topic Re: Bread Machine Recs in Kitchen

Bread Machine Recs

DottieBlue — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 02:18:15 GMT

I am considering getting a bread machine. Any suggestions as to what brand, model, etc. is good? TIA

Re: Bread Machine Recs

Razzy 7 — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:06:34 GMT

The Sweethome site (NY Times) says this,

We spent 35 hours researching, testing, and retesting six bread machines (plus many more hours waiting for 30 loaves of bread to bake), and we think that the West Bend 41410 2.5-pound Hi-Rise Bread Maker is the best machine for most people. It handled white bread, whole wheat bread, and several gluten-free recipes with ease, and it’s one of the few models that bakes a standard-shaped bread loaf. It proofs, kneads, and bakes evenly, and it does so for a reasonable price.

Not many bread machines make a loaf in a standard shape like this one. The West Bend also kneads and bakes evenly, producing tall, domed, golden brown loaves for a fraction of the price of comparable high-end machines. $70 from Walmart.

Their upgrade pick is this...

For bread-baking enthusiasts, the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker is a top-of-the-line machine. Like the West Bend, it makes a standard 9-by-5-inch loaf, and its two kneading paddles, powerful motor, and even temperatures yield lofty, golden brown breads. It also allows you to program your own settings in addition to 10 pre-programmed options (ranging from gluten-free to whole wheat), which is useful for anyone interested in tweaking or experimenting with recipes. But it’s a very large machine, and at around $300 (S254 from Amazon), it may not be worth the expense unless you like to play around with making a lot of different breads on a regular basis.

For serious bread bakers

Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker

A favorite among the pros, the Zojirushi is sturdy, super reliable, and makes a standard shaped loaf. But it may not be worth the nearly-$300 price tag unless you’re a bread obsessive.

To see the URLs, go to the Sweethome dot com website.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

Sooner — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:42:22 GMT

@DottieBlue I have had four bread machines since 1992 and we use them often. One Hitachi bought in 92 that was very good; a Breadman which was ok; a Mini Zo; and a full sized Zo.

By far the one we use most often is the mini Zo. It always turns out a fabulous loaf of bread. You really don't have to add a little more flour or water very often to the mixing dough and it shapes nice loaves. The big Zo is more picky and sometimes you have to adjust a little after it kneads awhile.

Zo has a new model of the little one, but have not tried it out myself.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

Nightowlz — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 01:58:48 GMT

I have a Panasonic. We use it mostly to make dough. We don't care for the shape/size loaf bread machines make. We use a 12 x 4 bread pan to make the bread in.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

JDW174 — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 13:30:44 GMT

We've had the "Mini Zo" for quite awhile. If there's just two of you, it makes the perfect loaf. It's not cheap, but it is a great little machine.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

poppinfresh — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 15:26:25 GMT

Mini Zo....my favorite!!

Re: Bread Machine Recs

ScarletDove — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 21:33:09 GMT

@DottieBlue

I have a very old bread machine from 1988, a Regal and it still works just fine, I replaced the paddle and parts company said that Hitachi made the machine for Regal. It does not have any of the fancy new settngs so I purchased a backup.

Also have the Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Home Bakery 1-Pound-Loaf Mini Breadmaker; also purchased Breadman TR520; this basic model does 1, 1-1/2, 2 lb loaves, has the new functions and it was under $50 at Amazon. The only thing I dislike about this Breadman model is that the front panel is in yellow with white writing (ON/OFF/START etc) which is used to display in the digital window; hard to see and a major complaint of that model. I knew that when I purchased, made readable labels for the front and attached.

The Regal serves me as well as the Breadman for a larger loaf, Zo is only for a 1 lb loaf. Zo was much more expensive and is the better breadmaker. Both Zo, Breadman and others are available on Amazonn, go there and read the reviews for the different models available, that is how I chose Zo and Breadman. Also read the reviews for Zo on King Arthur website since I purchase their products for my bread baking. I have been a bread baker for more than 50 years; purchased a breadmachine as a novelty and convenience, it turned into being a staple and have loved my Regal/Hitachi for 29 years, will not give it up, will always repair until not able......

Re: Bread Machine Recs

Daysdee — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 22:06:49 GMT

@poppinfresh wrote:
Mini Zo....my favorite!!

