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The smell of freshly baked bread is unique and home-baked bread tastes especially delicious. To simplify the baking process and have a perfect end product, a breadmaker is ideal. These bread makers are particularly practical not only for baking professionals but also for beginners. In the following bread maker test 2023 you will find out everything useful and important about baking bread and which bread maker is best suited.
Decisive factors before buying a breadmaker are the different programmes, the capacity and the kneading mechanism. Once you have decided on a bread machine, you can really start trying out and baking, and there are no limits to your imagination.
Summary
- A bread maker – also called a bread baking machine – is a real enrichment for your kitchen if you like to bake your own bread and also want to save time and electricity.
- With a good bread maker, you can not only bake bread, but also knead other doughs, make cakes, jam and sometimes even yoghurt.
- Before you decide on a particular model, you should consider the number and type of selectable programmes, the capacity and the kneading mechanism.
The Best Breadmaker: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a breadmaker
In our guide, you will find out everything you need to know to make a good purchase decision. Find out how a breadmaker can make your life easier, what minimum requirements it should meet, and what additional extras are available.
We have also prepared information on prices and other important criteria that you should consider when making your choice.
Why a breadmaker?
- You save yourself the trouble of kneading the dough, which can be quite exhausting, especially with heavy bread doughs, such as dough for wholemeal bread
- You can do other things while the breadmaker does everything for you – you just have to put in the ingredients. The machine takes care of the rest: kneading, resting, baking.
- You don’t have to worry about your bread burning in the oven.
- Fresh bread at any time you want, without going to the bakery or the supermarket? Yes! All you have to do is pre-program your breadmaker and go to sleep with peace of mind.
- “One for all”: If you not only like to bake bread, but also cakes, make your own jam or marmalade and make your own yoghurt, some models give you an “all-rounder” at home and you don’t need any additional appliances.
- In the truest sense of the word “a clean thing”: you only have to clean the individual parts of your fully automatic breadmaker or put them in the dishwasher. Work surfaces and additional kitchen utensils remain clean.
- A breadmaker is also a real alternative to a conventional food processor, because it can not only mix and knead, but also bake.
- Even in summer, you stay cool when baking bread: In contrast to baking with the oven, your kitchen does not turn into a sauna when baking with the bread maker, because the heat that is generated during the baking process does not spread throughout the entire room.
- Even though a breadmaker runs much longer than an oven, it usually uses much less electricity overall.
- If you suffer from allergies or intolerances, or for some other reason are particularly keen to know the exact ingredients that go into your bread, you will probably prefer homemade bread to a loaf from the supermarket or bakery.
Of course, baking with a breadmaker also has a few disadvantages compared to baking with a normal household oven. So that you can get a complete picture, we do not want to deprive you of the following points:
- A bread machine is nowhere near the crispy crust that an oven can produce.
- While with most bread makers you have to bake individual loaves of bread one after the other and let the machine cool down in the meantime, you can also bake two loaves at the same time in the oven.
- When it comes to the shape of your baked goods, you have no or only a very limited choice with bread makers, but when baking with a normal oven, you can let your imagination run wild.
What are the advantages of a breadmaker compared to baking bread in the oven?
The first point would therefore be time-saving. A breadmaker can save you a lot of time because you only have to put your ingredients into it. Now you can select a programme and, lo and behold, the breadmaker starts baking your bread. You don’t have to knead the dough anymore because the machine does it for you.
When the dough is ready, the breadmaker automatically starts to bake the bread. After a little time, you can enjoy your freshly baked bread. This saves valuable time and you can devote yourself to more important things.
| Advantages | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Time saving | The baking machine takes care of almost all the functions for you. All you have to do is put the ingredients in and the machine mixes and bakes your bread in no time at all. |
| Personal settings | with the machine you can put in the ingredients the night before and with a few settings you will have the bread fresh and ready to eat at your desired time. |
| Your own bread | There are no restrictions here. You decide what you want in your bread and which ingredients you want to add. |
Another advantage is that you can set your breadmaker so that you put in the ingredients you want in the evening and have warm, fresh bread on the table the next morning.
