I don't. I've had two in the past, one was a Welbilt. Neither really did me any good. I'd much rather make it on my own.
I was thinking that maybe I should just learn to make bread from scratch, but it seems a daunting task.
I have a Sunbeam. I've had it for seven years and have used it with some degree of regularity the whole time. However, for the last couple of months, I run the dough cycle on it ever single day (with a few exceptions). And it's still going strong. [I don't bake in it, as I like a more traditional loaf shape] ETA: If you get a new one, be sure it's a 2lb capacity. I find a lot of recipes online that I can't use because mine is a 1 1/2 lb machine.
WELL, YOU ASKED FOR IT! LOL!!! You just gave me a reason to re-post the very easiest, best tasting bread recipe EVER!!! (Ask anyone on here who has made it, and they will all say, "OH! Jackie's recipe is by far the easiest bread ever to make, and it is SO GOOD!!!") So here it is: Amish Country White Bread 3 tbs. sugar 2 tbs. butter 1 tbs. salt 2 cups hot water* 1 tbs. (or 2 pkg.) yeast 1 tbs. sugar 1/2 cup hot water* 6 1/2 cup bread flour *I try to get it between 110° and 120° combine first three ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour 2 cups hot water over top. Dissolve yeast with remaining sugar in 1/2 cup wataer. Add to first mixture, mix well. Add enough flour to make a workable dough. Knead for 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 30 minutes. Punch down, cover and let rise again for 15 minutes. Repeat for three more 15 minute periods, for a total of 1 1/2 hours. Divide the dough in half and shape into two loaves. Place in a greased 9x5" bread pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise 30 minutes. Remove plastic wrap and bake at 400° for 30 minutes. remove from pans and butter tops to soften. Believe me, baking bread is NOT all that difficult! Try it! And let me know how your family thinks you're SO wonderful for being able to make this fantastic bread! (Oh, and it's not "my" recipe! I found it somewhere on-line many years ago!)
I would agree with Jackie, that making bread is really simple. The ONLY reason I use the breadmaker to do most of the work is that I have a relatively needy infant and three other sons to clean up after. In other words, it's a time thing.
You know, I must be sleepy. For some reason, until I got to the recipe, I thought you all were discussing a person (You know the one who has a job and earns the dough is called a bread...uhm, well its NOT maker....but my brain is foggy right now) Is it bread winner? My eyes hurt, and I have finals soon. *yawn* I came here to give my condolences but promptly became confused...'til I saw the recipe...
I know of a great breadmaker but I don't know that I would call myself a brand. LOL! After the initial mixing with my KitchenAid Mixer I make bread by hand and sourdough bread at that, so I don't even buy yeast. Making bread is very easy; it just takes a little planning. Sourdough is a bit more planning, but it is not any more difficult. I just fed and put out my "sponge" for the night and will start making the dough in the morning. The rising takes a bit longer than commercial yeast perhaps, but the taste is so much better, in my opinion.
OK, I am getting on of these machines for Christmas, and my Mom already has one b/c she makes bread and cinnamon rolls alot and uses the machine for the dough. It's hard for her to knead and so forth now, so the bread machine is a must. I want one b/c I would love to save money on bread from the store (homemade bread is better anyway). This machine is expensive, but it's the best machine ever and the last you'll need!! It's a Cuisinart COnvection Bread Maker you can find it on www.cuisinart.com and it sells for $129.
