Are bread machines worth it?

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I am sure that answering this question will determine if you will consider buying a bread-making machine or not. Truth be told, homemade bread is nutritious and delicious, though it takes so much time and effort to make, starting from mixing the ingredients down to baking. However, the essence of a bread maker is to lower the time and energy spent in producing a finished bread, ready for consumption.

In this article, you will find out if indeed you have a need for a bread maker. Keep reading below.

Bread machines are worth it, if:

You love warm, freshly-baked bread, straight from the oven.
You don’t have the skill of baking bread from scratch.
There is no time for you to go through the processes involved in baking bread.
You want to determine the ingredients that will go into making the bread.
You can finish a loaf of bread in a day or shortly after it is baked.

What are the benefits of using a bread machine?

If you get to know the advantages of using a bread machine, you may want to get one for yourself. The following are some benefits of the machine:

You spend less money on making bread at home with a bread machine

When you consider the running cost of making bread on a commercial scale and the cost of ingredients, you will understand why supermarket bread is more expensive than homemade bread.

Homemade bread is more nutritious and healthier

In making your own bread at home using a bread machine, you have the opportunity to determine the ingredients that go into it. You can control the quantity of the constituents, unlike the loaves you buy in the supermarket. In addition, buying bread from the supermarket exposes you to additives and preservatives used in making the bread, which has the capacity to predispose you to some health conditions.

Ease of usage

The bread-making machine is easy to operate. You just need to study the manual if you do not have prior experience in using it.

It is a cleaner method of making bread

Your kitchen will still maintain its pristine state while you go about bread-making at home because all you need to do is throw in all the required ingredients and let the machine do all the magic.

It gives a better quality and better taste of bread

The freshly-baked bread from your machine will meet your taste buds with a warm embrace and leave them feeling delighted.

Are there any disadvantages to using a bread machine?

As convenient and as good as baking bread at home is, there are some downsides to using a bread-making machine. They include:

Bread gets ruined

It is possible for the paddle (in the machine) that kneads the dough to get stuck in the bread during the process. When this happens, your bread may end up with an annoying hole that ruins the shape while you are trying to pull out the loaf.

One loaf at a time

Because of the size of the machine, you can only make one loaf at a time. This means that if you have a large family, it will take you longer to bake the number of loaves that will serve everybody. It is not time-saving, and you possibly don’t have all the time in the world.

Limited machine preset

Another challenge of the machine is that it has a certain preset that makes its function restricted. This means there is a limit to what you can do with it. In addition, you have to know how to adjust it right. If not, you may make a disaster of a loaf!

Cleaning difficulty

While trying to get rid of the stuck bread particles in the machine, you may end up damaging the machine. While cleaning the machine, you just have to be careful, considering the delicate nature of its parts.

Power consumption

If you live in a community where you have to pay a fortune for electricity, a bread machine may not be pleasurable.

Durability

In connection with the durability of the machine is its life span. Constant usage of the machine can wear it out, reducing its life span. At a point, you will have to change a lot of components that are not so cheap to come by.

How much does a typical bread machine cost?

The higher brands can be purchased for $300 or more. For a mid-range brand of machine, you can spend between $100 and $150. Some other ones that are a bit cheaper may be priced less than $100.

How does a bread machine work?

Before I talk about the working of the machine, let me educate you about some of the constituent parts:

At the bottom of the machine’s tin is an axle that connects to an electric motor underneath. Then, there is a small metal paddle that hooks onto the axle inside the tin. This axle is held firmly in place by a waterproof seal that prevents loss of the bread mixture.

So how does the machine work?

Put your paddle in the tin.
Measure out the ingredients in the right proportion and load them into the tin, then place the tin in the oven
Set the program on the machine, close the lid and wait
If the lid is transparent, you will see the paddle spinning and kneading the dough
The process and whirring of the machine will go quiet. This is the rising phase
The proving stage comes with more kneading and another phase of quietness
Lastly, the oven automatically switches on again, and soon, the delicious aroma of the bread starts diffusing through the exhaust vent and fills the air around your kitchen. Moments later, you will have your freshly-baked, sizzling hot, yummy bread on a platter

What types of bread can be made in a bread machine?

Country White Bread
Whole Wheat Bread
Multigrain Loaf Bread

What are some tips for using a bread machine?

To get the best out of my bread machine, I do the following:

I get the machine set early in the morning to enable me to get the bread ready for dinner
I ensure I clean the machine as soon as I am done with baking
Since the machine has a certain preset and functionality, I make sure I stick to the settings of the machine so that the machine lasts long

How do I Clean a Bread Machine?

First of all, unplug the machine
Get a small brush and gently sweep the particles of bread and flour in the machine. Do not use water
For the moist dough, allow it to dry before taking it off
To clean liquid spills, make use of a clean microfiber cloth and gently wipe the machine
You can make use of a damp cloth dipped in warm, soapy water to clean inside the machine

How do I Store Bread made in a Bread Machine?

You may not be able to consume the loaf you make completely, which makes it necessary to store it for future consumption. I will share some tips on how to keep your homemade bread fresh with you.

Immediately you remove your bread from the machine and allow it to cool completely on the bread rack. If you leave it in the machine, it could get damp while cooling.
When the bread cools, wrap it tightly in several layers of zipper-lock plastic bag or in some good quality foil to prevent air from getting into the bread.
Store in a cool, dark place at room temperature

In addition, if you want your bread to last up to 5 days and still stay fresh, you can get a well-ventilated bread box. Do not expose the box to sunlight.

Secondly, you can also store the loaf in a plastic container with perforations that will allow ventilation for the bread.

Are there any recipes specifically for bread machines?

The list below shows you some of the best recipes suited for your bread machine. They are:

Banana bread
Oatmeal bread
Whole wheat bread
White bread
Cheese bread etc

Conclusion

In summarizing, if you were trying to decide whether to invest in a bread-making machine or not before now, I’m sure you have been armed with the requisite information to help you make a brilliant decision.

If you are a lover of freshly made bread that contains the ingredients you love, getting a bread machine may be a way to go. But if you do not have the luxury of time and energy to go through the entire process, then it’s advisable you stick to supermarket bread.

Importantly, you must clean your bread machine after each use and maintain it regularly to ensure its longevity. Having read through, the decision is yours to make.

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Are bread machines worth it? – Everything You Need To Know