That's what I have also. Love the size and it's easy to move if I want to take it off the counter. I use it at least twice a week--or more. I like that it makes a one pound loaf. I just had to replace the pan and that was rather expensive, but I didn't want to get a larger machine as I don't have the space for it and don't need larger loaves. Got mine at BB& B --I think it was on sale, plus I used their coupon for 20% off.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

DottieBlue — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 23:29:48 GMT

THANK YOU to all who took the time to reply. I really appreciate the information, and will do more research on Amazon of the models you've all suggested.

Thanks again. So many nice people on these boards.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

brandiwine — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 16:18:39 GMT

I am a very serious bread/roll baker and have been for years. My first 2 machines were Breadmans. They were fine and did a good job. I prefer to remove the dough and shape my own loaves. I finally treated myself to a Zo. Great, long lasting machines. Before investing in an expensive machine make sure what your commitment to the process is. I do recommend using King Arthur flours and their dried milk and buttermilk. Really makes a difference in quality.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

cristy7 — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:50:46 GMT

Only get a bread machine if you enjoy making your own. I used mine all the time until they stopped selling the boxed bread mixes. I no longer use my machine, because it too time consuming when usng a recipe. QVC needs to sell the boxed mixes.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

ScarletDove — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 19:15:25 GMT

@cristy7 wrote:
Only get a bread machine if you enjoy making your own. I used mine all the time until they stopped selling the boxed bread mixes. I no longer use my machine, because it too time consuming when usng a recipe. QVC needs to sell the boxed mixes.

@cristy7 If you are looking for boxed "to make " breads, go to KingArthurFlour.com and HodgsonMill.com. You can also find the Hodgson Mills breads for purchase in volume on Amazon....

Re: Bread Machine Recs

Tigriss — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 19:40:57 GMT

West Bend 2.5-lb Loaf Capacity Hi-Rise Breadmaker for $82.31 at WalMart. I bought that for myself the Christmas of 2015. It is fantastic. My sister also uses it to make G-Free bread for my nephew due to his wheat allergy. It mixes really well with the two paddles, nothing get missed. It is also inexpensive and so many features. I can't find the bread mixes for bread machines at the grocery store anymore, so I do it from scratch with the various ingredients. I make bread several times a month. It doesn't keep as long as store-bought bread do since it doesn't have all those chemicals in it. I split a loaf in half, and freeze the other have for when I run out of the half I'm using. It stores great. I wrap it in plastic wrap followed by tin foil, followed by a zip bag that I use a straw to suck the air out of. Probably overkill, but it does keep very well.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

Tigriss — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 19:46:04 GMT

I will also add the loaf that it makes is a standard size horizontal loaf and not the more vertical loaf that my other bread machine makes that I've had since the mid 90s that my grandmother gave me. I still use it when I do bread for family gatherings. We have 20+ people usually so fresh bread gets gobbled down. It is so easy to bring to those functions with some real butter! I make them in the morning, side by side, and four loaves are ready by dinner time! Serve with Kerry Gold butter or some equal quality butter! Now that is eating. I do slice it for them, since some people can't cut a straight line! I also do sweet breads for Christmas and Thanksgiving. I do cinnamon raisin or apple. You can then make French toast out of it the next day! YUM!

Re: Bread Machine Recs

Daysdee — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 22:39:19 GMT

@cristy7 wrote:
Only get a bread machine if you enjoy making your own. I used mine all the time until they stopped selling the boxed bread mixes. I no longer use my machine, because it too time consuming when usng a recipe. QVC needs to sell the boxed mixes.

I love my Mini Zo. too. I don't buy the bread mixes. I have "The Bread Machine Cookbook--Revised Edition" by Donna Rathmell German. I have a couple of the recipes memorized--only 5 ingredients. Takes me less than 5 minutes to get it together and press "start." Sometmes I put the dry ingredients in a L n L and then just put the water in and add the yeast on top and that is even faster.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

Mucktao — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 16:34:21 GMT

I've got the Sorjushi (sp). Used it for years.

Re: Bread Machine Recs

DottieBlue — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:07:28 GMT

THANK YOU so very much for all of your helpful replies. I really appreciate it.

So many, many nice posters here!

Re: Bread Machine Recs

cristy7 — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 17:12:35 GMT

Thank you so much for the information. Greatly appreciated. I always enjoyed my bread machine when all I had to do was put in some water and open a yeat packet. I will go to the sites you recommended, now! Thanks again.