Bread Makers

Is it really worth it to buy a bread machine?

There are many reasons why you should invest in a good bread machine, some of the reasons are; it lowers the cost of producing your bread by half, you can customize your recipe and add healthier ingredients and lastly, you can cook in batches so that your family gets a week-long supply of fresh bread. Making that choice can be difficult, but before committing to buy a bread machine, you should answer the following questions.

Why do you really want to buy a bread maker?

The most obvious reason is to bake bread. Some people buy a bread machine so that they can try out new interesting recipes on their own like Gluten-free bread recipe. Or maybe some of you are just tired of buying bread from the store. You should be having more than one reason for buying a bread machine for you to make optimal use of the bread machine.

How often will you use it?

The frequency of baking is an important consideration when buying a bread machine, if you bake frequently, then you must be tired of mixing and kneading the dough. This process increases the urgency to get a bread machine which does all this process for you in addition to the baking.

Just how busy are you?

For those who have a busy schedule and you still need to bake bread for your family for breakfast, you need to invest in a good bread machine. Some bread machines come with delay timers which you can set overnight and wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread without any hassle. Other models come with rapid settings that bake bread in n hour or less.

What kind of budget are you working with?

The prices of bread machines vary depending on the quality and also the features. There are lowly priced bread machines of inferior quality, and also premium models with lots of automatic features. Your budget will determine if you can afford it or not. In this article, we will discuss some budget-friendly bread machines which will give you value for your money in the long run.

Our Picks

We all expect bread machines to bake better bread than what you can bake yourself. Otherwise, what’s the point of buying it? To help you make the right decision when purchasing a bread machine, we included this section of some of our top picks, their features and also the price. This information will help you pick a model with the right features and at a budget-friendly price.

What we look for

We came up with two or three bread machines on Amazon which are priced differently. We had to read other bread machine reviews and also cookbooks when narrowing down the recommended bread machines. You can also read this cookbook for more information on our selection criteria, “The Bread Lovers Bread Machine Cookbook.”

Kneading and Baking

Good bread machines knead the dough evenly with no patches of flour at the very ends of the bread pan. That means that the paddle should be thorough. The baking temperatures should also be even, making the bread turn golden brown in medium heat setting.

Loaf Shape

Don’t go for bread machines with a single paddle as they produce oddly shaped bread because the bread pan has to be taller. Opt for bread machines with two paddles as they do a great job when kneading and shaping the dough.

Durability

Choose a bread machine with a strong motor, to prevent stalling when kneading the dough. Every bread machine wears out after some time but the durability of each machine varies.

Capacity and Settings

Some bread machines come with 15 or more different settings and dough cycles. Also, check the capacity and go for bread machines with a 2-pound loaf capacity. You can bake two loaves at once, saving you on energy bills and also time.

Our Top Picks

These are some of our bread machine top picks.

Premium Pick

Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuosso Plus

Why we like it; we found the Zojirushi bread machine to be sturdy and it also makes standard shaped loaves measuring 9*5 inches. This feature is unique to the Zojirushi bread machine. It is a reliable machine. It comes with 14 programs and you can customize your recipe using this bread machine. Zojirushi bread machine costs around $338, making it an expensive but worthy investment. If you can’t afford it, we have more budget-friendly picks below.

Budget-Friendly Pick

T-fal Actibread Bread Machine

Why we like it; the T-fal is a good bread machine since it bakes and kneads well. Plus most people can afford the price tag of around $90. The only setback is that the loaves are oddly shaped due to the tall design of the bread pan. One good feature on the T-fal is that you can make Gluten-free bread.

Exotic Foods Pick

Panasonic SD BM105-SW Bread Machine

Why we like it: you can customize your recipe to any length, as it comes with an automatic fruit and nut dispenser to add ingredients like yeast, dried fruits, and raisins to your dough. It can bake Japanese bread-like Brioche, Mochi and Red bean bread. If you like trying out new recipes, go for this bread maker which goes for $340.

Best Inexpensive Pick

Hamilton Beach 29882 2-Pound Bread Machine

Why we like it; it comes with multiple programs and settings that allow you to make different types of dough and bread. It has a price tag of around $59, which is a good bargain for those features. At this price, you have no reason not to get yourself a bread machine.

