Our test kitchen staff have over a decade’s testing and cooking experience. But whatever our experience may be, it’s you, our members, who guide how we test. So, for example, when people start feeling that gluten-free is a thing they need to pay attention to, we do too.

Our expert testers

With their 20-plus years’ experience in the kitchen laboratory, we’re proud of our expert testers. They’ve seen all kinds of features and builds of breadmaker come through the labs, but one thing never changes – these machines need to make a good loaf of bread! We focus on the basics so that when it’s time to buy, you can be sure they work well.

How we choose what we test

Why do we choose one breadmaker over another? There are a number of reasons, but our priority is to test what you will see in the shops. That means sometimes we might not cover the one brand that has one model that’s only sold 100 samples in Australia, and instead focus on the big brand models that you’ll most likely see in the shops.

How do we know what’s in shops? We ask manufacturers and check current market figures to see what’s selling well. We’ll also include models that you’ve requested; if a lot of members want it, we’re going to test it.

When we know what you want, our buyers go out and use your member funds to buy the breadmakers from a variety of retailers, then bring them in as-is. This means we get what you’d get, so we can be sure the results are what you’ll find, and not ‘tweaked’ any way.

How often we test

We usually test breadmakers in batches of up to 12 every few years but we may do one-off updates. Breadmakers don’t turn over in the marketplace very often, unlike other products; we’ve seen some manufacturers keep a model in the market up to six years.

Most manufacturers seem happy to have their products in the market for a long time. Brands that have been in the market for a long time tend to release less frequently. Newer brands tend to release more frequently, perhaps looking for the best combination of features.

How we test

Making bread from scratch/premix

• We make a 1kg loaf of multigrain bread from scratch with each machine, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• We also compare the machines’ performance when making a 1kg multigrain loaf, 1kg gluten free loaf and a 1kg rye loaf from a Laucke premix.
• Where available, we use the breadmaker’s instructions for the premix; otherwise, we use the premix manufacturer’s instructions.
• We visually assess the loaves for even crust colour, shape, uniformity of mixing, grain distribution, crust, and crumb texture, looking for small and evenly distributed bubbles.Ìý

Ease of use

We note how easy the bread tins are to remove and replace, how easy it is to remove the loaf, how intuitive the controls, labels and features are, and how easy the machines are to clean.

Test criteria explained

Overall score

The overall score is a combination of the wholemeal loaf from scratch, premix and ease of use scores:

• Performance, multigrain from scratch, premix multigrain, premix gluten free and premix rye (70%)
• Ease of use (30%)

Our test lab

We maintain a lab that is up to date with the latest reference machines and calibrated measurement tools for our testers to bring you the right results.

The post How we test breadmakers appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

A breadmaker is one of those appliances that could either be the best thing you ever bought because you use it every day – or one you use a couple of times before relegating it to the back of the cupboard to gather dust alongside your ice-cream maker.Ìý

Is it cheaper to buy bread or make it in a bread machine? Our experts say it’s probably cheaper just to pick up a loaf from the shops. But does it mean you have complete control over what goes into your loaf – and will it fill your home with the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread? Definitely. Could your oven do pretty much the same thing as a breadmaker? Well, in some ways, yes.Ìý

If you have a breadmaker on your Christmas list, or you’re thinking of picking one up in the Boxing Day sales, we recommend you read our expert advice on whether you should buy one, and how you to buy the best for you.

But if you definitely want a breadmaker, here are three models that failed to rise to the occasion when we tested them.

1. Sunbeam BM4500

Cost: $199

ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 69%

Multigrain bread made from premix score: 70%

Ease of use score: 63%

A score of 69% certainly isn’t the worst we’ve ever given a kitchen appliance in our ÌÇÐÄVlog labs. But there are cheaper breadmakers in our test that outperformed this one from Sunbeam (including one from the same brand).Ìý

It received a score of just 70% for making a one-kilogram loaf of multigrain from a premix, whereas our top-performing models score 100%. But our testers did have some positive things to note, such as fairly comprehensive instructions and a good-sized viewing window.Ìý

However, it also falls down on making rye bread (with a score of 65%) and on overall ease of use (63%). It’s also quite noisy when making and kneading bread.

ÌÇÐÄVlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair says, “This model has a mostly stainless steel exterior, which means it takes much more effort to keep it looking clean and shiny. It also has a relatively long processing time – it may take a few trials to get the best results.”

