The aroma of freshly baked homemade bread in the kitchen is just delightful and makes families come to the dinner table. The best bread makers let you make delicious loaves from your own home without hours of kneading dough by hand. These amazing kitchen gadgets make easy work out of ditching delivery and creating fresh, bakery-quality bread at the touch of a button.
Contemporary bread machines have revolutionized the way we bake at home. They knead, rise and bake your bread for you as you go about other chores. Whether you prefer plain white bread, dense whole wheat, or more exotic gluten-free bread, the perfect bread maker will be able to help.
In this guide we look at the best bread machine on the market today. We’ll guide you as you decide which baking tools are right for your kitchen and lifestyle.
Why Opt for a Bread Maker in Your Kitchen
Store bought bread is loaded with preservatives, additives and lots of sodium. With bread makers, you can have control over every single ingredient that you are using in your loaves. That means fresher flavor, better nutrition and none of the unwanted chemicals that can sometimes be a byproduct of modern industrial production.
These incredible countertop ovens will save you a lot of money in the long run. $3-5 per loaf for bread from a bakery versus less than $1 to make your own at home. And then you have the satisfaction of making something delicious from scratch.
Bread makers save your precious time by making your life easier. Just put the ingredients in before bed, set this machine, wake up to fresh bread. The vast majority of models provide delayed start functionalities and this concept works particularly well with your daily schedule.
Health Benefits of Homemade Bread
You get to have complete control over your ingredients when you make it at home. You can cut salt, jettison the preservatives and add super-healthy seeds or grains. This kind of control is a huge help to people with food allergies.
There are no artificial preservatives in this bread to keep it fresh. That translates into better taste and texture than store-bought. Every member of the family gets bread at the height of its freshness, every time.
Top Features of Today’s Bread Making Machines
The top bread machines provide several loaf sizes to suit your household. The majority of models will have 1-pound, 1.5-pound, and 2-pound settings. Bigger capacities are a good choice for larger families, while smaller loaves are popular with couples.
Crust control setting allows you to customize your browning level from light to dark. This function always ensures your toasted bread complements your desired browning. High-end models have even more specific crust control settings available.
Essential Programming Options
Good bread makers generally have several pre-programmed options for different types of bread. There are different mixing and rising times for your basic white, wheat, French, and sweet breads. Higher-end models even have specialty programs for foods like gluten-free bread, jam or cake.
Delay timers let you add ingredients up to 13 hours in advance of baking. This means fresh bread when you wake up, or when you get home from work. The time saving element is what makes this kitchen appliance a valuable asset.
Best Cheap Bread Makers Under $100
There are bread makers available at a reasonable cost that offer great value for those first starting out or if you only want to make yours occasionally. For a reliable machine at a sweet price, the Hamilton Beach 29882 is a good bet. This bread maker comes with basic cycles and bakes up consistently great loaves.
Oster ExpressBake delivers a faster baking cycle for the family on the go. Its petite size fits tiny kitchens but still produces good loaves. And the straightforward control panel makes it great for novice bread-makers.
| Model | Price | Loaves | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach 29882 | $60-80 | 2 lb | Basic programs, delay timer |
| Oster ExpressBake | $70-90 | 2 lb | Fast bake, compact |
| Black+Decker B2300 | $50-70 | 1.5, 2 lb | Multiple crust levels |
What to Expect From Budget Models
Well-priced bread makers emphasize core functions without extra bells and whistles. They usually have 8-12 pre-sets and basic crust control. They’re not fancy, but they do make tasty, homemade bread consistently.
Such models typically feature less wide display windows and fewer functionalities. But they do the heavy lifting just fine for most home bakers. The money you save, you can spend on good ingredients.
Best Premium Bread Makers for Serious Bakers
Bread makers in the higher price range can come with some pretty neat bells and whistles that the pros will love. The Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus is the best bread machine in this guide due to its impressive build and variety of functions. With its dual kneading paddles, this bread maker is able to ensure that each and every added ingredient is thoroughly mixed for a guarantee of perfect texture every time.
Breville Custom Loaf gives you an unprecedented level of control over the bread process. You can control the mixing time, rising times and baking temperature yourself. This baking instrument is for home bakers who like to have maximum control.
Advanced Features Worth the Investment
Higher-end models even have automatic nut, fruit, or seed dispensers. These additions are added exactly on the beat of the cycle. End result is even ingredient distribution without any manual action.