Bottom-Line

Instead of buying specialty bread from the store, why not invest in a good bread machine? Some models even go for less than $60 making them good investments. Baking your bread is cheaper than buying it from the store. The decision to buy a bread machine rests entirely with what you are looking for and why? We hope this information was helpful in your search for a good bread machine.

Bread Baking Troubleshooting

When baking your bread imagine spending a good amount of your time waiting for the perfect bread, only to see your work bear no fruit. Disappointing, isn’t it?

Usually, even the best of the best guides do not let you on the mishaps that can happen during the baking process. Sometimes it’s a machine error, while others it’s human error. Regardless of the problems, we have listed some of the troubleshooting tips below for our friendly bakers:

Dough Didn’t Rise

1. Yeast might not have been used enough
2. The liquid being too hot can destroy yeast
3. The liquid being too cold can slow down yeast
4. Extensive use of salt can inhibit yeast activity
5. Excessive use of sugar can affect yeast activity. Remember if ½ cup sugar is used against 4 cups of flour, then 2 tsp of yeast is needed.
6. The ideal rising temperature is usually between 83-94 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything high or below this would hinder the process.

Dough Rose but then Fell Flat

1. You should use bread flour when baking with yeast.
2. The dough could have over-risen
3. Preheat your oven before baking as low temperatures cause their fall.

Large Pores

1. If air isn’t removed during the kneading process, the dough is poorly molded.
2. Do not allow the dough to rise for too long.

Crusty and too Dense

1. If the oven temperature is too low, the bread can face such an issue.
2. Depending on the type of flour, the amount also matters. Check the quantity needed to bake before starting the process.
3. Keep the dough moist during the rising step; else it will become dry.

Looking for a cookbook specifically about bread machine recipes?

After buying your desired bread machine, what is the next step? How are you going to make the perfect bread after all? We spent precious time doing our research on the best products. So what is the most legible thing to do?

Learn to use it! But how can I do it? Simple – get bread machine cookbooks that have recipes on them to get hands-on experience with your product.

Now the question is, I am a first-timer – how would I know which book to get? And that is the right question. It’s crucial to be aware of the features your bread machine offers. Once you have that knowledge we need to buy the right recipe book which will cover all the bases of your machine.

After careful study, we have listed some books below which will help you decide on your partner in crime.

Best Selling Bread Machine Cookbooks to Cover it All

If you cannot decide what category to look under, then the following books will help you cover all bases in the bakery cookery section:

• The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook
• 300 Best Bread Machine Recipes
• The No-Fuss Bread Machine Cookbook
• Betty Crocker Best Bread Machine Cookbook
• The Bread Machine Cookbook
• The Bread Machine Book
• The All New Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook
• The Complete Guide to Bread Machine Baking

Books for Gluten-Free Bread

While traditional bread is celebrated the most in terms of taste and quality, the same can be said for Gluten-free bread as well. If you are allergic to gluten or need to avoid it for other reasons, then the following books will introduce you to the delicious and healthy world of gluten-free bread:

1. The Gluten-Free Bread Machine Cookbook
2. 125 Best Gluten-Free Bread Machine Recipes
3. Gluten-Free Baking Classics for the Bread Machine
4. Great Gluten-Free Whole-Grain Bread Machine Recipes

Baking out of the Box

Tired of having the same old bread? Want to try something European? Now you don’t have to go all the way to Europe to try out their exquisite bakery. Make your friends and family members jealous at the next gathering by placing in front of them the craftiest bread from recipes in the following books:

1. The Artisan Bread Machine
2. Rustic European Bread From Your Bread Machine
3. Bigger Bolder Baking: A Fearless Approach to Baking Anytime, Anywhere
4. The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
5. The No-Fuss Bread Machine Cookbook: Hands-Off Recipes for Perfect Homemade Bread
6. The Baking Bible

It is always good to remember that baking is always fun. Don’t get scared by the time you would spend on it. Don’t worry about the lack of experience. Practicing the craft and learning to enjoy the process make it all worthwhile. Think healthy and think good.

The books mentioned above are highly customer friendly and top-rated. The writers of the book themselves started as amateurs, and now they are authors! Their recipes come from their experience.

