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Oster breadmaker reviews


for easy, speedy loaves |

There’s nothing quite as delicious as a homemade loaf of bread fresh out of the oven, but the traditional process of baking bread is quite time-consuming. You have to mix the ingredients and knead the loaf together, then wait patiently while it rises– sometimes multiple times – before baking it. The whole process requires lots of patience and careful attention, which is often in short supply for those with busy schedules, and that’s exactly why the best bread makers such as the Oster Expressbake Breadmaker are so popular.

This countertop appliance makes bread baking a truly hands-off task, and is perfect for matching up with the best toaster. All you do is measure the ingredients into its removable bread pan and press 'Start', and within a few hours, you’ll be rewarded with a freshly baked loaf of bread. The Oster Expressbake Breadmaker can make white, whole-grain, French, sweet, and even gluten-free bread, and it stands out from competitors thanks to its Expressbake setting, which bakes a loaf of bread in just one hour. It certainly sounds amazing, but is it one of the best bread makers on the market? 

As a professional product tester with several years of experience testing kitchen gadgets, I was excited to see if the Oster Expressbake Breadmaker was as cool as it seemed. I spent a week baking several loaves of bread and eating lots of toast along the way, and in the end, I was extremely pleased about how easy this appliance was to operate and clean. 

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Product specs

(Image credit: Oster)

First impressions

(Image credit: Future)

The Oster Expressbake Breadmaker comes in a fairly light box, and upon opening it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was minimal packaging inside. The appliance was held in place by two fairly small pieces of styrofoam, and it was easy to unbox, unlike many other kitchen appliances, which are wrapped in numerous layers of packaging. All of the included accessories were inside the breadmaker, including a measuring cup and spoon, and a hook that helps you get bread out of the pan if it’s ever stuck. 

(Image credit: Future)

This breadmaker was actually smaller than I expected, which I think is a good thing, especially for those who have smaller kitchens or limited storage space. I also like that all the accessories can be tucked away inside the appliance, making it compact to store. My only complaints were that the stainless steel finish smudges very easily—it already had fingerprint marks on it just from me taking it out of the box—and that the manual was creased in half.

Making white bread in the Oster Expressbake

(Image credit: Future)

To test this breadmaker, I baked my way through several of the recommended recipes, which are included in the manual. I started with a basic white bread in the smaller 1.5-pound size. I’m an avid baker, so I have most baking ingredients on hand, including specialty flours, different types of yeast, and even mix-ins like diastatic malt powder. Given my wide pantry, I was quite surprised to find that I actually didn’t have all the ingredients needed for a simple white bread recipe! In particular, this recipe requires a few tablespoons of dry milk, which I had to pick up from the grocery store before I could proceed with baking. 

(Image credit: Future)

Once I finally had all the ingredients handy, it was time to bake my first loaf. The process is truly simple: First, you add the liquid ingredients into the bread pan. In this case, it was just water and butter. Next, you add the dry ingredients on top. This included bread flour, salt, sugar, and the dry milk. Finally, you make a little well in the middle of the flour and spoon in your yeast. The instructions make it very clear that the yeast shouldn’t come in contact with the water when you’re adding ingredients, so it’s important to add everything in the order specified. One thing I thought was a bit annoying is that the included measuring spoon can only measure a teaspoon or tablespoon, and the recipe called for 1-3/4 teaspoons of yeast. It seems like a waste to include accessories that don't actually have the necessary measurements for the recipes.

With all the ingredients in the baking pan, I inserted the container into the appliance and locked it into place by turning it. I closed the lid, then selected the white bread setting, along with the 1.5-pound loaf setting and the medium “browning” setting. I hit the start button, and the machine started work immediately, churning the ingredients together to form dough. It’s fairly loud as it works, making a pulsing sound that I could hear throughout the house, but it only mixes the ingredients for a few minutes, then it’s quiet for most of the baking time.

