Anyone have a bread maker?

[bluesu]

I really really want fresh bread but I’m crap at baking and I want the easy way out.

Does anyone have a bread maker and would you recommend it? I want a true French style loaf and I want it now !!

I think I must’ve been dreaming about bread.

I actually gave mine it's Christmas dust yesterday!! Been sat in the pantry for 5 years!!
Promised dh we will use it before Christmas though!!

I do have a bread maker, but I have never made French bread with it....
The bread I have made is LOVELY it make sure you follow the instructions and measurements carefully.
I've got a Panasonic and think they are the best.

i have a Panasonic one, makes lovely french bread, especially if you can source french bread flour, i get mine at a local deli or on the tinternet

I have a panasonic - but I thought it was the yeast/culture that makes the French baguette unique.

Thanks for your replies!

I think I’ll treat myself, just concerned it’ll be another appliance that ends up in the cupboard covered in dust lol

Used mine loads for five years when had children in the house. Haven’t used it since they left ho,pie and lovely local bakery opened up. You can buy a lot of bread for £100. Or a lot of flour to experiment with home made.

I have a Panosonic and use it a lot.

I had one, I used it to make the dough and prove it, and then would tip it out, reknead and shape and then cook it in the oven. I loved it. But no spare for it in the new kitchen design and I now make the dough on my lovely quartz worktop. I'd have another if I had space, and it would be a panasonic, they are the best.

Having tried a few, I agree Panasonic is the best one.

You have to be around to take it out when it's ready though or it'll go soft. And you have to wait for it to cool before you slice it. So some planning is needed.

We set ours to be ready in the morning, then DH takes it out to cool while making a cup of tea, and it's ready to cut by the time he goes back downstairs for breakfast.

I was given on by a friend who had upgraded to a Panasonic. I use it loads to make dough for home made flat bread/pitta etc . For French bread you need special flour not usually available in Tesco or local supermarket. I rarely let the machine bake the bread but for dough making it is fab.

Flamingo, I just googled French bread, seems like they use bread flour for it which is high protein one. Does it need to be any different that this type?

I have a breadmaker, old Breville one that I use to make the dough for brioche and yeast cakes.

Used to have a cheap one (£30ish) from lidl and it was great. Lasted around 2/3 years. You could put it on to cook at 5am and wake up to a perfect warm loaf. Bliss.

It's t55 flour you need, it creates bigger bubbles of air and crustier crust.

My new baby!!

And I’m about to order some T55

Thanks everyone

How are you getting on with your breadmaker, OP?

I'm thinking of buying one too but the choice of models is overwhelming! Will get your one if you recommend it?

If it helps, BlueSu, I also have this model and use it every day. As previous posters have said, I recommend using it for pizza dough, too - that's brilliant fun. Also, not sure exactly which version the OP got but when I got mine there was a slightly more expensive model that had a seed tray and that's been really nice, if you like seedy bread. Wouldn't bother if you just want to do French loaves or ordinary wholemeal or whatever though.

I have a panasonic but seldom use it. It was a gift from my cousin.

I too have a Panasonic and its about 10 years old, fantasic French bread, but now as a French friend has told me how to do it 'properly' Im going to try the b/m for kneading and then the oven to bake.

Enjoy OP, sorry bit late....

Enjoy the bread Blue - I use my Panasonic about 3 times a week, and came on to recommend it, miles behind everyone else :) Never done French bread, but I have a packet of T55 from Aldi that I bought to try.

I love my breadmaker! Can’t beat a nice stew with fresh bead to dunk in it. Also make our pizza dough to. It makes a lovely apple crumble and jams. Mmm I’m hungry now

Yes I love it!!

@malovitt I 100% recommend this model, so easy. Haven't tried making seedy bread yet but that's on my to do list. Along with pizza dough! 🙌🏼

@bookbook ALDI SELL T55?!?!?!

yep! - this one - about 2/3 weeks ago mind ....

I went Aldi today, specifically for T55, no sign of T55. But it was Bedminster in Bristol. Then I tried Lidl and the local deli. Zilch, zero, nada :(

oh sorry flamingo sending you off on a wild goose chase ...- I wonder if it was one of the one off specials? I must admit, it wasn't with the baking stuff.