This is done through different programmes that you can select so that you have fresh bread on the table at your desired time. This is ideal for guests or parties, as they can be pleasantly surprised by the warm bread.
In addition, the bread can always be baked the way you want it. Who hasn’t experienced it when the baker doesn’t have their favourite bread?
This is a thing of the past, because now you can bake your own bread – just the way you like it. You can add sultanas or even figs as you wish, which means you can create many different types of bread.
Of course, there are also various ready-made bread mixtures that can be easily filled into the machine.
In conclusion, it can be said that people who love to eat bread will get their money’s worth here. Various recipes and low preparation costs make it possible to bake great breads.
How much electricity does a breadmaker use?
What features does an automatic baking machine have?
With different programmes, your breadmaker can always determine the right baking length and kneading time, so you always get the perfect bread. Burns or soft dough are a thing of the past.
A timer makes your life easier. So you can concentrate fully on other things and still enjoy a great loaf of bread in the evening.
What ingredients do I need?
Basically, you need flour, yeast and water/milk.
If this is too much work for you, you can also buy ready-made baking mixtures, which you only have to fill into the machine.
What are the display elements?
The on/off button is logically found on every machine.
A programme button can also be found on many appliances. However, this differs in its function and offers different programmes on the bread makers.
Most appliances also have a button for selecting the weight.
In general, no precise information can be given here. Nevertheless, certain functions can be found in the various appliances.
How does baking with a breadmaker actually work?
- You place the baking tin in the housing of the appliance
- Select the programme
- Fill with room-warm ingredients: liquid ingredients first, yeast always last in the case of yeast dough breads; if you start the baking process with a time delay, the ingredients should be cool, especially fresh yeast
- Your machine mixes the ingredients and kneads the dough
- This is followed by a resting period so that the dough can rise
- The bread is baked in the machine
- If necessary and possible, the machine will keep your bread warm
- Take out the baking tin or insert, let the bread cool down a little, remove the dough hooks if necessary and enjoy your freshly baked bread
What can I do to make the crust of my bread crispier in the breadmaker?
- Use the “pure baking” or “re-baking” function of your breadmaker and end the baking process as soon as you are satisfied with the browning
- If your breadmaker has a viewing window, you can cover it with aluminium foil before baking
- Do not open the lid during the baking process, as this may affect browning
- Add a little sugar to the dough or brush the dough with a mixture of 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of cream after the last kneading phase but before baking
- Make sure you have chosen the right browning level. Many machines are set to the lowest level by default. Set it to a higher level
- Take the bread out of the machine immediately after baking and let it cool in the air. Otherwise condensation will form inside the container and this will soften the crust
What is the best way to remove the dough hooks?
Do not use a knife to remove the hooks. You may damage the non-stick coating, which can then get on or in your baked goods. Instead, use a so-called dough hook remover.
Which well-known manufacturers of bread makers are there?
WMF
WMF is known for its various household items. Due to their many years of experience, they are able to offer very good quality at a comparatively low price. WMF’s product range includes everything that the kitchen heart needs.
Here you can find everything from cutlery to kitchen utensils and decorative items. A bread maker from WMF offers high quality and very good performance.
Morphy Richards
Morphy Richards is a household appliance manufacturer that offers all the appliances you need. From toasters to hoovers and kitchen machines, you can find everything here. Morphy Richards knows how to convince, especially because of their innovative controls and design.
Unold
Unold is an electrical appliance manufacturer that offers a wide range of products. Here, the low price is the main selling point. Despite the low price, the quality is high. Therefore, this breadmaker can also be recommended.
What are the alternatives to a breadmaker?
In addition, you have to knead the dough yourself. However, this is a simple option that saves you the space of a bread machine. If you have a Thermomix, you can also bake bread in it.
Pizza can also be made in a breadmaker. However, you can also use a classic pizza oven.
