Home LivingAppliancesKitchenSage The Custom Loaf review: why this is the best bread maker you can buyThis top bread maker from the house of Sage is just what you kneadWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Sage)T3 VerdictBread makers come in all shapes and sizes and at a wide range of price levels, but for this reviewer the Sage Custom Loaf is the best model for ease of use, features and overall consistency. It also has one of the biggest bread baking baskets we’ve seen and that makes it a great choice for larger families.Reasons to buy+A cinch to use+Superb interface+Excellent range of programs+Produces a loaf in under four hours+Top performerReasons to avoid-Top crusts can look a bit anaemic-It’s largeWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Home LivingAppliancesKitchenSage The Custom Loaf review: why this is the best bread maker you can buyThis top bread maker from the house of Sage is just what you kneadWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Sage)T3 VerdictBread makers come in all shapes and sizes and at a wide range of price levels, but for this reviewer the Sage Custom Loaf is the best model for ease of use, features and overall consistency. It also has one of the biggest bread baking baskets we’ve seen and that makes it a great choice for larger families.Reasons to buy+A cinch to use+Superb interface+Excellent range of programs+Produces a loaf in under four hours+Top performerReasons to avoid-Top crusts can look a bit anaemic-It’s largeWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
This top bread maker from the house of Sage is just what you knead
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sage)T3 VerdictBread makers come in all shapes and sizes and at a wide range of price levels, but for this reviewer the Sage Custom Loaf is the best model for ease of use, features and overall consistency. It also has one of the biggest bread baking baskets we’ve seen and that makes it a great choice for larger families.Reasons to buy+A cinch to use+Superb interface+Excellent range of programs+Produces a loaf in under four hours+Top performerReasons to avoid-Top crusts can look a bit anaemic-It’s large
(Image credit: Sage)
(Image credit: Sage)
T3 VerdictBread makers come in all shapes and sizes and at a wide range of price levels, but for this reviewer the Sage Custom Loaf is the best model for ease of use, features and overall consistency. It also has one of the biggest bread baking baskets we’ve seen and that makes it a great choice for larger families.Reasons to buy+A cinch to use+Superb interface+Excellent range of programs+Produces a loaf in under four hours+Top performerReasons to avoid-Top crusts can look a bit anaemic-It’s large
T3 VerdictBread makers come in all shapes and sizes and at a wide range of price levels, but for this reviewer the Sage Custom Loaf is the best model for ease of use, features and overall consistency. It also has one of the biggest bread baking baskets we’ve seen and that makes it a great choice for larger families.
T3 Verdict
Bread makers come in all shapes and sizes and at a wide range of price levels, but for this reviewer the Sage Custom Loaf is the best model for ease of use, features and overall consistency. It also has one of the biggest bread baking baskets we’ve seen and that makes it a great choice for larger families.
Reasons to buy+A cinch to use+Superb interface+Excellent range of programs+Produces a loaf in under four hours+Top performerReasons to avoid-Top crusts can look a bit anaemic-It’s large
Reasons to buy+A cinch to use+Superb interface+Excellent range of programs+Produces a loaf in under four hours+Top performer
A cinch to use
Superb interface
Excellent range of programs
Produces a loaf in under four hours
Top performer
Reasons to avoid-Top crusts can look a bit anaemic-It’s large
Top crusts can look a bit anaemic
It’s large
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
843 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
843 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
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When it comes to domestic bread maker appliances, there’s no shortage of manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon – Morphy Richards, Russell Hobbs, Tower, Lakeland, you name it, they’re all at it. However, one company, Panasonic, is consistently at the top of most ‘Best of’ guides and for good reason – its bread making machines are usually in a class of their own when it come to outstanding results on a consistent basis.
But you know what? I think the shiny silver Sage The Custom Loaf might just be the best bread maker for your doughy kneads.
Sage The Custom Loaf: design: price and availability
Sadly, the Sage The Custom Loaf isn’t as readily available in the UK, but you can go straight to theSagestore where it sells for a shade under £250. Alternatively, head to theDaVincistore where it sells for just £199.
In America, all Sage products are sold under the Breville brand. However, it appears that distribution issues may have delayed most shipments though we have spied a couple of units atAmazonwhere it’s selling for around $430. Also keep an eye on theBrevillepage for further news.
For the Aussie market, tryAmazon(A$394) andAppliances Onlinewhere it’s shifting for a slightly more reasonable A$386.
