CNET’s Greatest Examined Bread Machines of 2024

Whereas all of the bread machines I examined can produce a good loaf of primary bread, they arrive in varied styles and sizes with a spread of further options and value factors. If dimension or value are limiting elements for you, the choice goes to grow to be very simple, with simply a few compact fashions which can be lower than $100 to contemplate. If not, it’ll in all probability be a matter of which further options are most vital, relying on the sorts of bread you anticipate making essentially the most. As you begin the method of selecting a bread machine, you may discover they differ considerably in form, dimension and value. There are just a few elements that contribute to those variations in bread machine choices and you will need to take into account which options are most vital to your baking wants.

Bread machine dimension

First, computerized bread makers come in several sizes. This not solely refers back to the bodily area of the equipment for baking bread (which might be substantial), but additionally the loaf dimension it could actually bake. Frequent bread maker sizes embody 1- and 2-pound loaf fashions — if you are solely baking a loaf of bread for your self, a smaller bread maker may work simply tremendous, whereas bigger households may want bigger loaves to maintain everybody glad with comforting carbs.

Bread machine form

You will additionally need to take into consideration the form of the equipment’s internal bread pan, as it will decide the form of the loaf of bread. Many bread-making machines have sq. pans, which yield sq. loaves, however you may also discover bread machine fashions that make horizontal loaves which can be nearer to what you’d purchase within the retailer.

Sorts of bread it makes

Some are higher outfitted to provide a thicker, extra constant crust, some have built-in settings for gluten-free loaves, whereas others mean you can pre-set mix-ins equivalent to fruit or nuts, which can add them on the acceptable second alongside the best way. Wish to make completely different sorts of bread? Bread makers can solely churn out particular forms of bread relying on the bread flour and settings, so if you need to make wheat, entire grain, French bread, white bread, sourdough bread or different varieties, you may want a machine that has the suitable settings to your bread machine recipe. If you would like gluten-free bread then you need to go for a gluten-free bread machine. Some fancier bread machines even have nonbread settings, equivalent to ones for cake.

Bread machine options and settings

Most bread machines produce an ordinary, 1.5- or 2-pound loaf, and so they come preprogrammed with varied settings, together with these for white, wheat and fast bread, amongst different widespread bread varieties, in addition to dough and jam settings. All have the choice of selecting a lightweight, medium or darkish crust, and likewise embody a delayed begin function, that means you possibly can assemble components within the morning, and are available dwelling after work to the nice and cozy and comfy aroma of freshly baked bread. (Throw a soup or chili combination right into a sluggish cooker when you’re at it, and your night self might be very happy along with your morning self.) Alternatively, you possibly can set it at night time and get up to freshly baked bread.