The books further provide guidelines on how you can bring out the best from your bread machine and learn some tips that would otherwise not be mentioned in the recipe books that come with the bread-maker.

Bread Flour or All Purpose Flour – Which is better?

If you are new to baking with a bread machine, then you must be gearing into the process of choosing which bread to make and what ingredients to choose. While there are many fancy ones out there, most people are confused between bread flour and all-purpose flour.

What is the distinction between them? Why would you need to know all this in the first place?

It all comes down to the type of bread you are making. You must be so accustomed to eating ready-made bread that you might not even know whether you enjoy just flour bread or all-purpose flour bread.

All in the Protein

If you are looking for bread with a high rise, then you need the bread flour which has about 12 to 14 percent of protein. On the other hand, all-purpose flour has about 8 to 11% of the protein, which does not give the same kind of rise. Another plus point for the bread flour is the presence of gluten – giving it a chewier and denser nature.

If this is your first time and you’re not sure which one would be better for you in terms of taste, how about just going with the all-purpose flour? Experiment with it and play around with your machines features. Look into the recipes involving all-purpose flour. You will be surprised by the taste. Plus, point is you save more by cutting out on all-purpose flour.

While the bread flour might be easy on the pocket, all-purpose flour definitely grabs the taste buds faster.

Baby Steps

When making your bread – regardless of the flour type, make sure that you measure the right amount. If you don’t take accurate measurements, you might end up with dry and dense bread. This can happen with any flour.

Other Substitutes

Being a beginner, you might not want to stack up your shelves with extra baggage of flour bags, especially the ones you might never use – and that’s completely fine.

Professional bakers usually are very picky about the type of bread they want for a recipe as they don’t believe in substitutes. But have you ever seen your mother work her spell in the kitchen? When was the last time she didn’t substitute ingredients?  The type of flour used will hardly matter as the difference is usually quite subtle:

Other best substitutes

1. Cake flour
2. Pastry flour
3. Self-rising flour
4. Whole wheat flour

All about the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuosso Bread Machine

https://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-BB-PAC20BA-BB-PAC20-Virtuosso-Breadmaker/dp/B0067MQM48

Zojirushi, a Japanese company that manufactures appliances ranging from bread machines to rice cookers. It’s one of the top-selling bread machine brands out there. For those looking to make traditional 2-pound loaves, you should go for this bread machine.

Features

• Quick baking cycle of less than 2 hours
• Menu settings for gluten-free bread and more
• The heater on the lid helps bake the bread evenly
• Large viewing window
• There is a 13-hour delay timer
• Bakes your bread in 2 hours
• You can make a horizontal 2-pound loaf
• It comes with a wide range of pre-programmed bread-making settings
• There is an instruction manual, a recipe book and DVD in the package to help you kick-start your baking process.

Design

Zojirushi bread machine is one of the largest bread machines, if not the largest. The dimensions are 10.5*18*12.88 inches, and it weighs 24 pounds. Before purchasing it, make up some good space on your kitchen counter to accommodate its large size.

The size makes it possible for the bread machine to make rectangular loaves. We found the baking pan large with two paddles for the kneading process, on top of it is a large transparent window. We found this window great for watching how the dough moved from one paddle to the other.

The bread pan itself is heavier than most pans in similar bread machines since the metal used is heavier. In addition to that, two large and looped heavy-duty handles make it easier to remove the pan and also push it back when adding the ingredients. One feature we liked the most is its ability to stop the kneading process when we open the lid. We like touching our dough to ascertain its texture and this bread machine automatically stops the paddles, so we don’t have to worry about the paddles injuring our hands.

Settings

You’ll find 13 different programs on the Zojirushi bread machine, which enables you to make jam, dough, and bread. For those in a hurry to bake bread, you’ll be happy to know that this bread machine comes with two rapid settings for making white and wheat bread. These settings knock off an hour of the baking process.

Those users who like special settings like vegan bread and salt-free settings, you have to adjust the ingredients to accommodate those added variables as there are no special settings. Alternatively, towards the end of the kneading process, you’ll hear a beeping sound, and that’s when you can add the special ingredients.

