wahoonc

Another bread baker here. I have used the machines, they probably consume less energy per loaf than heating up a full sized oven (never ran the calculations) Typically the bi-weekly bread baking is done in the oven 4-6 loaves is typical. For specialty breads, like cinnamon raisin or whatever, the machine gets the nod. Also in the summer time when it is hotter than blazes we use the machine to keep the heat in the kitchen down.

Aaron

Roody

I always like touching the dough, kneading it and smelling it and forming the loaves. To me, handmade vs. machine is the same as bike vs. car. One's quicker, the other's more satisfying. But they both get you there!

ericy

Don't forget tasting it - I am a dough eater. Cooking the stuff seems to spoil the flavor .

bike2math

Maybe, but not soon enough to help the retirees in my family. On fixed (and in some cases absurdly low) incomes they are in an area of the country which typically uses a combination of wood and oil heat. Their biggest expense is heat, and it increases by a significant amount each year (far faster than gasoline according to them).

By talking with other family members who have moved south they figure they can save enough to survive on their current incomes. The older ones are cheap enough (I come from a long long line of cheap people) that I see them setting the AC at something pretty high.

Yes water is an issue, but until our water companies start charging what the stuff is actually worth (i.e. much much more in the southeast and astronomically more in the southwest) I can't fault people with money problems deciding to move south.

Elkhound

When I make bread by hand, I seem to dirty every dish in the kitchen, not to mention all the countertops, etc.; cleaning them takes water, soap, and energy. When I use the machine, I dirty very few utensils, and just have to wipe the countertop with a damp cloth.

bike2math

Yes my wife and I have this argument biannually: She does nothing but complain from October till December (when i finally give in) that 61 is too cold and the heat needs to be at 75. Then in May-June she complains that 75 is suddenly to hot and the AC needs to be at 68. I finally give in, one man can take only so much complaining.

It boggles my mind. When I was single the heat in the winter was at 50; I would wear three sweaters, hat, and gloves inside, and had lots of quilts and blankets scattered around. Then in summer I would just forgo AC altogether have a fan running, and wear boxers only.

proethele

Exactly - If I make it from scratch I have to mix it, knead it, let it rise, punch it down, let it rise again, bake it, etc. - it basically guarantees I can't wander too far from the kitchen for 2 or 3 hours. With a bread machine I can toss the stuff in, hit "start", leave the house and come back 4 hours later and there's fresh bread...

wahoonc

I enjoy the entire process it kind of slows life down a bit (which many of us could use!) I think my new tag line in life should be: Bicycling...how to travel at the real speed of life.

Funny...my mom "teaches" a bread making class at the neighborhood church. One of the local therapists has some of her people attend the classes for a variety of reasons. I wouldn't equate the bread machine with a car...more like a motorcycle The crap you buy from the grocery store is more car like IMHO

Aaron

Poguemahone

Interesting how this thread has de/evolved into a thread about bread. Not a post about the cost of gas on this entire page! Shows how little interest we have in it. Gas? What gas?

Seriously, I bake my own bread by hand; it's because I can't stand the taste of most of the store bought stuff and can't really fathom spending the $$$ on bread from a specialty bakery. Plus I like the smell in my house.

ericy

There is a Mediterranean bakery that I know of that has fresh baked pita bread every day. And when I say fresh-baked, I mean that it is still warm when I get them. They use no preservatives, so I freeze it. Price isn't that bad.

stevo9er

I wish there was a garlic naan making machine... That also could cook up a good korma or masala.

Nightshade

could it be that people would rather bake their own bread TO HAVE MORE MONEY TO SPEND FOR
GAS. or could it be that people could care less where this whole gas/oil issue is going just don't
change my american dream?

BAAAAAA BAAAAAA we have so many sheep.

Poguemahone

Or maybe we just don't purchase enough gas to care.

noisebeam

Agreed. The relative 'savings' that the car free may have will be dwarfed by the 'costs' everyone, car free or not, will deal with. These include, but go way beyond the direct monetary costs.

Al

JeffS

Or maybe threads about cars and gas just get old after the sixth or seventh hundred one.

mfennell

Humidity is probably part of your answer. 75/humid (summer) feels much different from 75/dry (winter).

Honestly, I have a similar reaction to your wife. Part of the answer is (I think) humidity as I said, plus uneven heating/cooling in my home. 70 at the thermostat is NOT 70 in my bedroom when it's 20F out. Cathedral ceilings suck.

EDIT: I should add that I think $4/gallon (and even $3) IS producing a change for those who are concerned about these things. I was selling my motorcycle last week (before coming to my senses) and the first person who showed up wanted it just to save on gas. SUV sales are way down. Little car sales are up. It just takes a long time.

Nightshade

Yes, PLeeeeeese don't make us think about the future. Wait! I'll just stick my head in the
sand again. That'll fix things!

noisebeam

That is mainly it. Measure the temperatures near windows, far rooms, etc. in winter with AC set at same temp as summer AC and it will definitely be cooler in the winter.

Where I live AC is set at 82F in summer and I haven't turned on the heat in over four years, which results in ~55F for the low indoors (~28F outside) during the coldest winter mornings.

Al

Neil_B

I wouldn't describe much of the discussion in this thread, and indeed in this forum, as "thought."

sykerocker 

I knew you weren't succeeding with the new lady due to your charming personality. Now it makes sense.

proethele

...or could it be that rising fuel prices directly affect the cost of just about all consumer goods, and we're all sharing ways to stretch our dollars (which is exactly in keeping with the spirit of the thread?)

Newspaperguy

I've got nothing against bread machines, but I don't need one right now. I bake my own bannock. It's a simple recipe which takes a few minutes for prep time and about half an hour in the oven. That's all. Without an oven I can prepare it on a stove top or on an open fire. I don't care for store bread, especially white bread from the store.

JeffS

Oh, so you're out to fix things?

If only the rest of us had your proficiency at posting other people's news stories and looking down their nose at others -- we'd have this crisis wiped out in no time.

At what point do we move beyond talking about the problem and onto talking about the solution? These threads seem to be a way for the carfree to come together and bask in their smugness.

Neil_B

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.....

Nightshade

"These threads seem to be a way for the carfree to come together and bask in their smugness."

No, I couldn't disagree more. NOW is the time for the car free to become a positive example
for those who want to try and move away from their cars by sharing the benefits of the car free
& car light movement.

The LAST thing a cyclist should do ,in public, is to be ,or act, with self serving smugness.
BAD news.