What do you estimate it costs you to make a load of bread in this thing?

The most accurate answer would be that it depends on the cost of ingredients and utilities and labor. You may wish to use organic ingredients and that will increase the cost. Basic store-bought ingredients will cost less. Buying in bulk will reduce costs, too. Then, it depends on the cost of your power (electricity) and water. The cost of utilities will factor in. My best estimate so far is that the cost of a loaf would be very close to the cost of a loaf you would make by hand, plus the cost of any utilities not used in handmade bread (e.g., the kneading and warming; with the baking costs being similar since both machine and handmade baking will be similar). The next obvious factor will be to decide on what recipe to compare. This being said -- I made the whole wheat nut bread recipe given in the included instructions for about $2.40. That's a 2 lb loaf with walnuts, organically raised stone ground whole wheat flour, organic sugar, pre-measured packet of yeast, above average cost of dry milk, above average cost of nut pieces, and ignoring cost of: salt, water, and electricity. Depending on what you think your time is worth, it saves about 0.75 hour of labor using the machine, over manually making the bread. There is a value in how the machine consistently prepares the bread, whereas a manual method often introduces variables of rising/kneading times and rising temperatures. Since the ingredients I chose are high-end, any other loaf would likely cost less. If you're trying to compare this with store-bought 'shelf bread' then keep in mind this method can make bread without preservatives, additives, or any 'unknown' chemicals. What is that worth?

what is the diffeence between this model and the PAC 20

Which model has the additional heater?

How good is this machine at sourdough bread recipes? Does "sourdough starer function" mean MAKING starter or USING starter you already have?

It likely is for making the starter. Once you use it in a loaf , you are supposed to remove some of the dough and then use it in the next loaf, thereby creating g perpetual bread without buying yeast.

ASIN	B002XVUAOU
Best Sellers Rank	#35,184 in Kitchen & Dining ( See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining ) #28 in Bread Machines
Brand	Zojirushi
Color	Black
Customer Reviews	4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (3,132)
Date First Available	May 5, 2003
Global Trade Identification Number	04974305706843
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Item Weight	19.5 pounds
Item model number	BB-CEC20
Manufacturer	Zojirushi
Number of Programs	10
Product Care Instructions	Hand Wash Only
Product Dimensions	8.5"D x 16.87"W x 12.25"H
UPC	722651276084 083883800752 667562990257 722651279061 721272065671 737989656026
Wattage	700 watts

Home Bakery Supreme Breadmaker

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