Breadmakers - are they worth it?

StumpyPumpy

raeveth wrote: »

With the cost of ingredients (and utilities!) having gone up so much, we found it isn't actually cost effective anymore, so we don't use it. In fact, we hardly eat bread anymore.

This is copied from another thread I posted on:

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The simplest bread recipe I use in my breadmaker is:

500g Strong flour (1/3 bag T*sco flour @60p)..... 20p
1 sachet of yeast (8 for 64p)............................. 8p
Dash of salt.............................................. .......1p(?)
Water (not on a meter so free for me).................0p
Electricity used.............................................. ..10p
Total Cost.................................................. ....39p

Obviously, you can make more complex bread with more ingredients, but this lasts a day and yields 8-10 slices of yummy bread. "Every Day value" bread costs 47p, gives more slices and lasts longer. But I know which I'd rather eat!

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Doesn't seem too expensive to me.


SP

[Deleted User]

I have had 2 breadmakers, both from Freecycle, I gave the first one away to a friend after I got the 2nd one (a Panny !!) As I am alone, I make half loaves but I do have a problem slicing the bread into non-doorsteps. I slice when cooled and then freeze in 4 slice bags. Have made dough and then rolls but never seem to get the size right. Any help on the slicing would be welcomed, have looked at slicing machines etc but they seem to want long low bread and m/c does sqaure tall loaves.

mardycow

I am on my 3rd breakmaker, the current Morphy Richards has been on the go for about 3 years now, i love my bread and can use seeds and nuts in it, olive oil so i know the ingrediants. when this gives up the ghost will get another - probably cheaper from someone who bought one and never used it, Storage wise if it is used the the space is justified

Augustus_the_Strong

I have a Panasonic breadmaker and baked all our bread in it for several years. It's also good for just doing the kneading/proving if you want to make something fancier, or rolls. However, as we now eat a wholemeal wheat/rye loaf, I find it easier and quicker to make it by hand / in the oven - no kneading required. The Grant loaf as mentioned by Chipp is also very easy to do by hand. I make two large loaves and put one in the freezer. Happy to supply a recipe if anyone wants it, very tasty.

Chipp, the breadmaker does not need fat at all - can make a loaf just with flour, yeast, salt and water, no problem.

bearcub

We've had our Morphy Richards BM for about 6 months, bought on recommendation of our daughter, and we love it. We use either local flour, bought from an island business where you can scoop the amount you want out of large bins OR buy packets from our local baker. The latter's not quite as cheap, but still a good price, and we definitely save. Although the BM leaves a paddle hole in the base of the loaf, it doesn't cause us any problems, and the bread is so good. Never put fat of any kind in the loaves, no need. I used to occasionally hand make bread, but it rarely turned out great, probaly because I didn't knead it enough. I don't particularly enjoy cooking, and I can always find more enjoyable things to do than spend ages knocking a lump of dough about! Plus, since we're out every morning, it's quite handy being able to put the ingredients in the BM, and have fresh bread for lunch when we come home.

semb

I have been using a breadmaker for about 4 years now initially letting it do the whole thing. Recently I have been making the dough in the breadmaker and letting it rise in the greenhouse. Also I have solar panels so try to plan ahead. I have found wholemeal and granary are much better this way!!

SEMB

Debran

I have a machine that makes a "long" loaf but don't use it now because there are only the two of us and he decided that he would rather have shop-bought bread because it keeps better than homemade. He won't eat the homemade bread after the first day. Nowt wrong with it in my opinion.

penny_saver

I now have 2 identical Panasonic machines they are that good.
One I keep in France as the french can't make decent bread. They are the models that automatically dispense nuts, raisins etc.
Pricey but worth the money. Look on e-bay, I found my second one there.:j

Farway

whmf00001 wrote: »

I make half loaves but I do have a problem slicing the bread into non-doorsteps. I slice when cooled and then freeze in 4 slice bags. .... Any help on the slicing would be welcomed, have looked at slicing machines etc but they seem to want long low bread and m/c does sqaure tall loaves.

I use a cheapo [around £5] electric carving knife, I got mine from Morrison's but no doubt others are available, just keep your fingers clear & let the knife do the work, do not saw or press down

penarthian

I have made bread by hand since I was in my 20s, a gained great satisfaction when i produced beautiful egg glazed loaves, but at the age of 50 was bought a top of the range Panasonic. Now over ten years later I have bought a replacement as the first one was getting noisy.
I would recommend this brand to anyone. I have used other brands as a food technology teacher and the results were disappointing.
The real plus for me is that I can choose the ingredients that go into my bread. I buy organic flour and can control the amount of salt I add.
Artisan bread is now very popular but is so expensive and you can achieve such excellent results with a bread maker On a par with the best.
The initial outlay is expensive but maybe the family could club together and give you one as a Christmas present, you will not be disappointed.