Best Value: Hamilton Beach Bread Maker Machine
This bread maker has a backlit digital display that summarizes the bread you’re making, including its loaf size, pre-programmed setting, and crust shade. In addition to bread, it can also make cake, jam, and other sweet treats.
Key Features
12 pre-programmed settings Two loaf sizes Three crust shades Delay timer One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked that this bread maker was easy to clean. They also said that it made minimal noise, so they were able to use it while they were watching television in the living room or working in the home office. However, the machine produced caved loaves for some customers. Other customers claimed that it was ineffective at mixing dough.
Best Accessories: KBS Bread Machine
To customize your bake, this bread maker offers 17 pre-programmed settings, three loaf sizes, and three crust shades. It also features a 15-hour delay timer and a one-hour warming function. To take advantage of all of the machine’s capabilities, it comes with a measuring spoon, a fruit and nut dispenser, recipes, and other accessories.
Key Features
17 pre-programmed settings Three loaf sizes Three crust shades 15-hour delay timer One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers mentioned the tempered glass and stainless steel build of this bread maker, stating that it was both durable and stylish. For some users, it didn’t properly mix the ingredients. For others, the manual was difficult to follow.
Best For Quick Baking: Zojirushi Bread Maker
If you’re looking to make bread in the time that it takes to cook the rest of your meal, this model features two rapid settings that cook either wheat or white bread in under 2.5 hours. It has 10 other settings, including a unique one that memorizes three of your favorite bread recipes.
Key Features
15 pre-programmed settings One loaf size Three crust shades 13-hour delay timer One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were happy with this machine’s useful timer function, easy-to-use design, and durable build. However, other customers found it hard to concentrate with the machine on because it made loud noises.
Most Compact: Cuisinart Bread Maker
This bread maker has a vertical design to fit in smaller kitchens with limited counter and cabinet space. It has 12 pre-programmed options to make a one-, 1.5-, or two-pound loaf of bread with crust that’s shaded to one of three levels.
Key Features
12 pre-programmed settings Three loaf sizes Three crust shades 13-hour delay timer Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Those who gave this product positive reviews said that it was lightweight and took up minimal space. They also liked its interior light because it gave them better visibility of their bread. However, many users were annoyed at how often it beeped while it was on.
Best For Cake: Pohl Schmitt Bread Machine
For those with a sweet tooth, this bread maker has 14 cooking settings, including jam, yogurt, and cake ones. If you want to make a fruit- or nut-filled cake, the machine beeps toward the end of the baking cycle to remind you to add these ingredients.
Key Features
14 pre-programmed settings Three loaf sizes Three crust shades 15-hour delay timer Two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers were pleased with this bread maker’s intuitive design and convenient display. On the other hand, unhappy customers said that it didn’t always bake loaves all the way through. They also didn’t appreciate that it was made in China despite being advertised as a Swiss manufacturer.
Buyer’s Guide
You can expand your cooking horizons by using a bread maker to create your own delicious, home-baked bread. This buying guide covers the important elements you should consider before purchasing a bread maker for your kitchen.
Settings
Most bread makers come with numerous settings—often a dozen or more—that are programmed to make different recipes. These settings adjust the size of the loaf, the color of the crust, and the type of bread.
Size
Measure the available space you have on your counter or in your cabinet before purchasing a bread maker. Bread makers usually have a tall and skinny or short and wide build. If you have a small kitchen, opt for the former option.
Capacity
Tied closely to size, capacity refers to the maximum amount of dough a bread maker can bake at once. Most bread makers have a capacity of one or two pounds.
Cleaning
Most bread machines are built with a mix of hand-wash and dishwasher-safe components. You usually have to wash the exterior by hand. However, the removable pan and other interior parts are sometimes safe for the dishwasher to save you time.
Features/Accessories
Bonus features and accessories that may come with your bread maker include:
Fruit and nut dispenser Oven mitt Recipe book Viewing window Rapid baking Delayed baking Yogurt setting Jam setting Cake setting
How To Use a Bread Maker
If you’re new to making bread with a bread maker, it may seem confusing. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to keep doing it over and over again. To help you get going, here are some tips.
Follow Instructions Closely
An easy way for your bread to get ruined or your machine to break is to not read the instructions. Different types of bread require different ingredients and settings, so follow the machine manual and bread recipe closely.
Start Early
If you want to have your bread ready by dinnertime, you need to get started on it early in the day. See how long your bread maker recommends baking the specific type of bread that you want, and plan accordingly.
Check Often
Don’t be afraid to look through the lid while your bread bakes to track its progress. Doing this every 20–30 minutes makes it more likely that you will notice an issue before it’s too late. One common problem that happens sometimes with bread makers is that the blade doesn’t engage or mix the ingredients. Another common error is filling the maker’s chamber with dough that’s too wet or dry.
Be Aware of Temperature
The ambient temperature of your kitchen can affect how your bread bakes. If your home is too cold, the dough may not rise enough. On the other hand, if your home is too warm, the dough may overproof, which results in a flat loaf.
How long does my bread maker take to make bread?
It depends on the bread maker and the setting. However, it usually takes three or four hours for standard two-pound loaves.
Can I make gluten-free bread using my bread maker?
Some bread makers have a gluten-free setting that’s designed to work with gluten-free flour alternatives. You shouldn’t use your bread maker to make gluten-free bread if it doesn’t offer this pre-programmed mode.
Where should I keep my bread maker when I’m not using it?
You can store your bread maker on a counter or in a cabinet or pantry. It’s best if this counter, cabinet, or pantry is in your kitchen to keep it close by when you’re ready to use it again. If you’re keeping it on your counter, unplug it to prevent turning it on by mistake.
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