Top-notch bread makers equipped with convection heating have even heat distribution. This process results in a better crust, and a more consistent crumb. Home cooks are able to achieve professional-level results.
Compact Bread Machines for Small Kitchens
You can have fresh homemade bread, even if counter space is at a premium. Small bread machines take up little space and still yield full-size loaves. The Cuisinart CBK-110P1 is an effective space-saver and one of the best compact bread machines.
Most of these small kitchen appliances concentrate on only the basics rather than lots of features. But they are the saving grace of the home baker who enjoys and takes pride in making bread. Great for an apartment, RV or office kitchen.
Space-Saving Design Benefits
Small bread machines are usually vertical in order to take up less counter space. Some even have fold-down handles or cord storage to be even more compact. In cramped quarters, details like these make a difference.
Despite being smaller in size, these bread makers can still handle the size of a standard recipe. Bread pan size is the same as larger machines. They do not make you choose between a full loaf of bread or something tiny and inconvenient.
Gluten-Free Bread Makers and Specialized Options
Those who follow gluten-free diets require bread makers that have programming that is specifically designed for alternative flours. The gluten-free doughs will have shorter mixing times and different rising periods than wheat breads. Specialized designs address these specific needs.
The Zojirushi BB-PDC20 has dedicated settings for gluten-free baking and precise temperature control. Rice flour, almond flour and other substitutions act nothing like wheat flour. This model has automatic adjustment for the best output.
Understanding Gluten-Free Baking Challenges
Gluten-free flours don’t develop the same sort of elastic structure as wheat flour does. Different kneading techniques and different rising times mean better results. Specialty bread machines compensate for this variation with their programming.
Temperature control is especially important when baking with gluten-free ingredients. These delicate flours are prone to overbaking or underbaking, if not cooked with a little TLC. Good models track temperature and adjust settings accordingly as the cycle progresses.
Taking Care of Your Bread Machine
Daily cleaning helps your bread maker last long and operate efficiently for years. After each use, detach the bread pan and kneading paddle to wash. The majority of parts can be washed in the dishwasher for an easy clean.
Regularly wipe the inside and outside with a damp cloth. Do not use any abrasive cleaners that may damage non-stick materials. Mix hot water with a gentle soap for most cleaning projects.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Heavy or dense bread generally speaks of too much flour or too little liquid. Use the enclosed measuring cup/spoons to measure ingredients exactly. Flour varies with humidity and temperature, so you may need to make minor adjustments.
If your bread machine yields loaves with big holes you should ensure fresh yeast and proper storage. Old or mishandled yeast has reduced efficacy, and leads to poor rising of dough. For Best Results: Keep yeast in a cool dry place.
Getting Started: Your First Loaf From Scratch
Start by using white bread recipes that come with your bread maker. These elementary recipes are a way to understand your machine’s particular timing and operation. Every model operates a bit differently, so start simple before you tackle more complex breads.
Measure ingredients correctly with a scale. There is no estimating in bread-baking, as there is in cooking. Digital measuring scales offer precise measuring for reliable results.
Essential Ingredients for Success
The quality of ingredients will show most in the bread you make. Opt for bread flour, if you can find it, because it has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour. This results in superior gluten development and texture.
Fresh yeast gives the best rise and flavor to your baking. Always check those expiration dates and store your yeast properly between uses. For most recipes, you can use either active dry yeast or bread machine yeast successfully.
Recipe Ideas and Flavor Variations
Bread machines can do traditional and creative breads so well. Try herbs like rosemary or thyme if you prefer savory options. Sweet breads are made even better with the addition of cinnamon or vanilla or citrus zest.
Whole grain breads are fantastic to use for sandwiches. Try different mixtures of flour, such as wheat, rye, or spelt. These unique grains make for distinctive textures and flavors in your home-baked loaves.
International Bread Styles
One-touch French bread settings create crusty loaves that are crispy on the outside and tender inside, rivaling a Parisian bakery. Italian bread recipes often result in a denser chewier texture ideal for sandwiches or for dunking in soups. These specialty settings greatly expand your baking options.
Asian-inspired breads such as Japanese milk bread demand special kneading techniques that high-end bread makers perform without you having to lift a finger. Sweet potato, taro, or green tea flavors provide unique yet mouthwatering takes on classic formulas.