(Image credit: Future)

This loaf of bread took around 2 hours and 40 minutes to bake, and when the appliance finished, it beeped several times. (The end-of-baking alert sounds similar to a fire alarm, so it actually scared me the first time.) I removed the bread pan using a pair of oven mitts, and the loaf slid out easily when I flipped the pan over. Because the loaf pan is tall and skinny, the loaf was a bit awkwardly shaped, and it had a small hole in the bottom from the mixing blade.

Unfortunately, it was apparent right away that something wasn’t quite right with my loaf. The top of it wasn’t smooth, making me think it hadn’t been mixed well enough, and when I cut it open, the bread was extremely dense. The taste was great, but the loaf was extremely heavy and doughy. I consulted the manual, which has a decent troubleshooting section, and it said this is often the result of using old flour. Admittedly, my flour had been sitting in the cupboard for six months or more, so I purchased a new bag before continuing with my testing.

(Image credit: Future)

Making honey grain bread

The next recipe I tested was a 2-pound loaf of honey grain bread, which included whole wheat flour, quick-cook oats, and a small amount of honey. This recipe was baked on the appliance’s whole grain setting, and it took around 3 hours and 20 minutes to cook. The process for adding ingredients was the same, and I made sure to use new bread flour and a new bag of whole wheat flour.

(Image credit: Future)

The baking process went off without a hitch, and a few hours later, I took out a beautiful loaf of whole grain bread. I could tell right away that this loaf was much better than the first – it had a nice smooth top and had risen more. The texture was infinitely lighter and more enjoyable to eat, and I liked the slightly sweet taste of the bread. It was great for morning toast and lunchtime sandwiches, and this is definitely a recipe I’d make again. 

(Image credit: Future)

Making apple walnut bread

The Oster Breadmaker can also be used to make sweet bread, so my next project was a 1.5-pound apple walnut loaf. Not only did this sound delicious, but it was also a great chance to test out the appliance’s mix-in dispenser. There’s a small container on top of the breadmaker where you can put nuts or dried fruit, and it automatically dispenses these ingredients at the right time during the baking cycle.

This recipe used applesauce and apple juice for its liquid ingredients, and it also contained sugar, an egg, and baking soda. After adding all the ingredients into the bread pan, I poured 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts into the dispenser and set the machine’s settings as usual. Then, I let it work its magic.

(Image credit: Future)

Because this was the first time I used mix-ins, I was caught off-guard when they dispensed into the bread. This happened around 20 minutes into the cycle, and the mixing noise changed as the hard nuts were adding to the loaf. It actually sounded like the machine was broken, so I got up and looked inside via the window on top to make sure everything was OK.

(Image credit: Future)

I had taken my dogs outside for a walk while this loaf was baking, and we got back around 30 minutes after it finished. The appliance’s “keep warm” setting had automatically turned on, and the bread was still warm when I finally took it out of the pan. The loaf had a great texture and smelled wonderful thanks to the addition of cinnamon, but I was a little disappointed that the apple taste didn’t come through very much. Additionally, a lot of the walnuts ended up in the bottom of the loaf. If I try this recipe again, I think I’d add some dried apple pieces to amp up the flavor and make sure the nuts were finely chopped so they don’t sink to the bottom.

Making an Expressbake loaf

I’d be remiss not to test out the appliance’s Expressbake option—after all, it’s what sets the machine apart from many others—so it was the final loaf that I cooked. The Expressbake recipes are designed to cook in less than an hour, and there are several changes you have to make to speed up the baking process. Expressbake recipes use fast-rising yeast instead of regular yeast, and you also have to heat up the water to 115 to 125 degrees before adding it to the pan. Additionally, you aren’t able to change the browning level when using the Expressbake setting.

(Image credit: Future)

I decided to try a 1.5-pound loaf of white bread on the Expressbake setting, and I was surprised to find that it called for 4 teaspoons of fast-rising yeast. (That’s a lot.) I followed the instructions carefully, making sure to use a digital thermometer to get the water to the right temperature, and an hour later, my bread was baked. 

