I have been dabbling in bread baking for years now, and have wanted to go to all home baked bread for quite a while. My problem...after much trial and error and inconsistent results, I realized I am only an average bread maker. Some loaves come out perfect and some...err...well...the word doorstop comes to mind.

For some reason I was under the impression that in order to use a bread machine, you had to use expensive "bread machine" mixes. I had seen them around to the tune of $4-$6 each and wasn't about to pay that much for bread.

Well...recently I found out that this was simply not the case and began researching bread machines. I bought a highly rated one in the mid-range of prices and absolutely LOVE the results. I love that I can assemble the ingredients for my loaf, get it going, and clean up in under 10 minutes...less time than it would take to run to the store for bread. I also love that I control the ingredients that go into it. I have even calculated that it will save me money in the long run as DD and I love cinnamon raisin and other breakfast type breads in the morning or for a mid-afternoon snack. These type loaves can get pricey, even if you are just buying the commercial brands in the grocery store...let alone buying at a bakery.

I can even make the potato bread that my husband love so much.

I would even venture to say that it uses less electricity than baking in the oven.

In the end I am spending less and eating better!

I am just so thrilled!!!

I haven't used my bread machine in such a long time! Now you've got me craving homemade bread!!!

I want a bread machine. I thought i would try and find one this summer at a garage sale, but no luck. the one i did find was really warn and they wanted way too much for it. I think i would use the heck out of one. Homemade bread is so much better than store bought.

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I recently discovered my bread machine as well! I've been looking for a good wheat bread recipe that doesn't have honey or corn syrup so the baby can eat it too! Maybe you could post some of your favorites in the recipes section? I'll be on the lookout.

Try this book, "The Bread Lovers Bread Machine Cookbook" by Beth Hensperger. I got it at the library and have tried 5 recipes so far and all have been FABULOUS. There are over 300 recipes included.

She has a whole section on wheat breads.

I like it so much, I am looking for a used copy to buy.

Good luck!

I have been debating this one. The idea of homemade bread intrigues me, but I wonder if it would eventually just be a dust collector for me? And where to store it?

Can I ask the basic dumb question of what are the main ingredients that you use? I.e. do you need to buy whole wheat flour for ww bread? How long to bake it? Is the end product the same size as a standard loaf? Do you just cut as you go or slice the whole thing? Sorry if I sound like a bozzo!

I worried about it being a dust collector as well. I finally caved because I have maintained my interest in bread baking for years now...it simply wasn't something that was going to go away.

Yesterday I made the best loaf of white bread with milk, butter, sugar, flour, wheat gluten, and yeast. All items were readily available at the grocery store, except the yeast which I buy for pennies in bulk at Sam's Club. The only thing that I had to buy that I didn't already have on hand was the vital wheat gluten and a can of powdered buttermilk.

You do need wheat flour for wheat bread, but most recipes I have found use a combination of wheat and white flour for theirs.

The machine does everything for you...all you do is put in the ingredients according to the instruction book's directions. It mixes, kneads, lets it rest, lets it rise, and bakes it for you. You do need to check it after it is mixed to be sure the dough is the right consistency. Humidity and temperature have quite a bit to do with that. Since I have been making bread for years, I know what the dough should look like and add flour or water if needed. For some reason I usually have to add a bit more flour (a Tbsp. or so) to all my bread recipes...it must be the humidity in North Carolina. This holds true for bread machine or conventional bread baking for me. The whole process from start to finish takes a little over 3 hours in the machine.

The loaves are smaller lengthwise than conventional loaves at the store, but my machine makes an attractive horizontal loaf that slices nicely for my toaster or sandwiches.

It's best to slice fresh bread after it has cooled and as you need it, otherwise it will get stale. You don't want to slice it all at once like bread in the stores.

I had a bread machine in my single days and I loved it. I gave mine away when DH and I first got married because we were living in an apartment the size of a closet. I just didn't have the room. I would love to get another one now that we have space. I think you just gave me the #1 item on my Christmas list this year.

Thanks for all the candid info. I am going to see if I can get a reasonably priced one...

Thanks, Spoodler! I'm going to see if I can order this through my library!