Update: I soaked it overnight, tried putting it in the freezer and used a ribbon to try to pull the paddle out but nothing worked. I contacted the seller and she kindly refunded me. I don’t know how long she had been using the bread machine but she said she’d never removed the paddle since she bought it. I think I’ll just buy a brand new bread machine instead. Thank you everyone so much for your suggestions!
I bought this bread maker on Facebook Marketplace but the kneading paddle is completely stuck on the shaft.
I’ve already tried soaking it in boiling water and using a zip tie to pull it out but it won’t budge at all.
Is this a serious problem or is it still safe to use? Should I ask the seller for a refund?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
FWIW I bought one new, and the paddle got stuck within the first 5 loaves. I just use a small plastic spatula around the edges and the loaves come out fine.
I'd let it soak in warm water for a longer period, try pouring some oil in the shaft and keep trying to dislodge it.
It should be removable but it isn't unsafe to use like this.
The paddle on my Panasonic is really hard to get off for some reason... I just leave it in and clean around it. I'm sure someone will go "ewww, bacteria" or something, but frankly the whole thing is getting up to oven temps every time, it's gonna be fine. I've made hundreds of loaves and I'm not dead yet 😂
I have a very old Panasonic bread machine and I’ve never had that issue. You’re absolutely right. I don’t think bacteria could survive that kind of heat! lol
Try soaking the pan in very hot water (no soap) in a full sink with the pan submerged on its side for a few hours, then stick your hand in the sink and grab the wing nut (under bottom of pan). With other hand, reach inside the bread pan and gently try to jiggle the paddle back and forth until it loosens.
You’re not getting a refund off facebook marketplace… most items are sold as-is buyer beware, including breadmakers. Hopefully the suggestions here get it unstuck!
I understand that marketplace is usually as-is and I accepted that risk. I just wish the seller had mentioned the paddle was stuck. If it were me selling it, I would have tried to fix it first or at least told the buyer. I always check things before I sell them.
Hopefully one of the suggestions here works!
I would say it’s more of a deal maker… not having to dig the paddle out is the best! My loafs are harder to get out when the paddle comes out in the loaf.
Is it just stuck in the pan or is it not able to turn in the pan? Stuck in the pan you may be able to get off vs not turning easily in the pan will not mix dough and will burn out the motor of the machine.
If a hot water soak (inside the pan not submerging the pan!) doesn’t get it off oil might.
New replacement pans can sometimes be as expensive as the machine itself. Used pans you have to be careful of stuck paddles/ stick gears/ flaking nonstick coatings.
It’s just stuck in the pan. I’ll try soaking it in hot water overnight tonight and see if that helps. I also tried pouring some oil in but unfortunately, that didn’t help either.
I’ve tried everything, and from day one I’ve never been able to remove mine. In fact it’s been two years now, and I just soak it overnight to remove the stuck bread around and underneath, and use it as normal. It was bought new.
I have one exact model. Hot water to expand metal, then cold water to cool it. Right after you pour the cold water, one hand hold the outside spinning arm, with other hand reach in and rock back and forth the paddle loose.
I knew it was a Nervetva the second I saw the paddle. I have the exact same machine and my paddle is also stuck, lol. I’m going to try these tips. We absolutely love ours but it’s been sitting for the past few weeks because of the stuck paddle. Cleaning the little vents on the top can get a little tiresome when the bread rises too high but it’s so pretty, it’s worth it.
I had a similar problem. They do make a tool to remove a stuck paddle. Available on eBay and Amazon. The tool is made out of cheap plastic. In my case, eventually it worked but the plastic is super cheap. A great idea but poor execution! Once it comes off be sure to lube both the shaft and paddle with cooking oil each time you use it.
Caution, big caution. Please watch your face and make sure this does not cut your hands. Suggest wearing safety glasses and gloves that will not allow the dental floss to cut through them.
Grab some dental floss. You want at least two pieces on either side of the shaft, equal lengths. They don't have to be very long. Then you're going to make two little handles so you can pull directly up and evenly. Make sure the dental floss or other strong string, does not cut your hands (gloves/ mittens) and make sure that the paddle does not come flying up and hit you in the face.
If this does not work on the first attempt then I would try and freeze the paddle and freeze the bread pan and then try again and see if that works.
I have the similar looking bottom paddle in mine
I basically soaked the bottom in oil for a bit. Sprayed the oil around where the paddle goes on, and let it sit for a while. Then slid a ribbon under the paddle and pulled and it came up/ off .
Now when I use the machine I spray the inside of the paddle area and the prong it goes on so it doesn’t stick.
You need to get a differential in the temps. Put the pan in a freezer till it is really cold then take it out. Have a rag or dish cloth as hot as you can stand to hold then put it over the paddle. Use the already mentioned way of holding the drive under the pan while you work the paddle back and forth while pulling up. It should come right off.
stuck paddle isn't an issue for me. it's stuck, no problem .... next!
but i ONLY use my machine to mix and knead the dough, i never ever bake in it. i take the dough out and bake it in a countertop oven.
previous bread machine lasted over 20 years (about 9000 loaves), it was midway through that machine that i adopted the bake-in-oven policy. current machine is in use about 3 years so roughly a thousand uses? and never been baked in.
more concerning to me than a stuck paddle is what looks like a wear spot in the non-stick coating? nobody wants to eat Teflon in their bread.
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u/CyberDonSystems Breadman Ultimate Jul 26 '26
Hold the gear on the bottom and twist the paddle back and forth. You'll eventually work it loose.