I'm thinking of buying a bread maker are they any good?

Answer 1

I have one, and they're ok, but I still like the way bread comes out when I do it myself better. The dough cycle is really handy, though.

Answer 2

i wouldnt bother - but as a trained pastry chef perhaps I am being snobby.

I would recommend spending the money on a couple of good bread books and kitchen equipment instead. You wont need much, just some good scales, a few tins and away you go. I would recommend fresh yeast instead of dried if you can find it somewhere, and go for recipes which arent quick fix - packet bread mix for instance is full of chemicals and way too much yeast.

If you make bread by hand, the results will keep on improving if you stick with it, and you have far more in the way of options making bread by hand. You can then take the expertise with you and bake bread anywhere - you cant really take a bread maker on holiday now, can you? You will also be able to make bread better than any supermarket or regional baker if you stick with what i would call proper methods and the best ingredients.

Answer 3

I have a bread maker and it works ok but I still prefer the way the bread I make by hand comes out better.
But if you are in a pinch and need bread they are passable.
My kids like when I make garlic herb bread (you won't find a good recipie in the books for it you have to be creative).
The bread from the machine never gets a good enough crust on it. The old fashion way is still better.

Answer 4

I use mine (Breville) on a fairly regular basis. However, I only use it to do the mixing, kneading and rising. After that is done, I shape it and / or stick it in a bread tin, let it rise once more, then bake it in the oven. I don't like the holes made by the paddle and I find that by baking it in the oven you can make a larger loaf. Also it is easier to sprinkle things on the top if it is baked.
Some people don't like bread makers, but I think they would use them if them they lived where I do. We have choice of the vilest of sliced bread or our local baker whose bread isn't much better and grossly overpriced.
I think it also depends on the flour you use. If you just want to make a plain white loaf, then Lidl's own make of bread flour is as good as any other and very cheap. Otherwise I would recommend Wessex Mill flours, see:
http://www.wessexmill.co.uk/

Answer 5

I have a Breadman Pro and I use it at least once a week. Not so much for baking the bread, more for the dough cycle. I make French bread dough most often, the machine does all the kneading and rising work, and then all I have to do is shape it and bake it. Sometimes I'll even make bread bowls, or roll it out and put fillings in it and roll it back up. I love being able to dump the ingredients in the pan and come back in 4 hours and have dough ready to go!

Answer 6

I have one and I like it although they are bulky to have out on the side asll the time
I use mine to make bread jam cakes dough for pizzas
They dont cost that much now and the fresh bread smell is lovely!!! I buy packets that you just mix water with and they are fantastic
I only use it for special bread like garlic ciabbatta etc
Did you know that in an average shop bought loaf of bread each slice has 3 teaspoons of sugar in it
thats 6 tsp if you eat a sandwich!! You wont get that with a bread maker!!
Treat yourself :0)

Answer 7

We've had one for ages. I think the modern ones would be better because ours always comes out in a square flower pot shape, if you can imagine, with a fairly big hole in the base where the mixing paddles were which makes it difficult to cut.
Now we just use it for mixing and bake the bread in a proper loaf tin. It can also take a while to get the mixture right so it will rise.

Answer 8

They make passable bread with a hole in the middle and bottom. You need to eat anything baked in 2 days or they go off very quickly. Panasonic is best if you still insist.

Answer 9

No, your better off to keep your money in your pocket and find a good old fashioned local baker.

I did have one, the bread was too small and always the same, - I couldn't wait to give it away.

Answer 10

Don't bother, the thought of home made bread is very appealing but the trouble you have to go through isn't worth it and you will only put it to the back of the cupboard after a little while.