Your Experiences With Breadmakers Please

[DSJ]

I want to treat myself to a breadmaker but don't want an expensive one. Can anyone advise me please?

[237SJ]

Mine`s a Morphy Richards and it`s still going strong after about 8 years.

[boxtops]

Mine blew up.

I didn't use it that much in the end, every time I made bread I ate it, got through far too much bread :-(

[DSJ]

Was yours also a Morphy Richards one, boxtops?

[sherrardk]

Mine's a Panasonic and works lovely (it's just too small for us really).

[DSJ]

Does the rising actually happen in the breadmaker?

[Mosaic]

Since 2002 we have had a kenwood breadmaker which is used practically daily. It eventually wore out so we are ow on the newer version of the old one. Delicious bread but not cheap.

[DaisyNonna]

There was a young baker called ....

[Mosaic]

yes, the kneading and rising all happen in the pan inside the breadmaker

[boxtops]

I can't remember what make it was, but it blew a fuse :-(

[DSJ]

Thanks ever so much for your replies. I'm going to give it a go after Christmas. Who knows, they may be cheaper in the sales!

[owdhamer]

Mrs Owd loves hers a kenwood, no idea on price

[237SJ]

Yes, the rising does happen in the breadmaker. I had an interesting situation recently. I ususally get strong white bread flour from Sainsburys but I decided to get some from Aldi. The loaf had only risen by about 2/3s so I thought the bread maker was on it`s way out. I tried other flour and the bread was OK so I knew it wasn`t the machine - just the flour. Last week I bought some Sainsburys branded flour and the bread was just a solid lump again. My mum bought Sainsburys flour and her Yorkshire puddings didn`t rise. Moral of the story - the price of wheat worldwide has risen and the supermarkets are all sourcing their flour from cheap sources and it`s rubbish. Stick with recognised brands such as Allinson. The brand of breadmaker doesn`t make much difference.

[seadogg]

Using your paws it is possible to do 4 loaves at on go. A decent mixer with dough hooks will take the work out of kneading. One loaf is used straight away and three go in the freezer for use when you like. Loads of easy recipes on line.

[boxtops]

I wish you luck with it DSJ - the smell of cooking bread is wonderful :-)

[dickythecook]

Bought one for mrs cook 10 years ago. I was working away in Ulverston and all she would eat (breadwise) was soda bread. She didn't like the machine so it went the way of all things and I ended up making it at work, freezing it and taking the lot home with me an putting it in the home freezer for her to use as and when. By hand, for me is the best way. If the arthritis is playing up, I use he dough hook on the kenwood chef to knead the dough.

[buildersmate]

Bought the Panasonic 11 years ago. Used at least twice weekly continuously for 10 years ago until last year when the non-stick surface on the inside of the bucket became too worn (bread sticks) - probably through use of rye flour.
Bought another Panasonic as the new bucket costs about 60% of the cost of a new one (that shows you what margin people like eSpares makes).
Experimented with flour, much as above and now only use Allinsons Strong White and wholemeal from various private millers. Not worth messing with cheap flour.
A white 800g loaf costs less than 50p (it contains 550g of flour), so not sure what the above remarks means, considering the quality of the finished product.
Use Doves yeast in the packet (don't phaff about with expensive little sachets) and yeast enhancer (vitamin C) in a little white drum from Lakeland, if necessary, to get weaker flours to rise better.

[woofgang]

I love my panasonic, as well as making the loaf beginning to end, its great for making dough for pizzaa, roll and speciality breads.

[DSJ]

Have a happy Christmas, all of you. Thank you for telling me of your bread making experiences. I shall go hunting in early January.

[margeyre]

Panasonic has done us proud for the last five years. We make a medium sized loaf let ranting white with granary. Ten minutes setting it up at bedtime and we wake up to the aroma of fresh bread baking. Can't be beaten!

[DSJ]

Bought my Panasonic breadmaker today. Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences with me.