Bread Maker?

[zazen999]

I would mix it by hand, but a shattered elbow a few years ago renders kneading dough one of the hardest things for me to do!!! I tried a few times before deciding to buy a breadmaker [which we didn't have to do as my mum had one sitting unused in her house], and i just couldn't get it as kneaded as it should be - the pain was unbearable - the bread was alot heavier that it should be.

The dough setting rocks!

[spud57]

I have just got a Panasonic SD 255 (about £100 from Amazon) had to wait a while as it was sold out everywhere!. Its my 3rd bread maker but I thought it was worth the wait for this one as it has the ability to do proper rye and spelt bread - which I love - which I havent found with the others. Highly recommended!

[Alison]

I've got the Panasonic 352 (I think) which is fab - got it reduced by abuot £30 from Comet by reserving it over t'internet and then going in rather than just going in and buying it straight off. Don't understand why this should be such a saving but it was. Got it about 2 years ago and use it a couple of times a week but rarely on fancy types. Ususally do a 50/50 wholemeal loaf on the smallest size which is great for us. If you do get the Panasonic, use about 30ml less water in the pizza base mix from the recipe book (unless they've sorted it now) otherwise you end up with wallpaper paste!

From what I can see, bread is easy to make by hand but if you're out a lot (work etc) then you simply haven't got the time to ensure that you're there at the end of each stage. With our bread maker we put it on auto over night and wake up to the smell of fresh bread - wouldn't get up early enough ever to do that otherwise!

[Pumpkin Becki]

We've got the Panasonic SD252, and love it. It's very simple (just as well really), and turns out lovely loaves, and we've used the dough programme for foccacia which we then bake in the oven. The book that comes with it is really helpful too.

I suppose the only things it doesn't have are a nut/seed despenser or jam function, which its bigger brother does have. But I just remember to lift the lid at the right time to add nuts, and make jam the good ole fashioned way!

[Alison]

I've got the nut thing on mine and have probably only used it about twice, a lot of them you can just lob in at the start and it makes no difference.

[BarleySugar]

I mix mine in the food processor, it'll take 750g flour, which makes a couple of small loaves or 16 rolls, but I usually do 2 lots. It doesn't really need kneading. Once mixed, you can prove it, or just shape and put in the fridge to rise overnight. Then you can bake in the morning, 10-15 mins for rolls, or about 30 for a loaf. Pop down, preheat oven while making tea and feeding cats, put bread in, have shower, by which time it's virtually done. I try not to eat it, but the rest of the family love it. Personally I wouldn't bother with a bread maker, yet another gadget to store, but my kitchen is very small!

[Claire72]

I asked for mine on freeshare as i didn't want to buy one and not use it, I have been very happy with it but don't know the make as the name has rubbed off the side, it does have a window in the lid, but that doesn't seem to make any difference.
Now that I know I will use it, I intend looking for one which has a jam function too as I think I will use that on it. Mum has already requested my old one!

[piskieinboots]

I have succumbed to a Panasonic 254, arrives tomorrow eeeeeee excited now thanks guys

[Nicos]

Has it arrived yet????

Just a word of warning...our first loaf was absolute rubbish, so don't be put off if the first one or two don't come out OK!

(We have the Panasonic 253 )

...and if yours has a removable paddle, don't forget to take it out of the loaf!!!!!!

Let us know how you get on!!

[piskieinboots]

yaaay tis 'ere

blimey! I've grown veg, I've made jam, I'm about to make bread - getting nekkid for the Calendar next

Thanks for the tip on the paddle-removal Nicos *see Piskies shiny toofs not broken

I will (humour me) post a pic of bread and you can tell me if it is good/bad/go back to Waitrose for bread Piskie

[smallblueplanet]

...I will (humour me) post a pic of bread and you can tell me if it is good/bad/go back to Waitrose for bread Piskie

Try their bread flour, its very good.

[piskieinboots]

thanks Manda, I had taken note of your comment on that from the thread Shirley linked above - I am off to Waitrose (erm, I mean PO for work ) later so will be buying then

[smallblueplanet]

...erm, I mean PO for work...later so will be buying then

Ahh, I forgot to say we normally buy organic 'stamps', white and wholemeal and mix and match according to the 'parcels' weight allowance!

[piskieinboots]

perfect

[JennieAtkinson]

...and if yours has a removable paddle, don't forget to take it out of the loaf!!!!!!

Let us know how you get on!!

We had to buy a new breadmaker when we lost the paddle! All we could assume was that we threw the last of the loaf of bread in the bin before we went on holiday and it still had the paddle in it!

Also if you get it out before you cut the bread it doesn't get scratched and lose its non-stick. Yep ............ been there and done that too!