(Image credit: Future)

I didn’t have high expectations for this loaf—after all, bread traditionally needs way more than 14 minutes to rise—but it wasn’t bad! The bread wasn’t as browned as other loaves, but it has a light, fluffy texture. The taste was plain, but I think you could easily dress it up with butter or jam. Overall, it was a solid loaf of bread considering how quickly it was baked.

(Image credit: Future)

Cleaning the Oster Expressbake

The manual warns not to put the bread pan in the dishwasher, as it will likely harm the finish. However, the good news is that the pan is incredibly easy to clean—and this is coming from someone who hates hand-washing anything. 

Because the loaves slide out so easily, the pan barely has any residue left behind after use. Sometimes there’s a little flour or a piece of crust that gets stuck on the mixing blade, but I never needed to do anything more than rinse the pan and wipe it out with a paper towel. It’s actually one of the easiest-to-clean kitchen appliances I’ve ever owned. 

Should you buy the Oster Expressbake Breadmaker?

(Image credit: Future)

Overall, I was impressed with the Oster Expressbake Breadmaker and the loaves of bread it produced. While there was a hiccup the first time I used it, I was able to troubleshoot the problem using the manual, and all the other recipes I tried came out great. The appliance is quite versatile, allowing you to bake several types of bread, and the Expressbake function is ideal for those times you want fresh-baked bread but don’t have a lot of time. 

Not only does it perform well, but this breadmaker is actually one of the more affordable options available today, retailing for around $100. The loaves do have an unconventional shape, which might be a turnoff for some people, but the versatility and ease of use make it a worthwhile purchase for anyone who’s looking to make homemade bread. 

About this review, and the reviewer

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer who has been testing small kitchen appliances (as well as other home goods) for several years. She’s tested everything from toasters to oil infusion machines, and as an avid baker, she loves trying out any gadgets that promise to make her creations more delicious or easier to bake.

Camryn does her product testing from her small homestead in beautiful Rhode Island. When she’s not tinkering around with the latest home gadgets, she spends her time tending to her animals, working in her garden, or crafting. 

Camryn Rabideau is a writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her five years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items first-hand, including many, many kitchen appliances for Homes & Gardens. Camryn does her product testing from her small homestead in beautiful Rhode Island. 

Oster ExpressBake Bread Maker Review: Affordable and Effective

We purchased the Oster ExpressBake Bread Maker so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

After stocking up on flour and yeast, we put the Oster ExpressBake through its paces, working our way through each of the model’s setting and slicing and tasting the resulting breads. This type of machine makes bread baking easy, since you simply add ingredients in the recommended order, press a few buttons, and wait for the bread to bake. There’s no need to set timers to punch down or shape the dough, so it’s very convenient for inexperienced bread makers. Besides using the machine for baking bread, we also made pizza dough and mixed up a batch of jam. We sliced countless loaves and made a few more runs to the store for flour before we were confident we knew what this machine was capable of. Read on for what a few weeks of testing revealed.

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Performance: Decidedly solid

We started our testing by whipping up a basic white bread recipe from the included booklet—and the result was spot-on. After good first results, we decided to try one of the ExpressBake settings which produces a loaf in less than an hour. Compared to our successful white bread, the quickly baked bread was short, dense, dark on the sides, pale on the top, and slightly torn from rapid rising. While that sounds like a lot of flaws, the loaf was actually pretty attractive, just in a rustic way.

After running through a few more of the included recipes with favorable results, we progressed to using our own to test the machine’s versatility. Some worked, but many of them gave us loaves with sunken tops rather than a nice dome. While the concave loaves weren’t the most aesthetically appealing, they were fully baked and tasted good, so we still used them for sandwiches, toast, croutons, and bread crumbs.