You’ll find the setting descriptions and numbers largely printed in the front lid, it makes reference easy when you are in doubt.

The control panel is good and easy to use as it comes with an LCD Display.

One setback is that the LCD is not backlit, so if you place it on a dark kitchen corner, or if the room is dimly lit, there will be a problem when keying in the settings.

The delay timer is a great addition, especially if you want to step out of the kitchen for a while. Add your ingredients then schedule the exact time on the machine’s clock.

The shaping option is the other convenient feature; you can remove and shape the dough before baking when the machine beeps.

Another unique feature of the Zojirushi bread machine is its resting time. After adding the ingredients, you might think that the machine is resting and doing nothing. But, the machine is heating the ingredients to kick-start the kneading process. The importance of this feature is to make all ingredients like refrigerated butter at room temperature before the actual baking. You can also choose different crust settings on the machine’s customizable settings.

Another convenient feature is that you don’t have to go fishing for the bread in the pan; the bread stays in the paddle at all times. In other bread makers, you have to shake bread pan up and down.

Performance

The Zojirushi Bread Machine allows you to make everything ranging from pound cake, wheat bread, and pizza dough. For those who love trying out new recipes, you’ll be more than happy to learn that the machine comes with customizable settings for that purpose.

Those who like making the traditional loaf are not left out either, Zojirushi gives you the best standard-shaped loaves in the market.

The performance was impressive, we tried out the bread settings on the machine and the results were good. The settings come in handy for adventurous bakers, for example, we used the wheat setting to bake whole wheat bread and the results were as expected. The basic white bread is easy to bake because of the included recipe in the cookbook, which is easy to follow. Now, for the herb bread, you must use the European setting. When adding the ingredients, strictly follow the order suggested in the bread machine’s manual like adding liquid ingredients first, then adding yeast last. This order helps the enzymatic action of the yeast for the best results.

 Accessories

The manufacturers thought about every detail and added some accessories for precise baking measurements. In the package, you’ll find;

• Dry measuring cups
• Dual measuring spoons
• Liquid measuring cups
• Recipes
• Instruction manual

The measuring cups are in millimeters and the measuring spoons have marks halfway when measuring half-spoons. We noted that the spoons are marked as L and S to denote teaspoon and tablespoon.

Things we liked

• The top is heated for even browning of the bread
• Easily customizable settings
• It gives you flawless baking results
• It heats the ingredients during its rest time for an even baking temperature
• Easy to remove bread from the pan as it stays on the paddle

Things we didn’t like

• The LCD Display is not backlit, making the selection of settings at night harder
• Compared to other models, it is much more expensive

Bottom-Line

We have no doubts when recommending this bread machine to adventurous bakers out there. The rapid settings give you a short baking time and the results are of high quality. Thought the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuosso 2-Pound Bread Machine is a bit pricier than similar models, we think the price is consistent with its quality. Check out our blogs for more bread machine reviews.

All about the Wolfgang Puck Bread Maker

The Wolfgang puck bread maker is a low price model but still gets the job done. Its entry into the market received mixed signals in terms of its quality when compared to recent brands. For those in doubt about purchasing this bread maker, don’t worry, we’ve come up with its best features and also the setbacks to help you make an informed decision.

Features

• A loaf capacity of 1.5-2 pounds
• 12 programmable settings
• 1-hour keep-warm function
• Fruit and nut dispenser
• A 13-hour delay timer
• 3 crust color setting
• The overall weight of 12 pounds
• Dimensions 12.9*11*12.75 inches
• An LCD screen

The Good

Ease of use

In terms of operating this bread maker, you only need to gather all your ingredients, put them in a bread pan and key in the preferred settings using the LCD screen. The bread maker takes care of all the details like kneading, mixing and baking. The buttons are easy to understand buttons and you cannot go wrong with this bread machine.

Customization

You can make a wide variety of bread using these customizable functions. Some of the settings you can find on the Wolfgang Puck bread maker are;

• French
• Gluten-free
• Sweet
• Rapid bake
• Quick
• Jam
• Bake
• Dough
• Whole wheat
• Cake
• Sandwich

These settings are good for adventurous bakers. Besides, there are three crust color settings, medium, dark or light crust setting depending on your preference. Another feature is the keep warm function, which is convenient for those who are busy. If you can’t pull out the bread pan on time when the bread is ready, this function has you covered. It keeps the bread warm for up to an hour.

