Bread Maker - worth it?

Whitefiver

No, in most BMs (if not all) you leave the paddle in. It usually stays in the machine when you turn the loaf out, and yes, you do get a hole in your loaf, but it is no big deal. (It is a good idea to remove the paddle from the machine after for cleaning as you do get a residue of bread stuck around and under it.)

If the paddle gets stuck in the bread, use something non-metallic to prise it out as otherwise you will destroy any non-stick coating.

Enjoy your bread.

Regards,

White.

wilf55

thanks just got me baffled which isnt too difficult

freyasmum

Hiya,

Yes, they are great, especially if you don't have a lot of time and I loved mine before I killed it If I was buying one, I would look for the best recommendations - the panasonic is great, apparently - and I would buy the best model that my budget would allow, or I would save up until I could buy what I wanted.

However, I have just hand made bread today and it's lovely, even if I do say so myself It took five minutes to knead, an hour to rise and half an hour to bake. So if you have a wee bit more time, it's definately

Mardrew

gt568 wrote: »

Been toying with the idea of a bread maker for a while now but I have a couple of concerns.

4. Did you find after a phase it just sits around gathering dust?

Cheers for any help folks.

gt568

I just thought I would give you my thoughts on this question.

After reading about how people loved their breadmakers I, too, convinced myself that I needed one. I knew DH & my sister were sceptical that it was going to be another of my fads. Boy, have I proved them wrong! I've had my Panasonic SD253 for a year now and use it 2 or 3 times a week. I've not bought a shop pizza since. I tend to make bread rolls in it and then freeze them as we use them for our pack-ups. The one tip I would give is to keep it out on a worksurface ready for use.

Kind regards

Mardrew

weemissy

:jhi there - can hardly contain my excitement, have just ordered my panasonic 255 after many months of debating and resisting the lure of lower priced machines (which i'm sure are also great), reading all your really helpful posts and finding a money off code for john lewis! - thanks everyone. Is it okay to start staight away with a wholemeal loaf or am i better to practice with white? (reluctant to let the kids know it does white bread), and what's the story with the vitc? thanks again everyone

Whitefiver

Hi,

You should be OK to go straight for the 100% wholemeal recipe in the book, provided that you have some good quality STRONG wholemeal flower. Dove Farm organic strong wholemeal was only 60p yesterday in Tesco, but I usually use Carrs Breadmaker flour. Measure/weigh the water and flour accurately, and use the correct yeast.

As far as vitamin c goes, it is supposed to "improve" the flour (if I recall correctly), i.e. make the gluten work better to retain the bubbles. Most easyblend yeasts have it already, but I confess to adding a pinch to most of my loaves. I'm not sure it makes any difference though....

There will be some good recipes in the book, try the cheese and oat bread if it is still there in that version of the Panasonic BM. Excellent.

Hope that helps,

Regards,

White.

weemissy

thanks white - am going to buy the carrs flour i think and will get ny vitc in in preparation, can you suggest the best yeast or are they all the same?
ta weemissy

Farway

weemissy wrote: »

thanks white - am going to buy the carrs flour i think and will get ny vitc in in preparation, can you suggest the best yeast or are they all the same?
ta weemissy

If you have a Morrisons near you they are doing special offer, buy bag of Hovis bread flour & get free packet of Hovis yeast

I have found all quick yeasts much the same, no doubt others will have other views, just get what is convenient for you IMO

To save maybe big let down with kids, I suggest a 50/50 white / wholemeal loaf first, recipe in the booklet, basically it is half white & half wholemeal flour, always works

I have also found a teaspoon of vinegar [any sort except pickled onion:rotfl:] will help rising, I have never used vit c or milk powder and never missed them either

Whitefiver

Farway wrote: »

I have found all quick yeasts much the same, no doubt others will have other views, just get what is convenient for you IMO

Yes - I quite agree - providing it is a quick or easyblend yeast, you should be OK.

Regards,

White.

Wimbledonpark

You have all reminded me to get my bm from under the stairs,and start using it again.Thankyou