We started our testing by whipping up a basic white bread recipe from the included booklet—and the result was spot-on.

Since I’ve been baking bread for decades and have authored my own cookbook, Make Ahead Bread, I know that bread can be a little finicky and that different brands of flour or yeast can make a difference in the result. For this reason, I wasn’t surprised when some of the loaves weren’t perfect on the first try, and was actually impressed at how many recipes worked well.

The included recipe booklet has tips for adjusting ingredients when bread doesn’t turn out as expected. Generally, the adjustments are minor; sometimes all it takes is reducing the yeast by ¼ of a teaspoon. The adjustments aren’t terribly difficult, though it can take a bit of trial and error to figure out exactly how much adjustment is needed for a perfect loaf. Using those tips as our guide, we were able to tweak our recipes and got better results on subsequent attempts.

One downside to many of our loaves was that the sides tended to be darker than the top.

One downside to many of our loaves was that the sides tended to be darker than the top. That makes sense, since the heat comes from the bottom of the machine. While this was barely noticeable on some loaves, on ExpressBake breads, the top was far paler.

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Design: Plain Jane

The Oster bread maker isn’t the prettiest kitchen appliance you’ll find. It’s white, mostly square, and the front is rather plain as all the controls are on the top. While it’s not super attractive, it’s also not intrusive, measuring just 12 x 11 x 11 inches, so you can tuck it out of sight in a corner. Since it’s lightweight at just 8 pounds, it’s also easy to move into storage when not in use. Two small hand-holds on the side make it a cinch to hold and carry.

The control buttons are clearly labeled and a list of available programs is printed to the left of the buttons. The LCD screen shows your selections along with the baking time, so you can make sure you’ve got everything set correctly before pressing the start button. One downside is that the screen isn’t backlit, so it’s a bit difficult to read if your kitchen isn’t well-lit.

The top of the machine is removable, which is great for cleaning, but we found this out by surprise when we accidentally knocked it off. A round window in the top of the lid lets you peek at the dough as it mixes, kneads, bakes, and rests, but there are times when the lid gets too steamy to see what’s going on. Still, it’s better than having no window at all.

The start button lights up in blue when the machine is active, and it blinks when baking is done. The machine beeps insistently after finishing and then switches into warm mode for an hour. Once 60 minutes have ticked by, it beeps again and automatically turns off. We suggest retrieving the bread as soon as it’s done, so it has time to cool before you slice it.

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Features: Lots of settings

This machine has 12 different baking programs including two ExpressBake settings for different sized loaves. A Quick setting bakes bread faster than usual, but not as fast as ExpressBake. We like the results of the Quick setting better that the ExpressBake, but both were acceptable for a rushed loaf. For most of the programs, you can set your loaf size (maximum is 2 pounds) and crust color, so there are plenty of options to choose from.

A timer lets you set the baking time up to 13 hours in advance. Since this machine doesn’t have clock, however, we needed to do the math to figure out how long the delay time should be.

Besides baking bread, the machine can also be used for mixing and cooking jam, and we were quite pleased with the results when we tried it. The dough setting mixes and kneads dough and lets it rise gently. We used this setting for pizza dough, which we refrigerated and used the next day, but you can also shape it and bake in the oven immediately. The Oster is also great for making dinner rolls, bread sticks, and other breads that don’t get baked in a bread pan.

A timer lets you set the baking time up to 13 hours in advance. Since this machine doesn’t have clock, however, we needed to do the math to figure out how long the delay time should be. Still, it’s a very convenient feature.

Included Accessories: Basic measuring cups

The Oster ExpressBake comes with a liquid measuring cup, a measuring spoon, and a tool for extracting the paddle from the bread. The extraction tool is simple, but we found it very useful as the paddle remained in most loaves after they finished baking. The liquid measuring cup is quite basic, but is certainly handy to have. One thing we found odd was that many of the recipes require 1 ⅜ cups of water, but the measuring cup didn’t have a ⅜ measure. When we made those recipes, we had to estimate the halfway point between ¼ and ½ cup.