Fruit and Nut Dispenser

One feature that stands out in the Wolfgang Puck bread machine is the automatic fruit and nut dispenser. We found it convenient to use while adding mix-on ingredients like chocolate chips, dried tomatoes, and seeds. Similar machines produce a beeping sound to alert you when adding these special ingredients, but this bread machine comes with an automatic fruit and nut dispenser which can be preset to add these ingredients at a specific interval. It makes it convenient to use.

Gluten-Free Setting

This setting is mostly reserved for more expensive models; the Wolfgang Puck packs this feature at that price. It comes with a gluten-free setting for those who love gluten-free bread.

It’s Lightweight

Weighing only 12 pounds, you can move this bread machine around your kitchen counter with ease. Plus it doesn’t take up much of your kitchen space with those dimensions.

The Bad

Kneading Blades

The Wolfgang Puck bread machine leaves a small indent on the bread when removing it. While this doesn’t affect the taste of the loaf, it affects the quality if you bake bread commercially. You have to pull it up and down when removing the bread, especially if you exceeded the flour limit, despite it coming with a non-stick bread pan.

The Manual

We noticed the manual doesn’t provide any baking times information, which would have been better for beginners. Some instructions were also unclear, for example, there are no instructions to remove the bread pan. We figured it out ourselves that to remove the bread pan; you have to twist it counter-clockwise. If this instruction was in the manual, it would be much better for first-time bakers.

Small LCD Screen

For its size, the manufacturers could have done better with the size of the LCD; this screen is small for its size. It becomes a problem when keying in settings for your preferred bread type. Those with vision problems, wear glasses when operating this bread machine.

General Design and Customizable Features

In terms of the design, the Wolfgang Puck bread machine stands tall, with small LCD and black menu pads. When compared to other brands out there, this design is not good for the market. The customizable options in this bread machine are less compared to what other premium brands have to offer. But for the price, you can’t expect more.

Things we liked

• It takes up less space on your kitchen counter as it’s lightweight and small
• Easy to use
• There is a gluten-free bread setting
• You can try out a few recipes and customizable options with it
• The keep-warm function keeps your bread hot for up to an hour
• It has a medium-sized viewing window if you like watching the mixing and kneading process

Things we didn’t like

• The LCD Display is small for its size, making it challenging when selecting your preferred settings
• Few customizable options when compared to other brands
• The manual is not clear and lacks vital information for first-time users
• The kneading blade sticks to the bread leaving indents which affect bread quality for some users
• Most users are concerned with the overall unattractive design

Looking for an alternative to the Wolfgang Puck bread machine?

If the Wolfgang Puck bread machine lacks critical features and you want another bread maker in the same price range. Here is a good alternative to the Wolfgang Puck bread maker.

 

Hamilton Beach 29882 2-Pound Bread Machine

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005EPRF1I/ref=psdcmw_289917_t1_B003HCZK6M

This bread machine allows you to prepare a wide variety of bread like Gluten-free bread or French bread. Plus it costs less than the Wolfgang Puck bread machine.

It’s Features at a glance

• It has a delay timer
• The non-stick pan which is easy to clean
• It has an extra paddle for kneading
• If you intend to add special ingredients like nuts, there is an audible reminder
• There are 12 bread settings
• A large LCD screen

Bottom-Line

The Wolfgang Puck Bread Machine is reliable and great for family use. It comes with a fruit and nut dispenser which can be set to release ingredients at specific intervals. But it lacks serious convenient features compared to other brands. If you are looking for an alternative in the same price range, we recommend the Hamilton Beach 29882 Bread Machine which offers the same features as the Wolfgang Puck bread machine and more. It is a great alternative for its price.

People have been using the oven for baking bread.  But, more people are turning to a particular bread machine in making fresh bread at home. A bread machine is a kitchen appliance to use when baking bread, and it’s an excellent investment because who doesn’t like a freshly baked bread?

However, making bread can be a tedious task and time-consuming and may result in subpar loaves of bread. With the bread machine, you get consistent results, and it eases the workload when making bread.

