[PolkaDot]

I've always made bread by hand, in large amounts, but would like to start making just a loaf at a time to use the same day, or for two days. I used to freeze the extra loaves I made, but have switched to a small freezer now and don't have room. I am thinking about purchasing a bread machine, and have read a lot of reviews, both good and bad. It seems that most reviewers use the machine to mix the dough and then shape and bake it conventionally in the oven. In that case, I don't think I would bother getting one. BUT, if you have had good results mixing AND baking in a machine I would appreciate hearing about it! I see the newer units make larger loaves which are traditionally shaped, and supposedly brown nicely, but produce a "different" texture (whatever that means :-) )

TIA! (Also, I need to get back to Char re: Pressure Cooking.:-)!)

[Nica]

Dot, I really enjoy my bread machine. I use it through the whole cycle, I'm too afraid to leave bread out to rise. with 4 boys that get into EVERYTHING and a cat that has a taste for bread, it would never make it to the oven! On the other hand, I can't comment on the texture vs. the traditional method. I will say though that my dad started with a bread machine and then eventually moved into traditional baking, but he did the same with making beer, so I'm not sure why...

[jode2771]

Oh Dot I love my bread maker! We set it to run overnight so we wake up to the smell of fresh bread in the morning - nothing better when you open the bedroom door and the smell of fresh bread fills the house :-) I put all the ingredients in when I go to bed, set the timer and it is baked and ready in the morning, just as we get up... I also use it to make pizza dough on the dough only cycle but I don't bother baking in the oven EVER (except once on the school holidays where the kids rolled out their own bit of dough and made their own shapes... but it wasn't fabulous!). Mine makes the 700g loaf but I reduce the ingredients slightly and aim for a 600g loaf as we just can't eat that much bread and it doesn't keep very well... Fresh and hot the first day is definitely the best... Mine is a Breville but I doubt that helps you over there... but I have had it a few years and used it fairly regularly and it has never had a problem :-) You may even get a good one on ebay.... good luck!

[jode2771]

oh and just quick - I find that the bread machine makes loaves of a coarser and slightly crumblier texture once it cools - maybe that is what they mean? It doesnt have that super soft over processed feel that I so love in bought bread... We have both kinds here so crisis averted!

[scrappinchar]

I own one...but I think it's in the garage. I think the last time I used it was before the boys came along. So it's been at least 10 years! I wonder if it still works. Mine kind of bugged me because it made a small (to me it was small) squarish loaf. They sold boxes of bread mix at the grocery stores that I think I only had to add yeast and water to. But I had to use 3/4 of the box due to my loaf size. That's what bugged me. lol It seems like I used it often for a while. I think to make bread to eat with dinner. Don't remember now. And I don't remember what I thought about the texture, etc.

Looking forward to your pressure cooker story.

[April Showers]

I have one- and I really like it. I don't use it as much as I used to. But thanks for this topic- reminded me I need to get some dough started. I'm teaching a bread class to the Boy Scouts tonight.

[April Showers]

Oh, and I don't notice a big difference between the bread machine and the bread I make without it. I do use my Kitchen Aid mixer for the kneading- and not because I don't know how to knead by hand. I'm just lazy like that. I have a bread proofing setting on my oven- so I can't see that I'd ever use my bread machine to just make the dough. I've had my bread machine for about 12 years and it makes regular loaves that brown beautifully.

[Smiles]

I haven't used mine much since I had to start watching my carbs so closely, but bought all the ingredients to try making "healthier" homemade bread. Life has just gotten in the way. I was pretty happy with what it produced. It's probably close to 15 years old now. It made a wonderful orange roll dough, too (sigh).

[KayMitch]

Dot I absolutely loved my bread machine. The bread was amazing. I used many different bread mixes which we bought by the large 5kg bag, German mix,multi grain, rye, whole meal. Like Jody I would load it on my way to bed ( just add water & yeast to the bread flour) and wake to a delicious smell. We lived on a farm out of town so no fresh bread to buy but it was so much better than bought bread. Only problem was we were all eating too much of it. We made fruit loaves , seed loads and savory loaves.. Even chocolate loaves. Since I have moved into the town I have become lazier and we try not to eat so much these days. Mine is a Panasonic but my first one was a Sunbeam. I think it does depend on getting the right brand. I couldn't have been happier with mine. It's an old machine now so there's probably a fancier type out available. Go for it Dot, bread machines are fabulous. Nothing like warm crusty bread. Mmmm. Kay

[Ro]

Yep, we use one and love it. We make bread, cinnamon rolls, and pizza dough in it. Our machine came with a recipe book that is great. These days, my son, Andrew, is the one who uses it the most. It makes us all happy to smell that wonderful bread baking.

