A question for the hive mind...

[sleigh]

Denise & I are considering getting a bread machine for the holidays -- but our budget is rather tight. So, Oh Great LJ Hive Mind, what is a decent, moderately-priced bread-making device that we should look at?

Comments

[braider.livejournal.com]

Alternately, I could teach you how to make bread without a recipe. It's easier to do by hand than most recipes make it seem.

And your bread doesn't have a hole in the middle.

[daedala.livejournal.com]

I'd second this. Perhaps they have improved, but the last time I had bread-machine bread, the crust was inferior.

If one has a good stand mixer, it is even easier to make by hand.

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

I've made bread myself in the past (and it tasted pretty good, at least I thought so), but...

[davidschroth.livejournal.com]

So, I attempted to e-mail you the Consumer Reports take on breadmakers. I'm curious about whether any useful information arrives in your in-box...

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

Indeed it has, David. Thank you!

[patchwork-prose.livejournal.com]

I make bread once or twice a week. This is the model I've got, and as best I can tell from my checkbook program, I bought it prior to 2004: Breadman TR2200C Ultimate Bread Machine. It's lasted much longer than any of the others I've had over the years. Makes a regular-shaped loaf. Programmable, so you can just use it for kneading and then bake the loaf in the oven.

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the input!

[haniaw.livejournal.com]

I can't remember what I have since it's in Toronto and I'm not. I'll comment again with the info as soon as I can check.

Even though making bread is quite easy, I would never do it without my bread machine. I have several bread machine cookbooks with lots of interesting specialty bread ideas. I use the machine mainly to make the dough and then bake it in the oven. Although sometimes I get lazy and let the machine do it all.

[daedala.livejournal.com]

I do that, except with a stand mixer, which can also be used for other things.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

We asked around among our friends if anyone had a bread machine they weren't using, and lo! Someone did, and it works just fine. Try it!

K.

[jbru.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day (http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes-Revolutionizes/dp/0312362919/) instead. Vastly superior bread with minimal work (no kneading!) for the price of a little refrigerator space.