Sage The Custom Loaf review: design
(Image credit: Derek Adams)
(Image credit: Derek Adams)
In typical Sage fashion, the Custom Loaf is swathed in acres of brushed stainless steel just like the company’s superbOracle Touchespresso machine and its brilliantPizzaiolo Smart Pizza Oven. However, unlike most of its other products, the front end of the Custom Loaf is very plain indeed, rather like a catering machine. Let’s just say it looks a bit incongruous on the worktop. At 42 x 24 x 34cm, it’s also pretty large, but not ridiculously so.
Nevertheless, this machine has so many other attributes that I’m inclined to overlook the minimalism of its front fascia. Take the top section, for instance. Again in true Sage-like vogue, the Custom Loaf is equipped with a brilliantly simple interface and a large 4-inch LCD screen with crystal clear lettering. If you already own a Sage appliance, chances are you’ll get to grips with the interface immediately because it’s identical in concept to the majority of its other appliances. The top lid also includes a hatch for loading nuts, seeds and raisins.
Sage The Custom Loaf review: features
Uniquely, the Sage Custom Loaf is equipped with a window so you can see how the bake’s going without lifting the lid(Image credit: Sage)
Uniquely, the Sage Custom Loaf is equipped with a window so you can see how the bake’s going without lifting the lid
Uniquely, the Sage Custom Loaf is equipped with a window so you can see how the bake’s going without lifting the lid
(Image credit: Sage)
Uniquely, the Custom Loaf’s bread chamber is equipped with a glass window and an internal LED lamp which means you can see how things are going at any time during the process. Yes, the glass fogs up during kneading but the process isn’t interrupted if you lift the lid to give the glass a quick wipe.
The Custom Loaf has a larger-than-average baking chamber and can accommodate a loaf up to 1.25kgs. The pot’s base is wider and sturdier than the flagship Panasonic SD-YR2540 which means you’re less likely to knock it over when full of ingredients.
Another clever thing about this model is the design of the paddle used during the kneading process. Instead of a fixed paddle that always leaves a large hole in the base of the bread, the Custom Loaf is equipped with a collapsible paddle that stays upright during the initial kneading sequence before the motor reverses at which point the paddle collapses to lie flat. In theory the system reduces the chances of having a dirty great hole at the bottom of the loaf but on one occasion during my test it failed to collapse and left an even bigger hole than its competitors.
Sage The Custom Loaf review: how it works
The Sage Custom Loaf also features a hatch for automatic dosing of nuts, raisins and seeds(Image credit: Sage)
The Sage Custom Loaf also features a hatch for automatic dosing of nuts, raisins and seeds
The Sage Custom Loaf also features a hatch for automatic dosing of nuts, raisins and seeds
(Image credit: Sage)
As is the case with the majority of bread makers, when using a bread mix you simply put the entire 500g packet into the Sage’s extra-large non-stick baking pot, add 25g of butter if suggested on the packet and pour in the recommended volume of water, usually around 300ml. Now select a bread option – basic white or wholewheat – and your preferred level of browning. Hit start and retreat.
Sage The Custom Loaf review: performance
Yes the top crust is a bit pale, but in this instance I should have opted for the darkest crust setting(Image credit: Derek Adams)
Yes the top crust is a bit pale, but in this instance I should have opted for the darkest crust setting
Yes the top crust is a bit pale, but in this instance I should have opted for the darkest crust setting
(Image credit: Derek Adams)
I had a great deal of success with this model. Using my preferred new bread mix blendBacheldre Bakers White Bread Mix, it produced a beautiful farmhouse white with nicely browned sides, an admittedly pale crust (my fault for not selecting a darker one) and a soft, light, airy centre. I had equally favourable results using Waitrose’s own-brand white and wholewheat mixes.
I then tried a cranberry and pistachio loaf from scratch using Sage’s onlineFlour Powerrecipe PDF. The prep was quite a task but, Mein Gott, it rocked on all fronts with a crispy crust and a sweet, chewy centre that just kept on giving. The long and short of it is that I’ve used a few bread makers over the years but this model has been the easiest yet – and, for me, the most consistent.
Sage The Custom Loaf review: verdict
(Image credit: Sage)
(Image credit: Sage)
If you fancy the idea of making your own bread and you’re prepared to fork out a little more dough on a machine that not only performs exceedingly well but is equipped to handle a wide variety of breads while being easy to use, the Sage Custom Loaf is a very worthwhile option. In fact, for me it’s the best bread maker on market right now.
843 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
843 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$249.95View$299.95View$299.95View
$249.95View
$249.95View
$249.95View
$249.95
$249.95
$299.95View
$299.95View
$299.95View
$299.95
$299.95
$299.95View
$299.95View
$299.95View
$299.95
$299.95
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