Bread machine

**mndtrp** · 01-30-2011, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by appleblossom

I've just ordered the Oster 5838 ExpressBake Breadmaker from Amazon.

This is the one we have, too. It's done a great job, although we've only ever made gluten-free bread.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Oster-5838-ExpressBake-Breadmaker-White/dp/B00005OTXK/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1296430678&sr=8-11"]Amazon.com: Oster 5838 ExpressBake Breadmaker, White: Kitchen & Dining@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FD54E250L.@@AMEPARAM@@41FD54E250L[/ame]

**frugrrl** · 01-30-2011, 06:59 PM

I have a Sunbeam that was a hand me down I got about 8 years ago. I used it very briefly for a time and then put it away. I pulled it out a couple years later and ran it almost every day for two years. Last year, I didn't use it as often as I should, but I've been trying to get back into the frugal "mindset" and I've been using it more. I just love my breadmaker!

**Luckybustert** · 01-30-2011, 07:00 PM

I have this one: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CBK200-Bread-Maker/dp/B0012RNOZ8"]Amazon.com: Cuisinart CBK200 Bread Maker: Kitchen & Dining@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41hCdwKEgNL.@@AMEPARAM@@41hCdwKEgNL[/ame]

Works great and would definitely buy it again!

**Missy** · 01-30-2011, 09:04 PM

I have a sunbeam too. It's cheap, makes a decent loaf. Although because of my altitude it's touchy sometimes. so often i use the machine to mix and rise and then i bake in the oven.

**Jjules** · 07-11-2011, 08:37 AM

i love my breadmaker, its a sunbeam, its really quick and easy to do basic cakes and jams. i did pasta dough in it the other night. just to easy, if you want to do bread rolls etc, just take it out, shape it, place somehwere to prove for 30 mins and then bake. did i say before i lOVE my bm.

**Ali Lee** · 07-12-2011, 01:27 PM

Years ago & I mean years, I bought a Pillsbury from QVC. Paid about 180. If I remember correctly it's when they were "coming out". I love it, has never failed me. A 2# loaf, push button on top, different settings, quick bread, pizza, etc, 3 settings of browness-light, med & dark. This past year I've used it more than ever. I'm making our bread. I make mostly a whole wheat oatmeal bread. Sometimes I will make a white or all whole wheat. I make bread about once a week. I'm very pleased & would recommend it.

oh yes-came with a very nice cookbook!

**meredith1629** · 09-26-2011, 06:51 PM

I like my Sunbeam but i bake the bread in the oven instead of the machine. I hate the indention the paddle makes in the bread. I feel like I lose 3 or 4 slices of bread.

**Precious26** · 09-27-2011, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by kitkat0649

I have this Cuisinart:

Amazon.com: Cuisinart CBK-200 2-Pound Convection Automatic Bread Maker: Kitchen & Dining

My husband got it at Costco for I think around $70 for my bday. I use it a couple times a week. I mostly make oatmeal bread, granola bread etc. I love it!

I have the exact same one, my in-laws bought it for Christmas last year, and I make bread 2-3 times a week. I love it!

**Pianolady** · 12-27-2011, 08:28 AM

I actually have two Mr. Coffee "The Breadmaker" machines. I tend to use the dough cycle and then bake in the oven. They've lasted 15 years maybe?, without issue. Unfortunately, they no longer make bread machines. I owned two other brands before these (back in the 1990's), and they didn't work well or broke quickly. Only issue I had was losing a paddle, and a replacement was found easily on eBay.

**bunnys** · 12-27-2011, 08:15 PM

I am thinking of making bread. I spend about $3 on a loaf of Arnold's 100% Whole Wheat Dutch bread at least 1x per week and I think that's expensive.

Making your own bread is like what? Forty cents a loaf?

It just seems like such a hassle as I don't have a mixer strong enough for a dough hook or a bread machine.

About 5 years ago I started a sourdough starter and made about 4 or 5 loaves before I gave up. They were terrible.

I guess I should try making some bread on my own and seeing how it works out first. I got the whole wheat flour, yeast and vital wheat gluten the other day...

Maybe I could find a good price for a bread machine on Craig's List.

Any suggestions?

**savvy_sniper** · 12-28-2011, 02:18 PM

Look around in resale shops. I have seen them with the instructions and they looked brand new for a few dollars. You can plug them in at the store and make sure they at least start up.

That way you won't be out too much money if you don't like it/continue to use it.

Originally Posted by bunnys

I am thinking of making bread. I spend about $3 on a loaf of Arnold's 100% Whole Wheat Dutch bread at least 1x per week and I think that's expensive.

Making your own bread is like what? Forty cents a loaf?

It just seems like such a hassle as I don't have a mixer strong enough for a dough hook or a bread machine.

About 5 years ago I started a sourdough starter and made about 4 or 5 loaves before I gave up. They were terrible.

I guess I should try making some bread on my own and seeing how it works out first. I got the whole wheat flour, yeast and vital wheat gluten the other day...

Maybe I could find a good price for a bread machine on Craig's List.

Any suggestions?

**knitnmom** · 12-28-2011, 03:20 PM

I am going to do this as well. I bought a pan to bake it in to make a square loaf for sandwiches. We go through a lot of bread, and our favorite is almost $5 a loaf when not on sale. I would like to eventually get a breadmaker, but for now, I will use my Kitchenaid mixer.

**Saule** · 12-28-2011, 04:35 PM

I have the Cuisinart one also, and really like it. It has a pause function so that if you are around, you can stop the machine, take out the dough, remove the paddle and drop the dough back in. You just have a small hole in the bread, not a problem. You can also do things like coat the loaf with sesame seeds.

I think most of the modern machines do well. Things that I think you should look for is a whole wheat cycle (even if you don't eat it now, you know you should and you will like it better when you make your own) - whole grain flours need more time to hydrate fully and that is built into this cycle. I would love a fruit and nut dispenser, which the Cuisinart does not have - its one failing. I think all machines now have a dough cycle. I like to bake my bread in the oven. But I do suggest that you look for a machine that bakes a horizontal loaf - it just looks nicer.

My first machine was a Toastmaster and it was fine, except for the shape of the loaf.

I see machines in resale shops and it is definitely worth checking those out. The other things to do is look for refurbished ones. The Cuisinart I have now is a refurb, paid only $39 for it at tigerdirect.com, and it has worked very well for a year or so. Sometimes you can find open box sales - products that were returned not because of a defect but because the recipient did not want it. Those are often a very good value.

**savvy_sniper** · 12-28-2011, 04:44 PM

Big Lots sells refurbished Cuisinart stuff! I bought a coffee pot for a really good price. I saw a breadmaker on the shelf when I shopping before Christmas. If you have their rewards card you will get 20% off coupons via email. The next one won't be until February probably.

**pollypurebred39** · 12-28-2011, 04:56 PM

If you can hold out, you're almost destined to find one at the thrift store. People will be donating all their unwanted Christmas gifts.

While my was not new when I got it, it was in perfect condition. I doubt it had ever been used. The instructions were printed right on the side of the machine. I paid under $5. and it has churned out countless loaves of bread. It's paid for itself several times over.