Is it worth it to have a breadmaker? - Page 2

[rainyday]

Originally Posted by ustasmom

I love mine but I don't really use it all that much. My kids would love it if I used it more but I just sort of overlook it. I bought a pricey one that does it all and it is really nice. I had cheapo bread machines in the past and they didn't work all that well.

I have a grain mill and a Bosch, so technically I didn't need it as I do have the capability to make 6 loaves at one time. But it is the convenience factor.

That being said, I think that I will go throw in a loaf of bread. And maybe start a batch of yogurt. My kids will be thrilled. :

What's a Bosch?

[insahmniak]

We just got a breadman ultimate plus. Maybe the "plus" is the big dent in the corner of the pan it came with. : Now I'm searching for replacement pans and I'm finding out about pans wearing out early. Replacements are $40. I'm wondering if getting this is the right thing....? Anyone having issues with pans wearing out? Teflon coming off?

Should I return this and just get a mixer instead? Or would that be like trading in the Maytag for a washboard? If baking's a big mess and lots o' trouble I'm just not going to do it as often. I know myself enough to know that. But I've heard that some people love making bread with their kitchen aids. How does the process compare?

[*violet*]

Have one and love it. I never use it to bake the bread, just to make dough. We use it weekly for pizza dough, rolls, whole wheat bread...you name it. It is one of the few things in my kitchen I couldn't live without! Sure, I enjoy making bread by hand better but with a toddler and a preschooler right now it's much simpler just to throw everything in the machine and go.

[Nature]

I have one. Almost considered throwing it out since we're moving and I don't use it... however I'll give it a go if someone can give me a SUPER EASY white bread recipe that doesn't contain weird expensive ingredients. And if someone can tell me which ingredients go first in the darn thing. I don't have a manual to mine and can't find it online...

[bu's mama]

Originally Posted by Nature

I have one. Almost considered throwing it out since we're moving and I don't use it... however I'll give it a go if someone can give me a SUPER EASY white bread recipe that doesn't contain weird expensive ingredients. And if someone can tell me which ingredients go first in the darn thing. I don't have a manual to mine and can't find it online...

I have a great bread recipe book that tweaks recipes by machine. Tell me what machine do you have & I'll look up the basic white bread recipe.

[Gumby]

I posted for one on freecycle earlier today, and also on a local AP group, so we'll see...getting some local organic whole wheat flour soon...

[Hippie Mama in MI]

I adore my breadmaker. I love to make things myself, but I have a busy toddler and don't have time to make bread from scratch unless I use the breadmaker. I love to use the Dough setting to make raw dough, which I then shape by hand into rolls, pretzels, pizza dough, etc. My son and I have even made "Bubba Biscuits" this way, letting him shape the dough himself. What fun!

Good luck.

Kady

[ErinBird]

IMO, no. I make bread at least weekly. If I forget to start it the night before, I use the dough hook on my KitchenAid stand mixer to knead the dough while doing other chores. Otherwise, I typically use a no knead recipe- start at night and allow it to rise for 18ish hours- fresh bread in time for dinner.

[Nature]

Originally Posted by bu's mama

I have a great bread recipe book that tweaks recipes by machine. Tell me what machine do you have & I'll look up the basic white bread recipe.

I have a Regal K6755 and no idea how to use it.

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by Nature

I have one. Almost considered throwing it out since we're moving and I don't use it... however I'll give it a go if someone can give me a SUPER EASY white bread recipe that doesn't contain weird expensive ingredients. And if someone can tell me which ingredients go first in the darn thing. I don't have a manual to mine and can't find it online...

Never fear ... see http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/br...hinemanual.htm

She also has some very simple bread recipes too. Nothing out of the ordinary.

[bu's mama]

Originally Posted by Nature

I have a Regal K6755 and no idea how to use it.

I did find this link...http://www.parodidesign.com/BreadMaker/RegalPro.htm don't know if it helps.

In my recipe book it just lists Regal (large) no model number. They do give a customer service number...800-998-8809 & 414-626-2121. Maybe you can call them for a manual.

Anyhoo...
they don't have a basic white bread recipe (!) but there is a basic whole wheat one...do you want that?

[Nature]

Originally Posted by bu's mama

I did find this link...http://www.parodidesign.com/BreadMaker/RegalPro.htm don't know if it helps.

In my recipe book it just lists Regal (large) no model number. They do give a customer service number...800-998-8809 & 414-626-2121. Maybe you can call them for a manual.

Anyhoo...
they don't have a basic white bread recipe (!) but there is a basic whole wheat one...do you want that?

Yes!

Originally Posted by MommyErin

Never fear ... see http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/br...hinemanual.htm

She also has some very simple bread recipes too. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Thank you both! NAK

[brittneyscott]

So the breadmakers can be used to make dough for anything and then you can bake them in the oven? I've never used one or known anyone that had one. They seemed expensive to me and like it might me another pointless appliance. I bought supplies and a glass loaf pan to make my first batch of homemade bread. If I like making the homemade bread and want to keep doing it I may want/need a breadmaker. Which types are best?

