White Elephant ..or Useful Healthy Option ???

I had one but hardly used it as I prefer to make bread the traditional way. Mine went rusty and was duly taken to the tip. Definitely not value for money in my case.

I’m coeliac so although my bread maker has a gluten free cycle the results are disappointing because gf loaves take longer to bake.
I use mine solely for the dough function so, once proved, I can transfer the dough to the loaf tin and bake it in the oven.
DD has a Panasonic which she uses all the time. I’m envious of the lovely loaves it turns out.

It could be either of your options. I use mine twice a week, but judging by the number that turn up in charity shops, there must be other people who never used them at all.

They are definitely NOT faffy and complicated. You measure the ingredients, put them into the machine, select a few options (size of loaf, how dark the crust is, etc) press "start" and leave it alone until it beeps that it is finished. About as complicated as shoving your dirty clothes into a washing mcine, adding detergent and rinse aid, selecting a programme and starting it off.

If you are happy with the basic loaf, you can make that every time and enjoy eating it. If you are more adventurous, you can use different flours and additions - there are plenty of recipes.

I suspect quite a lot of the one in charity shops were unwanted Christmas presents, or belonged to someone's late mother and inherited by a daughter who didn't want it.

Greenfinch

I had one but hardly used it as I prefer to make bread the traditional way. Mine went rusty and was duly taken to the tip. Definitely not value for money in my case.

That's what I'm worried about , mind you I wouldn't have the excuse of making bread the traditional way !!!

merlotgran

I’m coeliac so although my bread maker has a gluten free cycle the results are disappointing because gf loaves take longer to bake.
I use mine solely for the dough function so, once proved, I can transfer the dough to the loaf tin and bake it in the oven.
DD has a Panasonic which she uses all the time. I’m envious of the lovely loaves it turns out.

I take it the Panasonic is an all singing all dancing machine then !

I've used mine this pm. They are a bit expensive compared to most kitchen gadgets, not something you want to buy on a whim.
Me & DH both love bread & it is healthier made at home as it's a VHPF from the supermarket. I dislike cooking but it is easy as cinch to use my breadmaker. I also do bread recipes from recipe books in it, & it makes marvellous pizza dough.

Elegran

It could be either of your options. I use mine twice a week, but judging by the number that turn up in charity shops, there must be other people who never used them at all.

They are definitely NOT faffy and complicated. You measure the ingredients, put them into the machine, select a few options (size of loaf, how dark the crust is, etc) press "start" and leave it alone until it beeps that it is finished. About as complicated as shoving your dirty clothes into a washing mcine, adding detergent and rinse aid, selecting a programme and starting it off.

If you are happy with the basic loaf, you can make that every time and enjoy eating it. If you are more adventurous, you can use different flours and additions - there are plenty of recipes.

I suspect quite a lot of the one in charity shops were unwanted Christmas presents, or belonged to someone's late mother and inherited by a daughter who didn't want it.

Interesting reply, thanks.Glad to hear they are not at all faffy or complicated as I'd lose interest quickly !

Mine's a Panasonic..

I’m 😂 at Elegran’s description of a bread maker being like a washing machine!

I go through phases of using mine - partly depending on my waistline as the bread is very yummy. It’s easy to use, I know the base recipe off my heart now so just lob in the ingredients and off it goes. You can buy mixes in the supermarket, where it’s all weighed out for you though I’ve never tried those.

I take it the Panasonic is an all singing all dancing machine then !

Not at all but It deservedly gets the best reviews and is very easy to use.

Once you get into the habit it takes no time, 5 mins maybe..
When we lived in france i used to get my wholemeal flour direct from our local mill, a big water wheel it had, fascinating place.
I always came home with a layer of flour dust all over me.
I bought 2×25kg bags at a time. All the other ingredients plus measuring tools etc in a plastic storage box together.
Yes i love their baguettes but after a month non stop of the stuff I'd had enough and wh.meal bread wasn't really a thing there at the time. I baked 3 or 4 loaves a week and always came out perfect (except for the first few times of experimenting)

I have never owned one for the same reason as you rocketstop, but if I saw one being sold cheaply in a charity shop, I would give it a go.

