Got the Breadmaker now need the Ingredients!!! update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kazmc

Hi all,
I have been lurking on here for so long now and as a result have bought with my Christmas/Birthday money a Panasonic SD254 breadmaker. Should arrive tomorrow
My question is........ when I buy the ingredients (which I havent a clue what they will be yet!) is it best to stick with the named brands or go with the value ranges if they do it in value range??? I normally do a shop in Aldis and then pop into Asda for anything I havent been able to get in Aldis.
Also I am presuming I will need to get some weighing scales?!!
Sorry if my questions seem a bit blonde (no offence, I'm blond!!) but Delia Smith I'm not, but really want to make healthy bread (without all the additives :eek: ) for my DD7 as she is a bread-a-holic!!
Thanks everyone
Karen x


Yeah, made my first loaf and it looks bleedin fab if I say so myself and how easy is it!! Did as advised and stuck to a plain white loaf to start. It is now cooling before I have a little taste test - hope its ok inside!!!
Took a bit of fiddling though to get it out of the pan, I took it out the second it finished and when it did eventually come out the pan is clean so not sure if thats normal??
Anyway THANKYOU EVERYONE :T

Mrembo

Value ranges will be fine.Ingredients vary on the bread you choose.I have had good bread from value plain flour.You probably need a good some weighing scales.

You may wish to upgrade to panasonic255 the latest version .There is a thread of Panasonic bread makers here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1093331

Lorian

SD255 is not a newer version of the SD254, it's exacly the same but with a nut dispenser and a rye bread paddle.

Also OP, you should be buting strong flour for breadmaking, not plain flour. Aldi own brand is fine. When you buy the yeast make sure it says FAST acting on the packet. I usuaully use ASDA ownbrand yeast and flour.

kazmc

Lorian wrote: »

SD255 is not a newer version of the SD254, it's exacly the same but with a nut dispenser and a rye bread paddle.

Also OP, you should be buting strong flour for breadmaking, not plain flour. Aldi own brand is fine. When you buy the yeast make sure it says FAST acting on the packet. I usuaully use ASDA ownbrand yeast and flour.

Hi there, thanks so much for that... exactly what I needed.
I did do a bit of research before getting the SD254 and had read the only difference with the SD255 was a nut dispenser and that I wouldnt really use that function.
Should I also buy strong flour if making wholemeal though???
This is gonna get messy!!!!
Also bought a new SC as mine had broken so guess what I'll be doing all weekend!!! :eek:
Thanks so much for your replies so far, especially at this early hour.
Of now to wake up my sleeping daughter for school!

Lorian

Yes, strong wholemeal. I have two tips for a wholemeal loaf (I find wholemeal a little dull generally) - use warm water to make it, and use a little plain strong flour not all wholemeal. You'll need to experiment. If you've not used the machine before though I'd recommend making a basic white first. Don't be tempted to omit the salt or butter until you have made a few and know what you are doing!

Also make sure the breadmaker is level and DONT open the lid while it's proving or baking.

jembie

I don't need weighing scales for my BM as it comes with a cup and tsp/tbp scoop and all the recipes measure in cups for flour and water and tsp for the sugar and salt.

kazmc

Lorian wrote: »

Yes, strong wholemeal. I have two tips for a wholemeal loaf (I find wholemeal a little dull generally) - use warm water to make it, and use a little plain strong flour not all wholemeal. You'll need to experiment. If you've not used the machine before though I'd recommend making a basic white first. Don't be tempted to omit the salt or butter until you have made a few and know what you are doing!

Also make sure the breadmaker is level and DONT open the lid while it's proving or baking.

Could I borrow you this weekend!!! :T

Lorian

Actually all you need it the booklet that came with the machine. Do exactly what it says in the receipes and it's easy! When you've made a few it all becomes 2nd nature.

Mrembo

Lorian wrote: »

SD255 is not a newer version of the SD254, it's exacly the same but with a nut dispenser and a rye bread paddle.

Also OP, you should be buting strong flour for breadmaking, not plain flour. Aldi own brand is fine. When you buy the yeast make sure it says FAST acting on the packet. I usuaully use ASDA ownbrand yeast and flour.

Plain flour is adequate for bread making but strong flour is preferable because it has higher gluten content
http://breads-muffins.suite101.com/article.cfm/tips_for_baking_better_bread

gsysezz

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Salter-Design-Electronic-Platform-Kitchen/dp/B000ZNM51O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1231318750&sr=8-1

I highly recommend digital scales such as these as you can but the pan from the breadmaker straight on there and accurately weigh one ingredient at a time. No mess and very quick!! But as mentioned before the cup and the measuring spoon do the same job.

Happy Breadmaking.

Lorian

Mrembo wrote: »

Plain flour is adequate for bread making but strong flour is preferable because it has higher gluten content
http://breads-muffins.suite101.com/article.cfm/tips_for_baking_better_bread

Good luck with the plain flour lol.