All posts in: Bread Machines

Bread machine vs. loaf pan

Kitchen & Food
By Barbara Solomon on March 7, 2013 in

Boxing match

A surprising number of websites and blogs are devoted to bread making -- and according to many, bread machines are the most wonderful invention since, well, sliced bread. Editors at Breadmachinedigest.com, maintain that unlike other small appliances that sit on a shelf collecting dust, bread machines are versatile and fun, will get lots of use, and can save you money over time. 

Yet, Mason Currey reports a different sentiment for Slate.com. After testing five popular bread makers, he ultimately concluded that the loaves were not that good, and the effort was just not worth it.

Bread machines can be pricey, and users say there is a learning curve. So, we had to ask, could baking in a plain old loaf pan better "rise" to the occasion? The modern appliance and baking mainstay go head-to-head in this kitchen showdown. Here's what we found: Read more

Stand mixers vs. bread machines

Kitchen & Food
By Michelle Vongphakdy on February 22, 2013 in

Boxing match

There's something to be said for the art and craft of making bread by hand, but for most of us, the process is too time consuming. Still, nothing quite compares to the taste of fresh-from-the-oven bread. To simplify the process -- and enjoy the results -- many turn to modern-day appliances. Is a bread machine really the best convenience option? Or can a stand mixer do the trick? The two duke it out in the boxing ring to determine which is the better buy. Read more

Reduce sodium one slice at a time

Kitchen & Food
By Rita Colorito on March 5, 2012 in

The bread basket

There's another reason to banish bread from your diet besides your attempt to reach your goal weight: Lowering your sodium intake. In a list of top 10 sources of salt in the American diet, bread and rolls came in at number one, accounting for more than twice as much sodium as salty snacks like potato chips and pretzels, which came in at the bottom of the list, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more

Flour power: Choosing a bread machine

Kitchen & Food
By Sage McHugh on December 2, 2010 in

bread

If you prefer fresh-baked bread over the store-bought variety, you might want to invest in a bread machine and make your own. In addition to producing loaves, some bread machines can make pizza, pasta and bagel dough -- as well as meatloaf, jam and even butter. There are many different kinds of bread machines on the market, and they're uniquely designed to suit individual needs. Here are some tips to help you decide on the bread machine that’s right for you. Read more

Pop culture: A closer look at popcorn poppers

Kitchen & Food
By Sarah Burns on March 26, 2010 in

Man eating popcorn.

It's fluffy, it's crunchy, it's mandatory for movie night. Yes, we're talking about popcorn. Ever wonder how it's created? To learn the answer, we picked the brain of The Popcorn Board, (a national non-profit organization funded by popcorn makers). What we learned: Popcorn kernels contain a tiny droplet of water, which, when heated, expands and causes kernels to pop, releasing their starchy interior from their sturdy outer shell. How exactly you transform this hard nugget into America's favorite light, white snack is totally up to you. To achieve more perfect corn, most consumers use popcorn poppers. Under that umbrella, there are currently four main options: hot air, electric, stovetop, and microwave poppers.

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Does Kohl's $40 Black Friday breadmaker rise to the occasion?

Kitchen & Food
By Christine Frietchen on November 13, 2009 in

Oster 5838 ExpressBake

This is the first Black Friday deal we've seen for a breadmaker: Kohl's, in its leaked circular, is featuring the Oster 5838 ExpressBake at an advertised price of $40. However, read the fine print and you'll see that you'll actually pay $60; the $20 savings comes in the form of a mail-in rebate. If you're the type that sends in rebates, it's not a bad deal, but if not, there are better deals out there on better breakmakers.

The deal: Oster 5838 ExpressBake Breadmaker for $40 (after $20 rebate)

The verdict: A good deal if you're diligent about mailing the rebate

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Your daily bread

By Scott Nyerges on October 10, 2009 in

Breadmaker

Ask anyone who's tried -- and failed -- to make bread from scratch, and they'll tell you what a challenge it can be. Bread machines take the guesswork out of that process: Simply add all the ingredients, choose your setting and forget about it. You can use a bread mix or combine ingredients from scratch, and most bread makers can produce everything from basic white loaves to hearty wheat and dough for bagels or pizza. More sophisticated models, like the Zojirushi BBCC-X20, which earns the ConsumerSearch nod for best full-featured bread machine, can even prepare non-bread items like jam or meatloaf.

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