Bread makers

[Fredelliottisayfredelliott]

Tell me about bread makers. I love the idea of fresh bread, do you just put a load of ingredients in and leave it? Is there any prep involved? Any recommendations?

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MNHQ

When I had one a few years ago all you needed to do was add the ingredients and it did all the mixing, kneeding, proving and cooking to make a loaf. For other shapes/types of bread you could leave it to do everything but cook. There was also a timer function so you could leave ingredients in it and wake up to freshly baked bread.

The only downside (and main reason I stopped using it) was that there was always a hole in the bottom of the loaf where the mixing thing (technical term!) had been. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has one that doesn't do that.

Mine leaves a hole but it's not really a big deal. I love it- v fluffy bread with a crispy crust. Yes you just weigh the ingredients and chuck them in then come back in 2-4 hours (4 hour setting best on ours).

We have a Panasonic one which are well regarded.

A lot of people don't like bread makers but I'm not sure why. Ours is as good as non-sourdough bakery bread and much better than supermarket. Obviously doesn't compare to artisan £4/loaf sourdough.

I'm on my second Panasonic breadmaker and I wouldn't be without it.

Yes, you chuck the ingredients in, turn it on a leave it to do its thing. I use a measuring cup for the flour and water so there is no faffing around weighing ingredients, and it is pretty forgiving so the measurements don't have to be that accurate.

We mostly use the 'rapid' programme which gives you a loaf in just under 2 hours. Mine has a timer so you can set it to bake overnight (mmm, warm bread and butter for breakfast) or for when you get home from work (mmm, warm bread and butter for snacks) or whatever. We also use it a lot for pizza dough.

There are loads of recipes around for making more adventurous breads if you want to, and you can make just dough if you want to shape loaves by hand or make rolls.

It is really easy and so much nicer than bought bread!

Ours was particularly well-used last lockdown and is used regularly to make pizza dough.

I find the hole annoying but unavoidable. It's not so bad if you get the loaf out immediately and let it cool - but not eating a slice covered in butter when fresh and warm is very difficult!

had a panasonic for quite a few years. use it for pitza and sometimes bread - nothing against this just like pre cut ones better. during lockdown i made rolls as we had run out and the kids now beg for these (not too hard, you make dough with the machine and then divide it up and let it sit for a while before putting into oven). also done foccatchia which is nice and nan bread. i'm a pretty lazy cook

I have had two breadmakers over the years. First one was a Russell Hobbs one it was ok but the bread had a 'cake' texture. I now have a Panasonic and it makes lovely bread. I use it about four times a week.

Another vote for Panasonic, use it mainly to take hassle out of dough. Amazing cinnamon swirls, pizza dough, baguettes etc. Even does jam, yoghurt and cake (though I haven't been that adventurous yet). Loaves are nice too. Haven't bought supermarket bread since we got it.

Gave mine away a few years ago. Hated the hole in the bread and the machine takes up too much space. Baking my bread in the oven now.

Sounds great! Thanks for the replies. The Panasonic one looks good on Amazon, might treat myself. I wonder will it go down in black Friday...

I reckon we've had our Panasonic 8-10 yrs so worth the splurge!

Love my Panasonic. Had it for a few years but it's been working overtime this year.

Yiu really do just load and go. Takes less than 5 minutes once you've got the hang of it.

I love our Panasonic. Its been used for every loaf in our hours for about 5 years. Occasionally we use it for doughs which are then shaped and baked in the oven. The paddle hole is unavoidable in the loaf really otherwise there would be nothing to mix and kneed the ingredients but its not a bother at all. The bread actually goes stale instead of mouldy when its past its best but it makes wonderful croutons and perfectly fine for breadcrumbs.

Panasonic all the way. Ours is 12 years old now and happily churning out several loaves a week for very little effort on our part.