Joining the breadmaker club!

kbarty

Hi all,

have been lurking on OS for a while, but this is my first post here.

On Tuesday I bought myself a breadmaker. I really wanted the Panasonic one, but tbh it's just too far out of my budget. Actually they all were out of my budget but then my mum said I could buy one for Christmas and use it now. So I opted for the super cheap version from Asda, the Pacific one.

Made my first loaf straight away and it turned out fine, if a little sweet, but the kids ate it crusts and all, so I figured we were on to a winner. The problem I foresaw with the BM was that it didn't leave the dough to rise for very long, 20 mins on the basic loaf, and only 35 mins on the wholemeal, which I didn't think was too long. It's probably why the recipe calls for 4 tsps of yeast and 2 tbsp of sugar, it needs all the help it can to rise!!

Anyway, today I started loaf number 2 and decided to experiment. Took the recipe from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalls River Cottage Family Cookbook (fab book btw) and after determining that the quantities were similar enough to the original loaf I set it off. Was a bit sticky, but I added some flour to it. After the rise period (I set the cooker timer so I wouldn't forget when it finished) I just switched it off and let the dough rise by itself more. Let it rise for a good hour or so and then punched the air out, and restarted the basic bread program again. Worked a treat. Have just had my first slice and it's lovely. I was a bit impatient though, will do another taste test once it's cooled down

So although I still would like a fancier machine, it's not impossible to get a decent loaf from a cheapy. If anyone wants me to post the recipe let me know and I'll sort it.

Can I join the club then?

kiwichick

Hiya,

Congrats on your purchase! I am hoping to get a BM soon. I have been saving my boots points for one and the cheapest they do is £34.99 so I should be getting it v.soon

I LOVE reading about how to change the loaf recipies, most people seem to stray from the rules and end up with nicer/cheaper loaves.

Cant wait to join the club

Magentasue

I think you're right about the yeast/rising time. My Panasonic recipe says a teaspoon and a half for 600g flour. I use a teaspoon with excellent results but it does take 4 hours, 2h20mins on dough only. You seem to have found an excellent compromise. Well done!

silverfoxdude

Hi, I've recently bought a Morphy Richards Fastbake, I got it from Littlewoods online and used a voucher, so it only got me £29.00 (If I rmbr rightly).... I think its a bit cheaper in Tesco's too. I've just checked online and it isnt stated, but in the York branch it was on the shelf.

I love my BM, and there is a great thread on here all about it, have a read it really does help.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=47502

Good luck with your loaves :-)

Allexie

kbarty wrote:

Can I join the club then?

No, sorry! You have to have had at least one disaster in order to be a fully accredited member

Whitefiver

Hi,

Please can I join toooooo. I had a Hinari that gave up the ghost, and would only produce bricks no matter what flour/recipe I used. That went a while ago, and tired of never having any fresh bread, I have just been given permission to buy another BM, and this time I have gone for a Panasonic - should have got one of those first, maybe?

Anyway, Amazon deliver (early), the same day as we buy 2 loaves, and hence I have not used it yet. Should be tomorrow, with a bit of luck.

Lets hope the wholemeal is good - I have bought Carrs breadmaker flour, both white and wholemeal to give it a good start.

Would be interested in the types of flour people are using - I'll let you know what I think of the Carrs later.
Regards,

White.

silverfoxdude

I use Asda's own Strong White bread flour and have stocked up on some Hovis Strong Wholemeal from Asda too cos it was on offer. I have also tried the small ready made packets of sun dried tomatoe bread mix and a granary one. They turned out great but felt it was defeating the object, I dont know if there were preservatives in them, but guess there must be.

Hope this helps a bit

spook

I use Tesco's own brand or Morrison's own white/wholemeal bread flour. Have tried more expensive (hovis super strong, allinsons) but I can't really tell the difference.

I always throw in lots of extras, pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, things like that, so it's extra yummy.

MATH

I use Tesco Value PLAIN flour and still get good results HTH (mines a cheepie too)

moggins

I use Aldi strong bread flour and it's great

kbarty

hmm, I might give cheapy plain flour a go another day. Another experiment to get the kids to do

I used Asda strong white bread flour. Have some wholemeal and also some rye, from the healthfood shop, to experiment with too. Won't do my diet any good!!