Bread is the main source of food. None of our breakfast, lunch or dinner, in most cases, goes without at least one slice of bread or bun. Thanks to the inclusion of this product in the diet, our food turns out to be hearty, tasty and complete. As a rule, most families buy factory bread, but these aromatic pastries can also be baked at home. Moreover, today it is very, very simple to make delicious, fresh, aromatic bread with your own hands. If earlier it was baked at home in ovens, which was preceded by a long and laborious kneading, now this can be done very easily and quickly with the help of an electric bread maker. In this article, we will look at how to choose the right one according to the advice of experts and which model is right for you.
What is a bread machine for - is it necessary for the home?
Before deciding for yourself whether or not to buy a bread maker, it is worth analyzing whether it is really necessary.
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There is no shortage of bread in cities and even remote villages. In the first, for example, there are many excellent bakeries in large supermarkets. They offer a wide variety of freshly baked baked goods.
The offer includes an abundance of varieties of bread made from wheat, rye, buckwheat and other types of flour. You can also buy dietary, yeast-free, baked goods, buns, rolls. In this case, is it worth buying a separate unit and baking bread yourself? Of course, yes.
Anything cooked at home will be better and much more useful, because you can never know what the manufacturer adds to the dough, no matter how conscientious it may be. Waking up in the morning to the aroma of fresh, fluffy, soft bread, your breakfast will be simply delicious.
Principle of operation
Prototypes of modern bread makers were invented back in 1987 by a company that is now known to everyone as Panasonic Corporation. Of course, the first models had little in common with the real samples, but the design features and the principle of operation of the machines have survived to our time unchanged.
Thus, all bread makers are arranged in a standard way: an external frame equipped with heating elements, an internal immersion frame, kneading paddle, coated top and system management.
It is interesting that initially the units were equipped with one blade for mixing products, but some companies decided to add two - so that the dough mixes better. Other manufacturers (including Panasonic Corporation) considered it necessary to make the shape of the dough container narrower and more elongated. This made it possible to achieve excellent mixing without the need for an extra paddle.
What a bakery can do
Modern bread makers are fully automated. Their work is strictly subordinate to the program you choose. The temperature is regulated by a special temperature sensor that controls the heating level.
All that is required from the owners is, following the instructions, add the necessary ingredients and wait for the completion of the work. As a rule, the models are equipped with a timer that allows you to choose the optimal time and adjust the operation of the bread maker to suit your plans.
Besides the fact that this machine can bake various types of bakery products, some devices are equipped with many other functions in addition. For example, making aromatic, delicate homemade jam or jam. More on this in the next section.
Major work programs
As a rule, when buying a bread maker, we expect to use it for its direct purpose - baking bread. However, modern manufacturers equip the device with other functions, for example, making jam.
Whether or not to cook the latter is up to you, but keep in mind that sugar while making the jam can scratch the high-quality Teflon coating of the inner container, which in the future will lead to burning loaves.
But even if you choose a bread maker without such functions, this does not mean that the monotony of products awaits you. On the contrary, each model relies on a book of various recipes. In addition, there is, for example, a program for making unpaired bread or gluten-free bread.
Also, some models are equipped with a manual control system, that is, you can independently choose the time of kneading, raising and baking.
The kneading function is very useful. In some devices, it is also presented with the ability to prepare dough for pizza, croissants, noodles. When choosing between the same devices, having the above options can be a great bonus.
An important point - if you like loaves of rye flour, then be sure to check if the bread maker you like has such an option. The bottom line is that such baking requires strong heating. Otherwise, the dough will not rise, it will be hard and tasteless.
These models can be very powerful. What should not be feared, since in practice the energy consumption for additional heating increases slightly.
Additional Breadmaker Options
If you decide whether to buy a unit with a standard set of functions or with various "bells and whistles", it is better, of course, to choose the second option. The presence of functions will allow you to realize more possibilities.
You will be able to replace different ingredients, add new ones. For example, spice up the bread with nuts, dried fruits, seeds, raisins. There are also units with an automatic dispenser. You do not have to be on duty at the device to add products in your order.
A very useful function of the memory reserve, which will allow you to save the program settings in case of "surges" of electricity. If you have the indicated problem, then give preference to just such models.
Some have a viewing window, but this is rather a disadvantage for budget options. The presence of a window in the lid can disrupt the temperature regime and lead to a deterioration in the crust of the loaf.
The models also differ in the features of the control system. They can display information on the display, give sound, light signals, and so on. In a word, different manufacturers have their own chips. It is important that the oven satisfies the key needs, and only then you can focus on all sorts of "bells and whistles".
How to Choose the Right Bread Maker for Home Use?
If you decide to buy a bread maker, then one of the most exciting questions is how to choose the right model, which manufacturer to give preference to, what to start from?
First, it is necessary to determine the design parameters of the future machine. Of course, this is the weight of the baked goods. For example, there are bread makers that can bake a roll weighing one and a half kilograms. This is a great option for large families. In other cases, baking a 1 kg loaf will do.
Secondly, the above parameter will assume the dimensions of the unit. It should be noted right away that the stoves are quite large. Typically, the most compact models are almost the same as a microwave oven. In addition, the device may vibrate during kneading, so it should be placed on a stable surface.
Power
We have already briefly mentioned this parameter in the previous sections. Bread makers can be low-power (about 550 W) and powerful - 1650 W. This characteristic affects the size of the loaf you get and how much time will need to be spent on its preparation.
Volume
Bowls can have a volume of 500 grams to 1 kilogram or more.