As a last option, if all this is too much for you, you can always go to the nearest bakery and buy bread there.
Decision: What types of bread makers are there and which is the right one for you?
Basically, you can distinguish between three different types of bread makers:
- Breadmaker without dough hook
- Breadmaker with retractable dough hooks
- Breadmaker with 2 dough hooks
With each of these types, the end result is slightly different, which brings individual advantages and disadvantages.
Depending on how you prefer to enjoy your bread and what you value most, a different type of bread maker is best for you. In the following section, we would like to help you find out which type of bread maker is best for you.
For this purpose, we will introduce you to all of the above-mentioned types of bread makers and clearly present the advantages and disadvantages of each.
How does a breadmaker without a dough hook work and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The particular advantage of a bread maker without a dough hook is that it does not create any holes in the bread. The dough hook does not get stuck in the dough of the bread during baking, so there is no hole in the bread.
With these somewhat more expensive machines, beautiful breads can easily be made that convince not only with their taste but also with their perfect appearance.
Of course, a breadmaker needs dough hooks that mix and knead the dough sufficiently before the baking process begins. The decisive moment here is at the end of the kneading process.
The dough hooks are automatically folded away by the machine. To do this, the machine goes into reverse mode and carefully moves the hooks out of the dough during this process.
Once the dough has been worked out, the dough hook is simply folded away and the baking process takes its course. After the dough hook is nevertheless in the baking tin, a small depression remains on the underside of the bread.
However, this can only be seen with a close eye and does not detract from the appearance of the finished loaf.
How is bread made in a breadmaker with retractable dough hooks and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The bread is made with dough hooks, just like any other type of bread maker. The main difference here, however, is that in this inexpensive version it is possible to remove the hooks manually before the baking process. As a result, no hole remains in the finished bread.
There are machines with one or two dough hooks that can either be folded down or completely retracted. This prevents them from getting stuck in the bread during the baking process.
A great advantage of this is that no dough hook marks remain on or in the bread. The prerequisite for this is that the dough hooks are removed by hand after kneading the dough, so that baking can begin free of dough hooks.
The most important function of this type of bread maker is therefore the pause function. After the dough has been mixed and kneaded, the machine signals and you can remove the dough hook manually and finish baking the bread without a hook.
One disadvantage is that you have to be present during the process to be able to wait for the right moment. Baking bread without supervision during the night is therefore unfortunately impossible.
This variant does produce beautiful bread without holes, but it can get a bit messy when removing the mixing hooks. Tip: Coat the dough hooks with a little oil before kneading, then the hooks can slide out of the dough more easily afterwards.
How does a breadmaker with 2 dough hooks work and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Bread makers with 2 dough hooks are particularly suitable for heavy doughs, such as mixtures with a high proportion of wholemeal flour. These inexpensive machines are designed for high resistance and can roll the dough really well.
The two hooks are permanently anchored, which also leaves a hole in the finished loaf with this variant and can make cleaning a little more laborious.
Due to the high efficiency of two dough hooks, some of these automatic bread makers can even prepare jam, cake doughs, pizza doughs or pasta doughs. Some machines with two dough hooks even offer two different shapes of hooks that can be used individually depending on the type of bread.
Despite the hole in the bread, the quality is in no way reduced. The flaw in a breadmaker with two dough hooks is therefore more a visual one than a taste one.
Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate bread makers
Which bread maker you ultimately choose should not only depend on the price. There are numerous other aspects that you should consider when making your choice:
- Number and type of selectable programmes/ browning levels
- Capacity
- Kneading unit/dough hook
- Performance and power consumption
- Scope of delivery/accessories
- Extras / Spare parts
- Weight / size
- Volume
You can read more about the features listed below that are relevant to your final purchase decision.
Number of selectable programmes/ browning levels
Every bread maker should be able to do one thing: Baking bread. But not all bread is the same, as you know, and different bread doughs require different handling.
So that you are not limited to one type of bread when baking bread at home, various bread makers provide you with 8-19 (depending on price and manufacturer) pre-installed programmes. These programmes allow you to create the right conditions for your desired bread at the touch of a button.
