I got a breadmaker as a present many years ago. Hasn’t seen a lot of use but this week, it quit. We determined that the mixer paddle is no longer turning. I’m a reasonably handy guy with tools. I figure I’ll take a stab at fixing it.
First problem, has the the belt slipped or broken. Should be easy, pop a bunch of screws out and see. Oh, two of those screws are tamper proof and I don’t have the right combination of screw head and thin wall driver to get in there. No prob, off to the hardware store. $20 for the tool? No biggie.
Next up, replace the belt. Check Amazon, a new belt is $30 in Canadiano$. Ok.
Third, the spindle in the bread pan is seized. Pry the c-clip off the bottom, remove the thinger and a doohickey, clean some gunk off. Still stiff. How do I get the whole spindle out to clean it. Do I bash it with a hammer? If I wreck it… Check Amazon, hmm a replacement pan is $40.
Hmmm
20 + 30 + 40 = 90
90$ ? I can get a new machine for that. As much as I hate wasting things, and like fixing things, I’m not sure spending another $70 on a 12 year old machine is worth it, especially since we don’t use it a lot.
I’ve personally burned through no less than 3 bread machines, and I heavily used mine. (It’s the paddle. It’s always the paddle that dies.)
I find it’s significantly cheaper to pick them up at your local thrift store. They’re quite common and cheap there.
Actually did that just a coulple days ago. Wasn’t even looking for one but there it was for $21. Bigger pan than my old one. Little noisier. Will have to keep the spindle oiled this time.