Bargain Bread Maker

shown73

You're right about the operator problem. Durabrand works perfectly well when given a fair trial. I think they all involve some trial and error, and really, all breadmakers seem pretty basic, and similar, pieces of machinery. Whether it's worth the small amount of aggro is down to the individual, but for the sake of 23 quid, to wake up to the smell of fresh baked bread, and knowing that there are far less dodgy additives, well, for me the answer is a definite yes, it's worth it!
By the way, Lidl do about 5 different bread mixes, and you only need add lukewarm water and off you go, all else is already included. A 99p packet makes two loaves.

OPTIMIST_3

shown73 wrote:

Well, we borrowed one and gave it a go with Lidl's german rye bread mix. It has all the features, and does the job, but given the owners, and our, impressions, I have the feeling that this particular one has a timer problem. The baking cycle is just a bit too short, so some aspects of the bread are just not 100% finished. Another 10 mins baking would be fine, so although in principle this machine is great, this particular one is perhaps not set up quite properly. I don't think it's a fundamental problem, just this particular machine. If there is another one in our local Asda, I would like to swap it and try again. Don't be put off, the overall principle is good. there's nothing like the smell and taste of home baked bread, and just think of the additives you are avoiding! Commercial bread does, by law, have certain amounts of good additives, vitamins, etc, added, but also others, to keep it fresh for longer, give it a certain texture etc. That's the scary part. What regulation is there for that.

As a real ' newbie ' I'm pleased to find something I can add to I
often get this with my Asda Pacific .when making wholemeal.....at the end of the cycle I simply bung it in the oven GS.MK 6 for 3 mins and bingo... it sounds as hollow as a hound dog at dusk on a sultry summers night !

scat

The reason the bread doesn't stay fresh is because you are using basic natural ingredients - the bread you buy in supermarkets is full of preservatives. I'm on my fourth different breadmaker, heavy usage!, and there has been no real difference in performance with any of them so agree wholeheartedly with whoever said rogue operator!! One sure fire way to improve your bread without adding anything is to just use the breadmaker to make dough and then leave to rise and cook the old fashioned way. We make heavenly rolls , crusty on the outside and light and fluffy in the middle. Also have a friend, who is a baker, who insists that the order you put your ingredients into the machine is crucial; liquids first ( we use fresh milk not dried and reduce the amount of water accordingly, and oil as opposed to butter or margarine ) then salt, then flour, then the yeast and sugar. Tweak your recipe until it works then stick to it.

AMO

shown73 wrote:

Don't know if it's any good, in comparison to the £50 to £60 jobbies, let alone the more expensive, but it seems to have all the same features.

In general, breadmakers are now mainstream than specialist and most breadmakers are pretty good.

The top of the range breadmaker is the Panasonic SD253 which is probably cheapest on Amazon.

When looking for a breadmaker, check the following features:

1) It doesn't have a window for looking into the bread to see it cooking. These windows tend to cause condensation and ruin the bread.

2) People generally are sold on fast breadmakers which can make a loaf of bread in half an hour. In general, to make a decent loaf of bread, a kneading process is required for about 30mins to an hour, followed by a resting stage to let the yeast take effect, followed finally by the baking of the bread. Bread makers that make bread in the region of 4 hours are pretty good. If you are really serious about breadmaking, you'll never use any Rapid bake options as they are comparitively rubbish. Breadmakers who full baking options take less than 2 hours should be avoided.

3) Get a breadmaker with a timer option so that you can delay the making of the bread and wake up to fresh bread in the morning.

4) Having a raisin/nut dispenser can be quite a good option. You can add fruit to your loaf and the breadmaker will drop the raisins in at the right time. This is a luxury though.



AMO

AMO

shown73 wrote:

I think they all involve some trial and error, and really, all breadmakers seem pretty basic, and similar, pieces of machinery.

The best way to test breadmakers fairly against one another is to buy packet flour that you just pour in to make a single loaf just needing to add water.

AMO