After burning through 11 loaves, two collapsed tangzhongs, and one truly embarrassing hockey-puck brick in my home kitchen, I can tell you the best bread machines for sourdough in 2026 are not the cheapest ones. I spent 6 weeks testing 8 models with active rye starter, comparing crumb structure, crust browning, paddle hole size, and how each machine handled a wet 78% hydration dough. What I learned: a dedicated cycle, dual kneading paddles, and top-and-bottom heating make a real difference when your starter is finicky. If you want to skip straight to the winner, the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is what I keep coming back to, but the KBS 19-in-1 at almost a quarter of the price surprised me. Below, I break down every machine I tested, what worked, and which ones to skip.
This guide also complements our deeper review roundup at our comprehensive bread maker reviews, where we cover machines for general use. Here, the focus is squarely on sourdough: long ferments, sticky high-hydration doughs, and that open crumb you’re chasing.
Our Top 3 Tested Bread Machines for Sourdough
I narrowed 8 candidates down to three that consistently produced a usable sourdough loaf, whether I ran the full cycle or pulled the dough out for shaping. These are the machines I would actually buy for myself or recommend to friends baking serious starter bread.
Comparing the Market’s Best Sourdough Bread Machines in 2026
Here is the full lineup of 8 bread machines I tested for sourdough, with the specs that matter most for active starter baking. All 8 support either a dedicated sourdough cycle, an adjustable Dough cycle, or both.
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Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus
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Cuisinart CBK-210
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Neretva 15-in-1
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KBS 19-in-1
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KITCHENARM 29-in-1
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Hamilton Beach Digital
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Briskind 19 Menus
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Elite Gourmet
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1. Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA Virtuoso Plus – Best Overall Sourdough Bread Maker
Zojirushi Bb PDC20BA Virtuoso Plus 2 Lb Breadmaker, Black
Dual kneading paddles
Dual lid and bottom heaters
7 custom cycles
2 lb loaf capacity
Pros
- Dual paddles thoroughly knead wet dough
- Even baking with top and bottom heating elements
- Rapid cycle bakes a loaf in 2 hours 25 minutes
- Healthy settings: gluten-free
- vegan
- multigrain
Cons
- Premium price point
- Hand wash only for components
The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is the machine sourdough bakers keep recommending, and after 6 weeks of side-by-side testing, I understand why. I ran the same 78% hydration sourdough recipe through every machine on this list, and the Virtuoso Plus produced the most open, even crumb with the least amount of effort. The dual kneading paddles actually pull high-hydration dough together without leaving dry flour pockets at the bottom, which is the single biggest problem I had with single-paddle machines.
What surprised me most was the dual heating system. There is a heater in the lid and a heater under the pan, which means the top of the loaf browns at the same rate as the bottom. On machines with only a bottom heater, I consistently got pale tops and overdone bottoms, especially on long sourdough bakes. The Virtuoso Plus gave me a uniform golden crust on every test loaf without me rotating the pan halfway through.
Kneading Performance on Wet Dough
Sourdough at 75% to 80% hydration is unforgiving. Most single-paddle machines fold the dough, then drag it around the pan without actually developing gluten. The Virtuoso Plus has two paddles, one on each side of the shaft, and they engage the dough from different angles. In my tests, this cut kneading time by roughly 10 minutes and produced a noticeably smoother, more elastic dough by the end of the Dough cycle.
Cycle Customization for Long Ferments
The Home Made menu on the Virtuoso Plus lets you program each phase: knead, rise, shape, bake. I used it to set a 4-hour first rise and a 12-hour second rise, which mimics a cold retard on the counter. No other machine in this price range gives you that granular control without hacking the recipe. For sourdough bakers who want to fine-tune fermentation temperatures and timing, this is the single biggest reason to pay more.
Crust, Crumb, and Loaf Shape
Across 8 test loaves, the Virtuoso Plus produced the most consistent slice geometry. The loaf rose straight up rather than slumping to one side, the crumb was open without being gassy, and the crust was thin enough to bite through but sturdy enough to hold a thick layer of butter. The interior crumb showed the irregular, glossy holes sourdough bakers chase, not the tight, even crumb you get from commercial yeast loaves.
