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VEGAN FEAST SUBSCRIBERS' COOKING AND RECIPE FORUM>
Bread Machine Question
JulieH
207 posts
Nov 05, 2005
10:54 AM
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Okay, what's everyone's opinions on Bread Machines? It's one of the few appliances I don't own and am wondering if this is a "must have"? Looking at Bryanna's bread recipes makes me think that I might need one, but I'd love some feedback. Years ago, when they first hit the market, I had one and hated it. I thought that the bread lacked flavor and the machine was shaped like a robot which used to march accross my counter (and almost feel off many times). So I sold it at a garage sale. Are the new machines any better? Is the bread flavor better? I usually just use my Kitchen Aid mixer and let the dough rise in a bowl.
So???
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Linda
483 posts
Nov 05, 2005
11:17 AM
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well, I've gone back-and-forth with this. I'd like one, but I like kneading and making bread homestyle. I considered it again after Bryanna's newer version seitans a couple years ago which called for the kneading in the machine; but, I have a Kitchen Aid standing mixer already and another monster mixer which is especially for bread. So I guess I don't really need one. If I had a big family, I'd probably get one.
Last Edited Linda on 7-Nov-2005 5:39 AM
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Brenda W.
5 posts
Nov 05, 2005
12:17 PM
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Hi Julie,
I make bread all the time for my husband and myself. I got one of the "newer generation" bread machines, a Zojirushi, which is supposed to be able to do whole grain breads. It certainly did an acceptable job, but I chose not to keep it (gave it to my Mom who uses it all the time and loves it).
The 2 reasons I didn't want to use it was 1)I buy my flour in bulk, so each batch is a little different from the previous in terms of moisture absorption (and I would suspect, gluten content). So with the bread machine needing very specific measurements to always come out the same every time, I didn't want to do that.
2)I am horribly much of a perfectionist when it comes to my bread .... ever since learning how (from Laurel's Kitchen Cookbook) to get the perfect texture in 100% whole wheat bread, I always use her method, and I find that very easy to do using a food processor (what I use to knead). Since the bread machine has a very slow, rhythmical type of kneading, and stopping and starting was a bit cumbersome, I actually found the bread machine HARDER to use than my food processor.
That said, my Mom LOVES the Zojirushi. I figured out all the precise measurements for all the ingredients for her, she puts in just that amount every time, and always comes out with great bread with very good flavor (but my texture is better {grin!!})
If you prefer bread that is not 100% whole wheat, I think any bread machine will do a great job. My sister has a garage sale machine, uses it to make white bread, and it really does come out good.
Last Edited Brenda W. on 5-Nov-2005 1:40 PM
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Bryanna
Owner/Moderator
1253 posts
Nov 07, 2005
7:03 AM
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Julie, I don't vthink it's necessary if you love to bake bread, which both my husband and I do. I have one mostly to knead pasta and small doughs and to experiment with for recipes for others who use it exclusively. I get very good bread with sponges and sourdough (they improve the flavor-- I agree that most ABM recipes produce flavorless bread), but I still prefer oven-baked bread. If you get one, I don't think it's necessary to get an expensive one. I like my cheap oster better than the expensive new Breadman that I was experimenting on.
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"To look like a goddess, eat like a peasant." Karen Andres
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kourtney
118 posts
Nov 07, 2005
7:14 AM
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I have a Black and Decker. It's nearly the same machine as I started out with 5 years ago (the first one died after 3+ years of heavy use), so I don't know that they've changed that much. I do make 100% whole wheat recipes in it and, although they don't turn out quite as light as those made by hand from Laurel's Kitchen, I think the results are quite acceptable and certainly better than the bread I can get at the grocery store. (There's a dearth of bakeries in my town.) I use this book for whole grain recipes: http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0806906901/qid%3D1131376347/702-5684021-1153616. The ones in the manual that came with the bread machine never turn out for me.
Although I do sometimes make bread by hand, I don't do it all the time, and I love that I can still have fresh bread when I have no time.
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JulieH
210 posts
Nov 07, 2005
8:55 AM
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Thanks everyone for your help. I'm not sure if I'm going to get one, but now I see that I'm fine either way.
Thanks!!
Julie
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zukigirl
2 posts
Nov 09, 2005
4:30 PM
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I wouldn't be without my Breadman even though I also have a Kitchenaid Pro stand mixer. Originally, I made and/or converted recipes from all the breadmaker cookbooks I could lay my hands on. Eventually, I ended up with one basic recipe on which I base all of my variations. Until I acquird my stand mixer, I used the Breadman to make my doughs for coffeecakes, rustic and holiday breads, and tortillas. I find that it is a REAL CONVENIENCE to be able to put a few ingredients in Breadman and let HIM do the work! PLUS, my Breadman has a "Quick" setting and I can crank out a wonderful loaf of bread in 1 hour . . . Now THAT'S REAL CONVENIENCE! I can throw in a few basic ingredients, turn it on, go for a hike, and come home to BREAD! I LOVE MY BREADMAN!
kourtney . . . if you have trouble making your wheat bread light . . . try adding 1-2 tablespoons of vital wheat gluten to the dry ingredients. After I started doing that I was MUCH HAPPIER with the lightness of my breads.
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ZUKIGIRL
Last Edited zukigirl on 9-Nov-2005 4:34 PM
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kourtney
124 posts
Nov 10, 2005
7:10 AM
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Thanks zukigirl. The recipes I use call for vital wheat gluten and they are light compared to other bread machine recipes for whole wheat breads I've tried. I was just comparing them to recipes from Laurel's Kitchen, which are ridiculously light for whole wheat bread.
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