Comments on: Reader’s Question: Should I buy a Breadmaker/Breadmachine?

By: Jenn @ Frugal Upstate

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:00:39 +0000

Carol-you are a perfect example of how useful an ABM can be. Of course, you must use up quite a bit of cabinet space with four machines

By: Carol M

Carol M — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:43:41 +0000

Jen-I currently own 4 (yes 4!) ABMs! My first one was a Freecycled, 1 lb machine. Next, I bought 2 machines a 2 lb and a 1 1/5 lb. I got a 4th 2 lb machine (again thru Freecycle) once I figured out that I need the 2 lb loaf size for my family. I get 3 machines going at once for pizza night (4 kids). This alone has more than paid for the $20 spent at thrift shops. THe 1 lb machine will go off with soon to enter college and get an appartment kid. I pawn off my other machines as more leave the nest. Since I have arthritis in my hands, this is a great device for me. I make breads, rolls, hot cross buns, cinnamon rolls, pizza dough in mine.

By: San Jose Amy

San Jose Amy — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 05:48:08 +0000

I like your blog

By: Jenn @ Frugal Upstate

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:50:44 +0000

I love all these different takes!

9to5to9-Ok-I can see how it would affect the rise. But if you are buying thrift I wouldn’t worry TOO much about whether the heating element worked well or not. Or at least I’d be willing to take my chances. I think you’d have to run it for quite a while at the store to see if the heat came on.

By: 9to5to9

9to5to9 — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:57:09 +0000

I’m on my third bread machine, and I couldn’t live without it. When #2 died last spring after a 10-year run, in fact, I ordered a replacement the very next day. And I bought high end this time, because a bread machine is a work horse for me.

The reason: I make 99 percent of our bread. I don’t do hot dog and hamburger buns, but everything else I do. I used to love kneading bread – it’s SO therapeutic – but in recent times years of typing and cake decorating have taken their toll on my wrists and I just don’t have it in me to knead that much. Plus I like being able to ignore it for a while and do other things after the initial mix. I don’t make in it, though. Every bread machine I’ve had has baked the bread too dry to suit me.

If you’re not a hard-core bread maker, though, I’d agree with Jenn. Start with a use one and see how you like it. Then upgrade if you love it.

I do disagree with you, Jenn, on the heating element, though. When the one on Machine #2, a Welbilt, died it noticeably effected the rise.

By: Sheena

Sheena — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:17:36 +0000

I’m in the market for a bread maker as well. Jayden absolutely loves bread, he goes through a loaf in less than a week. I was looking at one at Walmart, but I know I can probably score one on Ebay or Craiglist. I got my rice cooker from Ebay and coffee maker at a garage sale. I love buying used.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:51:59 +0000

I found my bread machine for $5 on Craigslist. I love it. I rarely back the bread in the machine; I use it mainly for the dough cycle.
After reading some of these comments, though, I may have to dig out the Kitchen Aid and give that a try.

By: Amiyrah

Amiyrah — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:46:01 +0000

I absolutely love my bread maker! And I love it so much because I got it for free. With a little bit of patience, you can get a free one off of craigslist or freecycle. I put out a request for a free one on freecycle once a week for 3 weeks, and by week 3, someone had responded and was desperate to get rid of her almost new bread maker. It has saved us tons of money because I don’t buy store brand bread anymore; I make it myself and we use it up all week. Pizza dough is made every friday for pizza night and has also saved us a bundle.

Since I’ve gotten my machine, i’ve checked back on craigslist and freecycle and see lots of people still putting up their machines to give away or sell very cheap. The best time is around wedding season when couples get them as gifts and don’t want to keep them.

By: Amyrlin

Amyrlin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:44:44 +0000

I agree with gradchica, I find my kitchen aid stand mixer easier than the bred machine. I have used my bread machine for about 6 years exclusively for kneading and proofing. When I purchased my kitchen aid stand mixer (on clearance!!) the texture was unbeatable for pizza, bread, rolls etc. I have not used the bread machine since and I don’t think it takes any longer or a hassle using the mixer. I am planning to use my bread machine for a OAMC session for breads, etc, and for the holidays it is invaluable back up for all the baking I do.
Have a great day!!

By: gradchica

gradchica — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:09:41 +0000

I make pizza dough, French bread, and “free form” breads at least once a week. I have a bread machine and never use it–too much hassle. My 2 cents would be: if you have a stand mixer, try making bread with that first before buying a bread machine. I use my Kitchen Aid mixer for all my breads–mix it up in there, “knead” with the dough hook, cover and let it rise right there in the bowl.

For pizza dough, it’s the same number of steps, since you have to roll it out whether you use a machine or the mixer, and same for French bread. For sandwich bread, I’ve had the best results letting my lump of dough rise in the bowl, then for the second rise on the counter, then plopping it into a bread pan–the crust comes out much nicer for me.

Anyway, give your mixer (if you have one) a try first. Also, if you don’t have a mixer, it would be a much valuable addition to your kitchen then a bread machine since it can handle many more tasks.