I have written numerous cookbooks and some years ago I was asked to write a breadmaker recipe book, so I bought a breadmaker in order to test the recipes. I still prefer to make bread by hand, particularly specialist breads – a (home-grown) courgette and Parmesan bread is on the menu for New Year's Day – partly because I have more control about the texture because I can feel it and partly because I love kneading the dough.
However, breadmakers make tasty loaves, albeit a slightly odd shape, and are hugely useful for mixing and kneading the dough when you are very busy, even if you then bake the loaf or rolls in the oven. I think mine is a Panasonic too. They are quite bulky and take up a fair amount of storage room.
P.s. Cook's Tip: Lightly brush the bread pan and paddle with sunflower or other mild oil before adding the ingredients.