sknhgy 

I hope this is the right place to post this. From time to time I think about getting a bread machine. I just don't know if it's something I would use, or dump at the next yard sale. Good bread is cashy. Any thoughts?

kenl666

It depends on what type of bread you like. If you like the real fluffy store-brought stuff, they can't do that (at least ours can't). The bread our machine makes tends to be a bit on the dry side, but we still use it several times a year.

They' re also great for making pizza dough, I think we use it for that more than anything else. We haven't tried making sourdough yet, that's one thing I'd like to try.

If you eat a lot of bread it will definitely save you money.

supernovae

forego the bread machine and learn to make those easy quick rise non kneading breads.

something like:

https://www.simplebites.net/simplifyi...-bread-recipe/

yum yum yum!!

unless you use the bread machine A LOT, special breads at home will cost more than loafs at store because you're not buying the bulk needed to save. I love my bread machine, but i got rid of it to do these easy kneading breads

squirtdad

I use a big kitchen aid mixer with a dough hook

my son (14 1/2) is going throught bread...fast

The non kneading is good also.... I came up with a decent recipe (it think) will post it later, but it is very basic flour, yeast, water and salt

SanDiegoSteve

I've loved mine for over 15 years. Well, I've gone through a few in that time. In school, it was used daily. Different modes do different results, I liked the french bread option since it rose more with a crispy crust. I'd also end up throwing all kinds of stuff in (veggies, cheese, beans, peppers, spices and more). Some made a brick, some was great.

The pizza dough mode is great too. Some great pies over the years with it.

The main problem today is I don't have a lot of counter space and my wife is the dictator in the kitchen. It often gets into out of site out of mind mode.

This thread will ensure I have a nice loaf in the morning. Thanks!

sternzeit

No need for a machine. Bread making is something you can really geek out on if you really want to. At a minimum you only need yeast, salt (optoinal), water, and flour. For sourdough you only need water, flour, and some time/patience.

Here's a good place to start.

https://www.thefreshloaf.com/lessons

I've made some absolutely terrible loafs of bread and others that were worthy of a price tag. Fortunately, the failures usually taste as good as the prizes and it's just the "crumb" or texture that is off.

Koobazaur

I am a bread machine. And yes, I use myself quite frequently.

rwwff

I use, and love my bread machine, but ONLY for mix and first proof. I never let it cook the bread. Its an awesome miniature dough making beast, but its a horrible oven.
I drop my ingredients in, press go, a bit short of 2hrs later take out the dough, smush, form, rest, slip it into the oven. I primarily make baguettes, but will do other types from time to time.

Even then, my home oven isn't a true bread oven, and can't give me that 300C convective heat that would be wonderful; but 250C is serviceable enough, and the taste of warm bread makes up for the crust not being perfect.

nkfrench

I like mine but have cut down on the amount of bread I eat so it doesn't see much use now.
My favorite was making oregano-cheese bread. Sometimes I would add jalapenos but always extra oregano leaves.
Sometimes I'd put a large batch on the dough cycle, then use it for deep-dish pizza crust (2 cast-iron skillets).
Good fresh bread and homemade soup/stew/chili is a real treat instead of just a frugal meal.
The timer feature is the best, so you can set it up in the morning and have it finish just as you get home in the evening for supper. Crockpots do well for the rest of the meal.

charbucks

I used to own one, and I used it the same way rwwff does - mix and then bake in the oven. The crust texture on bread machines (thick and crunchy) just isn't my thing. I've actually gone through three of them before - one died, and two got left behind while moving across the country.

The 4th bread maker had to go when I moved in with my boyfriend and lost some counter space. I now make the no-knead bread, but that takes a lot more planning, so I really just don't make as much bread anymore. The bread machine really is awesome.

You mention "would I just dump it at the next yard sale", and for many people, that answer seems to be yes. As a result, there are many perfectly fine bread machines available at yard sales. Check Craigslist or Kijiji or whatever Americans use these days, you should be able to grab one for $20-$30. That'll definitely pay for itself even if you give up on the experiment after the first month.