Nothing like having fresh and hot bread with coffee early in the morning to awaken the senses and nourish the body before work. However, making it from scratch can be time-consuming and stressful; this is asides being prone to making errors, which can only further delay the process. Bread machines are designed to streamline the baking process for you in the kitchen. With a bread machine, you will be able to produce different sizes and types of freshly baked loaves.
Bread machines have established their position as an essential kitchen appliance since 1980; the mixing, kneading, rising, and baking of the bread is automatically handled by the machine. Several models can be used to make loaves of any size and type you can think of. To procure the best bread machine, you need to know a few things you can use to evaluate the different models you encounter.
Top Best Bread Machines
Top 1 – Cuisinart Bread Maker amazon
The Cuisinart Compact Automatic bread maker is a well-designed piece of kitchen equipment, with which you can bake a wide variety of loaf sizes and crust colors as demanded. There are 12 preprogrammed menu options on the bread maker to make the entire process more convenient for you in the kitchen. This is a lightweight product, weighing just about 10.75 pounds, with a minimalistic design that allows it to accommodate little space on your kitchen counter.
The machine is built using stainless steel with a brushed exterior to beautify the look of your kitchen. There’s an LCD as well as a control panel on the top of the bread machine; you can also access the viewing window and a bread door on the top of each unit.
Pros:
- Easy-to-read control buttons provided for convenient programming
- 13-hour delay timing function
- Lightweight design
- Three crust settings
- Has 12 preprogrammed menu options
- 2-pound dough capacity
Cons:
- Additional kneading is needed sometimes
Top 2 – Oster Bread Maker Expressbake
This product is amongst the most-bought bread machines you can get in the market. This is because the machine offers reliable and premium baking functions at an affordable price. The Oster Bread Maker has a 2-pound loaf capacity which is more than enough to cater for a large family. If you have unique preferences when it comes to baking your bread, then you don’t need to worry. There are 12 bread settings you can choose from to satisfy any of your needs.
You can also choose from any of the crust settings to further define how you want your bread. There is a 13-hour delay timer you can use to input when you would like the ingredients to start baking. This way, you can plan the future without having to be there physically.
Pros:
- Glass viewing window
- 13-hour delay timer
- Comes with a removable bread pan
- LCD with a control panel
- 1-year limited warranty
- 6-minute memory function in case of power outages
Cons:
- No gluten-free bread cycle
Top 3 – Hamilton Beach 2-lb Digital Bread Maker
Look no further if you are an individual who wants a bread maker that offers specific baked food settings like gluten-free and whole-grain. The Hamilton 29882 Bread Maker is a compact model that comes with 12 program cycles and 3 crust settings. You can bake loaves weighing up to 2 pounds; you can even speed up the process with the express function, this makes the bread maker cook faster.
The bread machine has a single-blade kneading system for mixing the baking ingredients. Included in the package are two kneading blades, a removable baking pan, an instruction manual, and a recipe book. There is a 13-hour delay timer you can use to bake at a later point in the immediate future.
Pros:
- Express baking settings
- Non-stick, removable, and dishwasher-safe pan
- Comes with an extra kneading paddle
- Clear LCD
- Easy 3-step process
Cons:
- Some owners have complained of high noise emissions
Top 4 – Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker BB-PDC20
This model is a recent release from a reputed manufacturer, Zojirushi, which stands out amongst their line of product offerings. The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus can bake a 2-pound horizontal loaf; there are two kneading paddles provided for mixing the baking ingredients.
There are 15 preprogrammed baking settings you can access on the control panel using the buttons integrated on the top. You can also find a large LCD on the top of the bread machine; you can use it to track your preferred settings. There is a viewing window you can use to check up on your currently baking foods.
Pros:
- Impressive baking capability
- Comes with 15 baking settings
- Can hold a 2-pound loaf
- Large viewing window
- Easy-to-read LCD
Cons:
- Relatively more expensive model
Top 5 – T-fal Bread Machine
Next on our list is the T-fal bread machine, which has three gluten-free baking settings amongst its 15 preprogrammed menu options. You can use it to make a series of regular and unique bread recipes, all of which are guaranteed to bake to perfection. You can bake either 1-pound, 1.5-pound, or 2-pound loaves of bread with the T-fal Bread Machine.
Included in the package are a measuring cup, kneading blade, recipe book, measuring spoon, and a hook for detaching the kneading blade. There is a 15-hour delay timer, a large viewing window, and a clear LCD for you to work with.