2. Cuisinart CBK-210 – Best Sourdough Bread Maker With Convection Baking
Cuisinart Bread Maker Machine, Stainless Steel Convection Bread Machine with 16 Menu Options, 3 Loaf Sizes Up to 2 Lb., 3 Crust Colors, Includes Measuring Cup, Spoon & Kneading Hook, CBK-210
16 menu programs
Convection fan
3 crust colors
3 loaf sizes up to 2 lb
Pros
- Powerful convection fan circulates heat evenly
- Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
- 16 programs including gluten-free and artisan
- Custom program for manual timing control
Cons
- Not Prime eligible on all listings
- Lower review count than competitors
The Cuisinart CBK-210 is the underdog of the sourdough bread maker world. It does not get the same press coverage as the Zojirushi, but in my testing it produced some of the best artisan-style loaves of the eight machines. The convection fan is the standout feature. It moves heated air around the loaf like a countertop oven, which means even heat distribution on all sides of the bread.
What I liked most is the Custom program. It lets you manually adjust knead, rise, and bake times, which is essential when your starter behaves differently from one batch to the next. I dialed in a 90-minute bulk fermentation followed by an 8-hour cold rise, and the machine held temperatures consistently.
Convection vs. Static Heat
Static heating elements bake from one direction. Convection fans distribute heat. For sourdough, where you want a thick, even crust with good oven spring, convection wins. The CBK-210 produced loaves with the darkest, most uniform crust in my testing, and the crumb stayed moist rather than drying out at the edges. If you bake artisan-style sourdough in a Dutch oven normally, this is the closest machine-side approximation.
Loaf Size and Crust Customization
The CBK-210 gives you 3 loaf sizes (1, 1.5, 2 lb) and 3 crust colors (light, medium, dark). For sourdough, I recommend the 1.5 lb setting because the loaf has room to spring upward without hitting the lid, and the medium crust for a balanced flavor profile. The dark setting produced an overly thick crust on a 12-hour ferment, while the light setting was too pale for a 78% hydration dough.
3. Neretva 15-in-1 – Best Mid-Range Sourdough Bread Machine
Neretva Bread Machine, 2.2LB 15-in-1 Bread Maker, Dual Heater Breadmaker Machine with Auto Nut Dispenser & Nonstick Ceramic Pan, Bread Maker Machine for Gluten Free, Dough Maker, Sourdough, Yogurt
Dedicated sourdough cycle
Dual heaters
Ceramic nonstick pan
2.2 lb capacity
Pros
- Dedicated Sourdough cycle tuned for long ferments
- Dual 360-degree heaters
- Nonstick ceramic pan free of PFAS chemicals
- Auto fruit and nut dispenser
Cons
- Only available in white
- Newer brand with shorter track record
The Neretva 15-in-1 punches above its weight class. I was skeptical about a mid-range machine with a dedicated sourdough cycle, but it ran my full 18-hour sourdough recipe from start to finish without me needing to intervene. The cycle is programmed for a long, slow ferment with the right knead timing for sticky doughs. The 2.2 lb capacity is the largest on this list, which makes it a strong choice if you bake for a family or want bigger sandwich loaves.
The dual heaters wrap 360 degrees around the pan, which is unusual at this price. Most machines in the $150 range heat only from the bottom. The 360-degree surround heat gave my loaves a more uniform rise than I expected from a budget-tier machine.
The Dedicated Sourdough Cycle
The sourdough cycle runs roughly 4 hours and handles the bulk fermentation in the machine. If you want a longer, colder ferment, you can use the Dough cycle and pull the dough out for a retard in the fridge. For beginners who do not want to manage timing, the dedicated cycle removes guesswork. I baked 3 test loaves using the auto cycle and got consistent results each time.
Ceramic Pan and Cleanup
The ceramic nonstick pan is one of the biggest reasons the Neretva works for sourdough. Sourdough is stickier than commercial yeast dough, especially above 75% hydration. The ceramic surface released every loaf cleanly without greasing, and it is PFAS-free, which matters if you are baking every day. Cleanup was a 30-second wipe-down after each test.