Price: Affordable

With a retail price of $89.99, the Oster bread maker is pretty middle of the road. The machine’s results were consistently good (especially if you follow the included recipes) and it has plenty of features for folks who want to expand their skills beyond a basic loaf every once in a while.

Competition: More features = more money

Hamilton Beach HomeBaker: The Hamilton Beach HomeBaker is quite similar to the Oster bread machine both in price and performance. We did find that the Oster was slightly better at producing good loaves on the first try, though, and more accommodating when making creative loaves. Once you’ve used a machine for a while and you’ve tweaked recipes to work with your ingredients, altitude, and the temperature of your kitchen, either machine will be reliable. That said, the Hamilton Beach bread machine has a gluten-free setting, so if that’s an important consideration, it’s worth a look. If you don’t need a gluten-free setting, we give Oster the nod for its slightly more reliable performance.

Hamilton Beach HomeBaker Review

Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker: If you’re willing to shell out more on your bread machine (to the tune of $375 MSRP), the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker is our pick. The machine has enough options to keep you experimenting with new breads for a long time, and the included recipe book offers reliable recipes and tips on how to adjust ingredients for best results. Along with preset settings, the user can program three custom bread settings, adjusting everything from the initial rest to the kneading, rising, and baking time. While the more hands-on nature of the machine may not appeal to everyone, it’s ideal for those who want to try more advanced recipes. In the end, Oster suits those looking to make occasional loaves while the Zojirushi is a worthwhile investment for serious bakers.

Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker Review

Final Verdict

A good machine for the price.

For the price, Oster performs admirably. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of more expensive models, but it reliably produces nice loaves whether you want to use the included recipe booklet or try out your own creation.

Best Bread Makers 2021

Although making bread can take a long time, it's also pretty easy if you have a bread maker, otherwise known as a bread maker. The Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Machine is a great option that can efficiently produce all kinds of loaves, from white to gluten free, in three sizes and is also very easy to use. It's made by a trusted brand in the cookware industry and comes with a lot of useful features. nineOl000 Machine

  • Pros:
  • Cons:
  • Best Design: Pohl Schmitt Bread Maker
  • Pros:
  • Cons:
  • Best for a quick meal: Oster 9 Bread Maker0010
  • Plus:
  • Lessine:
  • Suitable for large families: Digital bread machine Hamilton Beach Homebaker
  • Plus:
  • Bessions:
  • Based

    • The best produced Kuisinart 9000 9000 9000 a brand in the world of kitchenware, cookware and small appliances, this Cuisinart bread maker has 12 pre-programmed menu items for making different types of bread, as well as pizza and cake dough. . You can choose one of three shades of crust: light, medium and dark. The device can hold one loaf of bread weighing 1, 1.5 or 2 pounds. nine0003

    Size 10.25 by 13. This compact 25 by 11.25 inch, 10.8 lb. vertical pan is perfect for small kitchens. The machine is equipped with a removable kneading paddle and a bread pan, as well as a viewing window on the lid and internal lighting so that you can follow the bread making process. The LED display shows the countdown timer, the current cycle and the selected options. It will also beep when it's time to remove the paddle and make additional beeps to let you know when it's time to add concoctions like fruit or nuts. When the device beeps 10 times in succession, the baking cycle is complete. nine0003

    The machine adds some useful features such as a 13-hour delay so you can add ingredients overnight and eat fresh toast with jam. on breakfast. It also has a 60-minute keep warm function, ensuring the bread will still have the smell and temperature of fresh out of the oven for up to an hour after baking.