I wouldn’t have one - at least partly because of a shortage of worktop and cupboard space.
I used to make bread the old fashioned way - it was quite enjoyable.

I'm still swithering ! All these replies are good, keep them coming.
Do they cost a lot to run ?

Witzend

I wouldn’t have one - at least partly because of a shortage of worktop and cupboard space.
I used to make bread the old fashioned way - it was quite enjoyable.

yeah worktop space is a consideration isn't it ?

Tuinoma

Once you get into the habit it takes no time, 5 mins maybe..
When we lived in france i used to get my wholemeal flour direct from our local mill, a big water wheel it had, fascinating place.
I always came home with a layer of flour dust all over me.
I bought 2×25kg bags at a time. All the other ingredients plus measuring tools etc in a plastic storage box together.
Yes i love their baguettes but after a month non stop of the stuff I'd had enough and wh.meal bread wasn't really a thing there at the time. I baked 3 or 4 loaves a week and always came out perfect (except for the first few times of experimenting)

The mill sounded great, at least you knew the ingredients were fresh as could be !

Charleygirl5

I have never owned one for the same reason as you rocketstop, but if I saw one being sold cheaply in a charity shop, I would give it a go.

Didn't think of that but it would still have to have it's instructions !!

I wouldn't be without mine. The bread is so superior to any you can buy in a shop, and it could not be easier - you don't even have to grease the pan, or stir ingredients. Put the yeast, flour, salt suger and butter in, add water, and switch on; takes only a minute or two, and in a few hours there is the delicious aroma of baking bread . There is also a timer so you can wake up to the aroma too. I make pizza dough, rolls, jam is possible - it's an excellent gadget. I would suggest a Panasonic, as previous threads seem to suggest it is by far the best. No nasty ingredients, and half the price of a bought loaf.

I've got one. Bought second hand from FB Marketplace. Love it. Very simple to use. It IS a temptation to eat too much because the bread is delicious. Bought 2 more... both also secondhand..... for my 2 sons.

I have known friends enjoying using them, but i had an easy single rise wholemeal loaf recipe, which I enjoyed eating but also it was the greatest remover of stress and hassle. Trump annoying you, or the cost of everything going up? Cant beat a good thumping of the dough , leading to lovely bread to eat the more you bashed it and a calmer person to eat it. However it was so good and now I live alone and am diabetic, dont make it often as it is irresistible.Do you have a friend or an acquaitance who use a machine who would let you watch them use it so that you could judge it for yourself?

LovesBach

I wouldn't be without mine. The bread is so superior to any you can buy in a shop, and it could not be easier - you don't even have to grease the pan, or stir ingredients. Put the yeast, flour, salt suger and butter in, add water, and switch on; takes only a minute or two, and in a few hours there is the delicious aroma of baking bread . There is also a timer so you can wake up to the aroma too. I make pizza dough, rolls, jam is possible - it's an excellent gadget. I would suggest a Panasonic, as previous threads seem to suggest it is by far the best. No nasty ingredients, and half the price of a bought loaf.

You make a good case for the bread maker ! Thank you

Alypoole

I've got one. Bought second hand from FB Marketplace. Love it. Very simple to use. It IS a temptation to eat too much because the bread is delicious. Bought 2 more... both also secondhand..... for my 2 sons.

Interesting, but yes, would have to rein myself in with the scoffing of said bread !

I like my bread maker. I use it to make a pizza base dough quite regularly, and it also makes a nice ciabatta loaf. I make a mixed brown flour and white flour loaf, too.
I’ve occasionally made a fruited loaf and hot cross bun dough.
So yes, it’s a useful addition to my kitchen.

I have one and for many years I used it 3 or 4 times a week when there were two of us but, after my husband died, even the smallest loaf it makes was too big for just me. Without the preservatives used in commercial bread, it quickly goes stale and there's a limit to how much you can slice up for toast and keep in the freezer!

Current partner doesn't eat a lot of bread and I'm trying to keep my carb consumption within sensible limits so, much as I love it, it's now only used if I'm expecting company and want to make something special, fruit loaf or tomato bread or whatever.