Supremo vs Essenza - Which Fornello Suits You?

You want a Fornello bread maker. Good idea. But then you face the choice: the Supremo or the Essenza? At first glance they look quite similar - both have 19 programs, both three loaf sizes, both PFAS-Free. Yet there are a few essential differences that could tip the balance for you.

In this article we put both machines honestly side by side. No sales pitch, no pressure to choose the most expensive one. Just the facts, so you can decide which one best suits your way of baking.

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All the specs side by side

What stands out right away: the core is identical. Both machines offer the same 19 programs and the same three loaf sizes. The difference is in the details - and those details matter to some bakers, and not at all to others.

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The Supremo - for whom?

The Supremo is the more extensive of the two. The biggest difference from the Essenza is the automatic nut dispenser. It sits on top of the machine and drops your nuts, raisins, seeds or other add-ins into the dough at exactly the right moment. That works with programs 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 16.

Why that is handy: with breads that have add-ins, the moment of adding is important. Put nuts into the dough too early and they get ground up by the kneading hook. Add them too late and they are not well distributed. The dispenser does it automatically, at the right moment, without you having to be there.

The baking pan is the same on both machines: ceramic and PFAS-Free. Ceramic is more durable, more scratch-resistant and easier to clean than a standard non-stick coating.

Operation is via an LCD display with buttons. That gives you a clear overview of the selected program, the loaf size, the crust color and the remaining time.

The Supremo suits you if:

• You regularly bake bread with nuts, raisins, seeds or other add-ins
• You like it when the machine does everything on its own, including the add-ins
• You bake for a family and often use the 1000g size
• You are willing to invest a little more for extra convenience

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The Essenza - for whom?

The Essenza is the more compact and affordable Fornello. And do not let that word "affordable" throw you off - this is not a slimmed-down version that bakes worse bread. The Essenza has exactly the same 19 programs and the same three loaf sizes as the Supremo. The bread that comes out is just as good.

The difference? The Essenza has no automatic nut dispenser. If you bake bread with add-ins, the machine beeps at the right moment. Then you open the lid and add the nuts or raisins yourself. That costs you thirty seconds and the result is the same - you just have to be there for a moment.

Operation is with a rotary dial instead of an LCD display. Some bakers actually prefer that: turn, click, done. No menu structure, no screens. Just simple.

The Essenza suits you if:

• You mainly bake "regular" breads without add-ins
• You do not mind adding nuts or raisins yourself at the beep
• You have a smaller household or less space in the kitchen
• You want to start baking bread without a big investment
• You like simple, no-nonsense operation

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What is the difference in practice?

On paper there are three real differences. But how do you notice them in practice?

1. The nut dispenser

This is the biggest functional difference. The Supremo has an automatic dispenser, the Essenza does not.

In practice: if you bake a nut or raisin bread two or three times a week, that dispenser is truly a luxury. You put everything in the machine, set the program, and walk away. No alarm to listen for, no lid to open.

But if you mainly bake white bread, wholegrain bread or sourdough bread - breads without add-ins - then you will hardly use that dispenser. And with the Essenza too you can bake currant bread or nut bread perfectly well. You simply add the ingredients yourself when the machine beeps. The result is identical.

2. The controls

The Supremo has an LCD display, the Essenza a rotary dial.

In practice: this is purely a matter of preference. The LCD display shows more information at once - program number, loaf size, crust color, timer. The rotary dial is faster and more intuitive, but shows less info at a time.

Both systems work fine. This is not a reason to choose one over the other, unless you have a strong preference.

3. The baking pan

Here there is no difference: the Supremo and the Essenza have exactly the same ceramic, PFAS-Free baking pan.

In practice: both baking pans are identical, safe and PFAS-Free. Ceramic is durable, scratch-resistant and easy to clean. Handy to know: the separate replacement baking pan therefore fits both machines.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the Supremo bake better bread than the Essenza?

No. The baking results are equal. Both machines have the same programs, the same temperature controls and the same loaf sizes. The difference is in convenience and equipment, not in baking quality.

Can I also bake bread with nuts and raisins with the Essenza?

Yes, absolutely. The Essenza beeps at the right moment during the kneading process. Then you open the lid, add the add-ins, and the machine continues. The only difference is that you have to be there for a moment instead of it happening automatically.

Is the Supremo worth the investment if I am just starting?

That depends. If you know you like to bake bread with add-ins and you enjoy it when everything happens automatically, then the Supremo immediately offers that extra convenience. But if you are still discovering which bread you like to bake most, the Essenza is a fine entry point. You can always upgrade later.

Do the Supremo's recipes also work on the Essenza?

Yes. Both machines have the same 19 programs with the same numbering. A recipe for program 1 on the Supremo works identically on program 1 of the Essenza. All recipes on Het Broodlab and in the included recipe book work on both machines.

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Which one suits you?

Let's keep it simple.

Choose the Supremo if you regularly bake bread with add-ins, you like it when the machine does everything on its own, and you are willing to invest a little more for the automatic dispenser and the LCD display. Choose the Essenza if you want a reliable bread maker at a sharp price, you mainly bake breads without add-ins (or do not mind adding them yourself), and you like simple operation.

Both machines bake the same bread. Both are PFAS-Free. Both have 19 programs and three loaf sizes. The difference is not better or worse - it is a matter of what suits your way of baking.

And if you really cannot decide? Send us a message at support@fornello.eu. We are happy to help you choose.

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Want to compare for yourself? Check out the Fornello Supremo and the Fornello Essenza.