Bread machines save you time

[GardenFan]

I make my jam in a bread machine that has a jam setting, although you are limited to how much you can make at once you can make 5 jam jar loads in one go and all you need is fruit, sugar (jam sugar is best to avoid scum) and pectin (if need be). Measure it into the container, press a button and go do something else for an hour or so. It does all the heating and mixing for you and the end result is just as good as the manual method, recommended !!!

[Shortie]

Wow. Okay maybe only 5 jars at a time, but still - no stirring, timing or burning? Bread machines make nice pizza bases too don't they?

What make have you got GardenFan?

[JennieAtkinson]

No idea you could do jam - ours is pretty permanently on for bread, so I'll have to try a bag a slot!

[Weavie]

Hi - I've picked up a brand new Prima breadmaker today at the local car boot sale for £6.00. Of course, when I got it home it had no instructions/recipes or measuring gadgets. Can anyone tell me how much flour/water etc to use please. So much for a bargain!! Thanks everso!

[Squirrel]

Your best bet is to get hold of a recipe book for breadmakers. Quite a few of them about. I don't bother with the recipe book that is specific to my breadmaker, just use the other receipe books! Makes good bread!

[Weavie]

Good idea. Thanks. Off to Lakeland tomorrow.

[GardenFan]

The recipe book will give you an idea of qty's, with bread it's all important as too much or too little can effect it. With Jam it's a lot easier, just experiment qty until you get the kind you like best. All you need is fruit and sugar (and pectin if the fruit does'nt supply it). In terms of operation most have a program button with some preset programs, each program is something different (bread, jam etc) with effects the time of operation. You will also have buttons to add or decrease time. Not sure on the make of mine. The jam setting makes great marmalade when the seville orange season is on in Jan

[Weavie]

It,s just before 6.00am and I'm drooling already! Just been dreaming about all the raspberry canes I'm gonna get one day.... Thanks - really hope mine does jam/marmalade. Also picked up chicken brick at same car bootie and busy looking up recipes for that. I'm getting up now to get toast laden with jam!

[Squirrel]

Don't forget Weavie to soak your chicken brick each time you use it and start it in a cold overn, otherwise it will crack! Also when hot never put it on a cold surface for the same reason. They cook chicken and other things beautifully! Even bread!

[Gardeners Delight]

After reading this its stirred me to try making jam in my breadmachine~WOW almost to good to be true 2 small batches one of raspberry one of strawberry no fuss or hastle Think I'll be using it to make more bread so we can eat all the jam

[Weavie]

Well I put my brick in the sink to soak and guess what?? The sink came unstuck and fell down with only the waste pipe holding it in place!! We only had the kitchen fitted 3 years ago - I couldn't believe my eyes. Luckily enough it's double unit so I had another sink but didn't want to risk same thing happening so took brick to utility room (big ol'butler sink) and soaked it there. So glad you said about starting in cold oven cos knowing my luck at the moment, I would have cracked that. Even though sink now mended, I won't be doing that again! The chicken was so succulent and I hadn't even based it. My husband is a very patient man thank goodness though I did see his eyes go heavenwards when I told him what had happened.

[Squirrel]

Just re-read my reply about the chicken brick - for heavens sake OVERN! Talk about phonetic spelling! Sorry Weavie!

[Weavie]

Still got the message accross Squirrel Made pizza bases yesterday. Well it's a start

[janie]

Thanks for the bread maker tip, I had completely forgotten that mine did that and was going to use my ham-pan ( at mo breadmaker is consigned to the loft - kitchen refit just finished ) Will have to raid my Dad's blackcurrant bushes for jam making purposes as all mine are earmarked for pies etc.

Do you think I could use it to make mint jelly successfully ??? ( Wicked stepmother has a load of mint and I promised her I would have a go).

[MaxBaz]

Have tried loads of recipes, and the one I usually come back to is: 500grams flour (I often have a mix of white/brown or kibble), 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 and a quarter teaspoons yeast (usually one of the 7g sachets makes two loaves), 50 grams butter and 350ml water.

Put butter and very warm water in the breadmixer, add flour, salt, sugar, add yeast last, set the size to 750g loaf and white cycle and that's it.... mine takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. Never fails...... Good luck