By selecting the programme, the machine itself takes care of the optimal duration of the kneading, resting and baking phases. In addition to the pre-set programmes, most machines also give you the option of saving one or two programmes of your own (usually depending on the price).
So what alternatives can you choose from? Normally, there are separate programmes for mixed, wholemeal and white breads, for spelt and rye breads, as well as for cakes and yeast doughs.
A separate programme for gluten-free bread is now standard in many inexpensive models, and even jam and marmalade can usually be prepared with the help of a somewhat cheaper breadmaker.
Some bread makers have extras such as a gluten-free programme. This function could be very helpful for allergy sufferers.
Almost all machines, regardless of price, offer a baking programme. On the one hand, you can bake a dough that you did not prepare in the machine, and on the other hand, you can use the function to re-bake your bread to give it a stronger crust.
To give you a better overview, we have briefly listed the most important baking programmes and their special features:
| Programme | Special features |
|---|---|
| Basic or normal programme | Standardised programme for baking breads. Primarily suitable for wheat flour or a mixture of wheat and rye flour |
| White bread | programme for baking breads made from wheat flour. Extra long programme of about 3 h for crispy consistency |
| Wholemeal bread | programme for baking wholemeal breads.Extended proofing process so that grains also soften optimally |
| Quick programme | programme for quick baking processes of about one hour. Omit certain kneading and proofing phases |
| Ultra-fast | programme for ultra-fast baking processes of less than one hour. Omitting further phases. Recommendation: Fill the mould with lukewarm water |
| Gluten-free | programme for gluten-free dough. Dough only needs to rise 1x instead of 2-3x. Baking time is extended so that the bread has a fluffy crumb |
| Individual programme | programme that you can create yourself. Programmable according to personal preferences. Especially ideal for coeliacs |
| Dough | programme especially for making the dough Several kneading and rising phases |
Other available programmes are:
- French bread: programme with extended rising time for extra crispy crust and airy-fluffy crumb.
- Cake: programme for preparing fluffy and quick cakes. Kneading, proofing and baking phases are included.
- Sweet breads: Special, fast programme for making sweet breads or sweet yeast dough.
- Pasta dough: Extra programme for pasta dough.
- Pizza dough: Extra programme for pizza doughs.
- Bake only: Programme specially for baking. Also possible for preparing dough that is already ready.
- Re-bake: Programme for a second baking process if the bread was not successful at the first attempt.
- Jam or marmalade: Programme for making jam or marmalade. Recommendation: Buy a second baking tin for jam programmes.
- Yoghurt: Programme for making yoghurt. Alternative to a yoghurt maker. A special container is required.
- Rice and risotto: Extra programme for making rice and risotto. Not available on all appliances.
Breadmakers with an even wider range of programmes also allow you to make your own sourdough breads, pizza and pasta doughs, and you can also make sandwich bread, compote or yoghurt.
Breadmakers that have three browning levels are the norm these days. So if this is something that’s particularly important to you, and you’re looking for a machine that gives you less choice, or no choice at all, you’re better off choosing another one.
Some more expensive machines offer a choice of four or even five tanning levels.
Capacity
Before buying a breadmaker, ask yourself how much bread you want to bake: do you want to make large loaves or just a few small rolls? The weight of the bread you take out of the machine at the end can range from 450 g to 1,800 g.
Some bread makers allow you to choose from a range of pre-set bread weights. For example, you can decide before baking whether you want your finished bread to weigh 450 g, 680 g or 900 g.
With other providers, you have to settle for a single, fixed bread size. In addition to those already mentioned, common “weight classes” are 750 g, 1,000 g and 1,250 g.
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The breadmaker saves you almost all the work steps, with the same taste. However, you can still only get the classic bread shape by baking it yourself in the oven. (Photo: mp1746 / pixabay.com)
In rare cases, you can also replace the normal proofing or baking container with a bread roll insert. This is either included with selected models or can be purchased separately and offers you the option of baking six small baked goods instead of a single loaf.
