Need advice about buying used breadmaker

[mags]

Hi ladies! I have been wanting to get a breadmaker for some time. I noticed at the thrift store that they had two. A breadman and a westbend (can't remember the brand, but it's a popular appliance brand that starts with a W). Both were priced at $20 each and neither one had a instruction manual. I doubt that they would get grabbed up right away, so I thought I'd come here and ask for your guidance about this sort of thing.

OK, so if I want to get a used breadmaker, what parts do I need to make sure it has before I make the investment? Is there anything else that I need to pay attn to or know ahead of time before buying a used breadmaker? I've heard that breadman is a good brand, is that pretty much true for all of their models? Both of the ones I saw at the thrift store were older looking models, they don't look as sleek as the newer models and looked like they were mildly used. TIA!

[yitlan]

I had a breadman and was very happy with it. Gave it away once I discovered the No Knead bread method, though! Here's a guide that might help you:
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/br...hinemanual.htm

[mags]

Yitlan,

Thanks for that link. It was really helpful! I've been meaning to try the no knead method. I'm going to do it before getting a bread maker to see how things turn out.

[yitlan]

No prob. No Knead Bread has truly rocked my world. Who woulda thunk I'd ever say that? Anyway, I make breakfast loaves, savory loaves, desserts, cinnamon rolls with that dough.

[gilamama]

I would write down the models and make a list of which parts were included and then look online to make sure they were all you need.

[raksmama]

I am a total novice at bread baking but I would like to start.
So sorry if this is a silly question.
Can a breadbaking machine be used for sour dough and sprouted grains only??????
There are no bakeries where I live that make bread that is both sourdough and with only sprouted grains. I don't feel well after I eat yeast or bread made with flour or yeast.

[yitlan]

I used to use my machine with sprouted grains by just subbing them for the machine recipes. There is yeast used in the machine recipes, I believe. Anyhow, the sprouted grains in the machine were OK, but like I posted above, I gave away the machine and moved to No Knead Bread.

I, too, am a novice. But I have yet to have a failure with the no-knead bread recipe. It calls for 1/4 tsp. of yeast per loaf, which is much less than most. Do a search here for "innovation in bread" and you'll find the overwhelming thread on it. Also see here: http://www.breadtopia.com/basic-no-knead-method/

[mama2toomany]

I have a Sunbeam and I love it. It was super cheap (45$) brand new. I had a problem the first time I used it, the display wouldn't light up, so I called the company, they just sent me a free one, then told me how to fix the light... the whole time I was doing something wrong, not the breadmaker, and they still sent me a free one.

Now that I know it was my screw up and how to use it right, I have never had a problem with it!