2. Smith & Nobel Multifunction Bread Maker SNBM420

Cost: $150

ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 70%

Multigrain bread made from premix score: 85%

Ease of use score: 60%

Like many of the machines we tested, this model has a variety of pre-set programs (12) and three loaf sizes.Ìý

It’s also one of the cheaper models we looked at. It scores well on making multigrain bread from premix (80%) but was far less impressive when making multigrain bread from scratch: it scored just 60% when our experts assessed the finished product on criteria such as crust colour, shape, grain distribution and crumb texture.

It also scored poorly for ease of use. Our testers noted that it has a small viewing window, which means you’re unable to view the bread while it’s cooking, there’s no fruit and nut dispenser, and you can’t remove the lid, which can make the unit tricky to clean. It’s also very noisy during the mixing and kneading process.Ìý

3. Breville the Baker’s Oven BBM100Ìý

Cost: $180

ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 71%

Multigrain bread made from premix score: 65%

Ease of use score: 72%

We tested four Breville breadmakers (including one Breville multicooker with a breadmaker function). This is one of their cheaper models, which also scored the lowest of the bunch. It was even outscored by the Kmart breadmaker that costs less than half the price.

It’s a relatively light unit, so it’s easier than some models we tested to lift in and out of the cupboard. But it scores just 65% for the multigrain loaf made from premix. Our testers also said it was noisy when mixing and kneading, there’s no cord storage, and the paddle can be difficult to remove from the bread pan tin.Ìý

The Breville Bread Baker, a similarly priced model that includes an automatic fruit and nut dispenser, scored marginally higher. But our testers say there are a couple of better performing models out there for this price.Ìý

Fiona says: “The Breville breadmakers do come with comprehensive instructions with key diagrams and recipes with detailed amounts for all loaf sizes.Ìý

“When choosing a breadmaker, it’s important to select one that comes with informative, detailed instructions, as this will really help set you up for success.”

The post Breadmakers to avoid buying appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

There are few things more hunger-inducing than the aroma of freshly baked bread. Warm, comforting and downright delicious, slathered thickly with butter, drizzled with olive oil or slicked with jam, bread made from scratch is one of life’s simple pleasures.Ìý

Once a daily task in our grandparents’ kitchens, these days few of us have time to start the day by baking bread. Still, if you love the idea of a freshly baked loaf in the morning, but can’t quite muster the inclination to do the entire job yourself, you may want to consider an automated breadmaker.

But before you get carried away with the idea of a freshly baked loaf effortlessly turning up in your kitchen every day, think about if this appliance is really worth owning – especially asÌýsome breadmaker models we tested aren’t worth the dough.

So let’s take a look at how they work – and the pros and cons.

How breadmakers work

You can either weigh out the ingredients yourself, or you can buy a pre-made mix.Ìý

The timings for each stage of breadmaking vary between appliances, but basically it mixes the ingredients for about an hour, kneads for 20 to 30 minutes, proves for one to two hours, then bakes for about 40 to 50 minutes.Ìý

If your recipe includes fruits and nuts, most breadmakers will add these in at the correct stage of the process for you. But be warned – it won’t be quick. So if you need bread in time for lunch and you haven’t planned ahead, you may want to run out for a loaf instead.Ìý

Pro: Make it healthy and how you like it

One of the best things about making your own bread is that you can bake what you like to eat. But is it really healthier?Ìý

“Baking anything from scratch has the potential to be a little healthier than store-bought, as you have control over what ingredients you are adding to it, such as the type of flour – wholewheat, organic types, spelt – seeds and nuts,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog home economist Fiona Mair.Ìý

If you follow a gluten-free diet, baking your own bread is a great way to try out some gut-friendly flours. You can also be sure there are no added nasties, such as additives and preservatives. But when it comes to controlling ingredients, a breadmaker offers little advantage over an oven – raising the question of whether you need an extra appliance at all.

Pro: It calls for less physical effort

An oven can bake your bread, but what it can’t do for you is knead your dough. Removing the onerous task of kneading is perhaps the biggest appeal of a breadmaker.Ìý

That said, if you already have a benchtop mixer with a dough hook, you can simply use this for the hard work, saving you money and space. Still, for people who may not have the physical ability (or time) to knead dough for 20 to 30 minutes, a breadmaker can certainly make the task more manageable.