Continue reading to find out what the bread machine does and how it enhances the bread-making process.

Bread machine baking options;

The device can make most types of bread including;

1. White, brown or seed bread;

Bread machines can make these loaves. Some of them come with setting for baking rye bread. When baking white bread, there are many choices of loaf sizes, baking programs, and also the crust finishes. The machine will produce a meal with a soft and light texture, evenly brown and with no bumps.

2. Gluten-free bread;

With the many models available, some makes cater specifically for the needs of healthy-eating people. A machine with a gluten-free setting is best for baking this bread. It allows making gluten-free bread using unique recipes. It is ideal for people who have coeliac disease (a condition from the intolerance of gluten) and have to go gluten-free.

3. Specialty bread;

Some machines come with recipes for making inventive bread and the standard white, brown and whole meal. For those looking to impress at a party or visitors at home, they can bake any bread they want. You can cook either with the raw ingredients or using bread mixes.

What else to make with a bread machine;

A bread machine is a versatile kitchen appliance. It is not limited to baking bread only. You can use your bread machine to make other things, but there are some limitations. The devices have special features to make baking easier. There are even machines with special tools to help in mixing solid ingredients.  Here are some of the meals you can make with the bread machine;

 

• You can make fruit or vegetable butter; it is a functional appliance for making these butter. The slow and steady heat in the machine helps in developing the sugars in the fruits.
• Making tomato sauce; the machine has agitation components that make it suitable for the sauce.
• Jam; the machine is suitable for making jam. The sugar and fruit need to cook at high temperatures.
• Baking cakes; the machines are good at baking cakes. There are some models with ‘bake-only’ setting and have a selection of recipes for a start. Most of the devices do not mix the ingredients. You will still do the stirring, beating and folding. The machine will only take care of the baking cycle. Before adding the cake mixture, remove the kneading paddle and line the pan with parchment paper.
• Making dough; in case you need to bake buns or croissants, the kneading paddle in the machine will do the kneading for you. That leaves with you with just letting the dough rise and then baking it in the oven.
• Making pasta; the machine can mix and knead pasta dough. You will still have to use a pasta machine to roll and flatten it and cook as usual.

Different kinds of bread machines;

There are different bread-making devices available in the market. Each of them serves a particular purpose. Bread machines make pieces of bread the shape of the container. The common types of bread machines include;

• Horizontal;

The bread machine bakes loaves horizontally positioned.  It has two kneading paddles inside the bread tin. Most bread from the bakery is flat.

• Vertical;

It has only one kneading paddle. The bread machine tin has an upright shape, and so it bakes vertical bread.

• Large;

This made machine is most suitable for prominent families. It can produce up to 3 loaves of bread enough to feed everyone.

• Small;

It is small and does not take much of the counter space and can make bread enough for only a few people. Most suitable for people who don’t overeat food or with a limited kitchen space.

Benefits of using Bread Machines;

Bread machines are not a necessity, but, there are many advantages of owning one to make bread.

• It is easy;

Baking bread using a bread machine is an easy task. You only have to choose the options you desire. The mixing, rising, and baking will happen inside the bread maker, and so there is no mess.

• You get to enjoy a freshly home-baked bread;

The machine has a timer function. It allows for one to set the baking cycles at different time. It is useful when one wants to have bread for breakfast. Also, since it is fresh, you will love eating it, and it’s healthier.

• Saves money;

Having a bread machine can save you money in the long-term compared to buying it every time you need it. Especially to those with any dietary restrictions, baking at home is better. The machine cost is just a fraction of the cost of buying bread from the bakery. It ends paying for itself.

• Great taste and quality;

Since you are making it, you can ensure that the ingredients are fresh and of high quality. You cannot compare it in terms of taste and quality with mass-produced bread from the store.

• Different kinds of bread;

A bread machine can make various kinds of food like; gluten-free, whole wheat, and many others.

• Control;

You have the control of what you eat as you can control the components to include in your loaf. It is useful to people with allergies and must control the intakes of ingredients.

 

Wrapping up;

Bread machines are not a must, but they are convenient, especially to those who bake almost every day. With the many bread machine recipes available, you can get a different bread each time. And furthermore, it is more satisfying to make your bread than buy it. To those thinking of investing in a bread machine, it’s a worth investment and the market has enough options to choose.

