Best Automatic Bread machine ??

fordy · #1 07/11/11, 08:01 PM

................I'm in the market for one of those auto bread machines........something I can just add the ingredients and push the button ! I love fresh bread and I'm not really impressed with the quality of the spermarket offerings . , thanks , fordy

stamphappy · #2 07/11/11, 08:06 PM

I bought a used Panasonic that I just love. What makes it special is the mixing blade. The way the machine is designed, when you take the loaf out, the blade doesn't ruin the loaf of bread.

My kids can easily make bread in it as well.

Amazon sells it for $135 BUT I see them all the time at the thrift store.

I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendations here; have fun and good luck!

chickenista · #3 07/11/11, 08:13 PM

The best bread machine is the one that you like best that has all the parts that is sitting on the thrift store shelf, been used once and costs $5.
Seriously.. you can find about any make and model you want for $5. And if you don't like it, redonate it and pick another one...

fordy · #4 07/11/11, 08:20 PM

...............you'll are makin me richer , lol ! think I'll peruse craig's list and see what turns up . , thanks , fordy

Pam6 · #5 07/11/11, 10:02 PM

I like the Breadman bread maker! You can do 3 sizes of loaves, set if for a lighter or darker crust, and do a delay start!

VERN in IL · #6 07/11/11, 10:09 PM

Will these bread machines handle WHOLE wheat bread?

When I knead the dough in my KitchenAid Artisan mixer it really gets bogged down like it's going to burn up.

Also, will they handle the flour ground by my Country Living grain mill?

copperpennykids · #7 07/11/11, 10:21 PM

Love the Panasonic YD 250.

Great with whole wheat bread, various multi-grain breads, and French bread.

I can make a 5-6 lb loaf of whole wheat....or a big 3-4 lb fluffy loaf of French bread.

We use the Bread Machine cookbooks. II has the best whole wheat recipe - we use the Medium loaf and double it for the Panasonic YD 250.

Macybaby · #8 07/12/11, 10:00 AM

If you get one, run the cycle with nothing in it (no paddle either) except a thermometer. Check the temps during the raise and baking cycles.

That is what seems to go out most common, the thermostat. I had two brand new Bread Machines a few years ago, and both would not heat during the rising cycle, so unless you had it in a warmer spot, it made bricks, not bread.

I loved having one with programmable settings - I made one so I could make sour dough bread, and it worked best with only one rise cycle (some now come default with three). I also found the wheat worked best with a longer rise time and only two rise cycles.

Now that I have an oven I can use to proof bread, I use my mixer and after returning the second bad bread machine, don't own one. Before that I used it all the time, and sometimes I got a good loaf, and sometimes not. I loved the delayed start option.

mightybooboo · #9 07/12/11, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenista

The best bread machine is the one that you like best that has all the parts that is sitting on the thrift store shelf, been used once and costs $5.
Seriously.. you can find about any make and model you want for $5. And if you don't like it, redonate it and pick another one...

Thats the answer,they are basically all just a mixer that heats a loaf.I like to use them to mix,then pop in oven to cook,gives you the best of both worlds.the cooked in machine loaves arent as good.

Visit the thrifts,with many visits you will find well used that are fine,but eventually unused machine wedding gifts will come in,or grammas that she never used and has moved on to heaven....that sort of thing.This is really one item you shouldnt buy new,they are thrift store staples.

mightybooboo · #10 07/12/11, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VERN in IL

Will these bread machines handle WHOLE wheat bread?

When I knead the dough in my KitchenAid Artisan mixer it really gets bogged down like it's going to burn up.

Also, will they handle the flour ground by my Country Living grain mill?

Yes to all.I do it all the time,only challenge for me was learning whole wheat is WHOLE different recipe,cant just substitute WW for white flour.my best on WW is one mix cycle only,rise in bread pans and into oven.

Fordy,if you havent made bread before put it in oven before it stops rising and let it 'bloom' I think its called,means to rise while cooking.If rise has stopped it will fall back into itself while cooking been my experience.Im no pro,just thats what works here?But I do make fine bread,schmuck or no.

suzyhomemaker09 · #11 07/12/11, 01:44 PM

I have one of these.....

http://www.cuisinart.com/products/br...s/cbk-200.html

Love it to pieces....company has a great reputation...we checked all the reviews on bread machines and found this one to be the best bang for the buck.
Love the fact that it has a beep tone to let you know when it's time to remove the paddle so it doesn't leave a hole in your loaf...it has a convection feature so I can pour everything in when I'm going to bed and it self cools the loaf so it doesn't get soggy. I bought mine at bed bath Beyond..they will mail you catalogs that have coupons for $5 off a purchase of $15 or more several times a year also.

wanda1950 · #12 07/12/11, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybooboo

Thats the answer,they are basically all just a mixer that heats a loaf.I like to use them to mix,then pop in oven to cook,gives you the best of both worlds.the cooked in machine loaves arent as good.

Visit the thrifts,with many visits you will find well used that are fine,but eventually unused machine wedding gifts will come in,or grammas that she never used and has moved on to heaven....that sort of thing.This is really one item you shouldnt buy new,they are thrift store staples.

Absolutely--go the thrift store route. I have two from Goodwill. One was $5 & I think the other was $7. Both work fine. I just use the dough cycle anyway--take the dough out & let it rise in my own pans & cook in oven.

nadja · #13 07/12/11, 02:46 PM

Since I live totally on solar, I have been wondering if I could just use one for the mixing cycle and bake in the reg oven. Thanks for the info.

mightybooboo · #14 07/12/11, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadja

Since I live totally on solar, I have been wondering if I could just use one for the mixing cycle and bake in the reg oven. Thanks for the info.

Perfect for us Solar lovers.Absolutely,thats the best way IMO.Mix cycle finishes and you get it into pans,rise and oven.You can then make rolls,twisty loaves,whatever.I LIKE that time/effort saving feature a LOT.