OK, all you great bakers out there, I need your opinion!If you have ever used a bread machine do you prefer it over the old fashioned way of making bread by hand?
Does it handle all types of recipes? I often like a round loaf of bread like the crusty sour dough types.
I don't have one, and don't necessarily want to invest the money if it doesn't get that many rave reviews.
Pro's and Con's PLEASE!
6 comments:
Q: If you have ever used a bread machine do you prefer it over the old fashioned way of making bread by hand?
A: I don't prefer it, but I frequently don't have time for the old fashioned version. It's very convenient to make bread in the bread machine, but there's nothing like punching down a nice batch of dough to work out one's aggressions.
Q: Does it handle all types of recipes? I often like a round loaf of bread like the crusty sour dough types.
A: I mix all my yeast breads in my bread machine but I hardly ever bake them in it anymore. I set it on dough so it stops before the last raising and baking, take it out, form it the way I want it (in a loaf pan or as a round loaf or donuts or whatever), raise it and bake it in the oven. Mine handles all my "normal" recipes as long as they aren't so large that the dough rises right out the top of the machine. I have to change the order of adding things, but the same things go in. Wet stuff (except for oils) first with the yeast, then dry stuff, and finally add the oils once it has mixed everything pretty well.
I don't think I'd be making all our own bread at this point in my life if it weren't for the help of my bread machine.
Thank you Maria...lots of good advice there!
I ditto Maria's advice. I only use mine for mixing the dough. I never add more than 3-4 cups of flour for any one recipe ..
If you have a Kitchenaid stand mixer with a dough hook, that works well.
I've seen a lot of bread machines at thrift stores for very little money. If you just want to use one for dough .. that would be my bet .. even if it doesn't have a booklet ... you can usually review or download them online.
Thanks Cathy, I didn't even give a thought to just using it for the mixing ony. I'm going to shop around and see what I can find.
I like mine a lot, but I only make regular bread and rye so far (well, I tried whole wheat... what a wreck!) but I love it. I love that I can just pour all the stuff in and 2 hours later... bread! but I've never done it the old fashioned way... and won't be until my kitchen is done
*ADDENDUM*
I should also mention that I used to bake in my bread machine on hot summer days because it doesn't heat up the kitchen like running the oven does. :) I may do that again.
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