Why do you need a bread maker at home?
Traditional bread making used to be reserved for bakers who were able to carry out complicated techniques using specialised equipment and bakehouses. But kitchen appliance innovation has brought the art of bread making into the home by simplifying this time-honoured process. With a bread maker, you can create your favourite staples or experiment with your own artisan bread recipes. Don’t settle for a stale selection at the supermarket; pick out your preferred flour and toppings and take matters into your own hands.
If that hasn’t convinced you, imagine walking past a bakery and getting a whiff of that mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked bread. When you have a bread machine at home, you can wake up in the morning, or come home after a long day, to that enticing and comforting smell.
What is a bread maker?
Bread makers are benchtop kitchen appliances that mix, knead, proof, and bake homemade bread. The entire process is designed to minimise labour and save time by eliminating hands-on kneading.
Bread machines are equipped with kneading blades and paddles that mix and knead your ingredients, while letting the dough rise and rest at the appropriate time until it is ready to be baked in the baking pan.
How do you use a bread maker?
You don’t have to worry about unruly dough that refuses to rise or hand-kneaded dough that turns into a crumbly loaf of disappointment. All you need to do is choose a bread recipe, add your flour, yeast, and other ingredients, select a baking cycle from the control panel, and your bread machine will do the rest. Unless you’re baking specialty bread or making dough by itself, there’s no need to transfer between different appliances; each step is done in the same machine.
What should you look for when buying a bread maker?
- Loaf size settings
Whether you’re feeding a family of four or enjoying a solo breakfast, a bread maker with customisable loaf size settings ensures you bake the precise amount of bread you need to minimise food waste.
- Crust settings
If you prefer your crust extra-brown or like it lighter, a machine with adjustable crust settings offers flexibility to ensure your loaf is baked just how you like it.
- Viewing window
A viewing window is a transparent component on the lid of the appliance that allows you to monitor your bread while it bakes.
- Keep Warm and Timer settings
For slow risers in the morning and late guests to a weekend brunch, the handy Keep Warm function ensures your bread is toasty and ready-to-eat. Timer settings let you schedule when you want your bread ready, so every loaf is hot and fresh.
- Fast modes
When time is of the essence, your bread maker can rise to the occasion thanks to fast mode. This program optimises the baking setting to deliver bread in no time.
- Automatic Fruit and Nut Dispensers
If you like to add nuts, fruit, and other ingredients into your loaf, an automatic dispenser can add your toppings at the right moment during the baking process.
- Additional cooking programs
Are you looking to make jam to top your toast? Craft a scrumptious sourdough? Or perhaps some pizza dough for an easy weekend dinner? A bread maker can be more than its name. You can add your favourite fruits and make jam to go with your bread. The Jam program can continuously stir your ingredients to achieve the perfect jam consistency. Bread machines with dough programs can produce dough for pizzas, breadsticks, specialty rolls, and sweet pastries, ready to be baked in a conventional oven.
What are the advantages of a bread maker?
You know exactly what goes into your bread
If you or your family are gluten intolerant or have allergies to certain nuts or grains, then making your own bread at home helps to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and gluten sensitivity. Additionally, store-bought bread tends to be packed with preservatives to keep it fresher for longer, so a bread maker is a great option if that’s something you want to avoid.
No need to leave your home for fresh bread
If you want your loaf of bread to be as fresh as possible, you usually have to get up early in the morning to pick one up from a freshly-made batch at your local bakery. With a bread machine at home, you can prepare it the night before and have it ready in the morning for breakfast.
Baked to your liking
Are you more of a sweet tooth? Do you prefer to have your toast with a kick of spice? Or do you fancy extra-browned crust? With a bread maker you can add your choice of fruit toppings, spices, and savoury supplements. In addition, you can adjust or customise the settings to your unique taste.
A simple, hassle-free process for delicious results
Bread makers are designed to be automated so the entire process requires minimal attention. You only need to add your ingredients and the bread maker will mix, knead, proof, and bake for you.
The smell of bread wafting in your home
Thanks to programmable timers, you can put together the ingredients the night before and the bread maker will automatically bake it while you sleep. The warm, enticing aroma of freshly baked bread can coax you out of your slumber. What a way to start the day!
What can you make in a bread maker?
Some bread machine models have a large variety of bread programs to cook with—even up to 30 types! Here are examples you’ll find in most bread makers.
- French Bread: Light on the inside, crispy on the outside. Ideal for sandwiches and companion to soups and stews. Typically lower in fat and sugar compared to other breads.
- Whole Wheat Bread: Denser than French breads but lighter than rye. This sits in a happy medium between common bread options. Whether you prefer your toast sweet with jam, salty with Vegemite, or healthy with smashed avocado, wheat bread is a versatile option.
- Rye: Made mostly with rye grain flour, this bread is darker in colour and the texture is dense and hearty. Rye bread can handle sandwiches with a generous filling. High in protein and fibre. Best eaten on the same day it was baked.
- Yeast and Gluten-Free Bread: Less spongy compared to bread made with regular flour, and is on the denser side with a slightly gritty and crumbly texture. Ideal for people with gluten intolerance.
Bread Type | Ideal for | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
French Bread | Light on the inside, crispy on the outside | Sandwiches and companion to soups and stews. |