Which is the best home breadmaker?

ladykath

Hi there, I can't really comment on the two breadmakers you mention, but may have a couple of helpful suggestions if cost is crucial. Have you thought of looking on Freecycle in your area or putting a 'wanted' on there? I got mine from a kind lady who no longer used hers a couple of months ago. It is a Cookworks (think that may have originated from Argos too). It works fine and I have enjoyed experimenting. (My only disaster so far was when I tried to use a bread mix, still not sure what I did wrong).
Most recipe books area available online if you need one.
Another suggestion I have heard of is to see if a friend will loan you one for a while till you decide if you like breadmaking or not.
I think that probably the Panasonic is the Rolls Royce of Breadmakers but its also 'at a cost'.
A final bit of info if you do find one...Tesco have Hovis flour on offer at 25p at present but not sure for how long.

[Deleted User]

I can't comment on the Rachel Allen breadmaker but I had a Cookworks breadmaker a few years ago and it was not good. The loaves always came out feeling dense and went stale quickly. It went to Freecycle after a few months.

My opinion after that was that breadmakers were a waste of time until a relative gave me some bread she had made in a Panasonic. It was wonderful!

So I decided to risk it again and splashed out on a Panny and now you couldn't take it away from me with a crow-bar! I use it every day as we also eat a loaf a day.I know they cost that bit more than some other breadmakers but for me it has been worth it.

My reason for wanting to make my own bread was I got fed up with the poor quality of bread in the shops, choice of ingredients and, like you, to save money. Well I can get 3 loaves from a bag of flour (white) which costs me 68p and even factoring in the other ingredients and electric it still saves me money on a comparable quality loaf I could buy in the shops.

And as ladykath says, you can pick up flour bargains sometimes so you can stock up (I got 4 bags of the Hovis Wholemeal for a £1 from the Tesco near me - thanks).

thriftlady_2

Breadmaker Recommendations

vij

I have the argos basic cookworks one, I love it. I get the best resukts with tescos indvidual packet yeast in the green box

Stneotsman

We have the kenwood bread maker and its brilliant - we use it almost every day. Toast, pack lunches, snacks etc. we eat loads!

I would say, dont go for a cheap one because we did that and it broke within a month - we obviously got a refund but we learnt a lesson. Generally with electrical items, we try to get the best we can afford but without going silly and paying for functions we will never use. Let us know what you decide?

Generali

cooking-mama wrote: »

Does this seem like a good buy?,
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4228022/Trail/searchtext%3EBREADMAKER.htm

This one is also on special offer http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4229399/Trail/searchtext%3EBREADMAKER.htm
ive reserved the first one(rachel allens) and have until tomorrow to collect, or would i be better off saving for one of the Panasonic breadmakers? all hints and tips appreciated.
PS,we go through a loaf per day,therefore average £7 a week for bread,am i right to assume that a breadmaker will possibly save me money and be healthier.

When chosing a bread maker, the method is simple. Shop around for the cheapest Panasonic you can find. All the others might make a quasi-bread experience but a Panasonic makes great bread every time.

In short - Buy Panasonic.

(No link with Panasonic except as a very satisifed bread maker customer).

cooking-mama

well,i went ahead and bought the Rachel Allen one,in its defence,it did make a perfect large loaf fastbake(1hr.20min)...But my problem is,no-one likes the taste of the bread:eek:. I dont know if its due to the yeast or amount of salt/sugar that had to be added,or due to the 60ml sunflower oil,but it tastes"odd",I had a 1/2slice last night and can still taste it,:D,another problem is difficulty in converting recipes as all the ones in the leaflet are counted out in american cups,looks like were gonna have the best fed garden birds in our area today;).
Thanks everyone.

PS/,looks like a good deal on Amazon for the panasonic SD254,£67.75 (free delivery)
the updated model SD255 is £89.99(free P+P),
Oops sorry that link didnt work,il try again.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000QV07C4/ref=s9_sima_gw_s0_p79_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0DBZ35CPGAVJSWA2TCWX&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467198433&pf_rd_i=468294

anniemf2508

I can't comment on the two you posted about.
We have the Panasonic SD254 and would highly recommend it, we bought it mainly for my hubby as hes a coeliac and he was sick of the chemist man handling his loaves of bread (we'd rarely get a loaf where all the slices were intact). We've had it about 6 months and its used at least 4/5 times a week and is still going strong.

3tabbycats

Hi.
I've got the Panasonic SD255, had it for coming up to 2 years now & use it at least 3 times a week. Its my 3rd breadmaker, both the others were Breville ones, but I think the Panasonic is so much better. I regularly had bad loafs or dough with the other 2 but I've not had any with this one! I certainly would buy Panasonic again when I need another.
I think there used to be a "I love my Panny" thread on here (or something like that)!

Queen-Bee_2

Hello - I bought a Morphy Richards one on E-bay for about £20, plus £7 postage. It's fab and was a lot cheaper than buying one new. I think for lots of people they are a faddy item, which they soon get bored of, hence the number of E-bay up for grabs!
QB