MedusA Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I love baking my own bread, but struggle with the kneading due to wrist problems. Has anybody got a breadmaker they really recommend (not too pricy)? I know they can be very variable in the quality of bread they make, so would need to know I was investing in one that actually worked. All advice gratefully received. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I love my Panasonic. It is about 6 years old now, so the exact model is no longer available. It is the one with the 'raisin beep'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I've got one of those too, wonderful machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I have a panasonic and it's great. My dad has the panasonic too and he's had his for 7 or 8 years and uses it every other day. They never buy their bread. Mine cost about £99 but got it a bit cheaper on a Debenhams Mega Day Event Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I have a panasonic too will send you a pm. Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 We're thinking of the Tesco (dont lynch me please) one - which gave it a reasonable report and I can double up on my clubcard points - anyone got one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Is it only because of the kneading that you want a breadmaker? We've got a breadmaker (an LG one, I think; it's good, but not so good I'd recommend it above others), but we also make lots of use of the dough hook on our Kenwood Chef. Handmade bread kneaded with the Kenwood gives better bread, but we always have the breadmaker as a really hassle-free fallback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 We use a breadmaker up to dough stage - I have weakpainful wrists as well, it still needs a minimal kneading at the end. Ours is Morphy Richards Fastbake, it's brilliant. (I'm also using a Powerball for strengthening my wrists and arms ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I think that the panasonic generally comes out top. We have had one for about 10 years or so. I have heard though that there is a version where the paddle at the bottom collapses during baking which would be a really good feature as it stops that hole in the bottom of the loaf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 We use a breadmaker up to dough stage - I have weakpainful wrists as well, it still needs a minimal kneading at the end. Ours is Morphy Richards Fastbake, it's brilliant. (I'm also using a Powerball for strengthening my wrists and arms ) I also have the Morphy Richards fast bake which I only ever use up to dough stage, an it is excellent. My OH also has a Powerball to help strengthen his hands and wrists as he has mild arthritis. So I echo everything Lesley has said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I have one from Scotts of Stow. Its okay, not brilliant, but is very useful for just bunging everything in and leaving it for 2 3/4 hours. But as the Major says, if you just need something for the kneading, then a Kenwood is excellent. I have one of these also (charity shop bargain of £15 ). It kneads the dough beautifully in 5 minutes. I have put a non slip mat underneath to stop it walking off my worktops though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Another vote for the Panasonic - used everyday for 2 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I have had several breadmakers over the past 15 years and this time last year we bought a Kenwood Chef Major. I use it every other day to make 2 large loaves and the texture and flavour of the bread if so much better than it was with any of the breadmakers. I throw in the water, salt, sugar and oil first with the flour on top and lastly the yeast in much the same way as you would load most breadmakers. Knead on minimum for 1 minute then on 1 for 4 minutes, then I mould it into a nice ball shape for rising and leave it to rise in the bowl with a plastic bag over the top (the same one that the bowl came wrapped in, still using it a year on ). I then just flatten the ball with my finger tips and rollit up into a loaf shape and put it in the tin for it's final rise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henriette Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 We bought a breadmaker from tescos 7 years ago. It's called Miller's Choice, cost £50 and has provided us with wonderful bread ever since. Cannot personally compare it with the Panasonic or other makes, although I have only ever heard positive comments about the Panasonic. I have always wanted a Kenwood, so if anything happens to our trusty machine, I think that is possibly what I would like to invest in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 My in-laws wanted to buy me a breadmaker after they got one (they love their gadgets and want to make me more like them in every way - but I resist ). I was unconvinced so, when they went on holiday, they left theirs with me along with all the stuff needed to produce bread (as if I wouldn't have it in the house already...). Every loaf I made went wrong. I followed the instructions to the letter but got out undercooked, sunken, doughy messes. I make a lot of bread with the help of my Kenwood Chef. I also find it easier to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Another panasonic fan here I use it most days. My only complaint is it is a huge white block on the counter and many others are more attractive but panasonic consistently get the best reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess1merlin Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Another vote for Panasonic here. I have friends who have bought 2 other makes as they liked my bread but they were not as good and in both cases more difficult to use. One of them ended up giving theirs away and the other went out and bought a Panasonic after a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Definitely a Panasonic. I've had mine for several years, make bread nearly every day and it is faultless every time. I put it on overnight on the timer and wake up to fresh warm bread in the morning. Lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 Thanks for all the useful advice guys. I will take it all into consideration. I knew I could rely on Omleteers to come up trumps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Sorry but our breadmaker is in a corner of the cellar where it has been for the last 5 years, (along with the pasta maker). I thought that was where 85% of the country's breadmakers lived. Don't tell me you guys actually persist in this ridiculous sport when you can buy lovely bread for very little money from the bakers/supermarket? Why would you do this? Am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Sorry but our breadmaker is in a corner of the cellar where it has been for the last 5 years, (along with the pasta maker). I thought that was where 85% of the country's breadmakers lived. Don't tell me you guys actually persist in this ridiculous sport when you can buy lovely bread for very little money from the bakers/supermarket? Why would you do this? Am I missing something? ES puts of a mix every evening, it takes him about 2 minutes at most and we wake up to a lovely smell and a tasty french loaf for brekkie and sandwiches for lunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Don't tell me you guys actually persist in this ridiculous sport when you can buy lovely bread for very little money from the bakers/supermarket? Why would you do this? Am I missing something? Because the difference between your average loaf of Hovis and a loaf of freshly baked bread from a baker's is similar to the difference between fresh and canned vegetables, but the difference between a fresh supermarket loaf and one you've made yourself is analogous to Tesco's veg versus what you've got out of the allotment. Supermarkets and bakeries tend to add a surprising amount of sugar and salt to their dough, since it tends to encourage the consumer to eat more of the bread. However, when tasted side by side with a home made loaf, the flavour of the former is far inferior. Moreover, if you bake anything yourself, you know exactly what went into it, and bread is no exception. Oh, and if you bake your own bread, it's your kitchen that fills up with the delicious smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I'd love a breadmaker actually I had one once for about a day but it didn't work so went back to the shop and they didn't have another at the time to replace it with so I never got around to getting another.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 You should get one Cooks, I'd be lost without mine. Sorry but our breadmaker is in a corner of the cellar where it has been for the last 5 years, (along with the pasta maker). I thought that was where 85% of the country's breadmakers lived. Sorry chickennutter I'd also be lost without my pasta machine too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I could do with one actually as the boys love fresh bread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