You want to bake two different loaves at the same time, e.g. 900 g each, i.e. loaves with a total weight of 1,800 g? This is also possible, but you should not expect this from the “average” machine, as this task is only accomplished by very few bread baking machines.
Kneading mechanism/ dough hook
In order for the bread machine to properly perform the task of kneading the dough, it has a so-called kneading mechanism, which includes one or two dough hooks. But what is the difference and is it relevant for you?
Whether your breadmaker has one or two dough hooks depends on the maximum capacity. Machines that allow you to bake large, heavy loaves usually have two dough hooks and an elongated baking container, while machines with a smaller capacity usually only have one hook and a more cube-shaped baking tin.
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Bread baking is guaranteed to succeed with an automatic bread maker. First fill in the water and then add the baking mixture. Visually, the result may not be as good as the bread from the shop, but you can add grains or other ingredients as you like. (Photo: fancycrave1 / pixabay.com)
The number of dough hooks is therefore more a question of the size you want your homemade bread to be. The type of bread also plays a role: from experience, wholemeal breads will turn out better in baking machines with two dough hooks, as they are made from heavy doughs. Such doughs can be kneaded much better with two hooks.
On the other hand, whether or not the dough hooks can be folded down is a question of how you want your bread to look. Since the dough hooks are “baked” into the dough in most machines, you have to pull them out of the finished bread yourself after baking.
Although there are things you can do to make this sometimes quite demanding task a little easier, you will not be able to avoid an unsightly hole in your bread with most of these bread makers.
However, if it is important to you that your bread not only tastes good but also looks good, we recommend a bread machine with folding dough hooks. Once the kneading process is complete, the hooks inside the machine simply fold upwards, saving you the trouble of having to pull them out yourself afterwards.
Performance and power consumption
Higher performance = higher power consumption? It’s not quite that simple. The rated power of household and kitchen appliances is usually the input power or maximum power during operation and is given in watts. However, this can differ greatly from the actual power consumption.
For example, there are (usually cheaper) appliances with a wattage of 1200 W that use only 500 W for the entire baking process – a very positive feature. On the other hand, there are also bread makers with a maximum power rating of 600 W.
At first glance, this sounds good. However, such bread makers need this power all the time. In the long run, they can therefore cause you higher electricity costs.
Scope of delivery/accessories
Not only do the bread makers differ, but also their scope of delivery and the equipment that you can purchase to complement them.
As a rule, you will receive a removable baking tin together with the appliance itself, one or two dough hooks depending on the model, and a measuring cup. In most cases, you will also receive a more or less comprehensive recipe booklet, which is either included separately or in the instructions for use.
Some machines without folding dough hooks also come with a so-called dough hook or kneading blade remover (also known as a hook spit or simply hook). With other suppliers, you can order it separately, whereby the price can range between 3.30 and 8 euros.
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Few bread makers include more than one baking tray in the purchase price; if you need a second or even third such tray, you have to buy it separately. Other baking inserts, for example for baguettes or rolls, are also available from some manufacturers.
What is included in the scope of delivery also depends on the functions your appliance is equipped with. Some models with a weighing function have an integrated scale.
On the one hand, this is convenient because you can easily put the right amount of ingredients directly into the machine, but on the other hand, it is one more part that can break.
Selected models are able to add additional ingredients such as sultanas or nuts to the mixture at a later stage of the kneading process. They are therefore equipped with an automatic ingredient dispenser, which is also supplied from the outset.
Other accessories such as a dough cutter, measuring spoon and baking brush may also be included.
Extras/ spare parts
Do you want your breadmaker to do more than just bake bread? Then you can choose between a few additional special features that affect functionality and design.
While some baking machines concentrate on the essentials, namely baking your bread, other models offer you more luxury: Do you want to bake your bread in a particularly short time? Or is it important to you that you can pause the current programme? No problem.
