Bread Machines with 100% Whole Grain Wheat Programs
By now, everyone knows that whole grain flour (or wholemeal flour if you're from the UK) is generally much more nutrient-dense and healthier than regular unenriched white flour. Breads that contain a portion of whole grain wheat flour are today available everywhere, and if you live in a country like the US, Canada or UK, you can also find 100% whole grain wheat bread practically everywhere.
But in terms of freshness and flavor, store-bought whole wheat bread cannot really beat a loaf of freshly baked homemade bread. Unfortunately, however, making your own bread at home takes a lot of time and effort, plus it can be quite messy. Now, that's where automatic bread machines come in! Most of the modern bread makers you see in the shops in North America and the UK come equipped with a pre-set whole wheat program which can easily handle flour containing up to 50% percent whole grain wheat. And, some machines can even handle 100% whole grain or wholemeal wheat!
Finding the Best "Whole Wheat Bread Machine" for You
In this review, we take a look at four automatic bread makers that, according to their respective user manuals, can make real, 100% whole grain wheat bread. We've included models that meet North American electrical standards as well as models that have been designed for consumers living in the UK. We've also included both "splurge" and "save" options, so you can pick a machine that best fits your budget.
Before buying an automatic bread maker with a 100% whole grain wheat function, you probably also want to know what other features and functions the bread machine you are thinking about getting has. The side-by-side comparison chart below sorts out some of the most interesting features and specifications of the four bread machines covered in this review. As you will see, all of the models included in the chart feature at least one dough program (for making pizza dough etc.), jam program, and bake-only program – and that is of course in addition to the 100% whole wheat/wholemeal programs and a number of other programs.
They also feature a crust color setting for choosing light, medium, or dark crust; delay start timer which lets you delay the operation by several hours (perfect for those who want to wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread in the morning); and keep warm function which keeps your loaf warm after the baking process, usually for up to 60 minutes. All four models also have at least three loaf size options (Breville's Custom Loaf Breadmaker, one of the two "splurge" models included in the comparison chart, has even more).
Comparison Chart including Both Splurge and Save Options
Here's a feature-by-feature comparison chart of popular bread makers with 100% wheat programs to give you an idea of how they stack up against each other in terms of key features and functions:
1. Models built to North American electrical standards
| SPLURGE | SAVE | |
|---|---|---|
| Bread machine | Breville BBM800XL | Oster CKSTBRTW 20 |
| 100% whole wheat cycle | Yes | Yes |
| Dough cycle(s) | Yes | Yes |
| Jam/ compote cycle | Yes | Yes |
| Bake only cycle | Yes | Yes |
| Other cycles | See manual | See manual |
| Fast bake option* | Yes | Yes |
| Raisin and nut dispenser* | Yes | No |
| Crust settings* | Light Medium Dark | Light Medium Dark |
| Loaf sizes* | 1.0 lb 1.5 lb 2.0 lb 2.5 lb | 1 lb 1.5 lb 2 lb |
| Digital display | Yes | Yes |
| Delay timer* | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Keep warm function | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon price |  Click here Click here | Click here Click here |
* The settings marked may be available on select bread/dough programs only. For details, check out the respective user manuals (links to the manuals are provided in the chart above).
2. Models built to meet British electrical standards
| SPLURGE | SAVE | |
|---|---|---|
| Bread machine | Panasonic SD-2501WXC | Kenwood BM260 |
| 100% whole wheat cycle | Yes | Yes |
| Dough cycle(s) | Yes | Yes |
| Jam/compote cycle | Yes | Yes |
| Bake only cycle | Yes | Yes |
| Other cycles | See manual | See manual |
| Fast bake option* | Yes | Yes |
| Raisin and nut dispenser* | Yes | No |
| Crust settings* | Light Medium Dark | Light Medium Dark |
| Loaf sizes* | M L XL | 500g 750g 1kg |
| Digital display | Yes | Yes |
| Delay timer* | Up to 13 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| Keep warm function | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon price |  Click here | Click here |
* The settings marked may be available on select bread/dough programs only. For details, check out the respective user manuals (links to the manuals are provided in the chart above).