Buying Bread Versus a Bread Machine – A Cost Comparison
The price of a good bread maker can range from $100-300, depending on the bells and whistles, and the brand. This investment is usually recouped within 6-12 months for moderate bread users. For bigger families, the math tilts even further in their favor.
Ingredients for homemade bread run around $0.75-$1.25 a loaf as opposed to $3-$5 for those artisan store bought varieties. Even by using premium organic ingredients, it still costs less than half what comparable commercial breads do. The savings pile up over time.
Long-Term Financial Benefits
In addition to being a good way to avoid ingredient waste, bread makers also can help eliminate impulse buys. You bake only what you need when you need it. You’ll never throw away moldy store-bought bread ever again or have to make an emergency grocery store trip.
With regular maintenance, your workhorse of a machine can generally last you 5-10 years. This durability makes its cost per loaf very low over the life of the machine. Most quality models come with warranties and your investment is secured.
Environmental Benefits of Making Bread at Home
Homemade bread generates far less packaging waste than store bought bread. When you use bread makers, plastic bags, twist ties, and cardboard dividers are all suddenly gone. This small step has a positive environmental impact in the long run.
With home baking, you can source ingredients locally. Support local farms and cut down on transportation emissions by selecting regional millers. Your baking habits can be the difference in building a more sustainable food system.
Energy Efficiency Considerations
Today’s bread machines consume about as much power as 2-3 hours of continuous operation in a standard oven. But they do all the work for you without actually heating up your whole kitchen. This is especially useful when baking in hot weather.
Many models come with energy-saving features, such as insulated interiors and the use of efficient heating elements. This helps reduce total power consumption while keeping the quality of the baking. You’re reducing your carbon footprint with each homemade loaf.
FAQs About Bread Makers
Q: What are the time frames for making bread in the bread maker? A: Most normal cycles will take 3-4 hours from beginning to end. The express settings allow you to make bread in 90 minutes, but the texture might be denser. The active time is only 5-10 minutes to add the ingredients.
Q: Can you use regular all-purpose flour in bread machines? A: Yes but bread flour is even better because it has more protein. All-purpose flour works fine for most recipes, though the texture might be slightly different. Try experimenting to see which results you prefer.
Q: Is there a special kind of yeast to use in bread makers? A: Bread machine yeast is best, but active dry yeast will work fine too! Never use instant yeast in delay-timer recipes, because it would become active prematurely. Properly stored yeast can be both effective and reliable.
Q: Are bread machines good for gluten-free recipes? A: Many newer models have a gluten-free setting that alters the mixing and rising time. These dedicated programs compensate for different flour characteristics and yield better results than standard settings.
Q: How can I keep the paddle from sticking in my bread? A: Take the bread out as soon as the bread maker has finished the cycle, let it cool for 10 minutes and then remove the paddle. Some bakers remove the paddle during the final rise to eliminate holes entirely.
Q: What size bread maker should I buy? A: Think about how many people are in your home and how much bread you consume. 1-2 people are mostly satisfied with 1.5-pound capacities, and families of 4 or more need 2-pound models. The vast majority of bread makers come with variable sizing.
Q: Can anything other than bread be made? A: Most bread machines have settings for jam, cake and dough preparation. Some are even capable of pizza dough, pasta dough and yogurt! Check your model’s capabilities and included recipes.
Q: What’s the best way to store homemade bread with no preservatives? A: Fresh bread should keep for 2-3 days at room temperature and will retain its freshness longer if kept in a bread box or paper bag. For longer term storage, slice and freeze in airtight containers. Do not use plastic bags, which only build up moisture and hasten spoilage.
Conclusion: Discovering Your Ideal Bread Making Partner
The top bread makers turn kitchen staples into tasty, fresh loaves that will brighten up your kitchen counter and your table. A bread maker can be as inexpensive as $50, and there are plenty of reliable options on the market for any budget.
When choosing one, take into account the number of people in your family, the amount of space you have, and what features you want. Keep in mind that even the most basic models bake incredible breads with good ingredients and technique. The single most crucial component is selecting a dependable kitchen appliance that motivates consistent usage.
Begin your bread making experience today and enjoy the taste of freshly baked, homemade bread. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you for purchasing this essential baking tool that no home kitchen should be without.
