I scored a bread machine @ the thrift store today!

**oheoh's momma** · 01-08-2012, 03:49 PM

Bunny I was gonna ask about the bread but u already answered. enjoy your score....

**shelly123** · 01-08-2012, 04:11 PM

I was so excited after reading about your find that I went to the GW today and found one myself. It is a Welbilt with 2lb capacity and I paid 8.98. I am now going to look for a manual too.
How did the bread taste? You said it was pretty but was it good?

**frugalfranny** · 01-08-2012, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by bunnys

Mysteriously though, the paddle has disappeared. I think it may be in the loaf...?

Yep...........that is where it is at..........and dig it out now before you FORGET ABOUT IT.............BTDT.......almost tossed one.

Now all you need is some homemade butter and you will soon be on your way to 300 pounds!!!!!!!!!!

DON'T DO IT..............it is addicting!!!!!!!!!!

**bunnys** · 01-08-2012, 06:18 PM

Oheoh: Bread was phenomenal! The breadmachinedigest.com basic white loaf (in their recipe area) that they told me to use as my test loaf reminded me a lot of Pepperidge Farms white sandwich. It had the same texture and flavor and weight but it was SO MUCH BETTER both hot coming right out of the machine and even the next morning when I sliced it cold from the fridge and spread Earth Balance (my brand of butter) on it. The only change I made to the recipe was that I added 1.5T of vital wheat gluten which I know is a dough conditioner. Also, I cut the water down by 1/4c, deleted the powdered milk and added 1/4c of soymilk instead. I'm sure following the directions exactly would yield approximately the same loaf.

Also, I think Cricketlegs said to buy an electric knife to slice it but I found that by waiting until it was cold and cutting the entire loaf in half and placing the cut side down on the board, I could easily slice even neat slices that would be great for 1/2 sandwiches. I may look for an electric knife at the thrift store the next time I go but actually I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely my serrated knife worked.

Normally I don't eat white bread. The next loaf I make will be this recipe again but I'm going to substitute 1/2 whole wheat flour for 1/2 of the white bread flour and see how it goes.

Shelly: Congrats on your find! Hold off on buying the manual though and first read breadmachinedigest.com's beginner page about generic bread machine instructions. It told me so much about how to make a loaf of bread in my bread machine without the manual and as you know the results for me were great. Try a loaf (according to their instructions) first and see how that works before shelling out another $5. That's my advice.

Now I need to find a source for cheap vital wheat gluten, whole wheat bread flour and just flour in general. Any suggestions all?

The deal here is that I am thrilled by the results. I totally see myself making 1-2 loaves of bread every week and never buying bread again. It's cheaper, better and so much fun. I've always wanted to make my own bread and although it's the bread machine not me making my own bread, I feel so much more self-sufficient than I did buying loaf after prepared loaf at the store. So Laura Ingalls Wilderesque of me!

**Cricketlegs** · 01-08-2012, 08:48 PM

I use my maily to mix and knead and rise dough for my cinnamon buns and donuts. The only bread I've made is a delish pumpkin.

Can't claim credit on the electric knife idea, it wasn't me.

**shelly123** · 01-08-2012, 09:05 PM

The company that makes the one I bought has a manual online that I can view for free. much better than buying one! I cant wait to use it.

**Spirit Deer** · 01-08-2012, 11:12 PM

I buy yeast at a whole foods co-op. You can buy exactly the amount you'd like, so you don't have to worry it'll get old. I also store yeast in the freezer and have a small jar I keep in the fridge so a small amount isn't frozen. You can get vital wheat gluten there, too. The one I go to also offers a lot of different kinds of flour, but it's less expensive to get it at the regular grocery store unless you need a special kind.

I buy all my herbs and spices there, too. Much cheaper and fresher.

The food co-op I go to also offers that wickedly addicting dehydrated pineapple dipped in dark chocolate. Evil.