How to Choose the Best Bread Maker Machine?
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What You Need a Bread Maker Machine?
If you are a person interested in taking home-made bread, you should get the best bread maker machine. It is not a hard process making bread on this machine. You have to just add the ingredients and click a few buttons to program. Then, you will have to wait for some time to get your own bread baked at home. The excellent thing here is that the bread you make in the home will be healthy as you do not add any preservatives and consume them as soon as they are made. Before getting into some ideas on how to shop for this appliance, it is better to first understand what this appliance is all about:
What is a Bread Maker?
As you can judge it is a device that will help you with making bread loaves. This device will have a pan, which will generally be a non-stick pan. Further, there will be inbuilt paddles for dough kneading. It would have been attached to the center of the oven. As the device will mix the ingredients, you will not have to spend your efforts, time and energy to make the dough required for making bread. The bread maker will also knead the ingredients you add regularly for the yeast to rise. Once the dough rises to the required consistency, it would start baking the bread. Once the baking process is completed by the device, the loaf will slip out of the pan. Now, you can slice and serve the bread.
Two Types of Bread Makers
- Vertical bread makers will make brick-like tall bread loaves against the conventional bread loaf shapes we find in the market. Vertical appliances occupy less space and they are affordable as well. This type can make good bread loves with the right ingredients. As against using all-purpose flour, you can use bread flour and active yeast in this type of machine.
- Horizontal bread makers are for you if you are particular that the bread you prepare in your home should be similar to the commercial bread loaves. This type generally comes with a couple of mixers as against one in vertical variants. This type of bread maker can bake using all-purpose flour. Even, you can prepare gluten-free bread using this type.
13 Things to Consider When Choosing a Bread Machine
You are here just because you want to know how to choose the Best Bread Maker Machine. Here, you should know about the points of consideration to make sure that you will end up with the best product that will meet your requirements rightly:
#1 Consider Practical Details
In the process of comparing different models of bread makers from different brands, the first things you will have to consider are some practical details. Here are some of them to know:
#2 Your Family Size Matters
How much amount of bread does your family need? Here smaller units can make limited quantities, while bigger makers can make a larger quantity of loaves.
#3 Size of the Bread Maker
Where will you place your bread maker? This consideration will help you decide whether to go for a bread maker with a bigger size or a smaller size based on the space available in your kitchen countertop. If you have many kitchen appliances already finding a place in your countertop, you will have to consider another alternative place to keep the bread maker, if you are particular about buying a bigger unit that can make larger quantities of bread.
#4 Design and Color Aspects
You might think that most bread makers come either in black or white color. But, in reality, in some brands, you can find makers that are made to match the other kitchen appliances and the interior in your kitchen as well. So, when it comes to practical details, you should consider the design and color aspects as well.
#5 The shape of the Bread
When you take any bread making machine, you will find that it will be able to produce rectangular loaves. However, some models can make the square and round loaves. If you are particular about any shape, you should consider this point as well as a practical point.
#6 Warranty
Practically, every electronic appliance comes with a warranty. You can gain confidence in the longevity of the appliance only when it comes with a warranty. Do not forget to check the warranty terms before you shop for a bread maker.
#7 Removable Bread Pan
Only when the bread maker machine comes with a removable bread pan, it will be easier for you to get rid of it from the base unit for easy cleaning. You can just put the pan in the sink for washing. Otherwise, you have no other choice other than wiping it when it is attached to the base unit.
So, these are the practical aspects you will have to consider when comparing the bread makers from different brands.
#8 Security
The bread maker machine that you plan to choose should be in a position to withstand high temperatures and frequent use without deformation. User safety should be an important consideration when you choose a machine to make bread at home.
#9 Key Features to Consider
Not just some practical things, you should also look for some extra features. The presence of some of these features will make your job easier:
- Can you add additional ingredients?
Rather than plain bread, children love bread with dry fruits added. Some bread makers provide the facility to add additional ingredients like dry fruits when the bread-making process is going on. You can get to know about this facility by looking at the menu pad in the machine.
- Can you get a unit with a see-through window?
A bread machine with a see-through window will help you see the step in the bread-making process that is in progress. It means that at any point of time, you can somewhat judge how long will it take for the loaf to come out of the unit. Even though it is not a practical requirement as you will not always have the time to see through the process happening in the machine, it can really be an added feature.
- Is gluten-free bread important for your family?
If one of your family members is allergic to gluten, you should be highly particular about buying a bread maker machine that can make gluten-free loaves. Not just to individuals allergic to gluten, but even to those trying to reduce gluten consumption, this feature can be beneficial. Some machines can make both gluten-free loaves and loaves with gluten. If you need both, you can think about this feature.
- Can the bread maker make specialty items?
In addition to making bread, some bread makers can make specialty items. For instance, some can make cinnamon rolls or pizza dough. Even, some models allow you to make different types of bread loaves by adding more required ingredients. If you are particular about these features, go for a maker with such added features.
#10 Keep-warm Function
When the device can keep the prepared food warm for some time, you need not have to worry about pre-heating before consumption. This holds for bread maker as well. Some models come with keep-warm mode to retain the warmth for a few hours after preparation.
#11 Delayed-start Function
In some appliances, you might have seen the delayed-start feature. This will be an added feature just in case you wish to add some ingredients before the actual bread preparation begins. Even, the delayed-start feature will help you ensure that the food will be prepared just before you get back home from the office. Nevertheless, you cannot use this feature in the case of bread recipes that need eggs or milk.
#12 Variety and Number of Cycles
Some people do not like a bread machine that makes lots of cycles for making a loaf. It is better to check whether the model you plan to choose can combine and knead the dough with a powerful motor quickly. You should decide on this factor based on your cooking habits.
#13 Other Considerations
In addition to the practical features and add-on features, there are some other considerations as well you should get into before you shop for a bread maker machine. Here are some of them to know about:
- Replacement parts
At times, there are chances of repairs to happen in bread makers like other home appliances. If it happens, you should be in a position to get replacement parts with ease. Otherwise, there is no point in investing in such a device. If you cannot get replacement parts, you will not have any other option other than replacing the entire unit. Not just replacement parts check whether you can get after-sales service as well before you shop for any appliance.
- Easier operation
You should look at whether the maker has a user-friendly interface. Only when you can easily operate, bread-making will be an enjoyable endeavor every time. Otherwise, you will feel bored with using it. In addition, to easy operation, it should be easy to clean as well.
Final Thoughts
So, consider practicality, additional features and other considerations mentioned above and end up with the best bread machine that will stay with you for long.
Top Best Bread Maker Machine on Amazon
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