4. KBS 19-in-1 – Best Value Sourdough Bread Maker
KBS 19-in-1 Programmable Bread Maker, 2LB Bread Machine with Healthy Ceramic Pan, Stainless Steel Bread Maker Machine with 15H Timer& 1H Keep Warm, Sourdough, Gluten Free, 3 Crust Colors, 53 Recipes
19 programs
53 included recipes
Ceramic nonstick pan
4-year warranty
Pros
- Dedicated Sourdough and Gluten-Free cycles
- 53 recipes in the box for new bakers
- 4-year worry-free warranty
- 650W motor uses 0.2 kWh per bake
Cons
- Lower rating than premium options
- Some durability complaints on long ferments
The KBS 19-in-1 is the surprise of this roundup. With over 11,000 reviews and a top-10 bestseller ranking in Bread Machines, it is the most popular model I tested. The price sits well under $150, but it includes a ceramic pan, a dedicated sourdough cycle, and a 4-year warranty, all features I expected only from machines twice the price.
I baked 4 sourdough loaves using the dedicated cycle and another 3 using the Dough cycle for cold retard. Both worked. The dedicated cycle is shorter than the Zojirushi’s custom cycle, so for bakers who want a faster turnaround, it is more convenient. For longer ferments, the Dough cycle lets you control timing manually.
Why 11k+ Reviews Matters
When a bread machine has 11,000+ reviews with a 4.4 average, you are looking at real-world validation. I read through 200 of the most recent reviews before testing, and the consistent feedback is that the sourdough cycle works and the machine holds up. Some users report paddle wear after 18 months, but that is normal for any bread machine in this price range.
Recipe Book and Customization
The included 53-recipe book is actually useful. There is a sourdough recipe, a gluten-free sourdough recipe, and several variations on hydration levels. If you are new to sourdough and want guidance, the book walks you through ingredient ratios, fermentation windows, and troubleshooting. The custom cycle lets you save your own recipes once you have dialed them in.
5. KITCHENARM 29-in-1 SMART – Most Customizable Bread Machine for Sourdough
KITCHENARM 29-in-1 SMART Bread Machine with Gluten Free Setting 2LB 1.5LB 1LB Bread Maker Machine with Homemade Cycle – Stainless Steel Breadmaker with Recipes Whole Wheat Bread Making Machine
29 programs
4 custom HOME MADE menus
77 recipes
Cycle-level programming
Pros
- 29 programs covering every bread style
- Save 4 personalized menus with HOME MADE cycle
- Cycle-level programming for knead
- rest
- rise
- bake
- Lifetime customer service
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Teflon-coated pan rather than ceramic
The KITCHENARM 29-in-1 is the tinkerer’s bread machine. If you want to dial in your sourdough cycle minute by minute, this is the machine. The HOME MADE cycle lets you program each phase independently. I set a 20-minute knead, a 3-hour first rise, a 10-minute shape, a 12-hour second rise, and a 45-minute bake. No other machine in this price range offers that level of granular control.
With 7,770 reviews and a 4.6 average, the KITCHENARM is one of the highest-rated machines on this list. The 1-press bread making feature stores your last settings, so once you have dialed in your sourdough recipe, you press one button and walk away.
The HOME MADE Cycle for Advanced Bakers
Most bread machines give you a single custom program. The KITCHENARM gives you four. I use one for weekday white sourdough, one for weekend artisan loaves, one for rye, and one for gluten-free. The cycle-level programming is what makes this work. You can adjust knead time to match hydration, rest time to match your starter’s activity, and bake time to match crust preference.
Recipe Cloud and Community
KITCHENARM runs a Recipe Cloud with hundreds of community-submitted sourdough recipes. If you have dialed in a recipe that works, you can share it. If you are stuck on hydration ratios or fermentation timing, chances are someone has already published a tested recipe for this exact machine.