As much as we love freshly homemade bread, the process of making it can be quite demanding at times especially when you have other things to do.

But, thanks to bread making machines, everyone can make their preferred bread, quickly and perfectly. However, bread making machines can be tricky to use, especially when working with different recipes, and also given that different models and brands come with different settings.

This article focuses on answering the question; how does bread machine work? And we will look at the basics of how a bread making machine works to help you navigate through the settings no matter the type you come across.

Some features of the bread machines

Bread machines come in different features. Some of its useful parts include;

• Bread pan

The machine has a non-stick pan. It has the kneading paddle, rotating shaft and a handle for lifting the pan. Always use plastic on this surface.

• Cool wall

It is an insulated outer wall to stop the surfaces from getting too hot when baking.

• Kneading paddle

It mixes ingredients in the bread pan and kneads them into the dough. After the kneading cycle, it collapses and will leave a hole in the bottom of the bread. There are some machines with twin paddles, and this will create a rectangular bread.

• Viewing window

It is only useful for those who want to see the bread as it bakes and checks on the progress.

• Alerts when the bread is ready

It is not a vital feature, but useful if you will be busy around the house and want to hear an alert when it is complete.

• The bread measuring accessories

There are bread machines that come with measuring beaker and spoon. These are helpful to get the recipe right.

Bread machines setting include

• The control panel

It has a menu to select the size of the loaf, the type of flour, the choice of shade of the crust colour. It is an essential factor for all bread machines and in making great bread.

• The delay setting

Most machines come with a 13-hour delay setting option. It is helpful if you want fresh bread in the morning. You will have to set the machine before going to bed, and it will be ready when you wake up.

• Rapid bake setting

This setting is helpful when you are making the bread in a hurry. The bread will bake faster. For best results, it needs to be longer.

• Automatic dispenser

It is useful where one needs to add ingredients like nuts or fruits.

The steps involved when making bread using the bread machine are

1. Setting the machine

To start, remove the bread pan from the machine. It should not be near wet or hot surfaces. Fit the kneading blade to the middle of the bread pan. Ensure it is locked.

2. Get the ingredients

The necessary ingredients to make bread in a bread machine are yeast, flour, sugar, salts, liquids and fats.

• The yeast; the yeast here is usually the active dry yeast. You do not have to use rapid rise yeast.
• Flour; bread flour is better. It is from hard wheat, and so it has more gluten than the regular all-purpose flour.
• Salt; it is necessary as it regulates the processing of rising. It also adds flavour.
• Sugar or honey; they soften the dough and the bread. They also help to get brown bread and to have a crispy crust.
• The liquid ingredients need to be at room temperature; It is vital if you are using the rapid cycle.
• Fats are vital in preventing the dough from sticking on the non-stick bread pan. It also makes the bread softer. You can use butter, bacon grease, margarine or oil, they will the same results.

3. Adding the ingredients

Ensure that you measure the exact amount of the ingredients before putting them in the machine to get good results. If you are mixing and baking the dough right away, you can add the ingredients in any order. However, the order is essential if you are using the delay cycle settings. Usually, the liquid ingredients come first into the bread pan. Then add the flour and cover all the liquids completely. Now add the rest of the dry ingredients sugar, salt, seasonings. For the yeast, you make a well at the centre of the flour and sprinkle it there.

4. Mixing and kneading

After adding the ingredients, then select a program for the bread machine to follow. Most bread machines have some set programs available at the touch of a button. One of them is mixing and kneading. The machine will start mixing the ingredients with the dough book for some time. It will then let the dough rest to develop its gluten, and then the hook will begin turning again, to knead the dough.

5. Rising

The bread machine’s thermostat raises the temperature around the dough to allow the bread to rise for an appropriate amount of time. When it is complete, the machine will now go into the baking mode.

6. Baking the bread

The microchip that controls the machine’s thermostat will raise the temperature again. It will do this to bake the bread. The bread will cook for the time that you have set the machine will beep when complete. Press stop. Using some heat protector, remove the bread pan from the machine and place it onto a cooling rack to release the bread from the pan. Let the bread cool for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and it will be ready for eating. Let the machine cool as well before cleaning it.

