Bread Machines

[conate]

cost.

For me, even though bakery bread is quite good, paying four to six times the cost it makes me to make a loaf that's just as good, makes it cost effective for me.

Then again, no Wegmans here and few bakers. Safeway bread is okay but nothing to write home about.

 

[jeffg]

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

Matt, try reducing the rise times on your dough, or give it one rise instead of two. Also try adding a bit more liquid than your recipes call for. But you'll never get San Francisco sourdough out of a home breadmaker.

 

[seamusuk]

In my opinion...

Hey Guys

Over here in my opinion the only machine worth buying is the Panasonic. There are 2 models availiable, the main difference being the SD255 has an automatic fruit/nut dispenser.

I own the SD251 that must be 5 years old now, it gets used in spells as it were. Im currently being very lazy and using Hovis prepacked mixes as Asda have the standard white @36p and Grannary @41p both make a 2lb loaf.

A link to the current models is below, will post a pic of mine this evening.

Seamus

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/290123/module/general/compare/productsCategory.html

 

[seamusuk]

Tonight.....

I decided to cheat with a bag of this....

 

[seamusuk]

My Panny....

SD 251

 

[seamusuk]

All Set

Basic large rapid bake...

 

[seamusuk]

Here we go

Pic of the finished loaf will follow

 

[seamusuk]

The finished loaf....

Looks amazingly like the one on the pack!

Seamus

 

[earthling177]

PeteK, I was wondering if you've had the opportunity of comparing the Bosch Universal machines with the Electrolux Assistent (aka Magic Mill, if memory serves me right)? They both seem to have their followers, but I'd love to know the ups and downs of both machines -- I'd love to have a machine that can handle larger amounts of bread dough than my food processor or KitchenAid mixer, and I was considering either the largest Cuisinart food processor (DLX, if I'm not mistaken, the 20-cup one) or the Bosch or Electrolux machines.

Cheers,
-- Paulo.

 

[rp2813]

Panasonic

We have a Panasonic that's probably 15 years old and we haven't used it in quite a while. The thing I liked about it and what made us decide on Panasonic is that it had an automatic yeast dispenser. You set it and forget it, without any need to run back and add the yeast.

I've seen lots of bread machines in the thrift stores and once in a while a Panasonic will show up. They are distinguished from other brands by their flip-up door in the middle of the top for dispensing the yeast.

 

[phillygrl]

The Best Bread Machine Cookbook

I have an Oster breadmaker that I just love. It was the least expensive one I could buy, as I wanted to try one without spending much. At first it would only bake bricks. Tasty, but still bricks. Tried all of the trobleshooting techniques in the manual. Still more bricks. I called Oster customer service, which is top notch. The rep thought the timer was broken, and sent me a new machine. Still more bricks. Then I bought "Bread Machine Baking" by Lora Brody. Every recipe I have tried is perfect. Ms. Brody writes wonderful cookbooks, this one is superb. She has half a dozen versions for each recipe, each variation is customized for specific bread machines. Here's the link for the book at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Machine-Baking-Lora-Brody/dp/0688145655/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215630769&sr=8-1

 

[petek]

Paulo, I have no experience with the Electrolux Assistent, also sold as the DLX and/or Magic Mill. It's more expensive and from the mixer owners yahoo group where many people have either one or the other I've noticed that there's more of a learning curve with the Electrolux. Bosch just redesigned the Universal, now called the Universal Plus, which means you can get a better deal on leftover Universals on-line at places like mountain top milling

 

[toggleswitch2]

~Tasty, but still bricks.

Geez, and I was gonna say blame it on the yeast.

 

[pturo]

I just think that bread that comes out of these things looks like something you should put in front of your property in multiples if the tide rises. Sort of a combination of a brick and a sandbag, but uglier.

Nothing against the machines, but for me crusty Italian loaf soft in the middle dipped in olive oil with a glass of chianti can't be duplicated by a bread machine. The process skipped by these machines is critical to good bread.

Hey, there are people who still use thier electric carving knives, too. Bless their little cotton socks and avacado dreams.

 

[petek]

Actually those electric knives are the cats ass for slicing bread.

 

[maytagbear]

Yes!

and for cutting delicate, multi-layered things like homemade jelly/swiss rolls, or for small sandwiches in large numbers....the current ones are a lot better than the ones originally marketed in the 1960s.

I have a Black and Decker Ergo electric knife, and I use it frequently.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[seamusuk]

Electric Knives...

Are an essential for fresh bread as far as im concerned- heres the one I have, its cordless and a handblender/whisk to.....

Seamus

 

[earthling177]

PeteK, thank you for mentioning the yahoo groups, they (mixer-owners and wacem) are treasure troves of cool information (and my newest time sinks)! I'm in no hurry to get a new mixer (still using the food processor), which is a great opportunity to do research or even find a cool mixer in a thrift store or something. I much prefer home-made bread, but lately have been buying more often than baking, but come winter, I'll probably start baking more often and a mixer that will allow me to double or triple my recipe will be a great thing to have.

As for the electric knives, yes, I have one (Black and Decker, less than 5 years old) that is not only great for bread and pies, but my partner's sister-in-law is fascinated by them, so during Thanksgiving all I have to do is give it to her after the turkey rests out of the oven and she goes to town carving the roast, which I appreciate -- I find it easier to make the roast than carving/presenting the dish.

Cheers,
-- Paulo.

 

[foraloysius]

Here's the link to the new Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine. Haven't seen it in the stores here yet.

Bosch Home Appliances | Own the Kitchen like a Bosch

Bosch is America's Most Trusted® Kitchen Brand 2025. Every detail of our home appliances is designed for quality and with the consumer in mind.

www.boschappliances.com

 

[frigilux]

Lawrence---I have the top-rated B&D Ergo electric knife, too, and it's fantastic. I don't use it often---mostly for carving turkey, slicing delicate jellyrolls and that sort of thing. The Ergo is the most natural-feeling electric knife I've ever used. And since it doesn't get used continuously, it should last me well into its vintage-hood.