Breadmakers

**Maggy J** · 05-01-2006, 12:13

What do you recommend?

I'm getting sick of throwing away so much bread but it is so awful once it is opened and just doesn't last before it's too disgusting to eat.

Plus when a long holiday arises like the Christmas and New Year getting and preserving any kind of bread is problematic as there is never enough room in the freezer.Also my husband hates bread out of the freezer.

danielf · 05-01-2006, 12:16

As mentioned, we use the Panasonic SD 253 which we're really pleased with. One particularly nice feature is that it has a raisin/nut dispenser. Rasisins/nuts need to be added during the baking process. The dispenser realeases them at the right time. The only problem we've had with it in the 2 years or so we had it was that the raisin dispenser broke, but we could easily order a replacement from Panasonic.

It's not cheap though. I paid about £100 for it.

Saaf_laandon_mo · 05-01-2006, 12:17

My breadmaker has been sitting in my cupboard for about 18 months now, as the first time I tried it it wasn't worth the time or effort for the end product. It wasn't even a cheap breadmaker (its made my Panasonic and scored high on some review sites). My recommendation is, if you're feeling guilty about throwing uneaten bread away, is to either buy the half loafs they do nowadays, or learn to enjoy bread and butter pudding mmmmmm

Paul · 05-01-2006, 12:17

Mother (technophobe to be sure) swears by this machine but it's not cheap. Does very good bread and is extremely easy to use.

Saaf_laandon_mo · 05-01-2006, 12:19

Daniel, having read your post maybe Ive given up to easily on our bread maker. Do you have any hints and tips on how to get decent bread out of it? Ive tried the overnight and the quick setting but dissapointed both times.

danielf · 05-01-2006, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

Daniel, having read your post maybe Ive given up to easily on our bread maker. Do you have any hints and tips on how to get decent bread out of it? Ive tried the overnight and the quick setting but dissapointed both times.

Sorry, my wife does the baking

She makes two types of bread using the recipes from the booklet that came with it. I like the wholemeal with nuts bread. I believe she did experiment with different types/combinations of flour before settling on one recipe.

05-01-2006, 12:32

we use the Panasonic SD253 as well, well Mrs Gaz does.

It makes nice bread, as Danielf says the nut dispenser is handy (sunflower seeds & poppy seeds are a favourite) and the timer makes it convenient to use.

Just remember that 'home made' bread goes stale much quicker than most 'shop bought'

danielf · 05-01-2006, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

<snip>

Just remember that 'home made' bread goes stale much quicker than most 'shop bought'

This is true. But breadmakers make half loafs, so they get eaten quickly as well. Plus, we keep our bread in the freezer, but it looks like that is not an option for Incog.

**Chris** · 05-01-2006, 12:47

Another vote for the Panasonic SD253 from me.

It is a superb machine, produces consistently high quality results and good size and shape loaves. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times we have had substandard results, and on every occasion that was down to a mistake by us getting ingredient quantities wrong.

It comes with full, clear instructions, a liquid measuring cup, a tsp/tbsp measure, and some good introductory recipes. Ours has been used 2-3 times a week for almost three years and is still going strong. I can't fault it.

STONEISLAND · 05-01-2006, 15:09

I have just order one of those Panasonic SD253 bad boys. Have you read the reviews on amazonsound reall good.

Angua · 05-01-2006, 15:20

Half the battle with bread machines is getting the mix right. I have found this very good

**Chris** · 05-01-2006, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angua

Half the battle with bread machines is getting the mix right. I have found this very good

I've never used a pre-packed mix. TBH I have never found it a battle to get my ingredients right - the instructions that come with the Panny are very clear and the utensils are clearly marked. It's easy!

05-01-2006, 15:58

I dont know whats happening to the bread these days, it seems to go mouldy almost over night. I think we've threw more away than we've actually eaten! There has to be some other alternative than buying a breadmaker?

**Chris** · 05-01-2006, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger444

I dont know whats happening to the bread these days, it seems to go mouldy almost over night. I think we've threw more away than we've actually eaten! There has to be some other alternative than buying a breadmaker?

Buy smaller loaves, or long-life bread. The large bakeries cut down on preservative use in bread some years ago, so it doesn't last as long these days.

However IMO you can't beat fresh baked bread and a home breadmaker is a very good way to get it.

05-01-2006, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger444

I dont know whats happening to the bread these days, it seems to go mouldy almost over night. I think we've threw more away than we've actually eaten! There has to be some other alternative than buying a breadmaker?

Manufacturers have stopped using preservatives & reduced the amount of salt in the recipe. This is 'healthier', but does mean that it is more subsceptible to spoilage.

One thing to watch out for, is that if any container used to store bread has had any go mouldy, it must be thoroughly cleaned out (boiling water if possible), as otherwise any spores left behind will be able to infect a new fresh loaf really quickly.