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Is a bread maker an essential kitchen gadget or simply another appliance to take up space on your countertop?
Some say bread makers produce loaves like Mom used to make, while others argue that hand-kneaded bread is far superior.
But more importantly, are bread makers easy to use?
Well, it all comes down to whether bread makers easy to use, or is it easier and cheaper to buy ready baked bread from the local supermarket?
Here are some practical details to consider before investing in a bread maker.
Top things to consider before buying Bread Makers
If you are already set to buy a breaker maker and already know you are buying one, here are a few things to consider. They need to work for their family and still fit in the kitchen.
- Consider the amount of bread you eat. For example, a small machine will cook a one-pound loaf, whereas a large bread maker will bake a two-pound loaf.
- Buy a bread maker to fit on your kitchen worktop or a machine that can be stored away when not in use.
- Bread makers with removable bread pans are easier to clean.
- Buy a Breadmaker with a delay setting to enjoy a freshly baked loaf for breakfast.
Watch this video to help with your bread maker’s success in your home.
The main parts of a bread maker, described
Each bread maker will be different from one another. However, they all have similar basics, and basically, all end up working the same way if you already owned one and are upgrading.
- The bread machine
- A lid with a viewing window – to enable you to watch the bread cooking
- A cool wall – to prevent the bread maker from overheating
- A removable bread pan with a fold-down handle
- A removable kneading blade or bread paddle
New bread makers come with a manual. However, many bread maker manuals are now online.
The user manual highlights specific features and tells you how to make bread in the machine.
Here is a quick overview of how to get the ingredients together and use a bread maker
You’ll be ready to cook as soon as you get it
Most new bread machines come with a recipe book, but, with so many recipes online all you have to do is search for how to create it.
For those who want to learn how to bake bread with some online training, there are lots of groups to join to learn and talk bread as much as you would ever want to. Take a look and you can get all the ingredients online.
Usual ingredients required to make bread in a bread maker
There are a lot of variations to make bread, but these are time-old tried and true ingredients:
- Bread Flour
- Active Dry Yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Fat
- Liquid
Mix up the ingredients and get the bread dough into the pan
Doing the preparation in order makes for much better bread and happy faces in the family.
- Pour the liquid into the bread pan.
- Sprinkle the bread flour on top of the liquid.
- Add the sugar, salt, and fat to the pan.
- Lastly, add the yeast.
When the alarm rings the bread is ready
The timer will return to zero when the cooking cycle comes to an end. This is when your nose goes crazy from the fantastic smells. Lift the lid and use an oven glove to grasp the hot handle of the bread pan.
Lift the pan containing the freshly cooked loaf from the machine. Turn the pan upside down and shake the hot bread out onto a clean surface. Wash the bread pan and wipe the machine casing.
What is the best flour for bread makers?
The type of flour you should use in a bread maker mainly depends on the type of bread you need.
The majority of the recipe books will mention the use of bread machine flour in bread makers. But what exactly is this bread machine flour?
If you are new to baking, this term might be completely foreign to you! Well, the bread machine flour is all-purpose flour with a higher concentration of protein and gluten.
This flour is best to be used in bread makers because it contains the right amount of protein and gluten that helps the bread to rise better and hold a better shape during the cooking process.
You can easily find bread flour at any supermarket. The most commonly used bread flour is organic whole-wheat bread flour.
Examine the control panel and choose a cycle. The majority of bread making machines let you bake basic white bread, whole wheat bread, sweet bread, gluten-free bread, French bread, pasta dough, seeded bread, and specialty bread.
The cooking time depends on the type of bread recipe chosen.
For example, you choose to bake a 500-gram basic white loaf. According to the user manual, the dough must be cooked for 3 hours and 33 minutes. Look at the timer and use the arrow buttons to adjust the clock.
Once set, the timer should read 3.55 hours. Ensure the bread pan is firmly in position, close the lid, and press the start button. The breadmaker will go into action and begin to bake the loaf.
Bread maker features
Naturally, the features of bread makers vary according to make and model. Bread machines with a rapid bake feature can knead, prove, and bake bread within an hour.
Numerous bread makers are fitted with an alarm that activates when the cooking cycle is over. However, head on over to the Best Bread Makers 2020 Reviews 2022 for more features of different models.
Is it easy to use bread makers?
Yes. Once you open the box and read the user manual, follow a recipe correctly, set the machine to the right settings you will end up with a hot fresh loaf of bread.
The average bread making machine is easy to use and simple to clean. Mass-produced bread is fine for everyday consumption, but nothing can equal the taste and smell of freshly baked bread.
A breadmaker doesn’t offer a quick fix; however, in general, it does produce a loaf that everyone wants to eat the second it is ready, in about an hour.