Pro: You can make things beyond standard bread

Apart from baking standard white or wholemeal bread, breadmakers can also make other types of loaf, such as sourdough, wholemeal, seeded and even non-yeasted breads such as damper. They can bake cakes, too, and are perfect for whipping up a loaf of healthy banana bread for adult snacks or school lunchboxes.Ìý

There are also some exciting applications for your breadmaker you probably haven’t considered, such as pasta dough, pizza dough and focaccia.ÌýFor these, the breadmaker will do the kneading and proving before you remove the dough to shape and bake in the oven.Ìý

Jam tomorrow

But probably the most unexpected recipe that can be made in a breadmaker is… jam!Ìý

Fiona says a very good understanding of consistency and temperature when the jam sets is important for success, however, so maybe not one to try if you’re a jam-making novice.

Cons: It’s another large appliance

Most of us don’t have a butler’s pantry in which to store our collection of kitchen appliances, so before buying a breadmaker, consider how much you’ll use it and how much space you have.Ìý

It may seem like an appealing purchase, but if you’re not keeping it on the counter to make bread regularly, you’d do just as well using your oven and doing the grunt work yourself.

Cons: Loaves that can be tricky to slice

Fiona says the biggest difference between making bread in an oven and a breadmaker is the shape of the loaves. “Breadmaker tins can be deep and narrow so you end up with a high loaf,” she says. “This makes slicing difficult.

“If you’re baking your bread in an oven, you can buy different-shaped loaf tins or place the dough in a dutch oven or on a tray to bake directly in the oven.”Ìý

Cons: It’s not much quickerÌý

Making bread using a breadmaker can take up to three to five hours. This is roughly equivalent to the time it would take for you to make a loaf yourself by baking it in the oven (depending on the room temperature and how fast the dough takes to prove).Ìý

So, as far as time saving goes, a breadmaker will free up the time you would usually spend kneading the dough (perhaps 15 minutes). But, from start to finish, you’re not making big gains.Ìý

A breadmaker may free up some time in terms of the attention you have to pay to it compared with cooking bread in an oven. Some models will ‘beep’ or alert you at certain times, such as when you need to add ingredients. The process is automatic, so you don’t have to keep checking on your loaf as you would if it were baking in an oven, leaving you to get on with something else.

Cons: Not always cheaper than a supermarket or bakery

Baking a multigrain loaf from scratch using a breadmaker or oven will cost about $3 in ingredients alone, which doesn’t include electricity. Fiona estimates about another 12 cents for energy, taking your homemade loaf to $3.12.Ìý

Considering you can pick up a loaf of bread for as little as $2 from some supermarkets and bakeries (although artisan loaves and good-quality bread can cost much more), and that aÌýbreadmaker can cost between $60 and $300 upfront, using your breadmaker to bake just one loaf a week may not be worth the investment.

“I don’t think it’s worth the money if you are only using it to make one loaf a week when you have a perfectly good oven,” says Fiona. “However, if you are baking much more than that or wanting to use it for making doughs, jams and cakes regularly, then it might just be worth it.”

Cons: You can’t make adjustments

Although most breadmakers have a little viewing window for you to watch your dough become a golden, crusty pillow, there’s not much opportunity to make changes if things aren’t going to plan.Ìý

“Making bread in your oven allows you to feel the dough,” says Fiona. “If it’s too sticky, dry or hasn’t proved well, you can make adjustments before it’s baked.Ìý

“But in a breadmaker, you have to check at the precise time before it goes to the next stage. If you miss that opportunity, you won’t be able to correct it.” This can mean a failed loaf and a waste of ingredients and time. Ouch!Ìý

Before you buy

If you think there’s a breadmaker-sized hole in your kitchen arsenal, we recommend checking ourÌýexpert ÌÇÐÄVlog breadmaker reviewsÌýbefore you buy, as there are models with various features at a huge range of prices.Ìý

We have tested a range of breadmakers for all budgets from brands including Panasonic, Sunbeam, Breville and Kmart, looking at things such as how well they make various types of loaves from scratch compared with a premix, and how easy they are to use. You can also find some useful tips in ourÌýbreadmaker buying guide.

If you do buy a breadmaker, keep in mind that, even if using a machine, baking bread can be a tricky process.Ìý

“A breadmaker doesn’t necessarily guarantee you will get the perfect loaf every time,” says Fiona. “You could be disappointed, but don’t give up.”

She recommends using a pre-made flour mix designed specially for breadmakers and following the instructions on the packet closely. Once you’re a bit more familiar with the process, she says, you can begin to experiment with ingredients and flavours.

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