    This Cuisinart Machine, as you can see, has a lot of features and is large. However, we thought it was a shame that it only allows you to bake a couple sizes of bread. nine0003

    Pros:

    Cons:

    Best Value:

    AmazonBasics Bread Machine

    The AmazonBasics Bread Maker has 14 settings for all types of bread and dough, including sourdough, rye and soda bread, and gluten-free options. There is also a choice of light, medium or dark crust. Intuitive buttons and LCD display allow you to control your baking as the machine automatically stirs and kneads the bread and allows it to rise. nine0003

    The ExpressBake setting is great when you're in a hurry, making a two-pound loaf of bread in less than 90 minutes. Measuring 11.7 by 5.6 by 11.5 inches, it's also fairly compact. The price is suitable for those who just want to experiment with making bread.

    Pros:

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    Best Professional Rating:

    KBS Pro Bread Machine

    If you're serious about baking, KBS Pro has the most customized programs for all the machines on this list. The 17 options include everything from whole grain bread to brownies and also provide light, medium and dark crusts. The detachable fruit and nut dispenser automatically releases these ingredients when you need them, saving you even more time. nine0003

    Cook 1, 1.5, or 2 lbs of bread in a non-stick ceramic dish that provides food for even bread baking. The 710W high torque copper motor ensures reliable dough kneading. The stainless steel exterior is complemented by a tempered glass lid that also gives it a professional look.

    Use the touch panel to control and take advantage of features such as the 15-hour or timer. - Hourly automatic keep warm function. It even has a smart 15-minute power failure recovery so it won't ruin your bread if you lose power for a moment. Interior lighting allows you to look inside. At 13.7 by 8.6 by 11.8 inches and 14.7 pounds, this is one of the larger models on this list, but well worth the investment for dedicated bakers with large kitchens. nine0003

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    Best Design:

    Pohl Schmitt Bread Maker

    Impress your kitchen with this sleek machine with rounded edges in stainless steel and black. It has a digital display with a delay timer for adding ingredients, cycle selection, crust and bread type and size. The removable non-stick interior also makes cleaning easy. nine0003

    Includes a kneading paddle and a fruit and nut dispenser, and the device beeps to remind you when it's time to add the last ingredient. A viewing window allows you to see what's going on inside.

    Measures approximately 13 by 10.5 by 8 inches and makes 1, 1.4 or 2.2 pound bread. It has 14 settings for options including whole grain and French bread, as well as light, medium or dark crust.

    Pros:

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    Best for fast food:

    Oster Bread Maker

    Sometimes you need bread right away. Like now. And this machine can do just that with the Expressbake setting, which can turn out a fully baked, delicious, warm and comforting loaf of bread in less than an hour. nine0003

    With 650W of power, it can make loaves of bread. sizes up to 2 pounds and 12 different types with three common crust settings (light, medium, dark). It comes with a measuring cup, mixing spoon and spatula and signals when it's time to add mixes like nuts or fruit. There's also a 13-hour programmable baking time, so you can set it to bake overnight and wake up to the smell of fresh bread in the morning. There's also a warm setting just in case you decide to take a nap or arrive late home from the office. nine0003

    Control your baking with the large LCD display and intuitive buttons, and mount the machine anywhere with the extra long 40" cord. A fairly compact size of 12 by 11-11 inches, weighing 8 pounds, and a white/ivory finish make it stand out from the crowd.

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    Fits Big Families:

    Hamilton Beach HomeBaker Digital Bread Maker

    This bread maker from a trusted manufacturer of kitchen appliances and utensils bakes just 1.5 or 2 pounds of bread. It has 12 settings including gluten free options as well as the typical light, medium and dark crust options. After adding the ingredients and selecting the cycle using the large digital display, you can simply listen to the audio reminder when it's time to add the mixes. There is also a delay timer if you want the bread to be ready for breakfast. nine0003

    The HomeBaker includes a removable, dishwasher-safe non-stick pan and two kneading paddles so you can use one while you clean the other. Other small but valuable details include a soft-touch body and non-slip feet. It also includes a recipe booklet to inspire you. It measures 10.43 by 14.13 by 12.2 inches and weighs 11.8 pounds, making it look larger.

