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making bread at home - are bread makers any good

28 replies

SixTee · 21/01/2025 10:02

Mt attempts at baking bread are hit and miss so I'm thinking of investing in a breadmaker - does anyone have any recommendations- so many on the market - easy to clean and value for money please


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OP posts:
Snowmanscarf · 21/01/2025 10:09

They’re very easy to use. You put in the ingredients in, turn it on and wait 2-5 hours (depending on recipe).

The loaf you get isn’t huge - so in our family we need to make a loaf every other day.

I have a Panasonic bread maker.

The actual machine is quite large so take that into consideration. You either need space on the working top, or an easy accessible cupboard or you probably won’t use it.

Hohohopeful · 21/01/2025 10:12

Yes, but get a Panasonic. 2 other family members thought we were mad spending that much on one at first, then had to upgrade their rubbish cheap ones. It really does make a difference to the bread produced. Ours has been going for about 13 years and makes great bread with just a couple of minutes of input from us.

MoveToParis · 21/01/2025 10:13

I also had a Panasonic, but the bread is so tasty I put on a stone in about a month.
Sadly, you should expect to really pile on the pounds!

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ChaosAndCuddlesAndTeacups · 21/01/2025 10:14

Snowmanscarf · 21/01/2025 10:09

They’re very easy to use. You put in the ingredients in, turn it on and wait 2-5 hours (depending on recipe).

The loaf you get isn’t huge - so in our family we need to make a loaf every other day.

I have a Panasonic bread maker.

The actual machine is quite large so take that into consideration. You either need space on the working top, or an easy accessible cupboard or you probably won’t use it.

Agree. Love ours but it doesn't really fit in our kitchen and it's a big OTT to move house just because the kitchen isn't big enough for the bread maker machine 😆

Fontainebleau007 · 21/01/2025 10:15

I have a bread maker given to me by a friend, it's easy to use and really easy to clean, I think it's a Morphy Richard's one. The loaf isn't massive and is easily eaten by my household within a few hours lol especially if it's cheese and tomato bread 🍞 😋

tygertygers · 21/01/2025 10:16

Love ours, have had two Panasonics over about 12 years. Gets constant use.

TheDandyLion · 21/01/2025 10:18

We've got a Panasonic. Its been used almost every other day for about 10 years and wouldn't be without it.

Fresh bread actually goes stale not mouldy.

Stinksmum · 21/01/2025 10:18

Mine was OK, the only issue was the rotating paddle in the bottom. By the time I'd pulled it out of the cooked loaf I had a big hole in the bottom of the bread. Mine was an oldish machine though, so things might have changed.

ChannelFiveDrama · 21/01/2025 10:20

Total CBA here. I had once used it a few times and gave it away. It was prob me not being very good (though I followed the ingredients to the letter) but the crust is too chewy and the inside too doughy and it didn't bring me any joy.

TheNuthatch · 21/01/2025 10:48

I love mine. I have a Panasonic and use it regularly. If you're going to invest i would get a Panasonic. I had a different (cheaper) make years ago and the bread wasn't good.

DazedAndConfused321 · 21/01/2025 10:49

They are, I don't buy bread anymore!

Alternatively, try using bags of bread mix- sainsbury's do some nice ones that work out quite cheap. Literally just add water (they tell you measurements)

ShinySquirrel · 21/01/2025 10:54

Love mine. It's a Morphy Richards one. I use it to make low-carb loaves mostly, but it does cracking regular loaves too, for the carb-eaters in the family.

Echoing the comments about it being bulky and making sure you store it somewhere so it's easy to access.

CuteOrangeElephant · 21/01/2025 10:56

We had a Panasonic and loved it, used it about 3 times a week.

We only got rid of it because of an international move, we donated it to the scouts.

Costacoffeeplease · 21/01/2025 10:57

I’d rather make it myself. I do overnight dough which is so easy and you don’t have to pull out the annoying paddle.

KittenPause · 21/01/2025 10:59

I have a cheap second hand Cook bread maker which makes really good bread

I used to make it by hand all the time but using the dough attachment on my mixer so that made life easier

I'm so glad I've got a bread maker

People always rave about Panasonic but my cheap Cook one makes excellent loaves.

KittenPause · 21/01/2025 11:01

ShinySquirrel · 21/01/2025 10:54

Love mine. It's a Morphy Richards one. I use it to make low-carb loaves mostly, but it does cracking regular loaves too, for the carb-eaters in the family.

Echoing the comments about it being bulky and making sure you store it somewhere so it's easy to access.

Can you share your low carb bread recipe please

I'd love to try it out

Togetheragain45 · 21/01/2025 11:04

Another Panasonic fan here. I make bread about twice a week, and it's delicious. Five minutes prep, wait a few hours and take the loaf out.

The only thing I would do differently next time would be to buy one with a timer so that I could wake up to a fresh loaf.

ShinySquirrel · 21/01/2025 11:05

KittenPause · 21/01/2025 11:01

Can you share your low carb bread recipe please

I'd love to try it out

Of course! I use this one, it's brilliant.

www.ketofitnessclub.com/blogs/breads/low-carb-gluten-bread

If you are using a bread maker, you will still need to follow the rule of putting all the liquid ingredients in first. I put the yeast and the salt in opposite corners too.

I do it on a longer setting (French on my breadmaker) but you can do it on a normal one and add an extra 10 minutes.

It toasts well but doesn't colour much, so if you are toasting it and it looks golden, it may taste burned.

I make a loaf, slice it, and freeze for later use, a slice at a time.

olderbutwiser · 21/01/2025 11:07

I love my bread maker. The only problem is the bread it makes is so delicious we eat too much of it.

You need a fresh packet of the dried yeast though, I find when I succumb and start using it I can’t use the old half packet of yeast from the last time.

WhiteRoseWaratah · 21/01/2025 11:24

I have a Panasonic. Makes really good bread. I keep it in the study because there's no room in the kitchen. To make things easy I keep a plastic storage box with all the ingredients and measuring spoons and some cheap scales next to the breadmaker. Making a loaf of bread takes less time than making a cup of tea.

BigDahliaFan · 21/01/2025 11:26

I had a panasonic that I used for years. Only stopped as a really good sourdough bakery opened close by and I just buy a loaf of their bread. I gave the machine away in the end.

blobby10 · 21/01/2025 11:42

I used to love my breadmaker and was gutted to discover that (now ex) had taken it to the tip as it was in a cupboard that he was clearing out prior to a house move and he hadn't seen me use it for ages.

Mine made quite a big loaf but as there aren't any preservatives in it, the bread doesn't last as long so once the novelty of bread straight from the breadmaker had worn off, or, like a PP, I had gained so much weight from scoffing I had to stop eating it, we got too much wasted.

I occasionally make a 1lb loaf just for me and get huge pleasure from kneading it and getting rid of frustration and anger! Makes a lovely loaf too Grin

Ridingthegravytrain · 21/01/2025 11:46

Yes I love my morphy richards fastbake machine. It makes fab bread even gluten free in an hour in the quick setting. But yes not great for the waistline 😂

I also bake cakes in it.

Ilovemyshed · 21/01/2025 11:54

Love ours, its a Panasonic and takes 4 hrs to do the large basic loaf. It has a timer so its lovely to waft down on a weekend to the smell of fresh bread.

Ilovemyshed · 21/01/2025 11:55

There is a rapid setting as well.