Preparation
There are few culinary delights that outrank the pleasure of cutting into a freshly baked loaf of bread (and that first whiff of bread is bliss!). Traditional ovens may adequately bake bread, but there’s no comparing the flakiness, chewiness, and even browning one can achieve with a bread machine. Thoughtfully designed with perfect loaves in mind, bread makers knead, proof, and bake dough for the necessary amount of time and intensity for bakery-level results. Below, discover some of the best bread makers available to buy online, each of which has earned high ratings from home bakers. Plus, find out how to pick the right one for your kitchen.
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus Bread MakerHamilton Beach Bread MakerCuisinart Compact Bread MakerOster Expressbake BreadmakerBreville Custom Loaf Bread MakerWest Bend Hi-Rise Bread MakerKBS Large Bread MachineCuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread Maker
Like shopping for any kitchen appliance, finding the best bread machine requires careful consideration. Once you establish your ideal price point, you’ll want to pay attention to the bread maker’s capacity, which will determine the loaf size it can turn out. Popular models typically have a two-pound capacity, though some go up to three. From there, you’ll want to survey the bread machine’s features. Many come equipped with preprogrammed settings that are tailored for different bread types, including classic white and whole wheat recipes and advanced options for salt- and gluten-free loaves. Some even have presets for dough rising, jams, and cakes. Other add-ons that will elevate your at-home bread-baking are automatic fruit and nut dispensers, delayed start and pause options, lid windows, internal lights, and crust customization settings.
Some machines have dual-blades, so the paddles knead the dough more thoroughly. There are also bread makers that have automatic collapsing paddles that won’t create indents in the loaf, while others have alert systems to notify you when it’s time to remove them. Fans of overnight bakes will want a bread machine with a lengthy timer so they can enjoy freshly baked bread in the morning. And nonstick baking pans ensure easy dough and bread removal, plus fast cleanup.
