Not everyone likes to eat store-bought bread. And there are reasons for that. Often manufacturers save on ingredients. In addition, the bread in the store is not always hot. Getting fresh and soft bread at home is quite real. This can be done with a bread maker. This device has become more and more popular in recent years. But for the device to really please, you need to know how to choose a bread machine. Expert advice and recommendations for choosing - further in our article.
Good to know
It is worth noting that this unit carries out all the work on:
- Kneading.
- Standing up.
- Bake dough.
The user only needs to place the desired ingredients and press a couple of appropriate buttons.
How cost-effective is it? Experts say thatthe cost of such bread will be almost twice as low as the price of the store. In this case, the homemade product will be much better and fresher. Another plus of having a bread maker is the ability to cook not only bread, but also a lot of other products. It can be muffins, pastries, pizza base, jams and yogurts. Thus, a bread maker is a universal unit that, like a multicooker, makes a lot of types of products.
Calculate volume
How to choose a bread maker? Expert advice says that before buying, you need to find out how much bread will be consumed per day. After all, some models can cook a half-kilogram loaf at a time, while others can cook one and a half kilograms. Approximately one person consumes 250 grams of bread per day. Thus, for two, you need a unit capable of cooking up to 500-700 grams of baking. For a family of three or four people, it is worth buying a device that bakes about one kilogram of product at a time. By the way, now there are models with the function of choosing the mass of finished baking. It's very helpful, reviews say.
How to choose a bread maker? Program set
This is an important characteristic when choosing such devices. Each program has its own time and temperature settings, as well as the order of kneading and baking the dough. Before choosing a bread machine, reviews and expert advice recommend looking at the number of programs. Typically, budget models have no more than ten such programs. Models of the middle price range - from 12 to 20. But it does not always make sense to chase this figure. If your goal is to purchase a unit thatwill cook only bread, the basic set of functions is quite enough. Such an oven makes products no worse than analogues from a more expensive segment.
The basic set of programs is used to bake different types of bread:
- Whole grain.
- Wheat.
- Rye.
- Sweet.
- with additives.
- Gluten free.
- And also a French baguette.
Additionally budget models have a function for kneading yeast dough, a program for baking muffins and cakes, as well as making jam.
Among the list of additional ones (which are already in more expensive models) it is worth noting:
- The function of kneading yeast-free dough.
- Extinguishing.
- Cooking porridge and dairy products.
- Kneading dough for pizza and pasta.
- Cooking pilaf and soup.
There is also a set of settings. On all bread machines, the base is the degree of browning of the crust. We also note that the device may have the following functions:
- Keep warm. It works like a multicooker. So, after cooking the product, automatic heating is turned on. Thanks to this function, the product will remain warm for two to three hours after cooking.
- Child lock. This is a protection against unauthorized opening of the lid or changing modes during cooking.
- Favorite program. The bread maker can remember the settings for your favoriterecipe.
- Delay start. In this case, the device can be programmed for the desired start time. For example, in the evening you loaded all the ingredients, and in the morning the device will prepare a fresh loaf of bread for breakfast. Often, the delay time is from 3 to 15 hours, depending on the model.
- Speed baking mode. This is present on many models. What does it give? When you turn on such a program, it takes no more than two hours to make bread. But the quality of the product is not at a high level. Reviews say that the loaf is not as tasty and fluffy as with regular baking.
- Possibility of making rye bread. Sooner or later, everyone will get tired of cooking ordinary, white bread. Therefore, this function should always be in the oven. The device will make rye bread as airy and delicious as white bread.
Among other useful functions, it is worth noting the preparation of French bread. It is very difficult to do it by hand. And the device saves a significant amount of time and effort.
How to choose a bread maker? Buyer advice says that you need to pay attention to the dough kneading. This feature is different for many manufacturers. So, some models are able to work only with yeast dough, others prepare rye bread, others work with a variety of types of dough. But you need to remember that multifunctional devices are always more expensive than ordinary ones.
Very often, housewives buy and use the oven not only for bread, but also for muffins. When choosing a device, you need to know that not all models are capable ofmake cupcakes from start to finish. Often budget versions only bake them. This must be considered before choosing a bread machine. By the way, this device is also used for making jam. Manufacturers say that the device is able to save all the vitamins. However, such jam cannot be used as winter preparations - it is perishable. But you can definitely make delicious jams that can be added to various foods.
Power
Before choosing a bread maker for your home, experts advise you to determine the power of the device. Today there are models for 450-1600 watts. You need to understand that the higher the power, the higher the price of the device. But at the same time, such units have a larger set of functions and bake bread faster. Do I need to chase power in the question "How to choose a bread machine for home" ?. Expert advice says that if you are ready to bake bread for three to four hours, it is enough to limit yourself to a low-powered and cheap appliance of 450-700 watts.
But if you make bread often and need to get it quickly, the oven should have a power of 900 watts. In this case, the cooking time will be two and a half hours or even less. But you do not need to use the accelerated baking function in plans to get bread even faster. According to customer reviews, even on expensive models in this mode it does not work out to get really tasty and airy bread.
Work bowl
There are a lot of models of ovens where the weak point is precisely the working bowl. Due to its wear and tear, problems arise in the future.devices. How to choose the right bread machine? You need to pay attention to the material from which this bowl is made. Usually it is made of stainless steel or aluminum, and a non-stick coating is applied on top.