[Heffernhyphen]

Nah, to use an Alton Brownism, they're multitaskers. And my kitchen is much too small for such a huge multitasker.

Please, try http://www.motherearthnews.com/Whole...sty-Bread.aspx. I swear to God, you will track me down and kiss me on the mouth. It is a no knead bread that you make in your Dutch Oven or a covered Pyrex bowl. It is so freaking simple and delicious you won't ever want to buy bread again.

[insahmniak]

Originally Posted by Heffernhyphen

Nah, to use an Alton Brownism, they're multitaskers. And my kitchen is much too small for such a huge multitasker.

Please, try http://www.motherearthnews.com/Whole...sty-Bread.aspx. I swear to God, you will track me down and kiss me on the mouth. It is a no knead bread that you make in your Dutch Oven or a covered Pyrex bowl. It is so freaking simple and delicious you won't ever want to buy bread again.

Do you mean to say "uni-tasker?" I usually have very little patience for uni-taskers. My DP's side is uni-tasker crazy, though. You know, wedge-shaped tupperware for leftover pie and the like. Drives me bonkers. But the reason I went ahead with the breadmaker was thinking I'd not have to babysit anything and reduce the mess - making it multitasking in the sense that I can get other stuff done and forget about what it's doing. A huge relief....if it works!

I've heard of no-knead bread and have tasted it. Yum. I'm afraid of the mess and I'm afraid I wouldn't be organized enough to keep track of it. How long has it been? When does it need me? I'm kind of scattered that way. Maybe I should get brave and give it a try. Your support of it is so, um, glowing.

[Maddy123]

I use my bread machine several times a week. However, for some people, bread machines are one of those appliances that they buy and never use. A good deal at a thrift store could be worth it, though. I don't use any of the timed cycles on my machine (like where it beeps to tell you to add dried fruit or whatever "extra" ingredient you are adding). So I'd probably skip all the bells and whistles if I bought another one. My kids like basic white bread and honey whole wheat, so that's what I usually make.

I do make bread by hand sometimes also. Or I use the dough cycle to make french bread (then bake in french bead pans), rolls, or pizza dough.

We have soup a lot and fresh bread "dresses up" the soup. I just toss in the basics (flour, water, salt, oil, yeast) and it's ready to go. Several of my friends find bread machines to be dust-gatherers, though.

[Heffernhyphen]

Originally Posted by insahmniak

Do you mean to say "uni-tasker?"

D'oh! Looks like I'm not a very good multitasker myself, huh? Yes, UNItasker. Thanks.

This no knead recipe . . . seriously, easier than baking cake from a box. You mix flour, yeast, water and salt. Stir it together and walk away for 12 to 19 hours. You come back, flip it out, dust a little flour here, fold a little bit there. Let it rest for an hour or so then toss it in a blazing hot oven. By using a slow rise period, the gluten forms without the bother of kneading. And by baking in a covered pot, the steam that forms inside creates a crispy crust like the best artisanal breads you can buy.

My husband made ten loaves for Christmas presents. Set us back about $4.00 and every person has asked for the recipe.

[lovemyfamily6]

Originally Posted by Heffernhyphen

D'oh! Looks like I'm not a very good multitasker myself, huh? Yes, UNItasker. Thanks.

This no knead recipe . . . seriously, easier than baking cake from a box. You mix flour, yeast, water and salt. Stir it together and walk away for 12 to 19 hours. You come back, flip it out, dust a little flour here, fold a little bit there. Let it rest for an hour or so then toss it in a blazing hot oven. By using a slow rise period, the gluten forms without the bother of kneading. And by baking in a covered pot, the steam that forms inside creates a crispy crust like the best artisanal breads you can buy.

My husband made ten loaves for Christmas presents. Set us back about $4.00 and every person has asked for the recipe.

Can you use it for sandwiches? I've never used a round loaf of bread before. Or is it just for a side of bread with a meal? We go through a lot of bread. If all five of us eat one sandwich, that's a loaf in one day. And my kids love toast with jam, so it goes quickly. We buy organic bread, so it's about $4.00 a day for bread. I pulled my breadmaker out again yesterday and made a loaf because we were out of bread and I couldn't get out to the grocery store. It's okay, but I'm not hugely impressed. I've tried making bread by hand and I never get a tall enough loaf. It's only about as tall as a quick bread. I like "easier than baking cake from a box" though!

[Heffernhyphen]

Originally Posted by lovemyfamily6

Can you use it for sandwiches?

Sure! We use it even for DS's PBJs. It's not like your typical square sandwich from a loaf, of course. More rustic and hearty. And you have to be a little careful with the fillings. It's pretty holey and you might end up with mustard on your shirt.

It's also fantastic for French Toast. :

Oh, also, you can tweak the recipe to suit your taste, anywhere from all white flour to all whole wheat or any combination in between.

[cyncyn]

I have one and I haven't used it in at least 5 years. I don't make a lot of bread anyway, and if I do, I use the kitchen aid mixer and regular oven. I really don't like appliances that do 1 thing.