Bread Maker - worth it?

[Deleted User]

Forgot to say as previous post that it will freeze. My parents are pensioners and they use a panasonic to make a large loaf and then freeze half.

I do still make some bread by hand which does produce a better loaf especially if using fresh yeast but the breadmaker is an excellent gadget for convenience and daily use.

sueeve

I prefer the bread I make by hand, epecially white, but I have a damaged shoulder, so I use the dough, kneeding cycle, and then shape and prove by hand (mine is a panasonic) It is definitely cheaper, and saves a lot of time when you don't have to go out especially for bread

marmiterulesok

Hi,
Well I've finally plucked up the courage to post something.I've been lurking here for a few months.
I have a question about making bread by hand versus breadmakers.
I've been making my own bread now for a few months and I really enjoy kneading the dough.I'm thinking of buying a breadmaker,because I assume that it works out cheaper in the long run rather than putting on the oven just to bake a loaf.What do you think?
(Batch cooking isn't feasible.I quite often make scones or cakes,but not every week,and a medium sized loaf lasts me a week.I also have a very small freezer).
I also have the time to make bread,so I'm just unsure whether it's worth getting a breadmaker.
Thanks,Brenda

zippychick

Bless you for having to pluck up the courage! Welcome, and I hope you stay posting:A

Hmmmm - it would be more cost effective if you could double up the quantities or use of the oven - but you seem to know that anyway.

Hmmmm - tricky one. Here's how I would look at it

Pros

BM - throw stuff in and leave, timer option, cake cooking and possibly jam feature (on morphy richards anyway)
Hand - more freedom with shape/types of loaf, different results to machine, taste - IMO hand is nicer

Cons

BM - Most recipes in the instructions ask for more ingredients - things like skimmed milk powder, vitamin c tablets, etc . Can be tempermental from reading some threads on here? producing bricks etc , Initial cost of machine , hole in the bottom of the loaf?

Hand - cost of oven, time

Does that help at all? I live alone and started with a BM but gave it away recently as i preferred handmade and it was taking up room . I terribly don't batch cook 4 as I don't have the freezer space, so usually one loaf at a time, but i time it so something else goes in - like dinner etc.

marmiterulesok

Hi,
Thanks so much for replying so promptly.I forgot to mention that I live in a small flat and have very little storage space...
I'll have to think about it a bit more.
If a breadmaker is more energy efficient than by hand,I'd rather get the breadmaker,but I love the feel of the dough in my hands.
A friend of a friend is selling one for CHF50.I don't know what the make is,but it could be interesting as the one I had my eye on costs CHF99.
Thanks again,Brenda

midnightraven3

i make dozens of different kinds of bread in mine, and have never added things like powdered milk or vit c or anything weird like that

breadmakers are like marmite, you love em or hate em:D

i made just dough in mine
rolled it out, and used all the little tubs of things in the fridge, tomatoes, onion, chopped a couple of sausages etc, spread it on, rolled it up like a swiss roll, cut in slices and baked

uncooked



cooked



ready filled rolls, perfect for whacking in a packed lunch box in the mornings:D

we do these with loads of different fillings
they are quite awesome

zippychick

Well, size friendly they are not! Mine was compact Morphy richards, but it just took up FAR too much space , and I have a good sized kitchen.

When i went to get mine, I cycled on my pushbike. That was a fun trip home - my legs were black and blue:rotfl::eek: I hadn't counted for it being so bulky!

Can't find sizes but my compact one was roughly 12 inches high by 10 wide. And a heavy brute of a thing to lift in and out of a cupboard. I always thought it would have been better had i been able to keep it on a shelf somewhere - but couldn't

Is it possible to bake a loaf and monitor the amount of electric it uses? Count the units, and multiply them out? I'm sure people have done this before somewhere, but it will be in UK probably out of date electricity prices.....

midnightraven3

:Dyou are definately right there zippy chick
you have to "delegate" space for one

zippychick

midnightraven3 wrote: »

i make dozens of different kinds of bread in mine, and have never added things like powdered milk or vit c or anything weird like that

That's good to know I was new to breadmaking and had done a lot of research on here, but was still scared of deviating in case I started producing bricks.:o So i stuck with what the ingredient list told me

Your wee roll things look lovely - remind me of something similar from the adventures with bread dough thread . MMMMM That's the thing I sometimes hate about living alone - no one to try this kinf od stuff out on!:D

midnightraven3

i can send you a couple of willing taste testers
they cook, they clean, they garden
but will eat you out of house & home:D

i shall go and have a look at the link you posted, thank you

even when an experiment goes wrong in our house, we do something to it and pretend its meant to be that way:T