Bread Machine help!

[crazymama]

Hi there! I have decided that I really want to bake our family's bread. The primary reason is my DD9's severe sesame seed allergy but it could also save a few bucks over time. $3.50 for a loaf of Wonderbread... seriously?? We are a family of 5 and the boys go through a LOT of bread. We have a Black and Decker basic model from years ago that I basically use for pizza dough but I would like something bigger to make more bread dough at a time. (I plan to just make the dough in the machine and bake it in the oven... I am never too keen on how the bread comes out in the machine!) The machine we have just makes enough dough for one loaf... anyone make more than that out there? I would love some brand suggestions!! Thanks all you bread lovers out there!

 

[crash2000]

do you think its really cheaper ? the cost of supplies, the cost of the machine, the cost of electricty, time out of your life, ... but damn it sure does taste good when fresh baked at home...

 

[crazymama]

Well, you are probably right about the cost factor ... but it will still allow me to bake bread that I know has no cross contamination of sesame in it. I know... the novelty will likely wear off in a few months or less but at least my intentions are good

 

[maggieb9975]

This is the one I have and I REALLY like it..makes a normal size loaf instead of mushroom shape and it has the whole wheat bread cycle, can be customized .

A little pricey but well worth it..if you check reviews you will see what I mean....

http://www.zojirushi.com/ourproducts/breadmakers/bbcc_x20.html


I LOVE fresh homemade bread

 

[crazymama]

That is a pretty amazing looking bread machine... love the dual paddles! So, if you made dough in it, would it be enough for two loaves baked in the oven? Or would they be too puny? I am such a novice at this stuff.

 

[formill]

I use my bread machine all the time- once I get it out I just keep making lots of dough then put it in zip lock bags and put in the freezer then take out and bake when I want- make some for pizza dough- add cheese /onions to others etc. or cinnamon buns. I did price it once and it was still cheaper to make yourself than buying bread but our problem is we eat too much it is so good! Mine holds maximum of 4 cups of flour. I never bake the bread in the machine I prefer it baked in the oven or shaped into rolls etc.

 

[cdn ears]

OK if you are baking the bread in your own oven they why do you need a bread machine?

If you are going to continue to do so then invest in a heavy duty 5 qt. Kitchenaid mixer that can do more than bread. I've had one for over 20 years and it's still going strong. The initial machine comes with a bowl, dough hook, paddle and whisk but you are able to buy other attachments to make pasta, stuff sausage etc.

Just my thoughts, if you need help you can find me here

 

[maggieb9975]

That is a pretty amazing looking bread machine... love the dual paddles! So, if you made dough in it, would it be enough for two loaves baked in the oven? Or would they be too puny? I am such a novice at this stuff.

I use my bread machine all the time- once I get it out I just keep making lots of dough then put it in zip lock bags and put in the freezer then take out and bake when I want- make some for pizza dough- add cheese /onions to others etc. or cinnamon buns. I did price it once and it was still cheaper to make yourself than buying bread but our problem is we eat too much it is so good! Mine holds maximum of 4 cups of flour. I never bake the bread in the machine I prefer it baked in the oven or shaped into rolls etc.

OK if you are baking the bread in your own oven they why do you need a bread machine?

If you are going to continue to do so then invest in a heavy duty 5 qt. Kitchenaid mixer that can do more than bread. I've had one for over 20 years and it's still going strong. The initial machine comes with a bowl, dough hook, paddle and whisk but you are able to buy other attachments to make pasta, stuff sausage etc.

Just my thoughts, if you need help you can find me here

I agree with cdn ears..if you just want to make dough get a good kitchenaid..the whole reason I love my bread machine is I can throw everything in it and wake up in morning (or whenever) to fresh BAKED bread..it is so convenient! You do not need a bread machine just to make dough..however if, inaddition, to baking loaves of bread ,you can make dough for pizza, rolls etc.

The zo machine makes and bakes awesome loaves of bread. You won't need to bake in oven as bread comes out same (except for 2 holes in bottom) as baked in traditional oven.

 

[crazymama]

Thanks for all the input! I had never considered a Kitchen Aid machine. They come with dough attachments right? I just have a cheapo mixer that I use for cookies or muffins. The reason I didn't want to bake the bread in the machine is because the recipes that I had tried came out very dense and heavy... not at all like the homemade bread I grew up with . The kids didn't even like it. I did make some dough in the breadmaker and baked it in the oven and it was much lighter. I would be interested in the Zo machine if the bread comes out nicely. But maybe I should ask Santa for a Kitchen Aid which I would use for more things. HMMM... pondering!

 

[cdn ears]

Depends on if all Santa wants to eat is bread and butter and not all the other wonderful things that could be done with a true "Kitchen Aid"

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I would reccommend that you go for the more heavy duty version of the Kitchenaid with all the baking you are planning on doing. I had the lighter version, and found that after 7 years that I had burned out a couple of the higher speeds. Hubby got me the heavy duty Kitchenaid mixer when they were on sale at Costco a couple of months ago, and find that it's a much better machine than some of the cheaper models out there. It's something to think about.

 

[maggieb9975]

If you love to bake, cook etc I would go with kitchenaid. You are already used to baking bread in oven......

I got the bread machine because I am not good at baking the old way...don;t have time to wait for it to rise etc...I did work full time and it was wonderful to come home to , or wake up to, fresh baked bread! The Zo machine bakes AWESOME bread...you do have to tweak things a bit same as regular bread making...depending on where you live, humidity etc. but I found it easy to adjust and it came with a great recipe book. My kids LOVE the bread...

It all depends on what you want....and family

 

[maggieb9975]

I would reccommend that you go for the more heavy duty version of the Kitchenaid with all the baking you are planning on doing. I had the lighter version, and found that after 7 years that I had burned out a couple of the higher speeds. Hubby got me the heavy duty Kitchenaid mixer when they were on sale at Costco a couple of months ago, and find that it's a much better machine than some of the cheaper models out there. It's something to think about.

Watch on the shopping channel (sigh...my addiction)
..they sometimes have really good deals

 

[crazymama]

Depends on if all Santa wants to eat is bread and butter and not all the other wonderful things that could be done with a true "Kitchen Aid"

I am not so worried about what Santa Claus will eat as he seems to have maintained a nice trim waistline ... now Mrs. Claus, on the other hand, seems to be fighting a little thing called "Middle Age Spread." She might be the one trying to resist all those yummy things whipped up in a Kitchen Aid!!!!

 

[squirrel]

Here is my favorite recipe that I make weekly

1 cup + 2 tblsp of Water or Milk
1 egg
2 Tblsp Molasses
2 Tblsp Oil
1 Tsp Salt
1/3 cup Oats or Multi-grain cereal
3 cups Whole Wheat Flour
2 Tsp Yeast

I do not buy Bread Flour. I buy my yeast in the bulk section and put it in a plastic container (not a bag) when I buy it as it sticks in the bag.

I was given the Bread Maker and it does not cook very well-dry. So I use the machine to mix it and then bake it in the oven. I bake mine at 350 for 18 mins and the dough is divided into 2 small loaf pans.