To make bread or to not make bread

blueybug

I'm thinking of buying a bread machine and making my own.

I'm clueless on it and un sure of the price,the costings.


We go through around 2/3 loafs a week costing around 80p a loaf. Is the whole idea of making your own cheaper or is it just more healthy?

Any help / words would be nice to hear:)

WantToBeSE

I'm not sure if its cheaper, once you factor in the flour, yeast, and time.
I just tend to get reduced bread. I go to the supermarket at the end of the day and get bread reduced to 20p, then freeze them, 2 slices to a freezer bag.

blueybug

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I'm not sure if its cheaper, once you factor in the flour, yeast, and time.
I just tend to get reduced bread. I go to the supermarket at the end of the day and get bread reduced to 20p, then freeze them, 2 slices to a freezer bag.

So you dont freeze the whole loaf just slices?

That was going to be my next question buying then freezing

HappyMJ

It's cheaper to buy bread.....but home made bread tastes so much nicer and doesn't have preservatives in it....but in saying that home made only lasts a day maybe 2. You can however make a half loaf (400 grams) every day freshly baked each morning so it will be fresh enough.

PLRFD

99% of breadmakers end up gathering dust in a cupboard.

frugal_shopper_2

I am not a fan of breadmakers but I do make all my own bread using my kenwood chef to mix the dough then bake it in the oven.

If you want to extend the shelflife then you have a couple of options either you can buy dough improvers to add to the mix or you can buy bread storage bags. These ones are available in most £shops & they do significantly extend the shelflife http://www.amazon.co.uk/PIECE-BREAD-FRESHER-LONGER-DIFERENT/dp/B003KUS9IW however the compromise is that they do not keep bread crusty so you end up with a loaf that will keep for well over a week but it will have a very soft crust like a typical white sliced loaf from a shop does.

blueybug

I've found a 2nd hand ( its new ) bread maker on a local for sale page, I think i'll get that and give the whole baking idea a go!

Wish me luck

WantToBeSE

blueybug wrote: »

So you dont freeze the whole loaf just slices?

That was going to be my next question buying then freezing

Yep, i bring the loaf home, divide it up into 2 slice packets (in freezer bags) and freeze. The bottom of my freezer is full of bags of 2 slices of bread.
I alo do the same with those long french baguettes. They get reduced to 7p each at about 8pm in my local tesco, so i buy about 4 a week and chop into quarters and freeze

savingmonkey

I recently got a breadmaker from freecycle - worth putting a wanted post on there if you want to give it a go without paying out for a breadmaker

blueybug

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Yep, i bring the loaf home, divide it up into 2 slice packets (in freezer bags) and freeze. The bottom of my freezer is full of bags of 2 slices of bread.
I alo do the same with those long french baguettes. They get reduced to 7p each at about 8pm in my local tesco, so i buy about 4 a week and chop into quarters and freeze

How long does it take to defrost in the bags?

WantToBeSE

I'd guess at about 30mins.
For the baguettes i'd say about an hour as they are quite thick.
If using as toast, i just pop them straight into the toaster like i would normally.