Bread maker

balabooberlies

psouth said:

I have given my breadmaker away and simply use my slow cooker. The bread is so much nicer and easier to make. I too have storage issues!

Hello psouth

can you explain that please.  Am very new to any kind of gadget and am just in the process of falling in love with my crock pot.  How do you make bread in a slow cooker ?

Becket

I have been using breadmakers for years and would not be without my 2 Panasonics!! One which is very old but still works fine and one (SD 255) I got for nothing on Freecycle!!
The very first breadmaker was a very cheap one and we did not have much success with it. The Panasonic was quite expensive but well worth it.
I bake at least 4 times a week and slice the bread when cooled and freeze it.
I like seeded bread and my wife likes the Rye bread which both machines cook beautifully and would certainly never go back to supermarket bread.
It is surprising the different things you can add to bread like porridge, cheese, onions, sundried tomatoes etc
Each loaf produces about 15 thick slices.

salherm31230

Becket - any recipes using the porridge, etc that you care to share?  I have a panasonic too and woulnt be without it.  I have had one since 2000!  my old one died from hard labour, and living out in the countryside as we do (i only go shopping once every two weeks) and not having a bakery close to us, i really like having a break maker.  i did flirt with making sourdough bread for a while, but i found it too crunchy and never got it quite right, so am very happy with the loaves i produce.  one thing that adds a bit of "something french" to loaves is a teaspoon of herbs de provence - i love the smell as its cooking and the taste is sublime - especially with a smear of marmite on top!

jools101

Make sourdough instead.  I’ve got a Panasonic Bread maker but In the last lockdown I couldn’t get yeast so resorted to making a sourdough starter and making bread using the dough hook of my stand mixer. Never looked back. Truly money saving!  Not used bread maker since. We use a 800g loaf a day made from 500g bread flour 300ml water, a bit of starter and salt. No yeast to buy!  If you do the maths, Asda strong bread flour 1.5kg is 60p so each loaf costs approx 20p in ingredients but really is comparable to Artisan bread costing £3+. I make 2 loves at a time, bake in loaf tins because I like bread that fits the toaster, freeze surplus so oven is only on 3-4 times a week and usually I’m cooking something else at same time. Yes sourdough takes much longer to make than yeasted bread but tastes superb, doesn’t go stale as quickly, is easier to digest and is well worth the effort. Invest in a stand mixer instead.

Rodney29

I've got a Lakeland small bread maker which is brilliant. I tend to make the bread just for myself as my wife has to watch exactly what she eats 'cos of diets associated with her illnesses. As someone else comments tho' if you're not careful you can eat more bread. We've had it for 4 of years now and also use it when on the canal as well as shops are not always convenient. The other thing over the last 12 months is that supermarkets quickly run out of ready made bread 'cos of selfish people stripping the shelves. We do find it cheaper, nicer bread, the sort you want to suite your mood at that time, and the smell when you get up in the morning to be greeted by the lovely aroma; and also the sight of 3 Jack Russells sat under the work top also smelling it. get 1 and enjoy.

ALMcF

We had our bread maker (Panasonic SD-206) as a wedding present 21 years ago. I’ve used it about twice a week for all that time and it’s still working perfectly. Panasonic are expensive, but I think they are the best and seem to be built to last. It’s great to use the overnight setting and wake up to the smell of fresh bread. 

Chris_Bolt

esmy said:

I've recently bought a Russell Hobbs breadmaker after my ancient Morphy Richards gave up.I'm very happy with it, especially as it was half price from Morrisons so well within your (and my) budget. Model is 23620.
This is it:

It's quite compact and would fit in a standard kitchen cupboard.

I have the same one and use it regularly.  Very pleased with the results though the paddle does sometimes take a chunk out of the loaf!  I have also bought flour online from Matthews, as I love their Cotswold Crunch flour (the local Co-op stocked it until recently, but has not had it for the past couple of months), which was very easy.  This is obviously more expensive than supermarket bread, but much cheaper than from specialist bakers.

geoffann

I got rid of my breadmaker as I didn't like the bread it produced.  (It was a Panasonic) I now mix the dough in the Kenwood and then bake in the oven which produces a much better loaf, more like those produced by bakers.  I use Spelt flour as it produces a lovely loaf and very crisp toast.  It is more expensive but well worth it, I also mix it with ordinary strong bread flour.  It is certainly worth using a better quality flour.

GD13

We've had a Panasonic SD2501 for 8 years now, no problems, spare parts available, costs about £140, SD2500 is around £100 only a few minor differences between the 2 models- 2501 has a fruit/nut dispenser and does Rye Bake and Rye Dough.  Check Panasonic UK website for more info or look at Which website for comparisons - free month's membership if not already a member but always cancel a few days before sub expires.  Timer is very handy for overnight bakes, does Gluten-free recipes.  Just remember with no preservatives bread has to be eaten within 2/3 days otherwise it goes stale/mouldy quite quickly.  Enjoy.   

law

Have you thought of using your slow cooker to prove and bake bread. I've been reading lots of success stories on a slow cooker site.