Bread maker?

Francl27

So that thread about the problem with bread made me think about getting one again... Problem = I love fresh bread, and I don't know if I'll be able to resist eating the whole loaf, but everyone eats quite a bit of bread (kid sandwiches etc), and it would probably be healthier than buying packaged bread all the time, plus it might encourage my husband to pack lunch more often...

The questions -

- how long does the bread keep? Any trick to making it last longer?
- any good recipe?
- how much of a pain is it to make?
- any recommendation for a good, cheap, bread maker?

Pearsquared

I usually go to my parents' house to help them make bread on a weekly basis. I'll guess the bread lasts about a week before it goes bad or dry, but they freeze loaves to help it last longer. It dries out in the fridge, so I don't recommend that.

It is super easy to make simple bread recipes. For most, you literally just dump the ingredients in and hit go. My parents' bread machine has a function that lets you know when to add nuts or other add-ons for different recipes.

They have this machine: http://www.amazon.com/Breadman-TR2500BC-Stainless-Steel-Convection-Breadmaker/dp/B000BXD5WQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424296266&sr=8-2&keywords=breadman+bread+machine

It's a little closer to midrange than cheap, but I think it can be a worthy investment.

jgnatca

The best performing bread machine recipe I ever tried:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bread-machine-challah-ii/

Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with our bread or our gluten or our grains or our bread industry in this country. If you want to make home-made bread because it is so lovely home-made, then go for it.

ar9179

I can't recommend a brand, as I don't use one, but consider looking in thrift stores. Sometimes you can find a new/in box appliance without committing to a bigger investment. Zojirushi has quite a following, otherwise. You want one that has a separate knead/mixing cycle. Sometimes you don't want to bake in the machine...pizza dough for instance.

I can recommend a recipe if you all like fluffy bread. As a bonus, it stays fresher longer by using a roux called tangzhong. I make two loafs a week for my kids' lunches, freezing one until I need it. You can incorporate a little whole wheat but the fluffiness is compromised. I don't use the milk powder and I stopped brushing with egg for the glaze. Google will bring up a lot of sites but this one had bread machine directions.
http://www.supergoldenbakes.com/2013/02/the-joys-of-tangzhong.html