Bread MAchine

[VeganChick15]

I have been trying to look at bread machines because I'm interested in buying one, but I dont know where or what brans to start with. I think it would be very helpful for me to get one because I love fresh bread but dont have time to wait for it to rise, So if anyone has a bread machine or just knows some good not to expense ones please tell me! Thanks! :nigel:

[Artichoke47]

I just bought one for $40 at Target. It's a Toastmaster. I've only used it once and found that the crust came out too dark. I had the crust setting on medium, but I'll try "light" next time.

[vegankittykat]

Since I have such a hard time finding vegan bread that's decent at the store, I've been considering getting a bread machine also. Are the packets of mixes you need to buy for them normally vegan? Do you only need to add water? About how long does it take to make a loaf?

[Artichoke47]

I don't know about any packets that are vegan. I use recipes in my cookbooks that are vegan, and it's actually really easy. Just put the ingredients in, press a few buttons, and your work is done!

For my bread machine, bread that contains whole wheat flour (which is probably the most common) takes 3 hr. 40 min. to make, and then you need to let it cool probably for about an hour.

[veganinohio]

Get a bread machine TODAY. They are awesome. When I bought mine a few years ago, I worried that it would be yet another appliance that I use a few times and then deposit in my basement forever. But no. I use it all the time.

Don't buy those crappy mixes. You don't need them. Get a basic bread machine cookbook (the machine I bought came with one anyway) and assemble the ingredients yourself (gathering them and dumping them in the machine takes all of 5 minutes, so I don't understand the point of those mixes anyway).

I've had great success with the bread and it's so easy--it's literally set it and forget it.

I also use it to knead pizza dough and anything else that needs kneaded. It's GREAT for kneading seitan which is a major pain in the ass.

[kristadb]

I hate the taste of bread that is baked in a bread machine. It never tastes the same as oven bread.

However, I use my breadmaker for kneading and rising dough. It is great for that. It is time consuming (2hrs for mix and rise), but there is no way on earth I will stand over a counter for 10 minutes kneading anything.

[Erin_S2S]

I love having a bread machine. I have never used a packet of mix in it because putting the ingredients in myself is just so easy. I definitely recommend getting one.
I'm not entirely sure how much mine cost because it was a holiday gift last year. My sister got it for me so it couldn't have been much more than thirty bucks or so. I believe she got it on clearance from Sears online catalog.
The recipes in the booklet it came with have been very easily converted to vegan. Most recipes call for powdered milk as the only non vegan ingredient. I just use powedered soymilk and the bread turns out great.

[VeganChick15]

Thanks!! Now I really want to get a bread machine it seems like it would really help me out alot!! Thanks for the tips!!!

[Artichoke47]

Do you think it's necessary to buy an expensive one, or are the cheaper ones, like I bought, sufficient?

[veganinohio]

Most recipes call for powdered milk as the only non vegan ingredient. I just use powedered soymilk and the bread turns out great.

Yeah, I've noticed that many, many bread machine recipes call for powdered milk. My understanding is that they do this because many people set their bread machines for timed delay, and that liquid milk would sour if it were left to sit out that long. If you're not using timed delay, the milk powder is unecessary and you can just use milk intead of water and omit the milk powder. As a vegan, I don't do this, but I've found two solutions that work: 1. Omit the milk powder and don't replace it with anything. Works great for me. I don't miss it.

or 2. Use soymilk to replace the water in the recipe. Tastes great.

[Dirty Martini]

I *love* my Zojirushi (sp?). Love it! It makes super yummy bread - I prefer it to store-bought.

We have never bought a mix. I just add water, flour, salt, yeast, vital gluten, earth balance, and... that's it. Sometimes I add nuts or seeds.

vegweb has a LOT of bread machine recipes...

amy

ETA: it also makes the best pizza dough I've ever "made" - better than my handmade. And one recipe makes 2 thick crusts or 3 thin crusts. Just make one and put the rest of the dough in the freezer. works like a charm! Supposedly I can make cakes and jams in my bread machine but I've never tried it...

[MelinaM]

I love my bread machine too! and I agree...don't bother with those packaged mixes.
I replace the milk powder with soymilk powder. If your bread comes out too dense just add a few Tbls of wheat gluten.

I have a breadman ultimate. Its great and even has a little compartment for adding extras like rasins and sunflower seeds. I think it was $100 at sears and well worth the investment.