The Best Homemade Bread Machine

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.

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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.

Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.