topic Re: Zakarian Bread Machine in Community Chat

Zakarian Bread Machine

coffee drinker — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 06:52:58 GMT

For those of you who have this machine? It's not showing on the QVC site and I can't find it on Amazon so I can't check it out. A local Job Lot has it for $30 and I'm thinking of buying. Just wondering what your thoughts are.

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

RhondaRena — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:56:25 GMT

My sister and mom has one, they are supposedly the best. That is an excellent deal.

I myself use my staub cast iron to make my sourdough loaf.

Making your own bread is good with the rise of bread prices.

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

LindaSal — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 12:22:55 GMT

I have a Curtis Stone one and I love it! I do own a GZ cast iron pan and I love that too!

$30 seems quite inexpensive, if it retails higher than that I would try it but I paid $99 for mine and it's a well built, great quality machine. Not sure how much quality you will get for $30........

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

brandiwine — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:57:36 GMT

I saw it on a couple of sites and the reviews were 2 stars out of 5. It looks to me like they may be going out of business. I've been making my own bread for over 20 years and the best machine is a Zojuriski. They are very expensive, but they last and last. If you just want to try bread making, maybe try a known brand like Cuisnart. Watch for sales during this holiday season. Happy baking

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

Sooner — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:19:23 GMT

@coffee drinker wrote:
For those of you who have this machine? It's not showing on the QVC site and I can't find it on Amazon so I can't check it out. A local Job Lot has it for $30 and I'm thinking of buying. Just wondering what your thoughts are.

@coffee drinker The best are Zojirushi! I can't say enough good about them. I also have a Cuisinart (got on big sale) that is good.

If I were you, I would do some research and shop around at cookware shops online, Costco etc., Amazon, and look for a big deal on Black Friday. I would go with a brand that has been around for a long time selling bread machines.

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

JoyFilled Warrior — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:58:51 GMT

HI @coffee drinker

I've had a series of Bread Makers thru the many years, I think all the way back to ?"Mr Breadmaker?" I think was the name.

I think I even had a Wolfgang Puck Bread Maker too, not sure. I know I had his Bread Maker kits & they were tremendous, very handy & fast.

Most I researched, & were not that expensive at all.

I currently have a Zojuriski that I bought on a great sale because it had a small dent. Works well also!

I dont see any difference in expensive or inexpensive Bread Makers I've had. ALL the many ones I had were wonderful!!

NONE of my Bread Makers broke or betrayed the quality of the bread. ALL worked well, until I often, usually gave them away, often in the move.

There's NOTHING more 0rg45m1c than a Thanksgiving Turkey, or Roast, & Baked Potatoes in the Oven, while a Bread Maker also making Homemade Bread. *drool*

My only teeny-weeny issue is a personal one. Whether the loaf made was oblong, like the store (but often uses 2 Br Mkr paddles) or a Round loaf that usually uses 1 Paddle. Purely aesthetic.

Hope you enjoy whichever Bread Maker you choose. My guess is, you'll love it!

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

JoyFilled Warrior — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:22:43 GMT

@coffee drinker

"We Tested the 5 Best Bread Machines for Home Kitchens"

(ref: .. foodandwine )

Above include:

"Other Bread Machines We Tested"

"Factors to Consider"

(comparative prices)

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

SaveTheTurtles — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 01:25:51 GMT

Maybe it's me but why have another big kitchen item taking up space? I had one years ago when they were popular and never had good luck with it. I have a professional kitchen aid mixer and use it for my bread dough, kneading and all. It's so easy that I find a bread maker is not needed. Good luck with your choice!

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

Icegoddess — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 01:49:39 GMT

I have a Hamilton Beach one and I'm happy with it except that the bread doesn't get as dark as I would like no matter the setting, but doesn't really matter. I prefer a standard size and shape loaf, so I just use the dough setting, remove, knead, shape, rise, bake in my oven, Actually, the first time I did it, I just dumped it from the machine into my loaf pan and did the final rise and baked, and there really wasn't much difference. EzPz.

I can't say about the Zakarian machine, but unless you're SURE you're going to make homemade bread regularly, like weekly, I wouldn't invest in a Zoijoshuri (sp).

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

Sunshine Kate — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 02:17:44 GMT

Where do you get the best bread machine recipes? The recipes that came with my machine are not good.

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

Sooner — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 02:32:03 GMT

@SaveTheTurtles wrote:
Maybe it's me but why have another big kitchen item taking up space? I had one years ago when they were popular and never had good luck with it. I have a professional kitchen aid mixer and use it for my bread dough, kneading and all. It's so easy that I find a bread maker is not needed. Good luck with your choice!

