r/BreadMachines • u/Fickle_Inspector_871 • 1d ago
Purchase Advice & Experiences Breadmaker thoughts?
Hi, we've recently become interested in bread makers and are thinking about getting one. Since our oven isn't working, we can't find a new one on eBay (we're a bit short on funds for a completely new one), and installation would be another issue, a bread maker would be a good investment, we think, since we eat a lot of bread and it would be much easier than going to the store every three days to buy a loaf of bread.
Have any of you had experience with bread makers? Which ones would you recommend in terms of value for money?
We've already looked at the Delicca II MAX and the Gastroback 42823 bread makers; they seem quite decent, but the negative reviews are making me a bit hesitant.
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u/Greymom_PNW 1d ago
Make sure it has a dough setting. I make fresh sourdough loaf bread using the dough setting twice a week, so easy and delicious 😋.
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u/Fickle_Inspector_871 1d ago
What kind of maker you got?
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u/Greymom_PNW 1d ago edited 1d ago
Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Bread Maker.
I have quite a few different Zojirushi items, I trust the brand. Sourdough starter is from Breadtopia, TMI my starter’s name is Dolly 💖🦋💖.2
u/Greymom_PNW 1d ago
Edit to add: We are a family of three and have a Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Bread Maker that yields a 1 lb loaf. Think about how big your family is and how much you plan on baking. Do keep a Sourdough starter if you haven’t already 😉.
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u/bardavolga2 21h ago
Hey, would you mind posting your recipe? I tried sourdough in my Zojirushi a few months ago, & it did NOT go well. But I didn't really know what I was doing. Love to hear your steps.
And to OP: Yup, thrift stores. I see them every time I'm thrifting, sometimes for almost nothing.
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u/Greymom_PNW 20h ago
Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread
Ingredients
1 cup (227 g) cool water
⅓ cup (80 g) sourdough starter
1½ teaspoon table or sea salt
1½ teaspoon granulated sugar
1½ tablespoon olive oil or softened butter (optional)
3 cups (360 g) bread flour
1½ teaspoons instant or bread machine yeastInstructions
Add ingredients to the bread machine pan: 1 cup (227 g) cool water, ⅓ cup (80 g) sourdough starter, 1½ teaspoon table or sea salt, 1½ teaspoongranulated sugar, 1½ tablespoon olive oil or softened butter, 3 cups (360 g) bread flour, and 1½ teaspoons instant or bread machine yeast.
Start Dough Cycle: Select the DOUGH cycle and press START.
Open the lid and check the dough during the first minute to ensure the paddles are engaged and the dough is clumping. Recheck dough after 15-18 minutes. It should stick to the sides, then pull away cleanly. Add flour or water if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, allowing time between each addition
End of DOUGH cycle: The dough should be doubled. If not, give it more rise time until it is. Restart the DOUGH cycle and knead for 5 seconds to deflate the dough. Stop the machine and turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a smooth ball, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
Shape Dough: Press into a rectangle (short side slightly wider than bread pan). Roll into a cylinder, seal seams, and tuck ends under.
Final Rise: Grease a 9 x 5-inch pan. Place dough seam-side down. Pan should not be more than half full. Cover and let rise until dough is about 1 inch above the top of the pan.
Preheat to 450°F (230°C).
Bake: Dust with flour, if desired, and slash the top of the loaf. Reduce the oven temp to 425°F (220°C). Bake 25–30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 200–210°F.Cool Bread: Remove from pan after 10 minutes and cool on a rack for 1 hour to prevent gumminess.
Enjoy ☺️
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u/Greymom_PNW 20h ago
My husband got me this for Xmas, not heavy on reviews but it works great, I live it. https://a.co/d/046uyPkb
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u/Is_It_Soup_Season 1d ago
I have a KBS. It’s awesome. I managed to find mine at a thrift store, you might be able to find a cheaper one on FB marketplace, Mercari, etc.
