Bread makers

I have one and used to use it fairly regularly but got fed up with the absolute precision with which the ingredients must be measured. And the fact that the ambient temperature can affect the final result. Get the measurements even fractionally wrong and the loaf would over rise and then collapse. This began to happen far too regularly for me so I stopped using it.

I have an old Kenwood Fastbake that I think might be on its last legs - but will definitely get another!

I didn't like it so much when I had to measure out oil, dried milk, flour etc, as it was all a bit hit and miss. Gut then I discovered Wright's bread mix - half a packet with the required amount of water into the machine produces the perfect 400g loaf, though for some reason the ciabatta mix says to use only a quarter of a packet. I reckon that's a typo, as the result is far too light a fluffy (albeit very delicious!)

Mine is a Panasonic. It makes good bread, if I use the breadmaker yeast, but I prefer to use it just to make the dough, which I then shape and leave to rise for half-an-hour before baking it. That way you get the shape of loaf you want, or rolls. You can make two smaller leaves and freeze one, or make a dozen rolls and freeze some.

A minute in the microwave defrosts a loaf, half a minute defrosts two rolls, so you can eat fresh bread without having to eat up an enormous loaf. Sliced bread frozen in small amounts goes in the toaster without defrosting.

Just trying to give mine away. Only used it three times. It was a hand me down from my sister who had been given it by her friend.
The loaf was a strange shape, the machine took up too much space in the kitchen and the bread wasn't that special either.

I make spelt bread in mine because it's low in gluten and easier to digest. I use the dough setting then finish baking it in the oven which gives a better result.

Like Tizliz we freeze all our bread and only take out what we need so the breadmaker is only in use about once a week but I wouldn't be without it.

Make sure you get the correct dried yeast ('for bread makers'). I had several problems before I realised I had 'hand baking' dried yeast.

They are very useful. I usually make the dough then carry on as usual . Not keen on the hole in the bottom of the loaf.

Makes great foccacia and naan. Wouldn't be without it.

However cutting back after Christmas.

Wouldn't be without mine - Kenwood, but I think most makes are good - slice and freeze wrapped in clingwrap (I wrap two slices together), then you take them out and put straight in toaster.

When we first had one we eat far too much so it is straight in the freezer now.