WHY I BOUGHT A BREADMAKER AND THE REASON YOU SHOULD TOO!

I purchased a bread maker machine for my home for a variety of reasons. I wanted to remove some of the less healthy components and preservatives from my family’s diet because my wife and I and our three children are all bread, dough, and baked goods lovers and we always have a few items from the bakery department on hand as well as 2 or 3 loaves of bread but there just always seemed to be that processed flavor. I figured it only made sense to test and see if we could create some of these delicious goods ourselves.

So why not? I now have the opportunity to bake fresh bread at home. I already make my own pizza dough, but it would sometimes be laborious and messy to do it by hand. I figured that not only would this be a terrific opportunity to get my family more involved in the kitchen since they enjoy seeing technology in action, but it would also be an excellent way to eliminate some of the “by-hand” processes.

After all, who doesn’t enjoy simplicity sometimes? So, I made my purchase. Turned out to be one of my best kitchen appliance choices ever. My bread maker is always in use! I’ve baked a number of excellent loaves of bread, dough for cinnamon rolls, ciabatta, French bread, etc., but I make a lot of pizza dough with my machine, and it makes some of the best dough and crust I’ve ever had.

It’s simple (as long as you follow the detailed instructions per your particular machine). It smells like a bakery in your home, and the entire process is therapeutic. I absolutely recommend purchasing a bread machine. It’s something you can all enjoy together as a family. It’s a healthier option and there are so many different things you can make with the provided recipe book or guide that comes with your specific machine.

Remember, since homemade bread doesn’t contain preservatives to lengthen its shelf life, it goes bad sooner than bread from a professional bakery. Usually, homemade food is healthier. So put it to use now.

What Is A Bread Making Machine Or Breadmaker?

A bread maker, often known as a bread-making machine, is a kitchen appliance that bakes bread from scratch eliminating the need for you to get messy with ingredients and utensils all over the place, allowing you to put everything needed in one machine designed to do all the hard work, like kneading and proofing, following a set of instructions.

The machine does all the work for you fast and effortlessly. It consists of a bread pan (or “tin”) installed in the middle of a tiny special-purpose oven, with one or more built-in paddles at the bottom of the pan. Typically, a basic built-in computer operates this little oven using parameters entered via a control panel.

The majority of breadmakers offer many cycles for various types of dough, including those for white bread, whole grain, European-style (also called “French”), and dough-only (for pizza dough and shaped loaves to be baked in a conventional oven). Many additionally include a timer so the bread maker may start without the operator being there, and some expensive ones let the user set a unique cycle.

In order to make a loaf of bread, components must be added to the bread pan in the correct order (often liquids go in first, followed by solids, but pay attention to your machine’s instructions). The pan is then placed in the Breadmaker. The instant yeast used in breadmakers needs to come in contact with water to activate, thus the sequence of the components is crucial.

Until the program begins, the yeast and water must be kept apart. A loaf of bread is produced by the machine in a number of hours. Prior to cooking, the components are rested and heated to the ideal temperature. The mixture is then stirred with a paddle to form a dough. The dough is then proofed using ideal temperature control and then baked.

Recipes for bread machines frequently have a smaller yield than regular bread recipes, and they are occasionally standardized based on the pan size of the appliance. Premeasured bread mixes are available that are made expressly for breadmakers and comprise ingredients like flour and yeast in addition to flavorings and occasionally dough conditioners. Typically, only water needs to be added.

FACT: Despite the fact that commercial bread machines for large-scale production have existed for a long time, the first self-contained Breadmaker for home use was produced in Japan in 1986. Due to the predetermined loaf shape and the low-duty cycle, bread machines are not practical for commercial usage, but they are ideal for home use and work best with kneaded doughs.

HERE ARE THE TOP 5 BEST BREAD MAKER MACHINES

Since they discontinued making the model I presently own and make a newer model, it is not on the list. However, I have never experienced any problems with it and use it constantly, so I am confident you will be able to discover the ideal match for your home, family, budget, and lifestyle.

1. Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker

It’s understandable why this is one of the highest rated overall given the large number of 5-star reviews and recommendations from organizations like NBC News, Forbes, and Good Housekeeping. The Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus is a reliable option despite its higher price. From simple white and wheat bread to pizza dough, pound cake, and even jam, the Zojirushi can create it all. One of the bigger options, this machine features two paddles for effective kneading and needs its size in order to accommodate longer rectangular loaves.

The Zojirushi has a sturdy metal bread pan that’s simple to remove and stops kneading when the lid is lifted, allowing you to poke or touch the dough to determine its texture without worrying about the paddles spinning. The Zojirushi offers 13 programs with its simple control panel, including programs for bread, jam, and dough with two quick settings: white bread and wheat bread. This is a powerful, dependable machine with a solid reputation for consistency.

