Calling all bread machine bakers!

[riverwell]

I am looking to get a bread machine which will make small loaves. My previous experience of using one (10yrs ago) consistantly produced inconsistant results.

I would like to regularly make wholemeal loaves (like the smaller ones you get in supermarkets), that are not a solid brick, but light, last 3ish days and taste great.
Also, if it has a delay setting where you also don't need to be around to open it up the moment it finishes, that would be ideal, but I don't even know if that exists.

If you are able to suggest anything I would be very grateful.

Panasonic.

I was given a Morphy Richards one and it works quote well. I was a bit suspect at first as I used to bake by hand but it comes out fine (use vitamin c for brown bread and don't use as much salt as they say).

It has a start delay, and can stay in the machine for up to one hour after it is baked - but even if you oven bake it, it goes squishy if you leave it in the oven to cool with the door closed. The programmes usually run 3.5 hrs.

I love my panasonic 2500. I also wanted wholemeal loves, but actually tend to make 70/30 loaves instead.
Go to a posh supermarket and get lovely flour

Another vote for Panasonic, def worth the extra money.

Panasonic, and adjust the white to wholemeal ratio to your taste.

Yep, Panasonic.

Panasonic. We got one as a wedding present six years ago and it is still in regular use.

Panasonic. We started with the Lakeland one - which worked brilliantly and takes up the least counter space, but when the family grew, we needed bigger loaves. Panasonic has been brilliant. Also makes very good pizza dough.

Panasonic; use mine daily for bread, roll dough, pizza dough, ciabatta dough, focaccia dough, raisin bread, iced bun dough, etc! It's well worth £100+

Also recommend panasonic- got mine from ebay for £20 they are quite often there and you sometimes see in charity shops as well if you dont want to spend the full amount. i didnt want to risk it as not sure how much would use it and in fact use it a lot.. We do 50/50 most often have tried pizza and also currently eating cinnamon bun using the enriched dough!
(we keep ours in the dining room on the floor as kitchen too small )

Panasonic here too. ALWAYS measure your ingredients carefully, especially your water.

Another yes for Panasonic.

Thanks for all your posts. Panasonic seems to have got the most votes! Just out of interest, can you make wholemeal using your machines with just flour, water, yeast, oil, salt?
I know some call for powdered milk, sugar etc. which I want to avoid having to add.

Yes you can - the Panasonic comes with an excellent recipe book - if you Google you can probably find it online.
Most recipes you need to add a little bit of sugar too to help with the yeast. Normally only a tsp though so you can't taste it.
Most of the recipes call for butter rather than oil - I'm sure you could probably substitute though.
The only recipe that calls for milk powder is a sweet enriched dough for cinnamon/Chelsea buns.

I've just made some soft rolls and using it again this evening for pizza dough.

You won't regret it :o

The Panasonic has three loaf sizes - I use the smallest and is perfect for three days or so.

I've never added powdered milk or sugar to my loaves.

I did find that wholemeal ones benefited from adding ascorbic acid (vitamin C) but I rarely make full wholemeal.

I only ever make the M loaf in my Panasonic. The larger ones are just taller so you don't get more slices and they don't fit in the toaster!

I use oil instead of butter and no sugar and also reduce the salt and the bread somes out just fine. Panasonic here too.

I was wary about changing the ingredients but now that you both say it's OK I'll give it a go.