T-Fal Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker

After agonizing over which bread machine to buy, I chose this one. The first two loaves I made turned out like bricks, but then I realized that my flour might be old, and when I used fresh flour,… everything turned out beautifully. I've had it now for about 8 months, and I love it. I make all of my own bread and I don't have to worry about all the unpronounceable ingredients in store-bought bread. The only trade-off is that the bread goes stale pretty quickly because it lacks preservatives. This machine is easy to use, has two paddles, and a variety of options. It also can make a three-pound loaf, and it's my understanding that there aren't many bread machines on the market (if any) with this capacity. I've used a lot of the recipes that were included with the product, and I've liked nearly all of them. I haven't tried the baguette function yet, but it's on my to-do list. A few negatives, however: 1) it's a bit large; 2) it only comes in white; 3) there is no way to know when the kneading cycle is about to be over (the moment when you add additional ingredients if necessary)--it just beeps. I have to hang around near the kitchen to listen for it, or I'll miss it. 4) When the paddles are removed, it leaves two gaping holes in the bread. But I believe this is an issue with all bread machines and is unavoidable. Last weekend, my kitchen was filled with the smell of homemade bread baking and a pot roast in the slow cooker. What better way to usher in the cooler weather?

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So far, we have made baguettes (really great), white bread, and the crustier bread (French). We are using the smallest size, because the 2.5 and 3 lb breads are not easy to cut. The bread has all been… good - although I think it is not as good as our old machine, which took longer, giving the bread two long rises. There are two problems. One is that the controls are very hard to see when you are setting up the program. There are little marks next to the bread size and crust adjustment icons, and you have to push the button until you get the little mark to the right place. It is really hard to see where the mark is. The other problem is that there is no way to adjust the program (like to extend the time for rising), or to adapt the programs to your own liking. Also, in the bagette cycle, if you go over an hour when you shape and rise the little loaves, the program shuts off, and you can't get back to the baking cycle without going through the whole program again (which is what I did).

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I've had this breadmaker about 3 weeks now, and have made lots of bread, dough, etc. Pros: This machine does exactly what it says it will. I can now get the light crust I want. I love it! My only con… is that it doesn't come with many recipes, so I bought a bread machine book and am making lots of those recipes which work beautifully. If the loaf doesn't get eaten right away I just freeze it, sliced, for later. Works like a charm. I love this machine!

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This is my third machine, and first with two paddles. All in all I like the machine very much. My biggest problem is that the proportion between flour and water in the recipes is completely screwed. I am… very much aware that it very much depends on the brand of flour. I used Pilsbury bread flour and found out that 1 cup of water for every 2 cups of flour is way too much. Now I am using 1 cup of water (liquid) for every 2 cups of flour and it is OK. Other than that the 2 paddles and the 3 lb bread are very big benefit since we eat a lot of bread. I bought the machine from Bed Baths and Beyond, and saved $30 (20 %). All in all I like it but the recipes need work. So future buyers - be careful !!! You might end up with a 3 lb brick of baked dough, if you mess up the liquid / flour proportion.

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