From: BARRY WALDRON #4 @10310*2 Subj: Which bread machine? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Re: Hard bread crust >> ÄÍ Response To ð TOASTMASTER ABM >> I have a Welbilt model sold by Sears in 1993. I have the same problem with >> mine. I am so disgusted with bread with burnt crusts. >I have thought about buying one, but, now I'm unsure again. My mother in law >has an Oster, and is pleased with that one. What has anyone heard about that >make? There are so many different features to a Braad Machine, that I am >totally confused as to what I should look to purchasing. I like the machines >that make 1/2lb to 2 lb loaves of bread and sweet breads as well as french >bread. I know there are other features to look for, and that is where I get >confused real quick. > Thanks in advance for any help. >Miss Mimsy MY RETORT Below is a portion of a reply to another individual, posted on the Bread Machine Sub. six weeks ago. Perhaps it will be of help. G>I have a question for ya'll. My wife wants one of those bread machines for >christmas. I've seen so many I'm beginning to get confused. Do they REALLY >make that good of a bread and what is a good machine? I'm figuring on paying >between $100 - 200 for a machine. Can you use regular flour instead of having >to buy those expensive bread machine mixes? Are these machines difficult to >clean up? >Thanks, >Gramps MY REPLY I became interested in bread machines when my mother- in-law got one. Over the years I've owned three and have had good result with all but the first. The first one was a "Mr. Loaf" by SEIKO and was the least expensive of the three. It also made the poorest quality and least consistent loaves. The second was a Panasonic and I like it because it has a blade that folds down out of the way before baking. The one I like the most is the Zojirushi. It is the most expensive (although I bought it at discount as a demonstrator). The "Zo" has the most flexibility and options and makes the most consistent loaves. Yes, they really do make good bread! Of course, some recipes are better than others. I have gathered recipes from DAK and the various "The Bread Machine Cookbook"s by Donna Rathmell German and finally came up with three basic recipes of my own derived from some found in these sources. From my basic three, other concoctions are created. I have never used a prepared mix and have never tasted bread made from one. Scratch-built recipes are essentially very simple and straight forward. Prepared mixes offer convenience, and for those with poor eyesight, the ability to simply open an envelope and bake bread! I have used "Gold Metal" flour but prefer to use stone-ground flour from a mill that will ship via U.P.S. (It's an ego thing--for if I'm going to make great bread, it should be made from great ingredients.) I recommend adding Gluten flour that aids rising--but the jury is out on "dough conditioner". I have tried yeasts in different packages and of different brands and have finally settled upon Fleischmann's Bread Machine Yeast in a jar. Clean up is generally easy. Most buckets are lined with Silver Stone or other non-stick surface. It is possible that spills will occur and if they are also baked on then you will have to use a scratch pad, Bon Ami, and some elbow grease to clean the inside of the machine. The "Zo" has a removable pan in the bottom that is helpful in collecting crumbs. Generally, cleaning is just a matter of washing the bucket and wiping off the machine inside and out. Personally, I do not like the DAK and Welbilt machines that make round loaves for they seem "unnatural" to me. The major observation and complaint that I hear from people that do not own a machine is that "they make such small loaves". So?! The idea is to have a ready supply of F R E S H bread, and with that idea in mind, a small loaf is preferred. My suggestion for Gramps, and everyone contemplating the purchase of a machine is to invest the most you can in it and to buy at a discount, if possible, either locally or through a reputable firm like DAYMARK International. Do not buy an inexpensive machine. My experience is that they bring more grief than pleasure. Most manufacturers also have several offerings in different price ranges. Machines to consider are: Zojirushi, National (Panasonic), and, Hitachi. P.S. The Zo has a new, less expensive, machine available but I have not looked into its features. The one I have has the most features of any machine I've seen. It has preset settings for standard recipes and permits customized settings to be stored into memory. It will knead dough for fancier breads that must be removed and baked in an oven. It will make jams. Features include: A pre-heater that brings ingredients up to temperature. "Convection" air that recirculates through the oven. Kneading post to assist kneading. Reversible paddle to thoroughly stir ingredients. Removable lid. Removable drip pan. Capacity to make large loaves. This machine works every time. I hope this is of help. Good luck!