Recommendations wanted....

[Bullet2012]

Honestly just make your own, it does not take long and it’s very therapeutic and rewarding.
a good place to start is with Jack at https://www.bakewithjack.co.uk/

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Thanks guys, looking like Panasonic or Kenwood are in the lead so far.

 

[striker]

We use Aldi strong white bread flour and their Wholemeal as well 2:1 mix comes out nice and it's only 59p for 1.5kg bargain stuff and makes nice bread. Tesco bakery will give you live yeast just for asking.

I believe every supermarket or bakers that bakes bread is obliged to give live yeast away for free if asked.
I think it's an old bye law or something. My wife has tried it locally at various places and has not been refused yet. She just asks for it at the bakery counter, they give you it bagged and at the checkout they just say, "no charge for the yeast".

 

[redlig]

Our local bakery has stopped baking their own loaves and I miss having a warm loaf just from the oven [acts as a hand-warmer on the way back from the shop too ] and I fancy having a go at making my own.

I couldn't be a*sed with all the mess of making my own dough etc so I'm considering a small bread-maker. Needs to be a small one as kitchen worktop space is at a premium. I've been doing the usual searches [Amazon/Currys/John Lewis/ even eBay ] but there's a bewildering choice of makes, loaf sizes, capabilities, prices etc.. Online reviews can't always be believed..... so I'd rather have some personal recommendations from them as know.

Does anyone here [or their SWMBO] use one and can make an honest appraisal? I'd even consider a used one if anyone on here has one available?

I've been baking my own bread for over 15 years and estimate over 4500 loves. I'm on my 4th bread maker which is currently a Panasonic. I would never go back to shop bread if it was not a proper old style bakery. cost is about 1/2 bought bread . you can play with different blends of flour and other ingredients such as sun dried tomatoes , garlic . cheese etc different crusts ,the list is endless. The only thing to be aware of is the time taken and the need to think at least 2 hours ahead and the bread doesn't last as long as shop bread as it only contains flour salt water yeast cooking oil ( olive or veg) or butter, sugar dried milk powder but even that is variable according to choice , no preservatives. Makes great toast after the 2nd day. Also the ,to me , one of the best aroma's is the smell of new baked bread as you wake first thing in the morning. Go for it you won't regret it. Get a well known brand. Most bread makers get used for about a month and then end up on the top shelf so a s/h one should be easy to find. Get into a routine and it takes no more than 3 minutes to prep the m/c.

 

[Mick Annick]

I've been baking my own bread for over 15 years and estimate over 4500 loves. I'm on my 4th bread maker which is currently a Panasonic. I would never go back to shop bread if it was not a proper old style bakery. cost is about 1/2 bought bread . you can play with different blends of flour and other ingredients such as sun dried tomatoes , garlic . cheese etc different crusts ,the list is endless. The only thing to be aware of is the time taken and the need to think at least 2 hours ahead and the bread doesn't last as long as shop bread as it only contains flour salt water yeast cooking oil ( olive or veg) or butter, sugar dried milk powder but even that is variable according to choice , no preservatives. Makes great toast after the 2nd day. Also the ,to me , one of the best aroma's is the smell of new baked bread as you wake first thing in the morning. Go for it you won't regret it. Get a well known brand. Most bread makers get used for about a month and then end up on the top shelf so a s/h one should be easy to find. Get into a routine and it takes no more than 3 minutes to prep the m/c.

You’re right about the machine ending up on ther shelf, ours did long ago but comes out occasionally, but let’s break him in gently

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I've been baking my own bread for over 15 years and estimate over 4500 loves. I'm on my 4th bread maker which is currently a Panasonic. I would never go back to shop bread if it was not a proper old style bakery. cost is about 1/2 bought bread . you can play with different blends of flour and other ingredients such as sun dried tomatoes , garlic . cheese etc different crusts ,the list is endless. The only thing to be aware of is the time taken and the need to think at least 2 hours ahead and the bread doesn't last as long as shop bread as it only contains flour salt water yeast cooking oil ( olive or veg) or butter, sugar dried milk powder but even that is variable according to choice , no preservatives. Makes great toast after the 2nd day. Also the ,to me , one of the best aroma's is the smell of new baked bread as you wake first thing in the morning. Go for it you won't regret it. Get a well known brand. Most bread makers get used for about a month and then end up on the top shelf so a s/h one should be easy to find. Get into a routine and it takes no more than 3 minutes to prep the m/c.

Thanks, that's helpful

 

[zzr1200]

We have used the bread mixes from Aldi somewhat limited at times, but a possible starting point.