Quick baking programme
With the fast baking programme, your machine shortens the kneading and baking time so that your bread is ready more quickly.
Depending on the model, the duration varies between 60 and 120 minutes. However, it remains to be seen whether a period of 2 hours can still be called “quick baking”.
Be prepared for the fact that the baking results achieved with such “flash” programmes are often not very satisfactory. You may find that the bread is either not baked all the way through or that its surface is extremely spongy.
Keeping bread warm
The keep-warm function, on the other hand, seems to us to be very useful, although it is not always included in the standard repertoire of a breadmaker. If you cannot remove the bread from the appliance immediately after the end of the baking process, the keep-warm function prevents your bread from cooling down when the lid is closed.
This has the advantage of preventing condensation from forming inside the baking tin and softening the crust of your bread. The maximum time for keeping warm is usually 60 minutes.
Timer function
Most bread makers – but again, not all – allow you to set the time you want your loaf to finish baking hours in advance. For example, you can use a timer to set the baking process to finish in 13 or even 15 hours.
This means that you only have to press a button in the evening and wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread in the morning.
Mains failure protection
Many appliances allow you to create and save your own baking programmes. If there is a power failure, the programmes and settings you have made may be deleted. To prevent this from happening, some manufacturers offer you the luxury of a power failure backup.
If the power is restored within a specified period of time, which is usually 10 to 20 minutes, this backup ensures that your changes remain saved.
This saves you from having to set everything up again according to your individual preferences.
Extras
We recommend stainless steel bread makers if the look is important to you. In contrast to models with a plastic housing, these look much nicer.
Other special features that distinguish some bread makers are an (illuminated) LCD display, a soft-touch panel that is easy to use and a baking chamber light.
You also have a choice of materials for the non-stick coating of the baking container inside the machine. The coating can vary in terms of material – “simple” ceramic, Bio-Lon ceramic or Quantanium?
Additional extras for bread makers are, for example, an interior light, a viewing window or the choice of individual programmes.
It is impossible to say which coating is the best, but we would advise against using Teflon, PTFE or PFOA coatings, as these are suspected of being harmful to health.
With technical devices, it is always possible for a part to break, get lost or break down completely. Therefore, before you buy, find out whether the manufacturer of the model you have chosen offers spare parts and a manufacturer’s warranty.
The majority of suppliers offer a 2-year guarantee on your breadmaker, but periods of 3 to 5 years are also possible.
The components of a conventional breadmaker are usually the housing, baking chamber, baking pan, lid, dough hook, control panel and some form of gear.
Most of these parts can be removed and replaced if damaged. You can usually get them directly from the (online) shops of the manufacturers or on internet sales platforms.
How much you have to spend depends on which part you want to replace. For a drive wheel you pay about 5 euros, for a fermentation or bread container about 30 euros.
When buying a breadmaker, check whether it comes with a warranty. It could be useful in case of need.
Weight / dimensions
Even with bread makers, there are no real “standard” dimensions, so the sizes of the machines vary. Therefore, think about where you will place your new appliance and how much space it can take up before you buy it. This will save you from unpleasant surprises.
If you want a rather small model, the dimensions 35 x 29 x 26 cm are already good advice. The largest model we found measured 40 x 38 x 51 cm.
You should also bear in mind that the shape of the appliance also varies: Some bread makers are very wide and high, but do not protrude very far into the room, while others are more cube-shaped.
The weight of the bread makers also varies considerably: from around 5 to about 9 kilograms, anything is possible.
Volume
This is probably not the main criterion, but the noise a breadmaker makes can also be a factor in your decision for or against a model, for example if you are generally sensitive to noise.
The quietest machines produce a sound level of around 53 dB both on average and during the quick programme, which is usually the loudest bread baking programme. The loudest ones average 73 dB, but can produce noise of up to 90 dB.
To give you a frame of reference: The concentration threshold is usually set at 40 dB, 55 dB corresponds to a radio or TV set at room volume, 70 dB corresponds to a normal hoover at 1 metre distance and 90 dB is created by a running diesel engine at 10 metres distance.
