Do I or Dont I? Breadmakers.......

[laserblazer]

I was always told that eating hot bread was not good for the tummy.

[SpuffMonkey]

no it dosent i eat it straight from the machine tip onto plate cut and eat

 

Each to their own - personally I find it very moist & squidgy until its cooled a bit - and I can't cut it neatly enough to make a sandwich

[pcstru]

Hi all,

 

I am thinking of getting a breadmaker. I have a couple of questions for people who have them:

a)Are they cheaper in the long run than buying bread? I think that depends on how you use them and what kind of bread you buy. You are unlikely to be able to produce bread as cheaply as the basic 50p plastic-sliced-supermarket-loaf, which is a plus! You will be able to produce bread as good as an artisan loaf for less than you would pay in a shop.

 

b)How long do you take to make bread, as in loading the machine? A few minutes to measure the ingredients. Usually I finish the loaf off in an oven which takes a few more minutes - I like torpedo cibata loaves rather than bricks.

 

d)Any other comments. How big is your kitchen? Before I moved a couple of years ago, I used mine frequently. I think I've used it once or twice since moving, simply because the kitchen is so pushed for space. Fortunately that is now changing, but it's one of those things that needs to live on a worktop, not in a cupboard (IMO). Also, it's good to deviate from the programs particularly in allowing dough to prove. The machines tend to give it a few hours at most but you can get much better texture if you leave it longer.

[Norphy]

Possibly a controversial question but why bother with the bread maker? Making your own bread isn't hard and I would think its a lot more satisfying to do something with your own hands than it is to put something into a machine and pressing a button.

[elsiegee40]

Possibly a controversial question but why bother with the bread maker? Making your own bread isn't hard and I would think its a lot more satisfying to do something with your own hands than it is to put something into a machine and pressing a button.

 

Because the bread maker is willing to start earlier than I am to provide fresh bread for breakfast

[featured_spectre]

Not only that, the breadmaker can mix and prove the dough rather well. The mrs makes bread with the breadmaker, I used too, but I enjoy by hand now. There isn't much difference between our loaves except for shape and size.

[hawc]

Just purchased the Cook works one. Got it home and have greased it and letting it bake for 10 mins

[pcstru]

Possibly a controversial question but why bother with the bread maker? Making your own bread isn't hard and I would think its a lot more satisfying to do something with your own hands than it is to put something into a machine and pressing a button.

 

It isn't hard but it does take some time and it can be a bit messy. It's also the kind of thing you do time and time and time again in exactly the same way. That might qualify it as 'therapeutic' or boring, depending on your mood.

 

I'd rather put the time into what goes with the bread. This week I made some grapefruit marmalade for the first time - something I didn't realise was quite so easy :

 

2 large or 3 smaller Grapefruits.

1 Kg Preserving Sugar (for high pectin fruits - if you have a choice)

Juice of 2 lemons.

 

Put fruit in a pan, cover with water and boil for 2 hours, until the fruit is soft (it sort of implodes). Drain, Chop fruit into your desired consistency removing any pips, return to pan, add sugar and lemon juice and boil for 15 mins stirring often. Check for set point by putting a spoonful on a cold plate, it should sort of crease when you poke it.

[hawc]

The first loaf has been on the go for the past 1 hour. We will get the final result in about 3 more hours

[broc]

We have a Panasonic breadmaker. It has a 'quick' recipe for a white loaf in 2 hours. We haven't bought a loaf in more than 10 years. My wife uses it at Christmas to make the dough for Panettone, my favourite bread.

 

It is so easy to use even I can make a loaf

[SpuffMonkey]

It isn't hard but it does take some time and it can be a bit messy. It's also the kind of thing you do time and time and time again in exactly the same way. That might qualify it as 'therapeutic' or boring, depending on your mood.

 

I'd rather put the time into what goes with the bread. This week I made some grapefruit marmalade for the first time - something I didn't realise was quite so easy :

 

2 large or 3 smaller Grapefruits.

1 Kg Preserving Sugar (for high pectin fruits - if you have a choice)

Juice of 2 lemons.

 

Put fruit in a pan, cover with water and boil for 2 hours, until the fruit is soft (it sort of implodes). Drain, Chop fruit into your desired consistency removing any pips, return to pan, add sugar and lemon juice and boil for 15 mins stirring often. Check for set point by putting a spoonful on a cold plate, it should sort of crease when you poke it.

 

Funny - just been doing Marmalade here today - so the house smells strongly of oranges - love it!

[CAM]

Trying this at home but without a breadmaker, all by tin and spoon! Unfortunately this has the side effect of the loaf of bread somehow transforming during the cooking process into a nice tasty cake.

[featured_spectre]

I made a loaf this Saturday, still good today. Probably at the extreme end of its use though. Whatever isn't used by 6ish will be added to the frozen ends of my bread, which I will probably make into breadcrumbs this weekend.

[sparkeh]

The first loaf has been on the go for the past 1 hour. We will get the final result in about 3 more hours

@hawc How did it go?!

[sted]

We have a Panasonic breadmaker. It has a 'quick' recipe for a white loaf in 2 hours. We haven't bought a loaf in more than 10 years. My wife uses it at Christmas to make the dough for Panettone, my favourite bread.

 

It is so easy to use even I can make a loaf

 

i find the quick mode bread less nice than the full 4 and a bit program how do you find it?

[Andrew_C]

i find the quick mode bread less nice than the full 4 and a bit program how do you find it?

The 3 hour whole wheat is OK, difficult to tell apart from the 5, really.

[rad]

MiL has a Lakeland jobbie, was over £100 but the bread is so good it doesnt last that long, it gets eaten!

[hawc]

It was fab! I picked up a packet mix today and it produced a dry hard brick. Make it using flour and yest etc

[SpuffMonkey]

It was fab! I picked up a packet mix today and it produced a dry hard brick. Make it using flour and yest etc

 

I find the packet mix is best made using the Pizza mode and then proving and cooking in the oven.

 

When its past its best - it still makes cracking toast and even better bread & butter pudding - yum!

[Heebeejeebee]

Hi,

 

I've had bread makers for many years but have recently taken to making bread fully by hand. It doesn't take that long and it's very therapeutic. It does create a bit of a mess though

 

Bread makers are a great way of making good tasting bread and you know exactly what's in it. Don't just stick with the booklet that comes with it though - get a decent bread making book. I've made just about every type of loaf in mine including a rather spectacular malt loaf.

 

If you like a cheesy loaf throw a handful of grated cheese in the mix on the first beep (do they all do this?). Add some near the end of the cycle for a cheese topping.

 

Enjoy

 

HBJB

 

The only annoying thing about bread makers is the hole left by the paddle(s)

[hawc]

Just put a loaf on tonight and it has risen to be HUGE! I used the normal recipe and did it as I normally did.

 

Do I leave it or not, it has just started cooking it

[featured_spectre]

The longer you leave your bread to rise, the lighter the bread. Bake it with a bit of water in the bottom in the oven and you get a soft crust also

[elsiegee40]

It sounds like you might have mis measured something. Keep an eye on it. The heat should kill the yeast and stop the rise,

[hawc]

It has gone so big that it is pushing the lid open. Will post a photo when it is out

[GREED]

I'm buying my breadmaker tomorrow

Mostly thanks to recommendations on here!

Edited January 31, 2014 by GREED