Breadmaker Buying Guide

If you love fresh, tasty homemade bread, a breadmaker is a convenient and easy to use addition to your kitchen. Here are some useful hints and tips for things to consider when choosing a breadmaker.

How to Choose A Breadmaker: Introduction

Combining traditional aspects of home baking with modern technology, breadmakers have been increasing in popularity since the 1980s, and are versatile appliances allowing you to making delicious, fresh bread at home.

The breadmaker is essentially a miniature oven, in which you place a bread pan with a paddle or kneading blade in the centre. On the outside, there's a control panel for the various baking settings.

To make bread, you simply place the ingredients into the bread pan, place the pan inside the breadmaker, and then let the breadmaker do the work!

Using the paddle or kneading blade, the breadmaker then turns the ingredients into dough. When the dough is ready to bake, the oven will heat it and then give it time to cool. You then remove the pan from the breadmaker so that you can take out your freshly baked loaf to serve it.

If you don't have time to prepare the ingredients yourself, you can buy specially pre-prepared packets of bread mix, which usually only need water to be added.

Homemade bread prepared in a breadmaker will keep fresh for about one or two days. That's because, unlike supermarket bread, it contains no additives or preservatives. However, certain types of bread, like sourdough bread, will stay fresh for longer.

One of the great features of the breadmaker is its versatility - you can use a breadmaker to bake a range of bread styles, from the classic to the exotic, adding fruits and spices to create that extra special loaf.

Features To Look For When You Buy a Breadmaker

It's important to understand what the different features on a breadmaker can do, as the functions offered can vary from model to model. The following guide to breadmaker features should give you an idea of the range available help you to decide what type of breadmaker would be best for you:.

Loaf weight - Most breadmakers can bake at least two sizes of loaf. This is especially useful if you want to cut down on the amount of food that your household wastes.
Programmes and bread types - Whether you love plain white bread wholemeal or multi-grain, breadmakers can usually bake a range of bread types. Most breadmakers will have at least 10 baking and /or kneading programmes that will cover a range of baking options suitable for a fantastic variety of breads. Breadmakers are also ideal for anyone allergic to gluten, as you can use them to make gluten-free bread and bread rolls.
Pasta, cake and jam functions - Breadmakers are incredibly versatile. Most models are able to also make pasta, cakes and jam.
Variable baking time - Lets you control the baking time, so you can determine when you'd like your tasty fresh bread to be ready
Crust - Most models of breadmaker have a programmable crust function so you can choose a crust type for your bread (typically dark, medium or light). Sometimes the crust options include a sandwich bake option for an extra thin crust.
Time delay - Ideal for waking up to freshly baked bread, the time delay option enables the breadmaker to be set to bake overnight
Keep warm function - Keeps your bread deliciously warm after baking, so it can be served fresh at any time
Viewing window - For keeping track of the loaf's progress
Rapid /fast bake - For fresh bread in around 1 hour less than the standard baking programme, rapid bake is a useful option for busy households
Digital countdown display - Lets you see how long it will be for the bread to be ready
Cool wall - For safety and convenience, a cool wall breadmaker will keep the outer sides cool while in use
Recipe booklet - Many models of breadmaker now include a free recipe booklet, for a range of great bread making ideas to help you get the most from your breadmaker.

Should I Buy An Extended Breadmaker Warranty?

A warranty ensures that your breadmaker is covered for any repairs needed and that you'll be covered for the costs of a replacement if necessary (under certain terms and conditions), usually for at least a year from the date of purchase. If you are considering an expensive model of breadmaker, it's worth considering paying for an extended warranty.

It's a good idea to set a limit on the amount of money you are prepared to spend on a breadmaker, and not to pay more for features you won't need. However, by shopping around online, comparing different retailers' prices and taking advantage of special offers and discounts, you might be able to get a better model of breadmaker for your money.