[PolkaDot]

Okay, then, that does it! I ran it by DH when he came home and I told him about all of your experiences and recommendations. It's a "go." I am really anxious to try it now! It's good to see all the positive responses here.

Thanks so much for your input. Scrap Girls always come through!

I am a "little" concerned about making it for just the two of us...... I could live on bread and/or mashed potatoes and never be sad. I'll have to pull out the self control....there was a time when Sister Mary Whomever graded us on self control, and back then I always got a "A" :-)

[diannecp]

Dot, we've had ours for about 10 years and it's been a good one. Sunbeam. There's just 2 of us here and that can be a problem as it can be too much for us to eat in 2 days (about how long a loaf tastes really fresh). But I often make croutons or french toast with the leftovers, and will sometimes give part of the loaf to our parents. Get a good bread machine cookbook and experiment with different recipes to see what you like. Don't be afraid to open it during mixing and check to make sure all the ingredients are being incorporated. I do use it to bake (the full cycle) but also enjoy mixing up dough for pretzels and pizza just as much. Enjoy!

[scrappinchar]

I should have added that I did ENJOY the bread I made and ate. lol I just don't remember the texture details.

I went looking in the garage and didn't spot it. Hmmmm. Wonder if it's in the attic.

[PolkaDot]

scrappinchar, on 13 March 2012 - 08:47 PM, said:

I should have added that I did ENJOY the bread I made and ate. lol I just don't remember the texture details.

I went looking in the garage and didn't spot it. Hmmmm. Wonder if it's in the attic.

LOL, now you'll be determined to find it! Have fun....one thing leads to another when you go on an old appliance/household goods hunt!

[PolkaDot]

diannecp, on 13 March 2012 - 08:44 PM, said:

Dot, we've had ours for about 10 years and it's been a good one. Sunbeam. There's just 2 of us here and that can be a problem as it can be too much for us to eat in 2 days (about how long a loaf tastes really fresh). But I often make croutons or french toast with the leftovers, and will sometimes give part of the loaf to our parents. Get a good bread machine cookbook and experiment with different recipes to see what you like. Don't be afraid to open it during mixing and check to make sure all the ingredients are being incorporated. I do use it to bake (the full cycle) but also enjoy mixing up dough for pretzels and pizza just as much. Enjoy!

Yes, that's what I am hoping do as well (pizza, etc.) Also, I like firm textured bread for bread puddings, so leftovers should be okay. I've been trying to lessen the amounts of additives/preservatives, etc. in our diets. Add in the use of the Pressure Cooker (thanks, Char!!) and using my favorite cast iron pans and we've been eating much more healthily.

[KayMitch]

Mmmm chocolate bread, warm with sliced banana & cream. Haven't tasted that in some time. We used to slice & freeze any left over for toast. Beware though, because you eat far too much. Our Sunbeam was better than the Panasonic only because it made a smaller loaf, which I liked better with just the two of us home. Kay

[PolkaDot]

KayMitch, on 13 March 2012 - 09:54 PM, said:

Mmmm chocolate bread, warm with sliced banana & cream. Haven't tasted that in some time. We used to slice & freeze any left over for toast. Beware though, because you eat far too much. Our Sunbeam was better than the Panasonic only because it made a smaller loaf, which I liked better with just the two of us home. Kay

LOL, torture waiting now! Sounds yummy. I think I see a loaf in your near future :-)

[PolkaDot]

April Showers, on 13 March 2012 - 10:41 AM, said:

I have one- and I really like it. I don't use it as much as I used to. But thanks for this topic- reminded me I need to get some dough started. I'm teaching a bread class to the Boy Scouts tonight.

LOL, good for you! How did the class work out? I love it when boys cook :-)

[princessrunningfingers]

I have to weigh in here. If you love fresh hot bread, I think you would love a bread machine. I just gave mine to one of my daughters because she lost a piece out of hers, and we won't have room for it in the new kitchen, I won't be cooking much after we move, so it would have been silly to keep it. I always said I couldn't run my kitchen without a bread machine.

