bread machines

[ArizonaNessa]

I really hated my bread machine when I first got it because I thought the only thing I could put in it was those boxed bread machine mixes. It was horrid stuff. More crust than anything and frankly just gross. I packed it up and just decided it was a bad investment until I was reading on here one day about how you can go crazy and experiment with the thing. I wasted tons of ingredients making some really off the wall stuff but I finally learned how and now I just don't know how I ever lived without my beloved bread machine. I wouldn't trade that thing for anything. Oh and for those of you just starting out with a bread machine...don't worry about messing up. If it comes out looking like the blob from the green lagoon just feed it to the chickens and try another thing

 

[Shannon's Chix]

Quote:
That is exactly how I feel...hate the darn thing! I have put it on craigslist 3 times and can't get rid of it. Guess I'll look through this thread and see if I can find a use for it.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Quote:
That is exactly how I feel...hate the darn thing! I have put it on craigslist 3 times and can't get rid of it. Guess I'll look through this thread and see if I can find a use for it.

Don't fret. I decided that it didn't matter if I ruined the thing I hated it so much. I went to the store and bought a mix to make banana bread. The kind you are suppose to put in the oven. I threw everything it said on the box to throw in there and turned the thing on the lightest setting and walked off. I figured it wouldn't come out at all since it was not actually made for a bread machine. Low and behold it was the tastiest stuff ever. This made me realize that I was trying way too hard with this machine. Since then I have learned to make things like the other posters in this thread are talking about. Please don't give up on your machine. It really is a good thing.

 

[BettyR]

Quote:
Oh man!! I just posted about this machine on my blog!! It is on my 2010 wishlist!. LOL.. So I am guessing you dont have a stand mixer either? You just use the good ole fashion oven to bake it up?

Yes I do have a stand mixer but it has a hard time handling that much dough...and I'm lazy and I would prefer to let the bread machine do all the work...and yes I very much prefer to use my oven the old fashioned way.

 

[arabookworm]

I have a toastmaster bread machine. never heard of this brand before i got the machine, but it works all right. currently making some zucchini bread in it.

 

[debilorrah]

Mine has french bread in there right now. The first time I made french bread, I used the largest loaf size and the danged thing was two times the size of the pan!!!! So now I have it at the medium size. I love mine!

 

[Equus5O]

Quote:
I tried my bread machine for the first time yesterday, and found the kneading blade INSIDE the bread! Is it normal for it to come off and then be retrieved? Or does yours make a hole in the bottom of the loaf from removing the loaf from the pan and blade? I'm not sure if I need to return the machine because the blade fits too loosely to the mount. And, the top of the bread collapsed while it was baking. I think I added too much salt, for one thing. I don't know if that had anything to do with it.

 

[ams3651]

Quote:
OK so how about sharing the recipe for apple cake ? PLEASE !!

sorry I just saw this request....let me see if I can find that recipe... wanted to make another anyway

 

[msgenie516]

Quote:
I tried my bread machine for the first time yesterday, and found the kneading blade INSIDE the bread! Is it normal for it to come off and then be retrieved? Or does yours make a hole in the bottom of the loaf from removing the loaf from the pan and blade? I'm not sure if I need to return the machine because the blade fits too loosely to the mount. And, the top of the bread collapsed while it was baking. I think I added too much salt, for one thing. I don't know if that had anything to do with it.

Finding the blade inside of the bread is nothing to be concerned about. I find this happens when the bread hasn't baked quite properly (rose too much, etc.), just like what happened to you. I find that the only time I had a bread collapse was when making a new recipe (one that wasn't included in the manual that came with the machine) that rose way too high. I don't know if too much salt would make the bread collapse but I think too much yeast or sugar could do it. Also, all ingredients should be at room temperature. Good luck with your machine!

Genie

 

[msgenie516]

Hi again,

I didn't have time when I replied to the last poster, but I would like to tell you about my bread machine/KitchenAid mixer experiences.

I have both a KitchenAid stand mixer and a Zojirushi bread machine and love both! The KitchenAid mixer is so well known as a staple in the kitchen and didn’t require much thought to purchase. The great reputation is well-deserved. It will do anything from lighter-than-air meringues and whipped cream to stiff cookie doughs. It comes with dough hook, so I’m sure it will also knead dough but I haven’t tried that yet. I have read that the newer KitchenAid mixers don’t stand up to kneading dough all that well but mine is over 20 years old, so it’s probably very sturdy and will most likely last me “forever”.

As far as the bread machine goes, I wasn’t sure which one to purchase and I did a lot of research first. I felt it would be a good thing for me to have since, as much as I tell myself I’m going to make dough with my mixer, I never get around to it, so we never had homemade bread--that is, until I bought my bread machine--now we have homemade bread on a regular basis. I did end up with the Zojirushi, even though it was the most expensive one I found--sometimes the higher price doesn’t indicate the best product but in this case, it does. I was a little skeptical because I had never even heard of that brand before!

This machine addresses many of the problems commonly found with bread machines. First of all, it has a rectangular pan with two mixing paddles. The pan makes for a more “normal” shaped loaf and the paddles aren’t as large as the single paddle found in most. So, consequently, the hole it leaves isn’t as bothersome. I have never gotten a bread that was too crusty, I have no idea what causes this in other machines. It doesn’t even make the slightest attempt to “walk” off the counter. It is very stable, perhaps because it is a larger machine--I have no apprehensions about leaving it on and going out. It does take up additional counter space but, as I previously mentioned, we wouldn’t have homemade bread without it. I have also found I can fiddle with the recipe without catastrophic results.

It is very versatile, as there are three “Homemade” cycles that you can program yourself (I haven’t even done that yet), a sourdough cycle, a dough only cycle, and even a preheat cycle that gets your ingredients to the proper temperature before starting the bread. Your can program it so that you have fresh bread ready for breakfast, if you wish (as long as you don’t use perishable ingredients, such as eggs or milk). You can also make preserves, cake, and meatloaf--I have never used it for any of those.

However, if I had to choose just one (this would be REALLY difficult), I would go with the mixer as I know I could make bread with it, if I got really inspired. Although, honestly, I think we would go back to living without homemade bread again (and I wouldn’t want to do that)!

The only downside I can think of is the problem of availability. I ordered mine from Bed, Bath & Beyond with a 20% off coupon. Their price (not the lowest I have found) was $219.99 but with the coupon, it was less than $180.00. Of course, with the shipping and tax, it’s back up there again.

Well, there is another downside, you aren’t very likely to find a used one at a garage sale or thrift shop due to the high retail price. I have been going to garage sales for years and never found one but maybe you will be extraordinarily lucky!

I do LOVE my bread machine and if you can fit both into your budget, get a bread machine and a mixer, too! BTW, I also have a KitchenAid hand mixer that I also use “to death” for all the smaller jobs that don’t require the big mixer. It is the best hand mixer I have ever had. And the only SURVIVING one, as all the others burned out!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Genie