The paddles, sometimes called kneading blades or impellers, in a Zojirushi bread machine are the most important parts. Attached to the machine through a sealed off, rotating post, the impellers mix and knead the bread dough during a baking cycle, but sometimes get stuck on the pan or in the loaf of bread afterward. This can be frustrating, but they can be removed with a little extra work.
Instructions
Removing Paddles from the Pan
1. Try to pull the paddles out of the machine. Typically, they simply slide off of the post. If not, wiggle them to break any seal formed between the metal and the post by the bread. If they don't come out, continue to the next steps.
2. Remove the pan from the machine. Grip the pan on both sides and tilt it to the left, then lift out of the machine.
3. Hold the paddle in place and reach under the pan, feeling for the bottom of the impeller posts. They are metal rods perpendicular to the post, directly beneath it. Turn the posts, while holding the paddle to try and remove it. This should remove the paddles, but if they are still stuck, continue below.
4. Soak the pan in warm water. Try wiggling the paddles or the posts from beneath until they come out.
Removing Paddles from the Bread
5. Remove the pan from the bread machine when the loaf has completed its baking cycle. If the pan is still warm, use hot mitts to carry the bread out.
6. Invert the pan to dump the bread out onto the counter top. The paddles may stay inside the loaf, or in the pan. If the paddles come out with the bread loaf, continue to the next step.
7. Poke the wooden chopstick into the impeller, through the hole in the bottom of the bread. Try pulling the impeller out by tilting the chopstick so it pushes the blade part through the crust. If the impeller is still stuck, continue below.
8. Cut very carefully around the kneading blade. Kneading blades are non-stick, so be careful not to cut into them. Try cutting the blade free first, then pulling it out.
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