topic Re: Bread Machine Recommendations? in Kitchen

Bread Machine Recommendations?

denisemb — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 05:08:59 GMT

LOVE homemade bread, but after numerous attempts, I give up.

Anyone have recommendations for a reasonably priced machine? I've been looking at a Hamilton Beach model with decent prices and ratings.

Thanks!

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Lacey1 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:08:09 GMT

Seriously, how hard is this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yePMpoyXwys&list=UUZdfub88-4D0Jc_V4T_yNrA

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Sooner — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:52:22 GMT

We had a Panasonic we bought in 1992, a Breadman we bought later, and now we have the larger and the mini Zojirushi. I have found that all made a good loaf, but the clear winner is the mini Zo. That thing works every time, makes a beautiful loaf, and is easy to store or small to keep out. We have had it for years and years. The big Zo is good too, but really the little one makes better bread.

That being said, they are expensive, but I thought I'd chime in because I can recommend these two machines. But you can get a good loaf from others as well.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

sal2008 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 20:26:11 GMT

I have an old Breadman Ultimate and a mini-Zo. I like them both and they make good bread, but I also like to use the dough setting - the machine does the work and then I shape the dough, put it in the pan, let it rise and bake.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Deadeye Daisy — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 20:42:25 GMT

Go with any of the Zojirushi machines. They are consistantly good. They aren't cheap.

Many years ago on the Prodigy boards, we tested many bread machines. The clear winners were the Zojirushi and the DAK/Welbilt R2D2 . Both far surpassed the Hitachi and other brands.

I still have my original 'upright loaf' Zoji (very similar to the current Zoji mini) with a 'finnish' pan, so baked loaves never have a hole in them from the blade. Also have a newer BBCEC20 with the horizontal pan. I like both, but use the older one when making gift breads so they don't have the holes in 'em. Unfortunately, the gentlemen in Florida who employed a group of people to manufacture those 'finnish' pans passed away some time ago, so 'finnish' pans were never made for the newer horizontal Zojis.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

denisemb — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 23:55:27 GMT

lacey1 - I've made the Mark Bittmann no knead bread numerous times, and while good for a "rustic" loaf, I sometimes prefer softer bread with finer texture. Even using my KA mixer recipes, my french and sourdough breads turn out more dense than I'd like. A 100 yrs. ago I had a bread machine that did a decent job, but I gave it away and can't remember the manufacturer.

Sooner, Sal and Daisy, thank you for the recommendation of the Zojirushi brand. I'll have to re-evaluate my wish for a less expensive machine and maybe go with your tried & true experience!

Thanks again!

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Tigriss — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 00:19:52 GMT

<h1 id="title" class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; font-weight: normal; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px !important; font-size: 21px !important; line-height: 1.3 !important;"> West Bend 41300 Hi-Rise Electronic Dual-Blade Breadmaker</h1>

Amazon or WalMart It is a decent price, has two blades and was $75 at one point.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

just4me — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 00:51:23 GMT

it would be tough to live in a place with the aroma of baking bread wafting through the house.

so lovely.

wonder if they could make a fragrance like that.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Nuttmeg — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 01:21:21 GMT

On 7/1/2014 denisemb said:
lacey1 - I've made the Mark Bittmann no knead bread numerous times, and while good for a "rustic" loaf, I sometimes prefer softer bread with finer texture. Even using my KA mixer recipes, my french and sourdough breads turn out more dense than I'd like. A 100 yrs. ago I had a bread machine that did a decent job, but I gave it away and can't remember the manufacturer.

Sooner, Sal and Daisy, thank you for the recommendation of the Zojirushi brand. I'll have to re-evaluate my wish for a less expensive machine and maybe go with your tried & true experience!

Thanks again!

