Bread Machines

[mattl]

I've had a bread machine for over 20 years...

I got one of the first bread machine that came out, a Panasonic. I paid over $300 for it back then. It got a lot of use the first few years, but we tapered down to the point no one used it. About 6 years ago I picked up a new machine, paid $40 for it and it does a good job and we use it occasionally.

I'm not sure if it's me or just a function of bread machines in general, but the bread is always soft and fluffy. I prefer a much heavier bread, my everyday bread is a 12 grain bread from the supermarket. My all time favorite bread is a heavy San Francisco sourdough caraway rye that the local bakery used to make, but the bakery is long gone. In fact I have my rye bread brought in by my cousins. One is in Detroit and gets a decent rye there and the other is in Grand Rapids and a deli there makes a decent loaf. About the only bread I make in the machine is either a potato bread or an egg bread.

As to whether to get a machine or not, from my point of view it depends on the type of bread you like, soft, tender bread is great from the bread machine, a heavy textured bread is elusive if even possible.

If anyone has had success in making a heavy moist bread in their machine I appreciate hearing their technique and direction to the recipe.

 

[sudsmaster]

I have had a couple of low cost bread machines. I believe the first one is an Oster. It has a vertical pan and can make 2 lb loaves. The second one is a horizontal single paddle Oster as well. I've had good results with both, but prefer the horizontal pan layout. I'm aware of the Zojirushi but the cost (over $150 vs less than $50 for an Oster) has put me off. Plus I don't eat enough bread to make it worthwhile. Lately I've been doing stir fry and putting the rice cooker through its paces.

One thing I noticed - in the winter, with room temps around 65F, the dough in the Oster doesn't seem to rise enough. I've tried new yeast, fresh ingredients, etc, but just decided that to get good results I'd have to turn up the house thermostat, which sort of negates any savings with a bread machine. Maybe a higher quality bread maker would do better, like the Zojirushi.

 

[andrewinorlando]

I have a Breadman Ultimate bread machine...got it on Amazon.com for a whopping $44!! The best bread machine I've ever used so far. Does a truly wonderful job.

 

[conate]

I've read really good reviews...

....of that bread machine. Wow that's a deal!

 

[petek]

Oh gawd here she goes on again about the fabulous Bosch Universal mixer LOL
Well it is fabulous, that's all there is to it!! I wouldn't say so if it wasn't true and I've got plenty of other mixers that may be prettier but none can match the Bosch for heavy duty mixing capability.

 

[irishwashguy]

I have two bread machines

Although, the Zorjoriusi is going to the Flea bay store on Monday. I have a sinple Westbend that was actually made in the USA, i could not believe it when I saw that. It works great! You could find one at a Estate sale as I did and get a real steal on it. This is my second Westbend, and it was six whole American Dollars. I took some Mrs Meyers to it and vuala! Clean! Makes perfect bread.

 

[hoovermatic]

Oh I SEE!!! It is a food processor with a multitude of bolt on attachments. I am totally devoted to my Kenwood Chef and have all the attachments that go with it but THAT looks very interesting. I have never seen one of those before and must investigate how I can get my mitts on one. Thanks for posting the pics. Is that the bowl you would use for making dough in?

 

[gizmo]

I have a Breville BB400. It is about 10 years old. I don't use it much as I prefer bought bread from a good bakery (not supermarket bread). However in summer when we have power to burn from our solar electric system, I make bread and the Breville is a good machine.

I believe it is based on a US market machine, as its loaf sizes are in pounds, whereas we have been metric since 1974. Does anyone recognize this machine, if so, what brand is it called in USA or UK? It is a horizontal loaf with single paddle and has an automatic fruit/nut dispenser for making raisin bread or herb bread. There was a later version than mine with more secure pan mount, and twin paddles which lie flat when not kneading, so it doesn't leave a big scar in the bottom of the loaf.