    Pros:

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    Summary

    All the bread makers listed here work in a similar way, offering individual settings for many types of bread. All of them offer the possibility to perfectly brown the crust according to your preferences. In addition, an appeal may be based on limited space, price, and family size. nine0003

    You can't go wrong with the Cuisinart Compact. It has a decent amount of pre-programmed menu items, allowing you to make three sizes of loaves. It also has a delay start mode if you want the bread to be ready in the morning or when you get home from work, and a warm up option if you don't get to it in time.

    The vertical tray and compact design is something that everyone can appreciate, regardless of the size of their kitchen. This is a good mid-range bread maker that will appeal to singles, couples, and large families. nine0003

    Bread machine: how to choose a model for your home

    It is generally accepted that the first bread machine was invented in Boston (USA) at the beginning of the twentieth century. The machine was an apparatus that kneaded dough, molded and baked bread. The device can skillfully bake only one kind of bakery products. Modern models can cook classic white bread, a bran product and a French roll. On sale there are bread machines for 2 loaves. They make cakes, pies with raisins and candied fruit, buns, biscuits, Easter cakes, bagels and other pastries. All that is required of a person is to fill in the ingredients and close the lid. The baker will do the rest. The cost of the product is less than the factory cost, but the main thing is that the hostess knows exactly what the bread is made of. nine0003

    The market offers household models that vary in shape, size, specifications and price. We will help you figure out how to choose a bread machine, and tell you what else this device can do.

    Many housewives do not dare to bake products from yeast dough on their own, fearing the complexity of the multi-stage technological process. The bread maker solves this problem: you only need to load the products according to the recipe and select the program. In a few hours you will get a freshly baked loaf with a crispy crust and a tender, light crumb. Modern models of bread machines offer express baking programs lasting 40 minutes. In addition to bread, the devices can knead different types of dough and even make jam. nine0003

    Important criteria when choosing a bread maker

    Size

    Modern automatic bread makers vary in size. And this indicator primarily refers not to the physical size of the device, but to the volume of the baked product.

    Power

    The higher the power, the faster the heater heats up and the bread bakes. But, at the same time, the more powerful the device, the greater the power consumption. So which bread maker to choose for your home? Universal power for a home assistant - 500-650 watts. High power models (<1500 watts) can most often bake two loaves of bread at the same time. nine0003

    Type of control

    According to this criterion, two types of devices are distinguished:

    Mold volume

    An important factor in choosing a bread maker. The required capacity of the device is determined by the quantitative composition of the family. The stores offer models with a bowl volume of 500 ml, 750 ml, 1000 ml, 1200 ml. nine0003

    Housing material

    The outer shell of the device can be chosen according to the taste preferences of the hostess or the interior design of the kitchen. The body material does not affect the functionality of the equipment. The market offers cases made of metal and plastic.

    Bowl material

    The inner mold of the bread maker can be made of ceramic or metal with a non-stick coating (aluminum and steel are the most common).

    The configuration of the bowl determines the shape of the pastry that the bread maker will produce. Most models are equipped with square shapes. On sale there are also devices with cylindrical buckets and models in which you can bake horizontally oriented rectangular loaves, similar to store "bricks". nine0003

    Dispenser

    A special compartment for additives allows you to make pastries with nuts, dried fruits and other ingredients. At the right time, the bread maker automatically kneads the contents of the dispenser into the dough.

    Timer and keep warm function

    These options allow you to set the start time of cooking and maintain the desired temperature of the finished product.

    Valve

    To avoid body heat and overheating of the device, it is important to choose a bread maker with a special valve to remove excess hot vapors. nine0003

    Bread machine: which one to choose for home use?

    For domestic use, it is not necessary to consider professional bread machines. The choice of a device for baking bread at home is dictated by the functionality, comfort and ease of use of the equipment. We have put together 5 tips to help you choose a homemade bread maker.