The second material will be cheaper. But as noted by the reviews, aluminum bowls quickly become unusable. Also, before choosing a home bread maker, it is important to examine the integrity of the non-stick coating itself. Sometimes it can be damaged from the outside or from the inside. These are scratches and bumps. It is better to refuse to buy such a product and ask the seller to pack another device. A high-quality bowl has an even, smooth coating and a thick non-stick layer. It is necessary to pay attention to the dough mixers. These are the blades for kneading dough. Depending on the dimensions, one or two dough mixers are placed in the bowl. They are also covered with a non-stick layer, which must be intact. These blades are removable. Some manufacturers complete the ovens with dough mixers of different sizes - for jam or baking. But as practice shows, a spatula for dough also does an excellent job with yoghurts and jam.
The shape of the bowl is also different. It can be rectangular or round (for a loaf). For ordinary bread, it is worth purchasing the first type. Although round products are baked a little better and more evenly. Some models come with a baguette. These are individual molds up to four pieces for sintering French bread.
As noted by the reviews, the weak point of each working bowl in the bread machineis a rubber gasket that covers the agitator shaft. Due to long and frequent contact with oils and liquids, it begins to harden, deteriorate and lose tightness. As a result, the bucket starts to leak. How to choose the right bread maker? Experts advise choosing models where dry products are put first.
Case
The body material is not as important as the bowl, but this issue should not be ignored. How to choose a bread maker for home? Reviews say that the most durable and practical stainless steel case.
Also, these stoves have a beautiful appearance. But the cost of these devices is an order of magnitude higher compared to the same plastic. The case made of it is somewhat lighter, and also heats up less during operation of the device. But at the same time, plastic is subject to various mechanical stresses and is less wear-resistant.
Lid type
To choose the best bread maker, you need to pay attention to the type of lid. It is desirable that it be removable. This will facilitate the process of washing it after contamination. Also, the presence of a viewing window to control the condition of the product will not hurt.
Additionally, lids can be equipped with a dispenser for additives. As the reviews say, the dispenser is a very useful thing. Fill it with the right ingredients (such as seeds or berries) and the device will automatically add them during cooking. This feature is especially useful for delayed start. After all, you no longer need to wait a certain time to add various components todough.
Shape, dimensions
It is necessary to decide where this furnace will work and be stored. It is desirable that its body fit into the design of the kitchen and not be a thorn in the side. The cord should be between one and two meters long. Square devices are compact and easy to store.
Noisy unit
During operation, each unit emits a certain noise. Especially it increases during kneading and kneading the dough. So that the device does not distract you from sleep, work or rest, you should choose models with a noise level of no more than 60 decibels.
Control system
Often the oven has a mechanical control system. According to reviews, it is extremely simple and reliable. There are devices with touch panels. They are easier to clean, but if you have small children, you should pay attention to the possibility of blocking. Otherwise, the operation of the oven may suddenly be disturbed or stop. Reviews advise choosing backlit panels. Monochrome solutions will be worse.
Memory space
It is worth considering the fact that there may be problems with the electricity supply in the house. If failures occur frequently, experts advise purchasing devices with a memory reserve function. What it is? This function allows the oven to continue its operation after a sudden stop due to a power outage. The memory reserve can function for one hour.
Comparison of models
Which bread machine to choose for home? Among the budget ovens, it is worth noting the Kenwood VM256 unit. The power of the device is 450 watts. The weight of the finished bread is different. The mass variesranging from 500 to 1000 grams. The form of baking is rectangular. The number of programs is 12, among the additional features it is worth noting:
- Standby memory for power outages.
- Timer (another name is the delay start function).
- Choose the color of the bread crust.
- Maintain temperature after shutdown.
The stove is quite compact. Its dimensions are as follows: 345 x 345 x 250 millimeters. Feedback on this model is generally positive. Among the disadvantages are a long cooking time and a limited set of programs.
Also, Panasonic SD-2511 WTS receives positive feedback. The power of the unit is 550 watts. The mass of finished bread is from 500 to 1100 grams. The form of baking is rectangular. The number of functions is 15. There is a timer, overheating protection and crust color adjustment. Reviews say that this model has a dispenser that allows you to automatically add the right ingredients to bread without grinding. This is a very handy feature in the device. The dimensions of the unit are also compact: 382 x 256 x 389 millimeters.
Among the more expensive models, Mulinex RZ710130 should be noted. This stove has a high power of 1050 watts and a large set of functions (their number is 17 pieces). However, the stove has a smaller volume of the working bowl. The mass of bread is no more than 900 grams. At the same time, the dimensions of this model are larger than those of previous units: 390 x 310 x 350 millimeters. Some of the useful features include:
- Choose crust color.
- Overheat protection.
- Timer.
- Memory for power failures.
What comes with the stove? Usually, manufacturers equip it with additional blades for kneading and an instruction manual. A recipe book, a measuring spoon and a glass are also placed in the box, which allow the user to accurately measure the necessary ingredients. If we talk about Mulineks ovens, you can find stands for baking baguettes and buns in the kit (so that they get the desired shape).
In conclusion
So, we figured out how to choose a bread maker for the home. As you can see, when buying, you need to consider many nuances. By following all the selection rules, you will get a really good and high-quality device that will meet all the requirements and preferences.
