Breadmaker Advice

J.,

Skip the breadmaker. I haven't seen a good one yet. You are better off making your bread in a good bread mixer and having more control over your bread making and cooking process than you have with a breadmaker. And, the breadmaker really doesn't save that much time. Get a good bread maker/mixer instead. Good ones include Bosch and Blend Tec.

I have the breadman breadmaker found at the following link. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7790547 I like it as I can make a lot with it. I use it to make different breads (including banana, zucchini, applesauce, etc), doughs (pizza for the most part) and even cakes. It is nice and even comes with a bunch of recipes. Hope that helps.

Make it a GREAT week!

S.

I don't have a particular brand to recommend. We used to have a DAK machine that worked fine for us. I would just share that some machines have bigger or smaller pans, so that might be a factor in choosing. If you have a smaller family, you might want a one-lb pan rather than 2-lb pan. After buying one, you'll need to pay attention to the recipes and which size they are geared for. Most I have seen seem to be aimed at the larger size machines.

Hi J.,
We own a Zojirushi (otherwise known as a Zo)and we love it. It was given as a gift, (it was exactly what we wanted based on what my sister owned and recommended). I use it regularly for wheat bread, rye bread and pizza dough. It does dozens of other things too. It is one of the few bread makers I have seen that makes the loaf horizontally instead of vertically. They run about $215 from Urban Homemaker (found online) though I know there are dozens of used or barely used breadmakers that can be found at Goodwills or Thrift Stores. I wouldn't want another brand. Hope this helps. Blessings, L.

I have a bread maker that works great, but I never use it. I would be happy to sell it if you are interested.

I had a bread maker and hated it. If I'm going to the trouble of making bread, I'll make it. My stand mixer is a much, much, much more useful kitchen tool; I use it for cookie dough, bread dough, mashed potatoes, etc. Personally, I wouldn't waste the money, the bread just doesn't taste as good as when you make it yourself.

So many people never use their bread machines and donate them to thrift stores! I'd check there first. We got one for $8, and I've seen them at thrift stores recently for about the same. If you find some to choose from, just pick a major brand instead of some no-name and you ought to be fine. If it doesn't come with a recipe book, you'll want to be able to look up the brand online and get a copy of it.

FYI, we make a bunch of mixes ahead of time. I measure the dry ingredients into several large square Gladware containers. Then when we want to make bread, I just have to measure water and oil, dump in the mix, and add yeast. We often do that in the morning before church and set the timer so it's done when we get home. Yum!

I have a breadmaker -- it makes decent bread. My problem is that I never use it. When I have time to make bread I actually enjoy kneading it by hand and my kids love to pitch in too. If you were in Utah (Heber or Salt Lake area) I would give you mine -- it's just waiting to do be donated somewhere (if anyone wants it, just send me a message).

I have this breadmaker brand and it has worked great for our family:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3294...

I have made breads, pastries, and pizza dough in this machine.

When looking, pay attention to the pan size. I found that recipes and pan sizes aren't in sinc. I think I have a Olston (sp?) that is ok. I haven't gone through many but I have had two of these and don't have any issues. Works with the store bought boxes too.