I cannot remove the mixing paddle from the pan. I have tried everything that is recommended in the user's manual and the thing will not budge.

That sounds like a serious problem. Recommend you replace your pan assembly and paddles. What make and model is your bread machine?

Sound like you need new shafts or paddles and I know the paddles can cost $30 each. so think about a new model or buy one at a thrift store and try those paddle or use the machine. I got a great one for $10 . :)

Basic White

1 1/3 cups lukewarm water
2 tablespoons powdered milk
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 3/4 cups white flour
1 teaspoon yeast

1. Measure ingredients in the order listed into Baking Pan.
2. Insert Baking Pan securely into unit; close lid.
3. Select BASIC setting and 2.0 lb. loaf setting. Choose LIGHT or DARK crust setting.
4. Push Start button. There will be a 15-minute preheat delay before mixing begins.
5. The Complete Signal will sound when bread is done.
6. Using pot holders, remove Baking Pan from the unit and carefully turn bread out of Baking Pan. (Mixing paddle may remain in bread. Remove paddle when load if cool.)
7. Allow to cool before slicing.

Time 3:50 hours

100% Whole Wheat

1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
2 tablespoons powered milk
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 3/4 teaspoons yeast

1. Measure ingredients in the order listed into Baking Pan.
2. Insert Baking Pan security into unit; close lid.
3. Select GRAIN setting and 1.5lb. loaf setting.
4. Push Start button. There will be a 25-minute preheat delay before mixing begins.
5. The Complete Signal will sound when bread is done.
6. Using pot holders, remove Baking Pan from the unit and carefully turn bread out of Baking Pan. (Mixing paddle may remain in bread. Remove paddle when load if cool.)
7. Allow to cool before slicing.

Time: 4.10 hours

Hi, If it is not mixing well it could be three things. 1) Make sure the bread pan is inserted in the machine correctly. 2) The paddle is sticking. 3) The belt is loose. Take the pan out and see if you can turn the paddle freely by hand. If yes ok. If no, the sealed bearing that the shaft goes through is failing. If everything is ok then check the belt that turns the motor shaft. Motor and belt is located in the base of the machine. Be sure to unplug machine before checking the tension of the belt. Hank

Hi,
Could be a few things. Check to make sure the paddle is not sticking . It should turn freely by hand with the pan out of the machine. If it is sticking it could be the sealed bearing has failed. Check the tension on the belts. They could have loosened up and are slipping. Motor and belts are in the base of the machine.( Be sure to unplug machine when checking belts) Check to make sure the pan is properly inserted in the machine. Hank

Hi, If this is the third time using it, it could be defective. Return it for service. If not under warranty, try a few things. 1) Make sure the pan is inserted in the machine correctly. 2) Make sure that the paddle is not sticking, or the sealed bearing on the bottom of the bread pan is not broken or frozen. (Take pan out and see if you can turn the paddle freely by hand). Or finally, the belt may be loose and slipping, especially when it takes more power to knead the dough the second time. Good luck...Hank

There is a sealed bearing in the bottom of the bread pan. The paddle sits on the sealed bearing shaft. Over time the bearing begins to fail and the paddle does not turn freely or it may even freeze up. If you are sure everything is installed correctly this may be the problem. See if the paddle moves freely by hand and is not really loose. Sealed bearings can not be replaced. Eventually you will need a new bread pan. Sorry Hank

Hi, Take the pan out of the machine and see if you can turn the paddles by hand. If yes that's good...if no then paddles are sticking. Keep pan out of machine and start a kneading cycle. Look through the lid window and see if the motor shafts are turning. If no...then the belts fell off or are loose. If everything is fine then maybe it's the electronic panel. Hank

Hi,
Let's try a few things. First take the bread pan out of the machine and see if you can spin the paddle freely by hand. If you can't, then the sealed bearing in the bottom of the bread pan is frozen and the paddle won't spin during the kneading cycle. Try putting hot water in the pan and let it soak. Try this a few times...If that does not work you will need a new bread pan. If everything is good with the bread pans, then take both pans out of the machine and start a kneading cycle. Look through the top window (if you have one) and see if the motor shafts are spinning. If not, then the belt fell off the pulleys, or has snapped, or the motor is broken. Good Luck..Hank

Hello LT,
There is a sealed bearing and shaft on the bottom of the bread pan that the paddle sits on. Submerging the whole pan in water may have caused water to seep into the bearing on the bottom of the pan, or the whole pan might be worn. Slight resistant in 2 places on 360 degree is not bad. Let everything dry out and we will try a few things. First, put the paddle in the empty pan and place it in the machine. Start a kneading cycle and look trough the lid to see if the paddle is spinning freely and with smooth motion 360 degrees. Watch it until you are sure it will run freely for the entire cycle. If it does not run freely, stop the machine and take the pan out. Now start the kneading cycle again with the pan out and look at the motor shaft at the bottom of the machine to see it it is running freely. If it is running freely, then the problem is with the pan, and the pan needs replacement. If the motor shaft is not turning freely, then the belt is slipping in the machine and needs to be replaced. If everything runs smoothly check the kneading time to make sure your mix has enough time to knead correctly. Hank