are breadmakers any good?

alikat_3

My aunt gave me her bread maker & while we enjoyed it at first, I soon returned to buying bread, personally I found the effort out weighed the results. One of the things I also found strange with the Breadmaker we have, is sugar was added to all the recipes & when I tried leaving out, it failed to make a worthwhile loaf. I haven't made bread from scratch for more years than I remember, but don't believe sugar was added when doing so? I also found white bread made with a breadmaker was far better than the wholemeal or brown loaves.

fluffynit

I did recently bake bread by hand, which I enjoyed, but with a 3 year old and a 15 month old I found it impossible to get on with the task, plus being in at the right time to bake it after rising.

So I splashed out on a Panasonic BM, I love it. I like the convenience of being able to bung it all in and leave it, with the added convenience of a timer for overnight baking.

I also like the variety of recipes you can do. Last week, I "made" a ciabatta and pizza dough.

I am currently waiting for a banana and muesli loaf to bake, yum!

fluffynit

samnmalc

alikat wrote:

My aunt gave me her bread maker & while we enjoyed it at first, I soon returned to buying bread, personally I found the effort out weighed the results. One of the things I also found strange with the Breadmaker we have, is sugar was added to all the recipes & when I tried leaving out, it failed to make a worthwhile loaf. I haven't made bread from scratch for more years than I remember, but don't believe sugar was added when doing so? I also found white bread made with a breadmaker was far better than the wholemeal or brown loaves.

You need the sugar because it helps to activate the yeast.;)

I too have a panasonic 253 and since I got it a couple of months ago,I have not bought any bread or rolls from the shops!

chewy62

I was also wondering if a BM is a good idea. I tryed to bake bread in the oven before but it wass a disaster! Is a breadmaker foolproof? Is it possible to make a mistake?
We eat a lot of bread and it would stop those extra trips to the shops!

Jolaaled

My breadmaker results are not very good

The texture is always rather crumbly and 'cake - like'.

Does anyone know how i can improve adn get the loverly stretchly, doughy type bread?

thanks

squeaky

You could try adding a bit more water. Breadmaker recipes usually have to be pretty precise in the balance of ingredients because the proving times and cooking times are automatic and so exact. Any change in ingredients can mess things up.

It'll be trial and error. Just add one extra tbsp of water in your first trial, two in your second, and so on. You might get lucky

shoperholicnot

I have a Pan SD253 and luv it to bits. when i bought it i was worried about the expense and possible waste of money but I would not be without it now, think it is fab!!

I know exactly what is going into my bread, it is very cheap to make good bread that does not taste like glue.

My SD253 is the best thing since..well..fresh sliced bread!!

shoperholicnot

My DD actually prefers shop bought sliced bread!!!! because she can just take it from the pack and does not have to cut it! :rolleyes: I give up

busymumof3

I have a very basic breadmaker that a bought a couple of years ago. Used it lots at first. It does produce lovely smells. Agree that you do eat more because it's there. I also find white bread to have a bit of a cakely texture. Husband and I prefer 100% wholemeal which always turns out really well. Found that the way round the cakey texture was to use 1/3 wholemeal 2/3 plain flour. Kids then happy and don't complain about bits.

Have to say I use it when making homemade soup etc not as everyday bread. Rolls are brilliant and fruit bread delicious. For everyday, I find it impossible to cut thin enough slices to make sandwiches that the kids can cope with so buy sliced.

Tend to put it in the cupboard when on a healthy living kick as having pointed it using the WW system each slice is around 3pts and that's without the butter :eek:

emma_b_4

thankyou

is there a good one that any one recommends