The aroma of freshly baked bread has to be one of the most mouth–watering smells there can be. You can now bake your own fresh loaf as often as you want and sometimes in less than one hour. Breadmakers allow you to just add the ingredients and push a button leaving the machine to do all the hard work. They are basically an electric mini oven with a mixing paddle inside. The power (given in watts) will determine how much energy each one uses. Although they can all produce a good loaf, they differ in the amount of extra features that they offer. Loaves produced in these machines will not necessarily be any cheaper than the mass produced variety but their ingredients will be completely controlled by you. This makes them popular with those who have an intolerance or allergy to some of the ingredients found in standard bread. Here is a guide to their main features:
Loaf Sizes
This is usually 1lb, 1 ½ lb or 2lb and most breadmakers will produce a traditional horizontal shaped loaf. Some more expensive machines will give options for all three sizes on them, whilst the cheaper models will only have one size option. The size that you choose will depend on the number of people you’re planning to bake for, although a 1 lb loaf would not last very long in most households!
Pre-Programmed Cycle
This can vary from three to about twenty different programmes depending on the model. These programmes will be suitable for every recipe given in the booklet that will come with the machine, allowing you to make many different types of bread products. Some also have a separate browning feature allowing you to control the crustiness of the finished loaf.
User-Programmable Cycle
An option that is only available on the top of the range models, allowing the more experienced baker to programme their own recipe variations.
Dough Cycle
Look for this option if you will want to bake the dough in a conventional oven after it’s been prepared in the breadmaker; some machines will allow you just to make the dough in them – it’s quicker and less messy than doing it by hand, although possibly less satisfying!
Manual Stop/Cycle Extension
This will allow you to stop the process to add more water etc. if needed, or to extend the cooking time. Most of the cheaper models will not have this feature.
Delayed Start Time
Nearly all of the models now have this facility to delay the start time for up to 13 hours. It can be really useful if you want to wake up to a freshly-baked loaf. Obviously it cannot be used in conjunction with recipes that call for perishable ingredients such as milk or eggs.
Add-Ingredients Signal
Sometimes given as an audible “beep” or as a flashing light – this will tell you when you can add extra ingredients such as fruit, nuts, seeds etc. called for in the particular recipe that you‘re following.
Viewing Window
Allows you to see what’s happening without interfering with the programme cycle of the machine. A really practical option that is available on most models giving you something to do while you’re waiting for your loaf!
General
As with all appliances look for models that are well built and easy to clean (some are better designed, giving easier access to removable parts). Make sure that the model you are considering only has the features that you will actually use; machines with extra features will cost more to buy so make sure you will use them. Finally, all of the machines available can produce good results provided that you carefully follow the recipes given, particularly when you’re a beginner – wait until you are more experienced to invent your own variations!
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