Are breadmakers really money saving??

Newbird · 22 October 2005 at 8:29PM

Wondering if i should get one???

Curry_Queen · 22 October 2005 at 8:41PM

I would say yes definitely, and you can make far more than just ordinary bread too, so I find mine invaluable. Favourite things I make regularly are ...

White loaf (rapid bake recipe)
Granary loaf
Seeded loaf
Malted loaf
Cinnamon & Raisin loaf
Oat & Honey loaf
Focaccia
Pizza dough
Naan bread

I usually get 3 loaves to a bag of flour costing around 80p for Allinsons, but people have reported having good success with value flours too

elona · 22 October 2005 at 8:54PM

My breadmaker makes jam (smug smile) :j

Alleycat · 22 October 2005 at 9:32PM

What about the other ingredients such as yeast? We buy hovis and it works out at 83p a loaf. I'm really tempted to get a breadmaker but couldn't justify more cooking equipment if it is going to work out more expensive.

sallypurple · 22 October 2005 at 9:35PM

This depends on what bread you usually buy! Obviously supermarket basics is cheaper but if you like real bread with bits in I think it is at least 20p per loaf cheaper for a standard loaf. That said you can't beat the smell of fresh bread when you get up in the morning - make sure you buy a model with a timer. I couldn't live without mine now.

mows · 22 October 2005 at 9:36PM

How do breadmakers work out in terms of cost of electricity to run? I currently have the oven on twice a week and make bread, cakes, biscuits, a stew / casserole, pie/ pasties, a flan, a rice pud etc all during the same oven session to try and keep fuel costs down - would a breadmaker be cheaper than the way I currently do things?

Curry_Queen · 22 October 2005 at 9:37PM

Well, a packet of yeast is around 99p and will make an average of 25 loaves, then the cost of sugar, salt and a spat of butter/oil is quite negligible really. Don't forget when you make your own bread you get none of the additives and preservatives present in shop bought loaves too

Ticklemouse · 22 October 2005 at 9:40PM

I used to buy those Hovis Best of Both and if they weren't on offer, they were about 80-85p each. I now make my own with 1/2 wholemeal to plain. Even with 'expensive flour' and the leccy for the BM it works out far cheaper.

Then there's everything else to consider - I know what's in my bread. No additives and very low in salt. As CQ said - you can also make a whole variety of loaves. Those little fruity ones are over £1 in Tesco - nothing like that if you do your own. Mine makes absolutely fantastic cakes too - saves heating the oven if you need one cake. I haven't made jam in mine yet.

And the smell in a morning is worth the money alone

One day I will cost out how long it takes to make my money back..... not as long as you think, I'm sure

Curry_Queen · 22 October 2005 at 9:47PM

Also, when I used to buy a sliced loaf, half of it would invariably end up thrown out because it had gone mouldy before we used it up (yes I know!

) whereas when I make it myself it's all eaten up long before it get's chance to go off

Queenie · 22 October 2005 at 9:48PM

Newbird wrote:

Wondering if i should get one???

Depends on several factors, such as:

How many in your household; how much bread you consume; your dietry requirements; lifestyle/time commitments. etc.

Initially, I think most people buy the recommended "branded" flours/yeasts .. but, you can also buy cheaper storebrand flours which would reduce the cost.

mows - I also use my oven to bulk cook, so I see where you are coming from, and it's a very good point! However, in the hotter weather when I don't have my oven on (small kitchen, too much heat!) then the bread maker and the slow cooker come into their own BIG time

nearlyrich · 22 October 2005 at 9:50PM

My DH decided we should get the BM out of the cupboard where it's been for over 18 months so we bought flour and yeast today 82p for flour and 52p for yeast both Hovis branded, the Tesco we used doesn't bake instore but some of them will give away yeast.

I think we will get 6 loves from 2 bags of flour and the pack of yeast so that's 36p per loaf, we pay around £1 for a large loaf from the bakers, they are a bit bigger than the BM loaves so even if we eat 2 BM loaves a week instead of 1 bakers loaf we will save money, To be honest it's not really to save money we are reviving it but because we run out and forget to buy more bread midweek. The bread does taste better and the house smells lovely so it saves on air freshener too LOL.

The one I have was a prize at work years ago, I have noticed lots of different flour for BMs in Tesco today, when I first got it (1997 I think) there was just Strong Flour, white or wholemeal so I am looking forward to experimenting.

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Are breadmakers really money saving??

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