Selection by maximum baking weight
Typically, machines bake 0.5 to 1 kg loaves. Some models, of course, boast baked goods weighing one and a half kilograms. They will be appreciated by large families.
If you love buns, then it will be useful for you to know that there are machines equipped with special dividers, which allows you to bake both traditional buns and cakes.
Also, the configuration may include containers of various sizes - round, square, for baguettes.
Selection by set of programs
For today, the presence of 5 different programs is considered normal. The basic ones are as follows:
- The degree of crispness of the crust;
- Dough consistency;
- Fast baking;
- Baking muffins;
- Jam;
- Rye bread;
- Sweet pastries with raisins, honey;
- Gluten-free;
- Coarse flour baked goods.
Which one to buy: an overview of popular brands and their models
Moulinex manufactures various household appliances, including high-quality bread makers. The popular Nutribread + from this manufacturer includes 20 baking programs that include gluten-free breads, muffins and desserts. The finished product can weigh up to 1 kilogram.
Also, the device is equipped with programs for preparing various dairy dishes, bread from different types of flour (whole grain, rye). There are also functions for kneading dough. This device will allow you to enjoy all the abundance of healthy and tasty food.
Philips
Bread maker models of this brand are distinguished by the presence of both standard and very unusual functions. For example, Philips HD-9016 can make yoghurts. In general, the device runs 12 programs.
The oven is equipped with a timer, temperature regulator, and a function for selecting the degree of baking of the crust. The model is very compact and weighs only 4.4 kilograms, while it can bake a loaf weighing up to 1 kilogram.
Kenwood
The popular Kenwood BM 450 model is striking due to its excellent appearance. It has an exceptionally stylish design - a metal body, a touch control panel, graceful shapes. But its functional qualities are even more interesting.
Firstly, BM 450 has an air circulation system inside the stove, which makes it possible to create conditions as close as possible to a village stove. Secondly, the device has 15 automatic and 5 manual programs. The finished product can have a weight of 0.5 to 1 kg.
The model also has a dispenser for nuts, seeds and dried fruits. After the loaf is baked, the stove will keep it hot for another hour, but if you need to prepare fresh bread for breakfast, you can use the adjustable start timer up to 15 hours.
The oven is also equipped with additional memory. If there are power surges, then you do not need to worry, as the device will remember the program. This pleasure costs about 11 thousand rubles. rubles, but the price is justified.
Panasonic
Panasonic SD-ZB2502 BTS is a striking representative of popular stoves, which are distinguished by unsurpassed technical characteristics. The unit has two dispensers. One is for raisins and nuts, the other is for yeast.
If you want to pamper yourself with fresh baked goods in the morning, just pour the ingredients into the mold and turn on the timer. At the right time, the yeast will enter the dough, and the bread will be baked exactly in the morning.
Also, the oven can prepare various preserves and jams, syrups. It is equipped with 12 programs for baking bread, 10 programs for making dough! This is truly a miracle machine. The price of the device is also pleasing - 6,000 thousand. rubles.
Lg
Our list continues with the LG HB-156 JE model. This is a fairly compact device for a family of 3-4 people. The size of the finished product varies from 450 g to 680 g. The stove is equipped with a viewing window and weighs 7.3 kilograms, which is quite a lot.
The model belongs to low-power stoves (550 W), which can be considered an advantage, because the power consumption is minimal. It is equipped with a timer, an indicator of the remaining operating time, additional memory - 10 minutes, the ability to bake different types of bread, make jams, knead dough. With a price of 3200 rubles, this is an excellent unit for the home.
Tefal
Tefal OW 4001 with a power of 680 W and a maximum baking weight of 1200 g continues the list of popular models of bread makers. The oven is equipped with a full range of functions typical of a modern model. There is a timer, a large number of programs, the ability to manually configure.
The device allows you to prepare both ordinary aromatic bread from white flour, and delicious desserts from muffins, muffins. You can also make all kinds of diet loaves from rye flour, gluten-free and others.
Supra, Mistery, Scarlett
Well, the list ends with three popular models for making soft, aromatic bakery products at home. SUPRA BMS-150 with a power of 530 W has 5 programs, allows you to bake a loaf weighing 500 g.
Mystery MBM-1202 has 13 programs in its arsenal, including an accelerated baking mode. You are given a choice of recipes from all kinds of flour, delayed start and maintaining the desired temperature. The stove is equipped with an electronic control panel.
The very compact and neat Scarlett SC-400 oven is ideal for lovers of small loaves. Despite its small size, the model is very functional - it kneads dough, bakes bread from different types of flour, muffins, baked goods. With all the advantages, the price of 2600 rubles is also an undeniable plus!
Video: which bread maker is best for home - expert advice
Remember only that the bread maker is a machine and it cannot think for itself. If you make a mistake in the quantity or weight of the ingredients, then instead of an appetizing loaf or crispy roll, you will get an unsightly mess that will not rise and bake. Therefore, kitchen scales and measuring cups are your salvation and a guarantee of a great mood. Just in case, we remind you that the ingredients must be added strictly in the order indicated in the instructions.
Technological progress does not stand still: in about an hour you can bake a hot bun, and after all, the first units, created in Japan, coped with such work six times longer, knew much less and required a lot of manual effort. Convenience and simplicity are the main advantages of the bread machine. In addition, many bread makers are capable of not only a loaf or a loaf, but also a baguette, buns, cookies and Easter cakes. And the bread maker is also capable of kneading dough, baking from ready-made, boiling jam, making yogurt and even butter!
So much variety, and everything is for you. May your bread always be fluffy, soft and tasty. Bon Appetit!
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