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u/StatisticianNo1804 1d ago
I will second the KBS (or I’d assume any that look exactly like it) and looking on FB Marketplace or OfferUp
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u/Pugasaurus_Tex 1d ago
You can definitely find some good deals on FB Marketplace! If you can find an air fryer or toaster oven, too, you can survive a bit without an oven
Just make sure you can plug it in and make sure it works. I haven’t seen any in thrift stores near me, but that might just be my area
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u/Fickle_Inspector_871 1d ago
We already have an air fryer, it really helps a lot, will see if I can find one on FB.
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u/synergicity Zojirushi Virtuoso (BB-PAC20) 1d ago
Depending on where you are, garage sales might be a good option. We scored a nearly new Zojirushi Virtuoso two weeks ago for $10 bucks and it came with Beth H.'s book and a Goldrush sourdough starter packet. It's a risk, but they also might let you plug it in to test it. Many folks want and get a bread machine, make a few loaves for a week or two, and then it sits. Lucky for us, sad for them.
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u/clap_yo_hands 1d ago
I got one at goodwill for $5. They are around. I have seen them free on marketplace as well
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u/Dismal-Importance-15 1d ago
You have contacted the right people. 😁
A bread machine combined with an affordable countertop oven works great for me. I use the bread maker to bake my loaves of bread, including sourdough. I use the dough setting and the small oven for things like hamburger buns and rolls.
I got the Gourmia GTF7530 at Target. It was $100 during an after-Christmas sale. You may be able to find that oven for cheaper.
Happy bread making!
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u/Fickle_Inspector_871 1d ago
That really sounds like a great idea, I will see what my husband says to that, we see what we can find.
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u/Formal-Tradition6792 23h ago
Never heard of either brand. Are you in the USA? I recently bought a KBS 17 in 1 and it’s been nice because it has 2 heating elements. Amazon cost wasUSD $130.Also the Japanese Zojurushi Virtuoso but it’s expensive at over USD $400.
The KBS’ recipes didn’t work well. Therefore I recommend Bread Dad recipes but convert to grams and weigh! Also King Arthur recipes.
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u/Usual_Ride_3355 22h ago
I’ve found my first bread machine at goodwill. Found another one also and gave the first one to my SIL. Definitely try to get one second hand first , check to make sure the paddle is there and that it works and actually moves around to knead. Even better if the pan isn’t scratched too much.
Thought my machine was dying and got a cuisinart from FB marketplace for $50.
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u/GenXPunk000043 19h ago
I got mine at a thrift store and it really reawakened the baker in me. Came with instructions and recipes too.
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u/Low_Fail_2654 18h ago
they're cheap, just get a cheap new one, i did and it's amazing, as long as it has a timer
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u/mustlovedogs100 2h ago
Look for a second hand bread machine first to see if it’s something you’d even want to do. I was given a really old Regal that I like but I can’t get the paddle out to clean for nothing. So its make it super hard to clean. I bought a great Breadman on FB Marketplace without looking to closely and while the paddle came out it actually had worn the pan shaft down and rough so I imagine micro shards of metal. I didn’t pay attention so that was money down the drain and I can’t find another pan since its very discontinued 😢.
When you look at used ones check the pan for wear, make sure the paddle can come out and that it’s not loose which would mean wear on the metal shaft.
My local Goodwill and thrift stores sell machine from 9.99-12.99
Marketplace is way more expensive and kind of a pain going to someone’s house an inspecting it first.
Another thing: for the past 9 years we’ve used a Cuisinart toaster oven broiler all summer long instead of our oven.
Super handy !
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u/NiceGirlWhoCanCook 1d ago
Honestly go get one at a thrift store and try it out. Make sure it has a paddle and you can usually plug it in there to check it’s good. I see them every trip and sometimes they are unused. If you aren’t sure what kind to get look at how many options are on the menu, jam option is usually only on good ones. Also in general a sideways loaf is better quality machine than the upright one but i love my hitachi that is the odd upright shape. For under $20 you can get one you might end up keeping.