If possible, have the signal tones of the breadmaker demonstrated to you in the shop before you buy. With some baking machines, these are extremely loud, penetrating and cannot be influenced, while with others they are clearly audible, but their volume and possibly the output tone can be regulated.
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If, despite the numerous advantages of a breadmaker, you still prefer classic bread, you can still get it from your local baker. In the long run, having your own breadmaker is an investment that will save you money and travel. (Photo: teamLumondi / pixabay.com)
Trivia: Interesting facts about the breadmaker
You have bought a breadmaker and would now like to know how to get the most out of your kitchen appliance? In the following sections, we will give you some useful tips and tricks about bread makers.
What else can I make with a breadmaker?
A bread maker can do much more than just make bread. Different programmes allow you to make many delicious dough dishes.
Who hasn’t experienced that frozen pizza doesn’t taste good and going out doesn’t seem to be an option? Now you have the solution. Most bread makers offer just such a programme.
All you have to do is find a recipe on the Internet, put the ingredients in the breadmaker and you’ll have the perfect pizza dough in no time. But that’s not all. You can make your own sandwiches or even bake certain cakes.
There are no limits to your imagination, so you can try out all kinds of dough dishes.
Which flour is suitable for a breadmaker?
The type of flour you use is entirely up to you. There are no rules here. You can choose whether you prefer to use wheat, rye, spelt or other flours. Of course, gluten-free flours such as corn, rice or quinoa flour can also be used.
So any flour can be used in a breadmaker, so you don’t have to worry about using the wrong flour.
Which bread maker has retractable dough hooks?
A breadmaker without a retractable dough hook will leave a hole in your bread, as the dough hook cannot be removed during the baking process, creating a cavity.
This is why there are bread makers with a retractable dough hook, which comes out of the dough during the baking process and thus retains the classic bread shape. Consequently, such a machine can only be recommended if you have the necessary money, as they can often be expensive.
Models are available from various brands, but Caso or Morphy Richards are particularly recommended here, as they offer good quality.
History of bread
The history of bread began around 11,000 years ago. It begins with the basic ingredient of bread – flour. At that time, people began to grow grain. At first they ate it raw, but after a short time, it was crushed and softened to make a porridge.
This was apparently fried on a hot stone and resulted in a kind of flatbread. However, there was no real bread at that time.
Thanks to their ingenuity, the Egyptians were the first to make real bread. They baked it in clay pots and thus opened bakeries. By leaving the dough to rest, the bread became softer. This happens through yeast fungi and lactic acid bacteria, which loosen the bread through fermentation.
The Israelites copied this, which meant that the art of baking bread was passed on via Greece to the Roman Empire.
Since wheat did not want to grow in the humid north, the Romans cultivated various grains and invented rye bread. Rye was considered a weed at the time, but it could withstand the cold climate in the north and be therefore perfect for bread.
This is how the bread made its way to Germany. Today, there are over 3000 recognised bread varieties in Germany, which means we have the largest variety of bread.
How do I make sourdough?
Making your own sourdough is easier than it sounds. However, a good sourdough needs about five days before you can bake bread from it. On the first day, fill a large bowl with 100 grams of rye flour and 100 grams of lukewarm water. Now just mix everything together so that it is slightly liquid.
Finally, put a lid on it (so that the bowl is not closed), put it in a warm place at 25°C + and let it rest for 12 hours.
After 12 hours, stir the dough thoroughly and let it rest for another 24 hours. In the next four to five days, after 24 hours, you will add 100 grams of flour and 100 grams of lukewarm water and stir well. On the fifth day, the sourdough is ready and can be baked.
Source: sonachgefuehl.de
What is the best way to store my breadmaker when I am not using it?
Clean the appliance thoroughly before storing it. Store it with the lid closed, preferably in the packaging in which it was delivered. Before using the breadmaker again, clean it and make sure it is working properly.
Image source: Pixabay.com / Couleur
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