Which is the best bread maker?

[Kilala]

I am looking to buy a bread maker, preferably one that can make rolls too. If it is not too much to ask , I also want to watch it cook... Any ideas? Thanks

[Dom Tuk]

Dont wish to put you off buying one, but there is a thread on Home and Garden about kitchen items never used and left languishing in the cupboard. Everyone has a bread maker that fits that description.

[pjm007]

Maybe you could buy one of those breadmakers that the people in that thread are leaving in their cupboards Kilala. You get a cheap breadmaker and someone gets some space in their cupboard. Everyones a winner !

[Woodstock]

I had a Breville once, because it had a window where you could see the bread being made, but unfortunately I never had a decent loaf from it.  Eventually took it back to the shop on the grounds it was faulty and swapped it for a Panasonic.  It doesn't have a window, and it was more expensive, but it makes fantastic bread. (and I never put it away in the cupboard, because it's always in use!)

[Robinia]

I'm looking for a fella that fits that description!!  :-)

[silly moo]

I use my breadmaker all the time, but the pan is badly designed - it's a prima.
I think the newer versions are better.
We put it on for dough only then prove and bake in a bread tin in the oven.
Wonderful fresh home baked bread without the hassle of kneading.

[SteveD]

Get a Panasonic SD-253.  You don't need to see the bread cook - it would probably be about as exciting as watching paint dry.  The best bit is the last hour when the bread is actually baking - the smell is wonderful!

We haven't bought any bread during the 18 months we have had the breadmaker.  If it broke down irreparably, I would go straight out and get another one.

It only takes about 5 minutes to get all the ingredients together, put them in and press two buttons twice each, then about 1 minute to clean the pan after the bread is ready.

Before we got the breadmaker, I googled for days reading people's recommendations and the SD-253 seemed to be very well liked.  It's not the cheapest, but we are very pleased with it.

Get a good recipe book to go with it.  I can recommend the Good Housekeeping's "Great recipes for your Bread Machine" by Joanna Farrow ISBN 1-85585-987-4 (�14.99).

[nickymitch]

I've been using the Morphy Richards bread maker for a year and had no problems - it has a small viewing window in the top and also makes lovely cakes and jam. You can make rolls from it but you have to make up the dough in the machine and then mould and cook them yourself in a convensional oven - I don't know of any that completely make them for you.