[tinkerbell11]

HI Dot! Just seeing this , I picked up a bread machine last summer at a garage sale for $5 wow, almost too good to be true! I have used it both ways to make the entire cycle and also to make the dough! I prefer the dough made in the machine then baked in the oven I think, I had a hard time getting a couple loaves out and I love Challah bread and you need to braid that so I make the dough in the dough cycle and then take out braid and rise and bake delish!!! Happy Baking.

[PolkaDot]

princessrunningfingers, on 14 March 2012 - 06:41 AM, said:

I have to weigh in here. If you love fresh hot bread, I think you would love a bread machine. I just gave mine to one of my daughters because she lost a piece out of hers, and we won't have room for it in the new kitchen, I won't be cooking much after we move, so it would have been silly to keep it. I always said I couldn't run my kitchen without a bread machine.

Thanks, Joyce!

Wow, you won't need to cook in the new place! Sounds exciting! (Congrats on your decision....I didn't realize that you had decided to make the move. You must be relieved.)

[PolkaDot]

tinkerbell11, on 14 March 2012 - 10:01 AM, said:

HI Dot! Just seeing this , I picked up a bread machine last summer at a garage sale for $5 wow, almost too good to be true! I have used it both ways to make the entire cycle and also to make the dough! I prefer the dough made in the machine then baked in the oven I think, I had a hard time getting a couple loaves out and I love Challah bread and you need to braid that so I make the dough in the dough cycle and then take out braid and rise and bake delish!!! Happy Baking.

Wow, you were in the right place at the right time! Thanks for you input. You'll be needing fast ways to cook pretty soon, too, won't you?

[Smoky]

I have an Oster and love it! I think the one I wore out before this one was a Welbilt. It made round loaves, which I didn't like as well as the square loaves. Few things as nice as a slice of fresh bread, hot and buttered!

I also have three of the Bread Machine Cookbooks by Donna Rathmell German and have made most of the recipes in the first two. Some great recipes in those.

[Sara Arell]

What is the best brand of bread machine? I've wanted on for so long -

[princessrunningfingers]

Smoky, on 14 March 2012 - 12:22 PM, said:

I have an Oster and love it! I think the one I wore out before this one was a Welbilt. It made round loaves, which I didn't like as well as the square loaves. Few things as nice as a slice of fresh bread, hot and buttered!

I also have three of the Bread Machine Cookbooks by Donna Rathmell German and have made most of the recipes in the first two. Some great recipes in those.

My first machine was the Welbilt you are talking about, and I bought one for each of my kids. They have never used them the way I did. I will miss my machine, but I don't plan to be cooking after we move. We are going to a "cruise ship that doesn't move". LOL, that is sort of the way I think of it.

[Nica]

My Dad bought me a Breadman and it's been great. The recipes that came with it were pretty good, too.

[Smiles]

princessrunningfingers, on 16 March 2012 - 06:33 AM, said:

My first machine was the Welbilt you are talking about, and I bought one for each of my kids. They have never used them the way I did. I will miss my machine, but I don't plan to be cooking after we move. We are going to a "cruise ship that doesn't move". LOL, that is sort of the way I think of it.

I love your analogy! I tell people the place my stepmother is living is like a sorority without the homework!

[bjc]

ihave had a bread machine for a long time and though i dont use it alot ( cause i would eat the whole loaf and i always remember what my grandma said ..a moment on your lips..forever on your hips..lol) i do like it. it mixes and bakes..the loaf is square shape

[jenrou]

Smoky, on 14 March 2012 - 12:22 PM, said:

I have an Oster and love it! I think the one I wore out before this one was a Welbilt. It made round loaves, which I didn't like as well as the square loaves. Few things as nice as a slice of fresh bread, hot and buttered!

I also have three of the Bread Machine Cookbooks by Donna Rathmell German and have made most of the recipes in the first two. Some great recipes in those.

I have a lot of those Donna R. German cookbooks too, and I have a ??Zowroaski?sp. She recommended that one about 18 years ago when I bought mine. I made bread all the time at first, but I ate too much! I think I might get it back out and I have a little more control now. (sometimes). It makes good square large loaves. Love the cinnamon raisin bread fresh baked!

[Becster]

Now I need to find mine. I think it's in a box in the hall closet from when we remodeled some years back? Ours was a DAK brand, a popular mail order catalog back in the mid- to late 80's.