The Homemaker's Bread Maker

A busy and hectic schedule need not necessarily mean skipping our daily bread which is the staple diet for so many millions world wide and for which one is struggling in the first place! Fresh and nourishing bread can now be made at home within no time at all because the process has become so simplified.

The bread maker is possibly the most essential accessory in the modern day kitchen and the end result can compare with the best bakery anywhere. After the mandatory mixing and kneading of the dough the baking itself is extremely easy with this contraption taking about 50 minutes in all to bake the bread. The maximum loaf capacity can be around 2 to 2.5 lb which is what a normal family requires. There are a number of programmes, nearly eleven in number to bake bread. This also allows for different loaves with differing size and quality. Two different kinds of loaves can be baked simultaneously. There is also an option to make different crust colours and crispness. The crust can be light, medium or dark depending on the settings. Similarly, depending on whether one is baking wheat bread, pasta bread, white bread, sweet bread, French loaf or cake the settings differ.

Most of the bread making machines comes with a see through view window which will indicate to us the baking stage of the loaf. The walls remain cool because it is heat proof and even accidental touching, if kids are around to poke and investigate, will not burn. The bread pan is also the non stick kind which makes maintenance easy. There are no burnt remains or broken edges left in the pan. The whole process is smooth and clean. At one stage of the baking an indicator will signal us to add ingredients to enhance the taste with nuts or fruits as per our taste. This is a bonus for mothers who have to cater to the differing tastes in the family. There is also a jam function to cater to people with a sweet tooth.

The appliance is sleek and easy to maintain. The dimensions vary with each brand but generally it measures 37 cms in height, 35 cms in width and 24 cms in depth. There is a detachable lid which can be removed and cleaned whenever necessary. The starter can be set about 13 hours prior to the actual baking so that at the required time the family can sit down to have hot bread. There is also an option to keep the bread warm for nearly 60 minutes after the actual baking. The device comes with a measuring spoon and cup so that there can be no error in the measurement of the ingredients. Some also offer a recipe book with very tempting variations in bread making that invite us to experiment with new recipes.

Although it is called a bread maker, one can also bake cakes in it because the baking function is the same. Most of these devices need about 600 watts of power to function smoothly. The bread maker has thus become an essential food maker.

Read expert reviews on Kenwood Breadmakers and best selling models from Morphy Richards, Panasonic and Breville Breadmakers at breadmakers.me.uk.

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