Bread Machine

[lilylumos]

So my husband is a bread FREAK. He loves it. He has been very supportive of my efforts to make our meals healthy, but one of the things he does give me trouble with is bread. He loves white bread, he will eat commercial whole grain wheat bread...but that's about it. I think if I get him a bread machine for Christmas (he loves to cook too) he would appreciate more what good bread is and we could have healthier choices when it comes to bread. Any suggestions on where to start/ what to get?

[elanorh]

Have you tried from-scratch whole grain breads, and what has been his critique of them?

I think that there are low-end bread machines for around $50 at Walmart or Target, and then higher-end machines (such as Breadman) for around $100. I had a Breadman for five years and it worked well for me; we use our machine about every other day, lots of whole grain breads - we did have to replace the loaf pan twice from such heavy use. We have since purchased a Zojirushi which we love .... But it's very pricey. I guess, my thought is, it's a lot of $$ to spend to potentially discover that your dh simply dislikes whole grain bread in most forms, KWIM? Although I'd argue that you can make healthier white breads if you're at home and using organic ingredients, for less than you'd spend for organic bread at the store .... And of course, you can get to the point where you're converting most recipes to 1/4 to 1/3 or more whole grain flour, which is better than no whole grains.

Do you have a friend who uses a bread machine whose whole grain bread you could sample with your dh before purchasing a machine?

We have been happy with the whole grain breads I make in the bread machine, I think often they have a lighter texture than some whole grain breads 'by hand,' although not always ....

If you think that your dh will like the bread because HE made it in the bread machine, I'd recommend trying a breadman bread machine, and getting The Bread Lovers Bread Machine Cook Book. You may be able to find a slightly-used bread machine at second-hand stores, though, a lot of people get them, rarely use them, and finally donate them.

HTH

[hippiemommaof4]

I love all bread but even eating homemade white bread is better than stuff from the store. I make white bread and wheat and my family eats it all. I love my bread maker I got mine for free from my mil, she never used it. I saw a breadmachine at the thrift store for 10 dollars the other day. Lots of people dont ever use them which is a shame because I love mine. I use it for everything and it saves me so much time with my 5 kids. I would find a good brand though if you are going to buy it new. I would recommend the one I have but it was discontinued.

[larzanna]

I love my bread machine, but honestly after playing with all the different kinds of breads, the only one that both DH and i like is the french bread, so ya its white flour, BUT way better than anything you can get at the store. I buy the good bread flour.
If he does not like whole wheat/grain bread from the store, unless he just likes it cause he made it, its going to be the same.
I have a $50 one, simple not too big, works great. The loaf pans are all the same size regardless on how big the machine it.

[crazylady]

I love our breadmaker!!!! Check your thrift stores. I got mine at one for $5 and nothing is wrong with it!!!!

[LeahBoo]

Me too, I got a perfectly fine bread machine for $1.99. There wasn't a tag, so I asked the manager, he just popped up with "how about $1.99"? Sold!

White bread in the bread machine is still better than store bought. No HFCS and no preservatives. I have a great whole wheat recipe if you want it.