Pros:
- Comes with extra accessories
- Has one year of the limited warranty
- Sturdy and compact construction
- 15-hour delay timer
Cons:
- Some consumers have complained of the stainless steel and plastic construction
Top 6 – Cuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread Maker
Built with stainless steel, the CBK-200 has a solid and sturdy construction, which means you get to use the appliance for a long time. This model comes with a convection fan, which ensures proper circulation of hot air during the baking process.
This grants the bread machine high efficiency by getting the crust color and level of crispness you prefer. There’s light, medium, and dark crust color options; you can bake either in 1-pound, 1.5-pound, or 2-pound loaf sizes. You can access 16 preset menu options on the control panel as well as a 15-minute pause and 12-hour delay time.
Pros:
- Glass viewing window available at the top
- Has a convection fan for hot air circulation
- 12-hour delay timer
- Removable non-stick pan
- Has a 3-year limited warranty
Cons:
- The control panel is not properly marked
Top 7 – Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker
This model combines beauty and pure technology into one package for the consumers; the Breville BBM800XL is constructed using high-grade stainless steel, which gives the machine a smooth exterior. There are 13 different menu settings on the bread machine which covers a wide variety of bread types. There is a non-stick bread pan with a handle for easy removal from the baking chamber. The bread machine makes use of a single-paddle system for kneading and mixing.
Pros:
- The paddle is made of detachable parts
- Can make up to 2.5 pounds of bread
- You can save custom baking settings
- Has 13 different menu options
- Beautiful exterior
Cons:
- Works quite loudly
Top 8 – Zojirushi BB-CEC20 Home Bakery Supreme 2-Pound Loaf Breadmaker
Just like other Zojirushi models, the BB-CEC20 is a top-quality model that features 10 pre programmed settings and three crust shade options for you to choose from. There is a 13-hour delay timer you can use to control the baking cycle of the bread machine. You can make 2-pound in loaf size, all of which comes out in a rectangular shape. There is an LCD control panel on the top of the machine with clearly marked buttons for easy programming.
Pros:
- Can make a rectangular 2-pound loaf
- Wide viewing window at the top of the model
- Has 10 preprogrammed baking settings
- Comes with extra accessories
Cons:
- Can only bake a 2-pound loaf
How to Pick The Best Bread Machine
As mentioned earlier, there are some factors you need to consider when searching for the perfect model that suits your requirements and budget. Making the proper research before buying can save you some money, this is because you are prone to buying a low-quality model if you don’t know what to look for.
Here are some of the key factors you need to know about.
Kneading Paddle
This is an important part of every bread machine since it’s what handles the mixing of the dough and other ingredients in the bread pan. There are different shapes of kneading paddles; some bread machines have a kneading paddle made specifically for mixing dough, as well as a replacement paddle for handling pasta. You should go for a model that comes with two kneading paddles for convenience of usage.
Be sure to check whether the paddles can be detached after the kneading cycle. This is to help prevent the paddle from being a part of the bread being baked. There are even some bread machines that flash an alarm for paddle removal once the baking cycle is activated.
Controls
Each model is fitted with a control panel for the users to input their baking instructions, control panels vary with each model but get one with clear buttons and functions for easy programming. Be sure to go for a model that has a viewing window for real-time updates on the progress of the baking loaves. There are even some models that emit sound signals when the bread is done baking or when you need to add extra ingredients.
Another excellent feature you can watch out for on the bread machine is a delay timer. This allows you to start baking at any specific time in the nearest future; this can be beneficial when the machine is set to start baking an hour or two before work the next morning. However, you still need to mix the ingredients in the pan before setting the timer.
Pan
The size of your pan determines how many ingredients it can hold for baking; if the amount of people to be fed is large, then be sure to get a model with a pan that can hold at least 3 cups of flour. You could even go for a model that can hold 4 or 4¼ cups; opt for models with smaller pans if you will be making for just 2-3 people. So be sure to deliberate on how many people you will be making the bread for, then buy a bread machine with a pan that can hold the needed quantity.
Pricing
The size of a bread machine doesn’t necessarily affect its price; there are other factors in place that influence the price. The programmable options and features integrated into the design of the bread machine determines how much it will be going for. Hence, if there are more features than the average model, then it could come with a pricier tag. The price for bread machines ranges from $60 to $300; you can set a budget of $100 to get an excellent model.
Conclusion
These kitchen appliances are ideal for every homeowner; you will be able to produce fresh bread while holding total control over the ingredients for the baking process. By now, you must have gained some knowledge and insight into procuring the best bread machine to serve you and your family.