- Dealer: Amazon.com
A fully featured machine at a fair price with a convection oven feature, but some problems with product quality in some instances.
The Conair Cuisinart CBK-200 offers a robust set of features plus a convection oven feature that promises more even baking crust in a relatively shorter period of time. Based on customer reviews, 50% of owner gave the machine 5-stars. However, the ratings did not gradually decrease and jumped to 18% for a 1-star rating.
The fundamental complaint from the 1-star reviews was the overall functionality of the machines. It seems that there are product quality problems with some units that result in them simply not working. They won’t start, won’t turn on or after a few uses develop a grinding noise related to the kneading paddle and its drive belt or the convection feature.
The first time I used it was absolutely perfect. The second time? The bake cycle (not the kneading or mixing cycle, I could understand that) sounds like a Volkswagen running in my kitchen. It’s not the pan rattling but something inside the casing on the side
The 50% who were very happy with the machine and gave it 5-stars obviously received a well functioning unit.
What a great machine I use it a lot works great
Great bread, we use it several times every week.
It just seems that some “lemons” have emerged from the manufacturing process and the pattern of complaints related to this issue is significant.
Bought this bread machine, had it 6 months and it stopped working properly. I called Cuisinart because it was under Warranty. They sent me a replacement. The replacement would not even turn on
Like most bread machines, the Conair Cuisinart CBK-200 is manufactured in China. Unlike many other machines that we’re reviewed that were also manufactured in China, this particular model seems to have some production line problems.
My Cuisinart bread-maker simply makes clicking noises and the kneading paddle doesn’t turn. I looked it up online and it turns out a huge percentage of them have this problem. Some don’t work from the start, others work for a week or two before breaking, others for months,
I own a Conair Cuisinart CBK-100 and have had no problems with it. In fact, we did a review of the CBK-100 and the general comments from owners were very positive. You would expect the CBK-200 to be better and it is as it relates to features, but if you choose to purchase this model make sure you bake a loaf or two quickly so you have time to return it if it’s defective. The Amazon return period is 30 days and the Cuisinart CBK-200 has a 1-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Assuming you receive a quality product, the features of the Conair Cuisinart CBK-200 are impressive for the $133 price on Amazon.com as of this writing.
Settings
The Conair Cuisinart CBK-200 offers 16 pre-programmed settings including gluten free, low carb, 100% whole wheat and an Artisan setting.
“What exactly is the low carb feature?”
Because low carb baking has different ingredients, baking time is different. You do not want to over-mix or over-knead.
These are in addition to standard settings such as basic or white bread, plus dough settings and settings for cakes, jams and jellies and pasta dough.
“The CBK-100 says it has a pasta dough setting, does this one the CBK-200 have a pasta dough setting as well?”
Yes it does. I use the dough setting all the time on mine for making pizza dough.
“How is it with Gluten Free flour?”
Great great! I use the GF cycle every week to make the bread for my daughter’s lunch.
Like most machines it offers three crust color options including light, medium and dark. It also has a convection feature for more even baking.
“Does the convection fan have an on/off option, to use or not to use?”
No, it does not. All recipes are pre-programmed and cannot be changed
It also has a 12-hour delay-start time, but remember to avoid recipes with dairy or egg ingredients any time your use a delayed start.
The lid features a viewing window like most bread machines but there is no internal light for viewing so you may need a small flashlight to observe the progress of your recipe.
Bread Pan
The bread pan has a non-stick coating and while Conair did not identify the type of non-stick coating, most non-stick coatings in bread machines are Teflon or a Teflon derivative like PTFE or diamond-flourine. The machine bakes loaves in 1-pound, 1.5-pound and 2-pound sizes.
The bread pan is described as horizontal but it’s actually appears to be a cross between a horizontal bread pan and a vertical bread pan.
“Does it make the store like horizontal bread or the vertical shape that bread makers generally make?”
