Our take
The BBM800XL is unusually configurable for a household bread maker. It covers standard, Rapid, whole-wheat, Gluten Free, crusty, sweet and yeast-free loaves, plus bread, pizza and pasta dough, Jam and Bake Only. Four sizes range from 1 lb to 2.5 lb on several bread settings, while Gluten Free supports 2 lb and 2.5 lb. A 13-hour finish-time timer and an automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser add convenience for compatible recipes. Its Custom setting stores nine recipes with adjustable stages, but the many controls call for close use of the manual.
Bakers who want adjustable recipes and a wide specialty menu, including an automatic dispenser, while accepting course-specific size and timing limits..
Not for buyers who want a simple fixed-menu machine, a smaller Gluten Free loaf, unrestricted delay start, or a confirmed ceramic pan and loaf orientation.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- Many bread settings support four loaf sizes, and Gluten Free is a named course for 2 lb or 2.5 lb loaves.
- Nine Custom recipe slots can store modified stage times and temperatures.
- An automatic dispenser holds up to 3/4 cup of suitably sized dry add-ins.
What to weigh up
- Delay Start is unavailable for Bake Only and Jam and should not be used with perishable ingredients.
- Gluten Free is unavailable at 1 lb and 1.5 lb; Yeast Free uses fixed recipe amounts.
- The maker page and manual differ on the setting count, and a Jam recipe exceeds the manual's general fruit guidance.
The key details
| Model covered | BBM800XL |
|---|---|
| Loaf size | 1 lb, 1.5 lb, 2 lb and 2.5 lb on eligible programs |
| Specialty programs | Nine saved custom recipes; Gluten Free, Crusty Loaf, Yeast Free, Jam and Dough |
| Timing and control | 13-hour Delay Start; 3/4-cup dispenser; conditional 60-minute recovery |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 2, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
Broad program range with course-specific sizes
The manual lists Basic, Basic Rapid, Whole Wheat, Whole Wheat Rapid, Gluten Free, Crusty Loaf, Sweet, Yeast Free, Bread Dough, Pizza Dough, Pasta Dough, Bake Only and Jam, plus Custom. Four size choices—1 lb, 1.5 lb, 2 lb and 2.5 lb—are available on several bread selections. Gluten Free is limited to 2 lb and 2.5 lb, while Yeast Free recipes have fixed ingredient amounts and no size selection. These exceptions matter when a buyer pairs a loaf-size requirement with a named course; the broad size range is not active everywhere.
Saved recipes and collapsible paddle
The Custom setting provides nine stored recipe slots with controls for applicable preheat, knead, rise, punch-down, bake and keep-warm phases. This is useful for someone who expects to refine a personal process, but it asks more of the user than choosing a preset. The collapsible kneading paddle folds flat before baking to reduce the hole in the loaf; Jam uses a separate fixed paddle. The manual documents one drive shaft and alternate paddle types, so this should not be described as two paddles kneading together. Pause control and an interior light add further hands-on flexibility.
Dispenser, dough and sourdough use
The automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser holds up to 3/4 cup of suitable dry add-ins, and the audible alert also allows manual additions. Separate Bread Dough, Pizza Dough and Pasta Dough settings cover preparation tasks, while Jam has its own fixed paddle. The recipe guide includes a Classic Sourdough recipe on Crusty Loaf using a starter prepared eight days ahead; there is no separate Sourdough setting. Cake support comes through the Yeast Free setting's cake-mix directions and recipe, not a named Cake program. Buyers should distinguish these recipe paths from dedicated machine menus.
Delay start and outage conditions
Delay Start runs up to 13 hours and is available on most settings except Bake Only and Jam. The manual cautions against delayed recipes with dairy, eggs or other perishable ingredients, and suggests testing yeast-free recipes before relying on a delay. Recovery memory can resume a course if the machine had already run at least five minutes and power returns within 60 minutes. If the bake phase was interrupted, timing is uncertain or the outage exceeds that window, the manual recommends discarding ingredients. Keep Warm can run up to 60 minutes on eligible settings and can be shortened or disabled.
Physical details and unresolved instructions
Breville lists a stainless-steel housing and dimensions of 16.4 inches wide, 9.6 inches deep and 13.3 inches high. The manual describes the pan as nonstick but does not identify its coating as ceramic, and neither source states loaf orientation. Two count details are also qualified: the maker-page image description says 13 settings, while the manual lists fourteen when Custom is counted; the general Jam guidance recommends no more than three cups of fruit, but Peach Melba lists four cups total. Do not force a resolution that the sources do not provide.
What else to compare
Before you buy
What loaf sizes are available?
1 lb, 1.5 lb, 2 lb and 2.5 lb on several bread settings. Gluten Free is limited to 2 lb and 2.5 lb; Yeast Free uses fixed recipe amounts.
Does it have a dedicated Gluten Free setting?
Yes. The named course supports 2 lb and 2.5 lb sizes.
How many recipes can I save?
The Custom setting provides nine recipe slots with adjustable stages.
Does it have an automatic dispenser?
Yes. It holds up to 3/4 cup of suitably sized dry add-ins.
Can it make sourdough?
The manual includes a Classic Sourdough recipe on Crusty Loaf and an eight-day starter; there is no separate Sourdough setting.
Can Jam use Delay Start?
No. Jam and Bake Only are excluded, and perishable ingredients should not be delayed.
What is the Jam fruit limit?
The general guide says up to three cups, but a Peach Melba recipe lists four cups total; the source conflict is unresolved.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf instruction book ↗ — checked October 2, 2026.
- Breville BBM800XL instruction book ↗ — checked October 2, 2026.
- Breville Custom Loaf manufacturer product page ↗ — checked October 2, 2026.
The decision
The BBM800XL is unusually configurable for a household bread maker. It covers standard, Rapid, whole-wheat, Gluten Free, crusty, sweet and yeast-free loaves, plus bread, pizza and pasta dough, Jam and Bake Only. Four sizes range from 1 lb to 2.5 lb on several bread settings, while Gluten Free supports 2 lb and 2.5 lb. A 13-hour finish-time timer and an automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser add convenience for compatible recipes. Its Custom setting stores nine recipes with adjustable stages, but the many controls call for close use of the manual.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.