2. Oster ExpressBake 2-Pound Bread Maker

Coming in at number 2 is the budget-friendly Oster ExpressBake 2-Pound Bread Maker. This bread maker is for you if you like the idea of making fresh, easy-to-make homemade bread but don’t want to spend a fortune. There are a number of features on this device. The Oster bread maker offers eight bread settings and three crust settings, and it can produce up to 2-pound loaves. You can also use it to make your own jam.

This type, like other bread makers, includes a delay timer that enables you to add ingredients and bake at a later time. It also has a keep-warm setting and can produce a finished loaf in under an hour. It also has a large LCD screen that shows how the bread is progressing.

Baking bread with this machine is simple; all you have to do is add the ingredients in the suggested sequence, push a few buttons, and wait for the bread to bake. For novice bread makers, it’s particularly convenient because there’s no need to set timers for punching down or shaping the dough. The recipe booklet that comes with it offers suggestions for modifying ingredients when bread doesn’t turn out as intended, and the machine’s top can be removed for easy cleanup. It’s simple for beginners to use, clean, and store with this lightweight machine.

3. Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker

While not nearly as compact as typical mini bread machines, this model is still ideal for homes with limited counter space. In a more compact, space-saving design, the Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker has everything you need to produce delicious bread.

If you want to store this stainless steel machine somewhere else, moving it off the counter won’t be too difficult as it only weighs a little over 10 pounds. The Cuisinart Compact can bake up to 2-pound loaves and has 12 preprogrammed settings and three crust color options (light, medium, and dark). It creates evenly browned bread and features a removable nonstick kneading pan that makes cleanup a snap.

It’s also very simple to use and has an intuitive and straightforward control panel. This machine’s top has a viewing window and an LCD control screen that is simple to read and displays options for the program, crust color, and loaf size. Timing for cycle and delay start is also available.

Despite its small size, the bread maker has plenty of capability thanks to its pre-programmed menu options, all of which are entirely automatic. There are various beginner-friendly dishes in the recipe guide which is included. Everything from artisan bread options to gluten-free bread to jam and sauce recipes. This machine makes breadmaking incredibly simple. All you have to do is add the ingredients, and the bread maker does the rest.

4. Hamilton Beach Artisan Dough & Bread Maker

Here’s another budget-friendly option. One of the best bread makers for budget-conscious shoppers is the Hamilton Beach Artisan Dough & Bread Maker because it doesn’t skimp on features. It includes some unique settings in addition to the customary settings like gluten-free, jam, and cake. For artisan dough and French bread, separate cycles exist.

And like almost all other models, you can set it to bake overnight, keeping your bread warm if you decide to sleep in. There are several time-saving elements on the Hamilton Beach as well. On the Express mode, it can prepare a loaf from beginning to end in less than two hours if you haven’t planned beforehand. The pan and the paddle are also dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a pleasure. In conclusion, it is simple to understand why the Artisan Dough & Bread Maker is one of the best bread makers around.

5. Breadman 2-Pound Professional Bread Maker

And last but certainly not least is the Breadman. My Breadmaker is a Breadman, but not this specific model, as the one I own, I believe, is no longer being made. But my specific breadman machine is a workhorse, and I’ve never had any problems with my machine. My breadman is user-friendly and customer service is always ready to assist with any questions and tips so it’s only right that a breadman makes this list.

For all sorts of bread, the Breadman 2-Pound Professional Bread Maker bread machine features 14 baking settings. The crust can be adjusted from light to dark, and it produces loaves that weigh 1, 1.5, and 2 pounds. There is a window that allows you to monitor the process without opening the lid, a 15-hour delayed start option, and a 1-hour keep warm option. You can also change the settings to your preference if those options are unsatisfactory. This appliance creates lovely, fluffy loaves of bread and the nonstick loaf pan releases the bread from the machine with little effort.

This bread machine features collapsible kneading paddles, preventing large holes from appearing in the final loaf and making it simpler to remove from the pan. A fruit and nut dispenser allows you to add ingredients toward the end of the kneading process. And the Breadman 2-Pound Professional Bread Maker comes with a recipe book, a foldable measuring cup, and an adjustable measuring spoon. This machine is not at all as expensive as some of the higher ranking machines but delivers in quality and performance, is user-friendly, and can deliver time after time so if you have a little bit more of a bigger budget you can’t go wrong with this machine.

So if you are looking for a new hobby to get into with your family or just by yourself and you have an affinity for baked goods, or just looking for something to help get your mind off of certain things or maybe you’ve always wanted one but just never made that final decision, give one of these a try and you won’t be disappointed. A bread maker is a good way to focus your mind on something that can yield a positive end result. From pizza dough to French bread you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you turn out. Not to mention the aromas in your kitchen and home from your machine which can induce happiness and a positive mental state.

Have fun and good eating!

Mindful!