It makes horizontal bread. It’s not a long loaf, but not the the same as other loafs that the earlier style bread machines made and some still make.
There were also some concerns about the kneading paddle coming off the spindle during the kneading process.
“My paddle keeps coming off the spindle. I made sure it was very clean and firmly seated. I am using the #5 setting. Anyone else have this problem?”
I have noticed that when I prep something under 2pounds it happened to me too.
The machine does not have an automatic fruit and nut hopper but offers an audible beep when it’s time to add additional ingredients. The machine also offers a 15-minute pause option.
Control Panel
The control panel is easy to use and has raised buttons but it does not have a backlit screen.
Recipe Book
The recipe book offers clear instructions and good amount of recipes for each pre-programmed setting. We’ve seen many complaints about recipe books with other bread makers, but the book for the Conair Cuisinart CBK-200 appears to be very good with no complaints from owners although the convection feature does seem to cause problems for some recipes.
This is an excellent machine. Does the job well. Menu is very simple to use, however got bad results every time using the basic white bread recipe included with the breadmaker
There’s a lot to like about this bread maker, the sleek design, the raised buttons rather than just a flat display you push, but I must say it really seems to over cook the bread
Specifications
The machine weighs 16 pounds and measures 19 x 16 x 13 inches. It comes in a combination of polished and brushed aluminum. There were no complaints about the machine traveling or walking during the kneading cycle. This is probably due to its fairly hefty weight at 16 pounds.
The size of the machine is relatively large and some owners felt it took up a lot of counter space.
it takes up a lot of room on the counter
There were contradictory opinions about noise levels but all bread machines are quite noisy during the kneading cycle.
Customer Service
While there was not a significant pattern of complaints or compliments related customer service, this one comment from an owner was of interest:
The machine bakes perfect white loafs but burns whole wheat like charcoal on every crust setting. When I called Cuisinart the response I was given “well I guess you will just need to bake the whole wheat loaves in the oven”. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of a bread MACHINE!
“Does the machine make a lot of noise?”
You so hear when the dough is kneading, but in my opinion, it is quieter than other bread machines I have had.
The Bottom Line
As an owner of the Conair Cuisinart CBK-100 I was both surprised and saddened to hear that there are so many fundamental issues with the basic functionality and operation of the CBK-200. If you choose to buy one make sure you test it quickly to ensure you have a good unit. If you do you will probably be very pleased with your results. If it’s defective return it immediately and hope that any replacement unit will not have the same issues.
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I received cbk-200 machine for christmas from my son because I am a diabetic. I was thrilled to be able to bake low carb breads…. CDB-200 burned the sides and bottom to the point where I could not slice the bread. After more than several attempts I got frustrated and quit trying. It has been sitting in the garage collecting dust for a few years! I hate the machine!!
My new cbk-200 seems to overcook or burn everything. Plus, the tops are not even done. I tried the cinnamon yogurt raisin last minute bread on cycle 15. It wasn’t even cooked in the middle but very dark, with a pale top.
I even lined the pan with parchment to reduce Browning. They are sending me a replacement; but now I’m wondering if I should just return it ?
I wanted the bread machine to avoid heating my oven… I think I might as well have just bought a mixer if the thing can’t bake correctly.
This is the worst bread maker we have ever owned. Received it as a wedding gift and did not use it for over a year. First loaf we made the mixing paddle stuck to the mixing shaft. Could not remove the bread without breaking it into pieces. We used several more times, lubricating the mixing shaft with the same results. After the third use a loud noise developed inside the case. After calling the company support line the only concession cuisinart would make was to offer a 25% discount for another bread machine. We have two other cuisinart products. New food processor with defective blade, the company said it will replace. Three months and still waiting. cuisinart hand mixing wand equipped with a safety button that must be depressed to activate. Safety mechanism makes it almost impossible to use.
cuisinart was once a paragon of reliable, well engineered, and well
designed products. Sadly they no longer care about thees standards or their customers. “sad”