Bread machines offer versatile cooking options

Bread machines can do more than bake white or wheat loaves. Some can prepare pizza, baguettes, pasta and bagel dough, as well as make jam, meatloaf and even butter. Since bread machines vary in functionality, the ideal model for one person is not the best machine for everyone. A bread enthusiast will likely want a more advanced machine with custom baking cycles (which will add to the overall cost), while the average baker may be perfectly content with a budget, no-frills breadmaker that gets the job done.

Most breadmakers costing more than $100 include a 13-hour delay timer that allows you to mix the ingredients in advance and bake at a later time. Other perks include power-failure protection and quick-bake cycles. Power-failure protection maintains the program settings to resume baking in the event of a power failure, although in some models the power button must be pressed again to resume baking. Quick bake cycles can reduce baking time by an hour or more, but the resulting bread can turn out denser. A few models offer a stay-warm setting, which maintains the bread's warm temperature for an hour after baking.

Consumers should consider the following when comparing bread machines:

  • Know how many people you want to serve. A 1-pound loaf yields about eight slices; a 2.5-pound loaf yields about 20 slices.
  • Choose horizontal baking or vertical baking. If you want a loaf that looks like store-bought, choose a machine that bakes horizontally. Otherwise, vertical loaves taste just as good.
  • Decide which features you will use. Fully programmable machines, where you can customize the settings rather than simply choose from preprogrammed options for different loaves, can cost as much as $250. You can get a machine that bakes up fresh, high-quality bread for less than $100, but you'll have to give up some features.
  • Go for a convenient delay timer. It means you can wake up to or come home to freshly baked bread. Many bread machines have 13-hour timers.
  • Opt for a small machine if you want to bake bread in under an hour. Small machines can bake a small, soft loaf in 45 minutes to an hour. When it comes to larger machines, some users find that breads cooked on quick bake cycles are denser or yeastier than those prepared on normal cycles.
  • Run your machine once or twice before baking in it. Many machines need to be operated empty once or twice to burn off manufacturing oils. Some manufacturers fail to mention this in their operating manual. If it isn't noted in your manual, call the customer service department to find out if it's necessary.

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