@SaveTheTurtles We have the 1 lb. Zojirushi Maestro that is in the corner of the countertop all the time. It isn't an eyesore, and we use it all the time.

We pre-mix the flour, salt, sugar, dry milk and store in the fridge in a container (several at a time) and when we need bread dump one in the bread maker, add water, a pat of butter of dollop of oil, yeast and turn it on. It makes an excellent loaf.

We rinse out the bread pan and it's ready to go again. We also do pizza crust, bread sticks, burger buns, cake and sometimes rolls. We would hate to be without it.

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

JoyFilled Warrior — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 10:26:24 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@SaveTheTurtles wrote:
Maybe it's me but why have another big kitchen item taking up space? I had one years ago when they were popular and never had good luck with it. I have a professional kitchen aid mixer and use it for my bread dough, kneading and all. It's so easy that I find a bread maker is not needed. Good luck with your choice!
@SaveTheTurtles We have the 1 lb. Zojirushi Maestro that is in the corner of the countertop all the time. It isn't an eyesore, and we use it all the time.

We pre-mix the flour, salt, sugar, dry milk and store in the fridge in a container (several at a time) and when we need bread dump one in the bread maker, add water, a pat of butter of dollop of oil, yeast and turn it on. It makes an excellent loaf.

We rinse out the bread pan and it's ready to go again. We also do pizza crust, bread sticks, burger buns, cake and sometimes rolls. We would hate to be without it.

~~~~~~~~

Hi @Sooner

YUMMMM!! And sooo smart! Thanks for this idea!

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

Sooner — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:59:37 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior LOL!!! BEST idea is husband measures it all out and makes the pre-mixes! Another best idea is use 1/4 cup or less white bread flour in the mix per cup of whole wheat mix. It is so much better, still get the whole wheat benefits.

We just dip the cup in a little bread flour first then in the whole wheat and makes a real difference in texture, a little lighter taste too--we're using King Arthur Flour, don't knowif that matters.

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

brandiwine — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:53:05 GMT

King Arthur flour makes a HUGE difference. Much higher quality than other brands. I buy it at my local Target or Walmart to save money.

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

JoyFilled Warrior — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:15:23 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@JoyFilled Warrior LOL!!! BEST idea is husband measures it all out and makes the pre-mixes! Another best idea is use 1/4 cup or less white bread flour in the mix per cup of whole wheat mix. It is so much better, still get the whole wheat benefits.

We just dip the cup in a little bread flour first then in the whole wheat and makes a real difference in texture, a little lighter taste too--we're using King Arthur Flour, don't knowif that matters.

~~~~

@Sooner Terrific! Thanks for these tips!!

I'm definiitely going to go this route! Such a time saver. So convenient!

Hope you (& Hubby) have a Great Day!!

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

Sooner — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:38:04 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior I forgot to say we keep the mixes in the FRIDGE in tall light weight plastic containers. We take them out of the fridge to our bread machine, which has a warm up cycle- SO you might need to let them cometo room temp otherwise!

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

4kitties — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:45:27 GMT

@Sunshine Kate

I have this book and I love it. Have had it for years and never a bad recipe!

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

Sunshine Kate — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 21:01:11 GMT

@4kitties wrote:
@Sunshine Kate

I have this book and I love it. Have had it for years and never a bad recipe!

Thank you so much! Will check it out.

Re: Zakarian Bread Machine

tiny 2 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 20:05:11 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@SaveTheTurtles wrote:
Maybe it's me but why have another big kitchen item taking up space? I had one years ago when they were popular and never had good luck with it. I have a professional kitchen aid mixer and use it for my bread dough, kneading and all. It's so easy that I find a bread maker is not needed. Good luck with your choice!
@SaveTheTurtles We have the 1 lb. Zojirushi Maestro that is in the corner of the countertop all the time. It isn't an eyesore, and we use it all the time.

We pre-mix the flour, salt, sugar, dry milk and store in the fridge in a container (several at a time) and when we need bread dump one in the bread maker, add water, a pat of butter of dollop of oil, yeast and turn it on. It makes an excellent loaf.

We rinse out the bread pan and it's ready to go again. We also do pizza crust, bread sticks, burger buns, cake and sometimes rolls. We would hate to be without it.

@Sooner

This is a great idea!!! Do you ever keep the premeasured packs in the freezer?