I used to mix by hand and just purchased a couple of loaf tins, I ended up with 4 tins and a good quality Tupperware box to keep the bread in.

We ended up buying a food mixer for general mixing of cakes, it does make a difference.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

i gather you havent tasted proper hand made bread made in old type ovens then

as its worth making the bread and also having it freshly cooked in a heat store oven

Not a fan of bread from the bread maker

Keep meaning to have a go at my own from scratch.

 

[brewdexta]

First no name breadmaker was pants and didn't last long. Our 2nd bread maker was a Panasonic SD-ZB2512KXC from John Lewis. It's been brilliant. We get decent bread flour in bulk bags from a wholesaler and bake 3 or 4 loaves a week.

 

[DAPPH]

Its all we use, had various makes over the years, the paddle/pivot assembly in the tin wears out but you can buy tins for most makes easily, none are small to be honest but a doddle to use and the white bread just has 6 ingredients, flour, yeast, bit of oil, a bit of sugar, a bit of salt and water, the brown bread is much the same but less predictable and can come out small sometimes
The only other irritating thing is you end up with a big hole in the bottom of the bread from the paddle also it doesnt last so not great for sarnies by day 3
You will also find you need to tweak the ingredients to suit your tastes and success of the loaf, dont be disappointed if its not perfect 1st time or even 2nd time!

If you are able to you , like us with our Morphy Richards bread & jam maker .... you can set the dough mix to a timer ....mix the dough then when the finished alarm sounds ...take the paddle out . Then when it's risen bake it .


We also make different loaves by adding raisins , glaced cherries , chopped dried fruit , nuts , dates , sundried tomato strips that have been dried off on a kitchen towel & finely diced up , pumpkin seeds etc. to the mixed dough at the first alarm , mix them in for a few seconds , ease the dough out, remove the paddle . pop the dough back in let it rise again & bake the loaf

 

[DAPPH]

Thanks for the posts so far, lads.


Not really, don't have an oven of the type you mention or know anyone who has. Never had the need because of the local bakery.



No, no mixer and limited cupboard space.

Use your hands to mix it .. I take it you do have hands ?

 

[DAPPH]

I haven't got time in the mornings to be cutting bread. In fact in someone invented microwaveable read made toast I would buy it.

We recently given our large browning microwave from the caravan to our daughter for her new home .. you could make lovely toast & crispy bacon in it .

 

[redlig]

Use your hands to mix it .. I take it you do have hands ?

A mate of mine uses his hands and recons it's the best way of deep cleaning his hands.

 

[daleyd]

Panasonic - we’ve had ours since 2006 and it’s had loads of use. Never had a bad loaf out of it, follow the instructions and they turn out great. It was expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

We got the one with the dispenser in the top so you can add dried fruit etc for fruit loaves. Pizza dough comes out a treat as does the naan bread recipe.

The timer is great too as you can set it the night before and wake up to fresh bread

Probably the most used kitchen gadget we’ve bought, and we’ve had a few!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Use your hands to mix it .. I take it you do have hands ?

Aye, standard issue pair but as I said I can't be a*sed with the mess and having to clean up afterwards. I have made dough before......just the once

A mate of mine uses his hands and recons it's the best way of deep cleaning his hands.

I hope you're not inferring my hands are normally grubby - how very dare you!

 

[vbottles]

I am Coeliac and get gluten free bread flour free on prescription, so I make my own bread and rolls. I splashed out a Panasonic like @badabec it does a good job.

I've recently gone gluten free. Looking to get back into bread making as GF bread is really expensive and getting hard to find in shops.
What receives do you use? Anything special to look for?
Andrew

 

[Rannsachair]

I've recently gone gluten free. Looking to get back into bread making as GF bread is really expensive and getting hard to find in shops.
What receives do you use? Anything special to look for?
Andrew

I am lucky in Scotland, I get my bread flour free on prescription, the best I have found is Juvela:

Also the Panasonic breadmaker has a specific gluten free program.

 

[Aerohead]

One downside of a bread maker not mentioned yet is you will eat it, all of it, when it is fresh, warm, and has plenty of butter on it.

Only kitchen counter gadget more challenging to your weight is an ice cream maker, challenge anyone here to have just one small scoop of freshly made favorite flavor.

 

[Aerohead]

If making bread without a bread maker, go with the Cat Diesel of food mixers and get a Kitchen Aid, mine is used often and is barely run in at 25 years old.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

If making bread without a bread maker, go with the Cat Diesel of food mixers and get a Kitchen Aid, mine is used often and is barely run in at 25 years old.

I wouldn't have house room for that