The rules for using a bread machine are

• Always clean it every time you use it.
• Before any maintenance or cleaning, the machine must be unplugged and completely cool
• When cleaning, ensure you do not pour any liquids directly in the machine.

Cleaning the bread machine

Care for the machine to prolong its life. It does not take much time.

• Remove any crumbs or residue from the bread pan and on the machine’s heating element.
• Clean the heating element with a soft cloth gently.
• Clean the baking pan and the kneading paddles using warm water, soap and a soft cloth. Avoid using chemicals.
• Use plastic utensils to scoop ingredients in and out of the bread machine.
• Ensure the parts are dry before putting them in the machine.

Conclusion

The bread machine is mainly for making bread, and they make the process easier. They are simple to use once you get comfortable with adjusting the settings as per your requirements. And the most important of all is you get great bread.

All about Breadmaker Machines!

A relatively new invention that has stormed the online market, especially Amazon, in recent years is the revolutionary bread maker!

The reason these machines got so popular is not simply due to the fact that they are new. They became a staple part of many contemporary households because of the various advantages they hold over traditional methods of making bread or even the convenience of purchasing a new loaf.

First of all, the new stream of bread makers are able to deliver fresh, quality bread the very instant you crave it.

For many, this beats out buying pre-made bread off the shelves of the supermarkets. Bread machines are especially useful for those who require or desire specialty bread.

Breadmaker Advantages

In addition, all that is required for the bread maker to churn out your meal is some bread mix, water and yeast. The simple touch of a button is enough to get the bread maker into action and the convenience of it all is a huge draw for busier, working individuals.

Amazingly enough, the advantages of a bread maker don’t stop there. The ability to fully control the exact ingredients in your bread makes it wonderful for people who are allergic to certain foods or more particular about their diet. This same feature will also allow you to fully customize the taste of your bread. No longer will you be constrained to buying pre-determined flavors of bread.

Furthermore, a best-in-class bread machine can make dough that is perfect for pizza and other culinary delights. With such a huge number of uses, you can be certain that you will never run out of uses for this machine.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that they do come in a wide selection and picking the right one is no easy feat. Each of them has its unique features and capacity and it is always good to find out more about specific machines so you know their advantages and drawbacks.

This allows you to make a much more informed decision in selecting the optimal bread maker for your personal use.

Breadmaker Prices

These machines are generally priced from $100 to $200, making them an great choice for bread lovers.

Take a look at one of our favorite breadmakers here.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Are you having a tough time figuring out what present to give the most important woman in your life? Most stores in malls today are probably showing off their wares to help you get that perfect gift but if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the choices, why not consider a gift that is both functional and decorative at the same time?

Getting the mother in your life a breadmaker is probably the best surprise that she can get from you and with all the high-tech designs out there; she’ll surely be delighted with your gift.

There are actually a lot breadmakers up for grabs these days and if you are eager to find the best one there is, then it would be best to read up breadmaker reviews first to give you a better idea on which one to purchase.

Most of these reviews can be found online that is why spending a few minutes of your time reading them can help a lot with your choice.

Many Breadmaker Brands Available

Out of all the breadmaker brands out there, there are a few who actually met the expectations of their customers and more.

Among the well-known names in the breadmaker industry include Zojirushi, Panasonic, T-Fal and Black and Decker. There are others as well but these names are part of the top four brands on most reviews for best breadmakers due to their quality results, easy controls, and sleek and stylish designs that are suitable for kitchens everywhere.

If you are thinking that your mother won’t appreciate the controls incorporated into the machine, then think again. These controls are quite easy to understand and with a faster and more efficient manner of making bread, your mom won’t be spending too much time preparing some quality not to mention tasty bread for you and the family.

So who said that a breadmaker won’t be a great gift for Mother’s Day? This easy-to-use machine will definitely have a place of honor on your mother’s kitchen and for sure, the sweet aroma of baked bread will once more permeate your household once she gets used to the control panel on her very own bread machine.

Surprise your mother with her very own bread machine on Mother’s Day and with the breadmaker recipes included in the package, you and your mother can spend time together preparing some fine tasting bread for everyone in the family.