Bread maker

[thesleepyhoglet]

So apologies if I've started a thread which belongs in 2012, but I've decided that now is my moment to buy a bread maker!

The problem is I work circa 60 hours a week and have children so basically that translates as no time and energy.

I want to buy one that is as EASY as possible in terms of clean up etc so that I actually use it. I've waited 12 years so don't mind spending a bit more, if I will use it regularly.

So please, give me some ideas as I am a bit clueless!

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Oh and any general tips you have would be well received.

Ok

I don't think you should ever apologise for making bread - which ever way you choose

I have a Panasonic and have had it for getting on 20 years, when I saw a post on MN and thought its about time I had a decent bread machine (mine back then was from 1997 and rubbish really)

I have a plastic box in the cupboard with flour, salt, olive oil & sugar measure cup with mm on and my tile size scales. This makes it easy to prep as everything is together - apart from the yeast I keep in the fridge.

Consequently it takes me 3/4 minutes to load up the machine with all the ingredients and set on a timer or set to make straight away. The timer is for up to 11 hours I think. I can put the kettle on to make a drink and sort the bread out whilst its boiling.

Id still go with a Panasonic as its still working, I did throw away the paddle at one point by mistake and they sold me a replacement.

Once you get into the habit of making bread, its easy to pick up flour in your weekly shop and yeast every now and then.

At weekend we make different bread - brioche or oat and bran bread. I also make pizza dough in the bread machine and when wfh will set the dough to make and then bake int he oven for a better finish ( I like really crispy loaf)

PS - you don't clean a bread machine - just remove any crust that is on the paddle and rinse out, dry - place back in the machine ready to use.

The answer on these threads is ALWAYS Panasonic. We've had ours since I was pregnant with my fifteen year old and if it broke today, I'd have a new one by tomorrow! I just make a basic loaf every other day or so. Nothing fancy, but it tastes nice and is much cheaper than shop bought. I can also make bread in under three mins!

Agree - Panasonic all the way! I’ve never made bread before, late to the party and bought one in December. Incredibly simple and quick to use and makes amazing bread.

Panasonic all the way. I have had one for 20 years and it is really handy. A couple of minutes to put on and then it does all the work. Also produces great pizza dough.

Another vote for Panasonic. But if making sourdough, I get better results by hand.

What are tile size scales?

Panasonic seems to be the brand most people love!

Yeast- said about keeping in the fridge.... where are you buying this? I've got some packets of dried.

Good to hear not much clean up of machine needed.

Totally appreciate comments about sourdough being better by hand but at the moment I'm not making anything so making something fresh in the bread maker is a start!

I'd like to progress into more exciting things- I did once make a cranberry and nut loaf which was rather divine so hoping I can add extra ingredients to a machine.

Thanks again for all the bread comments

Also... has anyone made brioche in one and how was it. This is a staple!

OP, you've done me a huge favour by starting this thread. Thank you! 😊

I think Panasonic is the way to go for me. I've been deliberating for so long, but it's time to take action.

Has anyone tried to make gluten free bread?

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/doves-farm-quick-yeast-125g-6100002091?skuid=065565&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA29auBhBxEiwAnKcSqoNMZ0LjuAMSYNrqknIMsdHs6kZjrvunczdTs5rrdnjZDozQtcfYcBoCBYgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

yeast in a packet or tin, Sainsbury do yeast in packet - much cheaper than the sachets - but I was told by a baker to keep in the fridge

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Salter-Ultra-Digital-Kitchen-Scales/dp/B075RZDKKW/ref=asc_df_B075RZDKKW/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309918314783&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8857351820154848002&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007420&hvtargid=pla-649020158056&psc=1&mcid=f1040cf0b80536eea55548c433d6f471&th=1&psc=1

kitchen scales the size of a tile - easy to keep in a box in a cupboard and just whip out with everything else and pop the bread tin from the machine onto the scales. It will also weigh the water or milk youre making the bread with along with the flour

I make the brioch from the Panasonic recipe book and its lovely - I have even reduced the butter to half and and its still very good. Toasted is divine as its like eating croissants toasted - but without the work or as many calories

Panasonic! Get the more expensive one with the yeast and seed dispenser. We don’t buy bread anymore. I work full time, and have a busy family including a toddler and it’s still so easy to find the time. Like the previous poster, I keep all the ingredients together (although I’ve never put the yeast in the fridge - maybe I should, but it still seems to work when kept in the cupboard!) I tend to throw in the ingredients in the evening, set the timer and we have fresh bread ready in the morning. Comes out perfect every time. Takes one minute to clean the bread pan.

Definitely Panasonic. I take about 5 minutes to load up the machine. I make wholemeal bread and add a mix of seeds. I use the 3 hour programme and always get a really good loaf.

I also make pizza dough, let it prove for 30 minutes in the oven at less than 50° and with the oven door slightly open.

Then tomato paste, mozzarella and whatever else I fancy.

I bought mine second hand from eBay. The best £60 I ever spent.

I buy the Mediterranean roasted vegetables in freezer department and use these to make pizza, pop onto of some pesto and add cheese

Do any of you recommend a specific panasonic model? I want one for my birthday in April!

Mine is 20 years out of date, but it does have the drop down function for seeds and nuts or dried fruit and I would recommend getting one with this function

There are usually two current ones with consecutive model numbers. One has the extra bit to add nuts and seeds, the other does not. Although if you get that one, I think you can set it to beep to tell you to add nuts and seeds manually.

I think you need a special paddle to make gluten free bread, but it can be done.

We use Dove's Farm yeast. It can be okay if you keep it in the cupboard, but it's more likely to stay okay till the end of the packet if you keep it in the fridge!

While I agree that Panasonic is probably the best if you are buying new I wouldn't discount buying second hand. Bread makers must be one of the most common items up for sale on marketplace because people buy them and then they don't do exactly what they want and they get rid! I paid 20 pounds for mine, it's a Lidl Silvercrest brand which is only around 50/60 new anyway but it's great. No nut dispenser thingy but not a big deal to me, I bought from someone upgrading to a better machine and I might do that too eventually. Even just to try it out and see do you feel it's working for you before you spend big bucks. Join a FB bread machine baking page, so many failures and it's nearly all down to user error rather than machine. The only thing I would say about second hand ones is try get one with a horizontal shape pan and 2 paddles unless you want to make smaller loafs in general. Actually an awful lot of people on the bread making pages just use the machine to mix/knead/rise and they then bake in oven, better result but marginally so if you are happy enough with how the machine bakes. Handy though for pizza or rolls etc.

Panasonic of course, and Salter digital scales.

Good quality flour and yeast.

I've had a Panasonic machine for over 15 years. I make bread 3 or 4 times a week. I had the ingredients the evening before and set the timer up to 12 hours ahead. Results are great kids love the bread -it's cheaper tastier and healthier and only takes five minutes .
I've got the machine without the seed dispenser. I have great results with just throwing the seeds in with the rest of the ingredients for a plain loaf. The machine comes with a recipe book which I still use, and it has great options for speciality, breads, brioche etc. I also use it to make pizza dough and it's a tastier, cheaper and healthier. Alternative to shop bought pizzas..