Bread machine made bread is really heavy, any suggestions?

[HinnyPet]

I've been using our breadmaker for a few months now, we use strong white or brown flour, dried easi-blend yeast, caster sugar and skim milk powder, anything I could do to improve the rather dense texture?

I have real problem with brown bread. could break your foot if you dropped it type trouble. i find by add a bit of white plain flour to the mix (just a small bit less then 1/4 of the flour amount) then it lightens it.

Is it the liquid to dry ratio?

We get this when we use Allinson yeast, but always get perfect results with Doves Farm - no idea why, but DH always adds extra sugar, and that seems to help too.

For brown bread I use half white/half wholemeal flour. Make sure yeast is "fast-action". I find tesco's own brand is fine.

Double check that the yeast is suitable for use in bread machines.

DP once bought a tin of dried yeast (Allinsons??) and in very small print it said "Not suitable for use in Bread Machines".

We use Doves Farm (stuff in an orange pack)

Can you ask a friend to help lift it?

Oh, sorry, not that kind of heavy.

Vitamin C tablet. Crush half a 500mg one and add it to the mix. Makes such a difference.

Vitamin C tablet? Not the fizzy one I assume?

Thanks for all suggestions, I'm using the Tesco easi-blend one, in the green packaging. I use 275ml water in each recipe (that's what machine recipe booklet specifies)

The bread is also getting stuck on the kneader thing too, think it could be oiled or something?

:) @ tech loving dad

Try using luke warm water so the yeast activates straight away. I use this little trick in the winter when it's so cold.

No, the chewable sort is ok though - even if it's flavoured you shouldn't be able to taste it in the bread once it's cooked.

interesting about the vit c tablet. I love my machine but only ever use it on a dough setting otherwise it is v heavy as you describe.