient

Say goodbye to the hassle of mixing and kneading bread dough by hand. That alone is convenient. With just a press of a few buttons, you can have homemade bread within an hour.

But this modern design doesn’t stop there. This bread maker also includes a 13-hour delay timer, allowing you to schedule a batch for later in the day or early in the morning.

As such, if you set it up the night before, you can wake up to freshly baked bread. Just assemble the ingredients hours in advance, and the machine will kick in when you need it. Or, if you want to get started on dinner appetizers early, you can do just that.

Having this bread maker is like having an extra pair of hands in the kitchen, or an assistant. You won’t even have to be there for it to get the job done.

Compact and Lightweight

You won’t have to worry about losing too much counter space when it comes to owning this Cuisinart Breadmaker. It’s compact and lightweight, so it won’t be cumbersome to have in your kitchen.

Thanks to its size, you can easily fit this inside a cupboard or closet when you need to, and thanks to its weight, it won’t be a burden to do so either.

This makes it more portable than other bread makers of its kind too, so if you need fresh bread at the cottage, it can easily be done.

Its stainless steel design adds a contemporary look to the overall machine, making it an easy addition to a variety of kitchen spaces. It will fit in just fine without demanding too much attention.

Surprisingly Affordable

Daily fresh bread doesn’t have to come at a sky-high price. Having this in your home won’t drain your bank account. While some kitchen appliances can cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars, Cuisinart helps to save you money.

This bread maker is surprisingly low-priced, making it a great choice for beginner bakers or those on a budget. For the price, it doesn’t skimp on qualities or features either, making this a product to compete with on the market.

While special bread like gluten-free loaves and artisanal types can rack up your grocery bill every day, you’ll be able to recreate your favorite recipes with this machine right at home.

Now you’ll be able to spend your money on more important things, like delicious ingredients and flavours for your batters!

The Negatives

Not For All Recipes

Depending on the recipe used, not all bread will come out equal. You might find a number of different issues, including bread that sinks in the middle, bread that’s too dense, or those with different textures.

This is usually a result of the specific recipe used not being suited for breadmakers. Double-check beforehand and when testing it, try out a few recipes to see how it handles your favorites before getting invested.

You may have to adjust your recipes and make some changes for it to be adaptable to this bread machine.

Not Dishwasher Safe

If you’re a busy baker, or are daunted by the task of cleaning, you might be disappointed to know that the accessories included with this bread machine aren’t dishwasher safe.

This means you’ll have to manage cleaning up by hand, which could mean spending more time than you want in the kitchen and by the sink. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as you think though.

While the bread pan and mixing paddle are not dishwasher-safe, they’re easy to clean with soap and water. Just dry them off when they’re all clean and they’ll be ready to use in your next craving. Easy peasy!

Making these items easy to clean by hand is a fair trade-off from Cuisinart, though if you were hoping for the ease of dishwashing, you’ll have to settle for the sink.

Loud Alarms

Being promptly alerted when your loaf is finished can be an asset. However, quite a few testers did complain about how loud the alarm is.

They found it annoying and wished it was a little quieter. While some may be pleased with the excessive sound (you won’t miss the alert), others won’t enjoy being startled out of their skin.

As such, it’s really up to your personal preference. Luckily, it’ll only sound when your bread is done, so it’s not going off all the time.

Here’s a video showing what the Cuisinart bread maker looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

After weighing up the positives and negatives, yes – we can certainly recommend the Cuisinart BK-220PC Bread Maker.

It handles a range of bread types, allows you to prep up to 13 hours ahead of time, and is easy to clean. The alarm may be annoying, but there are few other complaints to be found in this model.

If you’re in the market for a bread maker, this Cuisinart may be the perfect option for you.

If you’re looking for a few extra settings (Low Carb and Gluten-Free) and a convection heater option, you may want to consider the CBK-200.

But the BK-220PC (aka CBK-110) is a great bread maker in its own right, and a notable improvement on the CBK-100.

Where to Buy the Cuisinart BK-220PC Bread Maker

Cuisinart is a brand known all around the globe, with its products on the shelves of a variety of retailers.

Their product line ranges from kitchen to home appliances, and customers know this brand for being both accessible and affordable.

Thanks to their success and popularity, it’ll be easy to find Cuisinart items like the Cuisinart BK-220PC Bread Maker, available both in-store and online.

Keep in mind that the model is also marketed and sold as the “CBK-110″, which has become the more common name for it.

While it’s usually best to check appliance and home department stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• Walmart
• eBay (available new or used)

And of course, you can also find this popular bread maker on Amazon:

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That’s all for our Cuisinart BK-220PC review. Tempted to give it a try?