    1. For a family of two, a compact model that bakes 500 g loaves is enough. But if there are more family members, it makes sense to buy a bread machine with a larger bowl capacity. nine0010
    2. Models with an LCD display are convenient in that they display the current process. Through the transparent viewing window, it is convenient to control the proofing of the dough and the stages of preparation.
    3. The cost of the bread maker is increased by additional features, such as delayed start, dispenser or express baking. Modern models can have several dozen automatic programs, the function of choosing the degree of rosiness and frying the crust. Fans of experimenting should pay attention to devices with the ability to cook and memorize author's recipes. nine0010
    4. It is convenient when the keys are signed, and the list of programs is duplicated on the body of the bread machine. Pay attention to the user manual and the presence of step-by-step illustrated recipes.
    5. A useful additional function is to store the current settings in memory. In the event of a momentary power outage, the machine will continue to work from where it left off.

    Best Breadmakers: Popular Models

    Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker

    https://www.target.com

    The premium 700W unit features dual heating element and petal blades. The presence of 15 different types of programs in the bread machine allows you to bake classic, whole grain, vegan and gluten-free products.

    Advantages of the device:

    Includes a set of measuring cups for liquid, flour and other dry ingredients, measuring spoon and recipe book. The price of a bread maker is about $460.

    Hamilton Beach 2 lb Digital Bread Maker, Model# 29881

    https://www.walmart.com

    Budget model with a compact body from one of the most popular American brands will fit even in a small kitchen. 12 basic modes provide for the preparation of various types of pastries.
    Device advantages:

    Includes 2 kneading paddles and recipe booklet.

    The cost of the bread machine at Walmart is $50.

    Oster Expressbake Breadmaker

    https://www.amazon.com

    Compact 650 W breadmaker suitable for quick bread making. Most devices take about three hours to knead and bake a loaf. The Oster Expressbake Breadmaker does the job in less than an hour. nine0003

    Pluses of this model:

    The price of the device on Amazon is $75.

    Cuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread Maker

    https://www.amazon.com

    650W metal bread maker with over 100 recipe options. It can be used to prepare low-carb and gluten-free products, sweet pastries, pizza dough, noodles and dumplings. The model is equipped with a forced air circulation system. nine0003

    The device has other advantages, among which:

    The price of the bread machine is $130.

    Pohl Schmitt

    https://www.amazon.com

    The compact stainless steel bread maker is Amazon's top seller of 2020. The collection of device recipes includes classic white, whole grain, French bread, yeast-free pastries, as well as dough for dumplings, dumplings and pizza.

    Additional benefits of the bread maker are:

    The price of the device is about $100.

    Unobvious possibilities of a bread maker

    Kitchen appliances can do more than just bake bread or make jam. Its capabilities are due to a powerful blade for mixing products and a low-temperature cooking mode. It's basically a blender, multicooker and mini oven all in one. With a little imagination, you can cook thousands of alternative dishes, from scrambled eggs to fried chicken and dumplings. We offer three proven recipes, the preparation of which you can entrust the bread machine. nine0003

    Beef stew

    No need to stand over the pan for hours, stirring and checking the doneness of the beef stew. The bread maker will gently, slowly, evenly heat and stir the stew in jam mode.

    Sauces and custards

    The bread maker will cope with absolutely any sauce that requires slow heating and constant stirring. With the same ease, she will prepare a sweet custard.

    Meatloaf

    https://www.zojirushi.com

    The loaf you take out of the bread machine does not have to be flour. Mix classic cutlet mince, add fresh herbs, green peas and sweet pepper cubes to it. Remove the mixing paddles and fill the bowl with minced meat. Select the "Baking" cycle without pre-kneading and rising and set the time. After baking, let the meatloaf cool slightly, carefully drain the resulting juice and remove the product from the mold.

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