Bread machines: how to choose the right one for you!

Website design By BotEap.comChoosing the right bread maker can be a challenge!

Website design By BotEap.comBread machines are one of the great advances in kitchen appliances. They are more versatile than their name suggests and come with a wide range of features and prices. So how do you choose the best one for your circumstances?

Website design By BotEap.comBread machines are quite large and can also represent a considerable investment dollar, so it’s worth taking the time to consider your options carefully.

Website design By BotEap.comHere are some points to ponder:

Website design By BotEap.comWhat does a bread maker do:

Website design By BotEap.comA bread machine takes the ingredients you put into it and mixes them together, allows the dough to rise, and then bakes it in less than 3 hours or less! Depending on the type of bread you want to make, making a fresh, piping hot loaf of bread can be as simple as adding your ingredients and pressing the *START* button.

Website design By BotEap.comOne of the functions available on some models of bread machines is the *Delayed start* function. You load up the required ingredients, set the timer and the bread machine will start the loaf, timing it to finish when you want… this means you can wake up to a warm loaf of bread in the morning or come home to one. after a tedious day at work. What luxury! It is important to note that perishable ingredients such as milk or eggs are not suitable for use with the Delay Start feature. You should choose your bread recipe accordingly.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat a bread maker does not do:

Website design By BotEap.comA bread machine does not remove the bread after baking. Some bread maker models have a keep warm or cool function. This prevents the hot bread from getting soggy after it is finished baking. Not all machines have this feature.

Website design By BotEap.comHow does a Bakery work? A bread maker is a large metal box that contains a pan or pans in the mixing/rising/baking compartment. In some models the pans are removable. On other models, they remain on the machine at all times.

Website design By BotEap.comThere is a control panel on the outside of the machine where the different settings, baking times and temperatures are implemented.

Website design By BotEap.comLook for a control panel that is easy to read, use and understand, as well as easy to clean and conveniently located. Often it only takes a few buttons to set the cycle, crust color, delay start and turn the machine on.

Website design By BotEap.comA common element of bread makers is the paddle, or paddle, which comes out of the bottom of the pan. It must be removed after the baking process is complete. This paddle or blade will leave a distinctive hole in the bottom of the bread.

Website design By BotEap.comThe bread maker sets the correct temperature to rise the dough and then adjusts it to the proper temperature needed to bake the bread. You, the operator, must correctly measure the ingredients, add them to the loaf pan in the correct order, select the proper bake cycle, and then remove the bread when it is baked.

Website design By BotEap.comBread Machine Bread Forms

Website design By BotEap.comThe shape of the loaves in the bread maker varies depending on the design of the machine and the shape of the pan. They range from tall cylindrical loaves to more traditional shapes and can also be round, square or rectangular. Loaf sizes vary depending on the capacity of the bread maker.

Website design By BotEap.comBread machine capacity is categorized by the size of the loaf: 1, 1.5, 2, or even 3-pound loaves. While the weight will vary depending on the type of bread and the ingredients used, the capacity of the machine refers to the weight of the loaf or loaves baked.

Website design By BotEap.comLarge loaves can use up to four cups of flour, depending on the type of bread. Smaller loaves may only require about two cups of flour.

Website design By BotEap.comConvenience factors of the bread maker:

Website design By BotEap.comA removable bread tray makes cleanup MUCH easier. Being able to remove the bread pan reduces the amount of crumbs and flour that fall into the machine. It also makes it easier to clean up small amounts that fall.

Website design By BotEap.comSome bread makers have a slide-out tray at the bottom of the unit.

Website design By BotEap.comWith all bread makers, it’s important to remember to place the mixing paddle in the pan BEFORE adding ingredients. If you forget to do this, you’ll have to get rid of them and start over. (Trust me, you’re going to be one unhappy camper when you forget to do this!)

Website design By BotEap.comOne of the most important factors for successful machine cooking is adding the ingredients into the pan in the correct order. Every bread maker is slightly different and your manual should provide the necessary information.

Website design By BotEap.comBread machine baking cycles:

Website design By BotEap.comThe available bake cycle options are important issues when choosing a machine. Depending on the type of bread that is made, the rising time, temperature and baking time will vary.

Website design By BotEap.comBecause of this, make sure the bread machine you’re considering has the correct bake cycles for the types of bread you want to bake. You will not be able to bake that type of bread successfully if your machine does not have the correct cycle.

Website design By BotEap.comHere are some of the bake cycle options that may be available:

• Website design By BotEap.comBasic – suitable for most white or rye breads
• Website design By BotEap.comFast rising – suitable for fast rising yeasts
• Website design By BotEap.com100% Whole Wheat – Required for whole wheat flours that require a longer kneading cycle
• Website design By BotEap.comCrispy, Italian or French: Results in a crispy crust and light texture. [This is my personal favorite!]
• Website design By BotEap.comAssorted or sweet bread – a beep or signal will indicate the right time to add fruit, nuts, cheese, etc.
• Website design By BotEap.comDough: Prepare the dough to be shaped by hand and baked in an oven.
• Website design By BotEap.comQuick bread – for recipes without yeast
• Website design By BotEap.comCake and jam – for making cakes and jam

Website design By BotEap.comSome machines offer a self-programming feature. This allows you to adjust the machine and adapt recipes not developed for bread machines.

Website design By BotEap.comAdditional materials for bread makers:

Website design By BotEap.comEach bread machine will have a specific manual for that machine and its requirements. They usually include recipes for basic types of bread. Take the time to read the manual first, and then keep it close by so you can refer to it when necessary. If you can check the manual before you buy, so much the better!

Website design By BotEap.comPlease refer to the recipes provided in the manual for a good overview of the types of breads that specific model can make. It is a good idea to start with the recipes provided for your machine before moving on to other recipes and cookbooks.