I have brought a few items from Amazon deals used like new. Most times a person will buy something and return to the company. The items end up in the deals store. You receive the same warranty as new, plus a 30 day return. It is a nice way too save some money.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

tkins — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 02:18:16 GMT

I am on my second Breadman in 30 years, they get consistently good reviews. My current Breadman was purchased in 2001 and is still like new including the non-stick on the bread pan and paddle (no bubbling or peeling), I even dropped it once and all that happened was a little chip/crack still works like new. There is nothing like good homemade bread, rolls and pizza. I am sorry you are frustrated and hope that you don't give up. It sounds like you might need to make some adjustments either the setting you are using or ingredients. Have you tried the same recipe or mix on different settings? Best of luck.

tkins

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

poppinfresh — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 04:22:48 GMT

I highly recommend the mini Zo.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

KY_Liz — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:16:12 GMT

I have a West Bend Traditional Bread Machine, which makes a bread loaf shaped loaf (not a little square). It works great but it's loud, so I don't use time delay overnight--it wakes me up in the middle of the night. My sibs have Panasonics that are really quiet.

Just checked the West Bend website and they don't show the machine I have, so it might be just available second-hand.

I have made amazing breads and doughs in this machine and it has always worked perfectly. In fact, you have just reminded me that I need to fire up my next loaf today.

It's a workhorse that won't quit--I've had it about 15 years now, I think.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

brandiwine — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 18:33:48 GMT

If you don't want to spend too much go with the Breadman. The Zo's are fantastic, but very expensive. I prefer to use mine to make dough that I shape the way I want.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Kachina624 — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 21:51:16 GMT

On 7/1/2014 tkins said:
I am on my second Breadman in 30 years, they get consistently good reviews. My current Breadman was purchased in 2001 and is still like new including the non-stick on the bread pan and paddle (no bubbling or peeling), I even dropped it once and all that happened was a little chip/crack still works like new. There is nothing like good homemade bread, rolls and pizza. I am sorry you are frustrated and hope that you don't give up. It sounds like you might need to make some adjustments either the setting you are using or ingredients. Have you tried the same recipe or mix on different settings? Best of luck.

tkins

One thing I've never seen a warning for is that these machines tend to "dance" across the kitchen counter as they knead. My danced right over the edge the first time I used it and sustained a substantial crack in the plastic housing. Doesn't seem to effect performance, however.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Tigriss — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 22:22:23 GMT

On 7/1/2014 lacey1 said:
Seriously, how hard is this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yePMpoyXwys&list=UUZdfub88-4D0Jc_V4T_yNrA

Thanks for the link. I've not heard of this method. It sounds great and super easy to do before work when I need it. He has ebooks and regular print books. Awesome!

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 22:26:03 GMT

I wish you lived near me. I'd give you one of the three I have accumulated. Two I've never even opened the boxes.

I'm having a yard sale next week to get rid of some of this stuff. Mine is Wolfgang Puck's top of the line I bought at HSN.

I don't give more things away here (I've done it a few times to find out the things I've sent people here, they've sold it over the internet). I can't tell you how that has upset me.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Theoriginallacey — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 23:08:28 GMT

On 7/1/2014 lacey1 said:
Seriously, how hard is this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yePMpoyXwys&list=UUZdfub88-4D0Jc_V4T_yNrA

That was a really great video! I have seen similar recipes on Pinterest NAND you can make flavored breads like that as well. I have a Breadman I got as a wedding present in 2000. My husband used it a few times and until the lat two years it was I my attic. I finally took it down and now I use it all the time for cinnamon roll dough, pizza doughs and bread. I love it. I would love to get the Zojirushi though someday, as there is a model that makes a regular size loaf and not the weird Breadman shape.

Re: Bread Machine Recommendations?

Theoriginallacey — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 23:09:29 GMT

On 7/12/2014 annabellethecat said:
I wish you lived near me. I'd give you one of the three I have accumulated. Two I've never even opened the boxes.

I'm having a yard sale next week to get rid of some of this stuff. Mine is Wolfgang Puck's top of the line I bought at HSN.

I don't give more things away here (I've done it a few times to find out the things I've sent people here, they've sold it over the internet). I can't tell you how that has upset me.

You could gift them to some of your friends. I'd bet they would live to have one.