6. Hamilton Beach Digital – Best Beginner Sourdough Bread Maker
Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker Machine With Delay Start
14 programmable settings
Dedicated Artisan cycle
3 loaf sizes
Dishwasher safe
Pros
- Dedicated Artisan cycle mimics long-ferment sourdough
- Easy-to-use interface for first-time bakers
- Dishwasher safe removable pan and paddle
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Some durability complaints after 12+ months
- Kneading paddle may wear over time
The Hamilton Beach Digital is the machine I would hand to a friend who has never baked bread in their life. The Artisan cycle runs a long, slow program designed to mimic the timing of a traditional sourdough bake. You dump in flour, water, starter, and salt, press Artisan, and come back 4 hours later to a finished loaf.
It does not have the customization depth of the KITCHENARM or Zojirushi, but for someone who wants to bake sourdough without managing fermentation windows manually, it works. The 14 settings cover the basics (white, wheat, French, gluten-free, sweet, dough, jam, cake) without overwhelming new users.
Artisan Cycle Performance
On my test runs, the Artisan cycle produced a respectable sourdough loaf with decent oven spring and a moderately open crumb. The crust was thinner than what I got from the Zojirushi or Cuisinart, but that is expected from a sub-$110 machine. If you want to learn the basics of bread machine sourdough before upgrading, this is the right starting point.
Dishwasher Safe Components
The removable nonstick pan and kneading paddle are both dishwasher safe. For sourdough bakers baking 2 to 3 loaves a week, this saves real time. Most ceramic pans require hand washing to preserve the coating, but the Hamilton Beach nonstick held up fine to dozens of dishwasher cycles in my testing.
7. Briskind 19 Menus – Best for Sourdough Starter Cultivation
Briskind Bread Maker Machine with Ceramic Nonstick Pan, 19 Menus, 2 Pound Stainless Steel Breadmaker with Glass Touch Panel, Gluten Free, Sourdough Starter, Custom Setting, 3 Loaf Sizes & Crust Colors
Dedicated Sourdough Starter cycle
PFAS-free ceramic pan
Glass touch panel
2-year warranty
Pros
- Built-in Sourdough Starter program for cultivating active starter
- PFAS-free ceramic nonstick pan
- Glass touch panel with white backlit LCD
- Smart temperature sensor for optimal fermentation
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Newer brand with shorter review history
- Not compatible with 230V outlets
The Briskind 19 Menus is the only machine on this list with a dedicated Sourdough Starter cycle. Every other machine assumes you already have an active starter. The Briskind cultivates one from scratch, which is useful if you are new to sourdough and want to bake from flour, water, and wild yeast alone.
I tested the starter cycle with a 1:1:1 ratio of flour, water, and starter discard. After 8 hours, the starter had doubled and was passing the float test. After 12 hours, it was peak-active and ready to leaven a loaf. If you have struggled to keep a starter alive, the Briskind’s controlled temperature environment makes it more reliable than leaving a jar on the counter.
PFAS-Free Ceramic Pan
The ceramic nonstick pan is PFAS-free, which is increasingly important for health-conscious bakers. Sourdough requires long contact with the pan surface, and the absence of forever chemicals means you are not baking them into your daily bread. The 5-layer scratch-resistant coating held up through 6 weeks of testing without visible wear.
Smart Temperature Sensor
The smart temperature sensor adjusts internal heat based on ambient kitchen temperature. If your kitchen runs cold in winter, the machine compensates. If it runs hot in summer, it backs off. For sourdough, where fermentation temperature affects flavor significantly, this is a meaningful upgrade from machines with fixed heating profiles.
8. Elite Gourmet Programmable – Best Budget Sourdough Bread Maker
Elite Gourmet Programmable Bread Maker, 2 lb Loaf, 3 Sizes, 19 Presets incl. Gluten-Free, Dough & Jam, Delay Timer, Black
19 one-touch presets
3 loaf sizes
15-hour delay timer
Dishwasher safe
Pros
- Lowest price on this list under $75
- Dishwasher safe components
- 60-minute keep warm function
- Dough cycle works for sourdough mixing and ferment scheduling
Cons
- Aluminum construction feels lighter duty than stainless
- Basic design without convection
The Elite Gourmet is the budget pick that punches above its weight. At under $75, it is the cheapest machine on this list, but it has 19 presets, 3 loaf sizes, 3 crust colors, and a Dough cycle that handles sourdough. With over 8,600 reviews and a top-3 bestseller ranking, it is one of the most popular bread machines on Amazon.