The photos are not my machine, I just found examples on Ebay to illustrate.

Chris

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search.ebay.com.au

 

[gadgetgary]

Mr. Loaf Home Bakery

My very first bread machine. Makes a 1 lb. loaf. I can't tell you how many loaves of bread I made in this machine over the years. Works flawlessly.

 

[gadgetgary]

Inside

The 'money shot'

 

[gadgetgary]

Mister Loaf 2 lb. version

I liked this brand so much, that I bought the new and improved larger version also. Used to make lots of loaves of bread for family on the holidays. Of course, it was easier with two machines. This machine also makes 'quick' breads.

 

[gadgetgary]

Interior shot

Some great bread machine recipes can be found in some paper back books by author Donna Rathmell German

 

[gadgetgary]

Books

Four of her bread machine books

 

[petek]

Paul, first and foremost the Universal is a mixer not a food processor though there are a plethora of attachments you can buy separately like a blender, a processor, food slicer, meat grinder, wheat mill etc, but each attachment cost more than a stand alone electric appliance unfortunately. It can easily handle 10 cups of bread flour, more than the Kenwood or Kitchenaid can and it kneads bread much more thoroughly enough that only one rising is required instead of the normal two.

 

[hoovermatic]

I am on the trail of one as soon as possible, thanks for the clarification!

 

[panthera]

They're called

Küchenmachine in German and that is reflected in their 'universal' abilities. While it's true that the accessories cost a fortune, they aren't just afterthoughts, but the real thing.

If my BrAun KM-3 ever dies (not likely), this would be one of the very few modern "mixers" I'd even consider.

One note of interest; the prices for the accessories often vary by such a margin that it is sometimes economically justified to order the part one wants from "abroad". Course, with the $ the way it is, that's only true in one direction...

Bosch is often undervalued here in Europe, the Americans seem to have a better feel for their true value.

 

[panthera]

make that "Küchenmaschine"

Sigh. I am the only person I know who is equally illiterate in two languages at once.
Only "Bi-" part of me, thank the gods...I'm bilingually bad at spelling.

 

[laundromat]

I had the Welbilt for a few years in B'more but also received as KitchenAid 4.5 quart sand mixer from Jon LeFever.In less time than it took the WB to unevenly bake 1/3 loaf of o.k.bread,my K'Aid mixer would kneed enough bread dough to bake 8 full loaves of bread without any help from me except seting up the dough in the containers,placing them in the oven and removing them after they're baked.I see more of an energy saving factor in making 8 full loaves in place of one third of a loaf with a hole in themiddle.Sorry kids but I'm more into enjoying making a large quantity of bread loaves in one siting than just a fraction of one.Besides,I make half the dough for regular loaves then add cinnamin,sweetner and raisins for raisin bread loaves.

 

[toggleswitch2]

TOASTMASTER Breadmakers Hearth Breadmaker & Cooks Oven

Here's mine. (Don't you just LOVE show and tell?) *LOL*

It is a small elecctric oven, broiler (grille), toaster and breadmaker.

By far my favorite kitchen multi-purpose toy. Great to avoid gas cooking in summer which heats the room tremendously. Much larger than a standard toaster-oven, but commensurate with the nere "huge" ones.

Anyone have a linkie or info regarding that microwaver the makes breas?

The only drawback that I have experienced in that unit is that: when making bread, one has to be careful not to let the dough rise over the cooking vessel and hit the upper heating elements! It took me quite a few attemps to modify traditional recipes of ethnic/holiday breads.

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auctions.overstock.com

 

[pturo]

I think they are kind of like the VCR or the electric razor, technological dinasours at this point with a small group of supporters, usually around Christmas.
I think the bread is OK, but effort verus reward, I live near many Italian bakeries and a Wegmans, and you can't beat daily baked bread in thier ovens.
I guess if I lived in a little house on the praire and could get the mixes by Fed Ex, then maybe.
But that's just me.