The Best Homemade Bread Machine
The bread machine kneads, leaven and bake homemade bread and pizzas, desserts, fresh pasta and jams.
Let’s see the types, how it works, and the best bread machine to buy.
Simple and genuine food, such as bread, is difficult to prepare at home because processing requires time and strength. The rising time we are committed to is a couple of hours when we prepare simple sandwiches and up to four hours if we want to prepare a brioche.
The automatic bread maker kneads, leavens, and cooks thanks to pre-setting programs. Thanks to the timer, we can set it the night before to have fresh bread in the morning just got up.
The bread machine is also essential for preparing all the most complex doughs, such as gluten-free bread that requires special flour, panettone and pandoro, pizza, and homemade pasta.
Finally, cutting-edge bread machines can prepare jams, fruit competes, and yogurt. Thanks to many programs and functions, it is a versatile and handy appliance in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
How to choose a bread machine: types and characteristics
Choose which bread machine to buy. These are the main characteristics to be evaluated before buying.
Programs
Thanks to its preset programs, most bread machines allow us to prepare an infinite variety of doughs. The program includes mixing times, leavening, and baking based on the selection of flour and the type of product to be prepared.
We can start from the simplest dough for white bread, wholemeal bread, French bread, and even brioche bread until we get to more difficult doughs such as gluten-free flours (Kamut, spelled rye), which require different times and processes.
We could use the rapid program if you have little time available, which shortens the preparation time. There are programs dedicated only to cooking fresh pasta and programs with longer leavening if you want to use the sourdough for more specific needs.
Functions
Most bread machines have different functions. For example, some bread machines create bread of different sizes, providing the appropriate interchangeable molds: sandwiches, baguettes, and bread in the oven. In addition, the delayed start function allows you to decide when to start baking the bread to have it ready at the desired time.
Some machines have various options to choose the bread’s browning level or keep the bread warm if you do not intend to eat the bread immediately after the cooking.
The bread machines with dispensers allow the ingredients in the second dough phase, which is very useful if you prepare bread seasoned with dried fruit, olives, or others.
In this case, the additional ingredients are placed in special trays, which join them in the mixture at the right time. This way, we can load the machine with everything we need and let it work without intervening.
Another useful function is memory, whose task is to memorize the program we have set up so that, in the event of voltage drops or blackouts, the machine resumes work from where it left off. Finally, the temperature function is useful for the most delicate doughs, especially desserts.
Once the ingredients are inserted, the machine brings everything to the same temperature. It can happen that using ingredients at room temperature and ingredients are just taken from the refrigerator, and the most delicate dough cannot rise properly.
Power
The power of a bread machine is the main characteristic to be evaluated when choosing this appliance. Its value is expressed in watts (W) and indicates the energy used to work and cook a dough. The quality of the dough will also be due to the power of the machinery. The greater this will be, the better. The shovels will work to get a better product.
This value is also indispensable for determining the heat production of its resistances, favoring optimal leavening and cooking. Finally, the bread machine’s power guarantees its quality and durability because the higher the power, the less the engine is under stress.
Generally, the machine should have good power and at least two kneading blades in frequent dough work with wholemeal or gluten-free flour. Among the models currently on sale, we can find bread machines with a power of 500-600 watts, up to more advanced models with a power of 1,500.
Capacity
The capacity of the bread machines can vary depending on the model. Usually, the classical capacity goes from 500 g of dough (i.e., the sum of all the ingredients) to 750 g up to 1 kg.
However, some machines work smaller or larger, so we can find the maximum capacity in the machine specifications, for example, 1 kg, and then the different pieces, for example, 250g, 500g, etc.
The Best Homemade Bread Machine
Below is the complete selection of the top 10 best bread machines currently on sale, with prices and features to choose the best suits you.
- MAKING FRESH ARTISAN BREADS right at home is now fool proof and automatic. The Elite...
- MAKE UP TO A 2-LB LOAF of bread. With 3 different settings for a 1-lb, 1.5-lb or 2-lb loaf...
- INCLUDES 19-PROGRAMMED PRESET MENU for a variety of different types of doughs from basic...
- Cuisinart-quality technology promises superior crust, color and texture.UC Cubic Feet:...
- 12 preprogrammed menu options - fully automatic, easy to use
- 3 crust shades - light, medium, or dark & bakes up to a 2 pound loaf
- 29-in-1 SMART BREAD MACHINE FOR NEWBIES & PROS - Your fresh healthy homemade bread is...
- UNIQUE 1-PRESS BREAD MAKING - All your settings are saved for the next use, including Menu...
- MORE MENUS & RECIPES FOR HEALTHY BREADS - KitchenArm Menus & Recipes support both the high...
- Various healthy course settings include Multigrain, Whole Wheat, Rapid Whole Wheat, Gluten...
- Double Kneading Blades thoroughly knead dough for superior results; Dual heaters on the...
- Rapid courses allow you to bake a loaf of white or whole wheat bread in just 2 hours and...
- 550 watt non-stick bread making machine with up to a 2 pound loaf capacity
- Automatically mixes, kneads, rises, and bakes fresh bread
- ExpressBake setting bakes bread in less than 90 minutes
- MULTIPLE CUSTOMIZED NUTRITIOUS PROGRAMS AND 2LB LARGE ACTUAL CAPACITY: The KBS automatic...
- UNIQUE HEALTHY NON STICK CERAMIC PAN AND 710W POWERFUL QUIETER MOTOR: Exclusive one to use...
- INTELLIGENT FRUIT AND NUT DISPENSER AND 15 H TIMER AND 1 H AUTOMATIC WARM AND FRESH...
- 20 PROGRAM MENUS: Our bread maker has 20 customized automatic programs(basic/ quick/...
- COMPACT SIZE, LARGE CAPACITY: The compact size of the auto breadmaker can easily be placed...
- NONSTICK CERAMIC PAN: New upgrade ceramic pan is 100% no chemicals(BPA-Teflon-PTFE Free)...
- Bread Machine: A traditionally shaped, horizontal bread pan accommodates 3 different loaf...
- Custom Settings: This bread making machine features 12 digital settings: Basic, Wheat,...
- Delayed Start Cycle: This bread baking machine is programmable for up to 13 hours; Set it...
- FRESH, HOMEMADE BREAD IN 3 EASY STEPS: Just add your ingredients to the bread machine,...
- VERSATILE WITH 12 CYCLES: Make delicious, mouth-watering loaves of bread or prepare dough...
- CUSTOMIZE BREAD YOUR WAY: Choose to make either 1 lb., 1.5 lb. or 2 lb. loaves, and select...
- 【13 Preset Programs】Elevate your family breakfasts with the EUHOMY Bread Maker: a...
- 【Mix Bread with Nuts & Fruits】Enhance your homemade bread with the EUHOMY Bread Maker...
- 【Powerful But Quiet Bread Making】Experience rapid, yet silent bread making with the...
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