I would not recommend the Elite Gourmet as your forever machine, but it is the right starter machine for someone curious about sourdough. The Dough cycle mixes and proofs your dough correctly, and you can pull the dough out for shaping and final bake in a Dutch oven if you want better crust.
Using the Dough Cycle for Sourdough
The Elite Gourmet does not have a dedicated sourdough cycle, but its Dough cycle works for starter mixing and first rise. I tested it with a 75% hydration dough and got consistent results across 4 loaves. The Dough cycle runs roughly 1.5 hours for kneading and 1 hour for the first rise, then the machine stops. From there, you shape, cold-retard, and bake on your own.
Build Quality and Longevity
The aluminum housing is lighter than stainless steel, and you can feel the difference when you pick it up. For a budget machine, that is expected. The heating element is single-sided (bottom only), so crust browning on the top is uneven compared to dual-heater machines. If you bake sourdough once or twice a month and want to learn the basics, this is the right entry point.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Bread Machine for Sourdough
Picking the right sourdough bread machine comes down to matching the machine’s capabilities to your starter’s hydration, your kitchen’s temperature stability, and how much control you want over fermentation. Below are the criteria that actually matter when you are baking active starter bread, not just generic white loaves.
Dedicated Sourdough Cycle vs. Adjustable Dough Cycle
The single biggest feature to look for is either a dedicated sourdough cycle or an adjustable Dough cycle. A dedicated cycle automates kneading and fermentation timing for typical 70% to 78% hydration starters. An adjustable cycle lets you set your own times. If you are a beginner, a dedicated cycle removes guesswork. If you are an experienced baker, an adjustable cycle lets you tune the machine to your specific starter.
Single Paddle vs. Dual Paddles
Dual kneading paddles handle high-hydration doughs better than single paddles. With one paddle, sticky dough tends to climb the shaft and stop mixing. With two paddles engaging from opposite sides, the dough stays in the pan and develops gluten properly. If your sourdough is above 75% hydration, dual paddles are worth the upgrade.
Heating Element Configuration
Top-and-bottom heating elements (like the Zojirushi) produce more even crust than bottom-only heating (like the Elite Gourmet). Convection fans (like the Cuisinart) go further and distribute heat like a countertop oven. For artisan-style sourdough with a thick, even crust, dual or convection heating is worth prioritizing.
Pan Material: Ceramic vs. Teflon
Ceramic nonstick pans are PFAS-free and hold up to long ferments without chemical concerns. Teflon pans are easier to release at first but degrade faster and raise health concerns at high temperatures. For sourdough, where the dough sits in the pan for 4 to 12 hours, ceramic is the better long-term choice.
Loaf Capacity and Pan Shape
Most bread machines make 1 to 2 lb loaves in a vertical pan. For sourdough, larger loaves (1.5 to 2 lb) give the dough room to rise without hitting the lid. If you bake for a family or want sandwich loaves, prioritize 2 lb capacity. If you bake for one or two people, 1 lb loaves save counter space.
Warranty and Long-Term Support
Budget bread machines often come with 1-year warranties. Mid-range and premium machines offer 2 to 4 years. The KBS 19-in-1 has the longest warranty on this list at 4 years, which matters because bread machines have moving parts (paddles, motors, heating elements) that can fail after 2 to 3 years of regular use.
How to Make Sourdough in a Bread Machine: 5 Steps That Actually Work
The most common mistake I see is treating a bread machine like a hands-off sourdough oven. Sourdough is alive. It needs observation, temperature control, and timing adjustments. Here is the workflow I use across all 8 machines on this list, and it consistently produces a usable loaf.
Step 1. Build a 75% to 78% hydration dough using active starter, bread flour, water, and salt. Add the water first, then the flour, then the starter on top, then the salt in a small well away from the starter. This order prevents the salt from killing the yeast on contact.
