Breadmakers

[ceebee007]

Does anyone have an opinion on bread making machines?  Is it something you used frequently until the 'novelty' wore off and now it sits and gathers dust?  Are they worth buying and, if so, are there any special features to look out for?  And how easy are they to clean?

[ann_h]

My M-I-L uses hers every day, never buys bread.

Just a cheap Hinari one. Very easy to use and wipes clean when cool. Put the stuff in and it mixes, rises and cooks by itself. Only drawback is a bit of a hole in one end where the mixing blades are - but you'll be eating the stuff, not framing it!

[Peri]

I am considering getting one also but have the same questions as you ceebee.  I was at a friends house the other week and she had beautiful tomato bread she made in a machine.  Hers was just a cheap model boughts in Lidl.  You can make bread from scratch or you can get packets in supermarket now that go into machine.  All I know is the bread was gorgeous.  Let us know if you get one.

[SteveD]

Since we got ours about 2 years ago, we have never bought bread.  It's a Panasonic SD-253.

It takes about 5 minutes to prepare the ingredients, put them in and press the buttons.  It does take 5 hours for a wholemeal loaf, though, but the smell of baking bread during the last hour is wonderful!

The pan is very easy to clean (non-stick).

If you Google about a bit, you will find some comparisons/opinions of bread makers.  That's how we decided on the Panasonic - the general consensus was "it might cost a bit more, but the results are worth it".

If it broke down irreparably, I would go straight out and buy another one.

[Pootle]

Got one as a gift 2 years ago and never looked back. Set it up before you go to bed with the timer and you can have freshly baked bread for breakfast. Smells great when you wake up too. I use it for making garlic bread, ciabatta, pizza base mixture, banana bread and of course a daily granary. But the best thing is the taste, so much nicer and purer as it doesnt have the additives.  

[silly moo]

Ours is used all the time - only buy cheap thick sliced for toast.

[woofgang]

Go to say that I don't use mine that often BUT I regard it as a must have luxury and  will replace it when it dies (on second one now) I have a panasonic because it does a bigger loaf and has a fruit and nut dispenser

[woofgang]

also a breeze to clean...

[kazzareee]

I have a Morphy Richards, which I have had about four years now. I got one that cost a bit more as it does an extra large loaf if I need it. The bread is lovely and my favourite is walnut bread, especially in Winter with homemade carrot & coriander soup. The only problem is, the bread is so yummy - especially when just warm, that we tend to eat about half a loaf without meaning to!!! The blade and pan are easy to clean as they are both non-stick. Do get one - you won't regret it and you'll realise just how gack pre-packed bread is.

[ceebee007]

Thank you all for your comments!  Looks like I'll be going on a shopping trip . . .

[morg_monster]

I'd also like to add my 2ps worth and say the Panasonic is great. My mum, and her 5 brothers and sisters, and her mum, all have had various panasonic models for at least 2 or 3 years and none of them have gone wrong.  They all use them regularly.  Whenever I go home to visit I always make myself a loaf to take home. THe slices are so lovely and big!!!  Makes me wonder why I buy the 'plastic' bread from the supermarkets the rest of the time.

When I have a job and my own place it is up there on my list of things to buy, along with a dvd player, digibox etcetera. How sad is that.

[thugulike]

I've had several over the last 8 years and don't buy any bread at all.  You do need to have a kitchen big enough to be able to leave it out though.  Once you put it away it'll never come out again.  Don't buy an expensive one, no need.  I bought my last one from Tesco on line for �36 and it's fine.