Who Has A Bread Machine?
 

I am looking into getting one, and there are just so many out there. If you have one, can you tell me what you like (or don't like) about it? How important are all the fancy settings that some machines have? Also, do you use the recipes that came with the machine? (Some people say the provided recipes have too much yeast - any opinions on this?) I just want a machine that will make a really good loaf of Italian bread - nice hard crust with a soft middle.

I have a bread machine but don't use it much anymore. Mostly because we don't eat as much bread as we use to. In the winter it is nice to come home to the smell of baking bread! Bread from the machines tend to have a uniform texture.. Where hand kneaded bread varies. I love the artisan breads so I like hand kneaded bread more.

I like the fleshmsn yeast recipes.. They worked for me. I like to used different flours.. Not just white. Bread flour (has more gluten) is a great base to start with.

To pay for the fancy features.. Just think if you would really use them. The main one I would use is the delay.. So the bread would be done when I got home yum!


To make a nice Italian bread you would have to bake in an oven... Te trick I found is to put a pan of water in the oven ..the moisture is what gives the crust!

good luck and have fun.

Yum, I dont have a bread machine but your Italian bread sounds like it is going to be good~ I just bought a loaf of Italian Sourdough... Yummm so good!

My Gma (Italian) use to make Pizza Bread and I know she baked it in the oven.

Thanks for the info! So, you're saying that it is not possible to get a good loaf of Italian bread out of a bread machine? So what type of bread comes the best, white bread? Also, can anyone recommend a good brand name or specific model?

My bread machine has always been an important part of my kitchen. I don't use it for a lot of things yet, but some of my best recipes are bread machine recipes.

I make homemade rolls, bagels, and pizza dough with mine, so a dough setting is the most important thing for me. I've made a few breads with it, but honestly love using it as a mixer for things more...

Things to consider, how big is your family, some make smaller loaves then others. I have a smaller one and I find it only makes like 12 rolls, and even with 2 ppl 12 of my homemade rolls just don't last long enough. I think mine is like 1.5 lb but I may be wrong, I think the other size is a 3lb loaf.

The recipes that come with them aren't perfect, I got my roll recipe from my mother, at christmas this year we had 3 bread makers making her rolls all at once, so that we had enough rolls for everyone, lol. She modified her bread maker recipe several times before she perfected it. I bought "300 Best Canadian Bread Machine Recipes" that's where I got the rest of my recipes.

Mine and mother's two machines are all black and decker, mine has 8 settings which I think is standard, I can make breads, dough, jams (which some day I'll actually try lol)

I agree with deonk1.. I used the dough setting a lot. But I personally felt that if I was going to shape the dough I might as well just make it by hand from the start. But that is just me. I like the delay setting best.

Now to the French bread. If you mean the crusty beget ...no..to the best of my knowledge you can not make them from start to finish in a bread machine. You could mix and knead the dough... Take out and shape and bake in an oven.

I researched bread machines a couple of months ago and bought a the Zojirushi bb-hac10 Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker. I found that this had the best reviews and also had a quick baking cycle. It was small and compact so I liked that. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to try it, but it is very cute and seems easy to use. Good luck with the baking.

Cathy do you still use your Chipati maker? I use mine weekly!!

PS this thread may get more views in the people food forum!!

I started to get one at one time because my aunt loved hers so much. Then, everyone started gaining weight like crazy and I decided as much as we love homemade bread, I better let well enough alone. She doesn't use hers much anymore either but it sure sounds gooood.

I got a BREADMAN years ago and used it until it died. Got a BREADMAN 2 last Xmas (horizontal loaf), which I also like, but am disappointed that there is no delay option for dough. I make my own pizzas, rye bread, whole wheat and challah. I make the dough for the challah in the machine, braid it myself and bake it off in the oven.

I have The Bread Machine Cookbook Vol 1 and 2 by Donna Rathmell German which I swear by and are just about falling apart after years of use.

Fresh bread and homemade soup is a great winter meal combo and I think I'll go make some now. :>)

Thank you all for the responses. I found a great website with lots of info and I thought I'd share it with you all ...

Bread Machine Digest

There's tips & recipes, etc. Also, if anyone wants to share some good bread machine recipes - please post them - I'd love to see some different recipes!

I have one but don't use it much anymore -- tastes too good! I still like to use it occassionally though. I like to make cinnamon roll dough & pizza dough from it.