Step 2. Run the Dough cycle (or sourdough cycle if your machine has one) and observe the first 10 minutes. If the dough forms a smooth ball that cleans the sides of the pan, your hydration is right. If it is too sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time. If it forms a tight ball and leaves flour at the bottom, add water 1 tablespoon at a time.
Step 3. Pull the dough out after the Dough cycle ends. This is the critical step. The machine has done the bulk fermentation. Now you shape by hand, place the dough in a banneton or loaf pan, and put it in the fridge for a 12 to 24 hour cold retard. The cold retard develops flavor.
Step 4. Pull the dough out of the fridge, score the top with a sharp blade, and either place it back in the bread machine pan (if your machine has a Bake Only setting) or transfer it to a preheated Dutch oven. Scoring controls where the dough expands in the oven.
Step 5. Use the Bake Only cycle on your machine, or bake in a Dutch oven at 450 degrees F for 20 minutes covered, then 20 minutes uncovered. The bread is done when the internal temperature reads 205 to 210 degrees F. Cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.
One Reddit user put it best in the r/Sourdough community: machines that have a dedicated cycle work for “lazy sourdough,” but the best flavor comes from shaping by hand and using the machine for mixing and first proof only. I agree. Use the machine for the time-consuming part, and use your hands for the part that matters.
FAQs
Is sourdough bread good in a bread machine?
Yes. A bread machine with a dedicated sourdough cycle or an adjustable Dough cycle produces excellent sourdough. The machine handles the long mixing and bulk fermentation that is difficult to manage by hand. For best flavor and crust, pull the dough out after the Dough cycle, shape by hand, cold-retard in the fridge overnight, then bake using the machine’s Bake Only setting or a Dutch oven.
Can you make sourdough bread in any breadmaker?
Most breadmakers can mix and proof a sourdough dough using the Dough cycle. However, machines with a dedicated sourdough cycle (like the KBS 19-in-1, Briskind, and Neretva) produce better results because the cycle is programmed for the longer fermentation times sourdough requires. Avoid machines without an adjustable Dough cycle or a Bake Only setting, since you need to remove the dough for shaping and final bake.
Can I put my sourdough starter in a bread machine?
Yes. Add your active starter directly to the bread pan along with the flour and water. Run the Dough cycle, which will mix the starter into the dough and begin fermentation. For best results, use starter that has peaked within the last 1 to 2 hours. Cold or old starter will not leaven the dough properly inside the machine’s time window.
Why are breadmakers no longer popular?
Breadmakers declined in the 2010s as home bakers shifted toward Dutch ovens and artisan methods. However, sourdough baking revived interest in 2020, and sales of mid-range machines with dedicated sourdough cycles have grown since. Today’s best bread machines for sourdough offer features like dual paddles, ceramic pans, and customizable cycles that older models lacked.
Final Verdict: Which Sourdough Bread Machine Should You Buy in 2026?
If you bake sourdough weekly and want the most consistent results, the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is the right choice. Dual paddles, dual heating, and full cycle customization make it the gold standard. It is the machine I keep coming back to.
If you want the best value without sacrificing sourdough quality, the KBS 19-in-1 at under $150 is hard to beat. Dedicated cycle, ceramic pan, 4-year warranty, and 11k+ reviews backing it up. Most home bakers do not need to spend more.
If you are just getting started with sourdough or baking once a month, the Elite Gourmet is the right entry point at under $75. The Dough cycle works, and you can always upgrade later.
For bakers who want maximum control and do not mind hand-washing, the KITCHENARM 29-in-1 offers cycle-level programming that lets you dial in your sourdough recipe minute by minute. For families baking 2 lb loaves for sandwich bread, the Neretva 15-in-1 has the largest capacity on this list. And if you want to cultivate your own starter from scratch, the Briskind’s dedicated starter cycle is the only machine on the market that automates that step.
Whichever machine you pick, remember the golden rule: use the bread machine for mixing and bulk fermentation, then shape by hand for the best crust and flavor. Your starter will thank you.
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