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COPYRIGHT 2002 Australian Consumers' Association
When we asked you to tell us about your experiences with breadmakers, we weren't expecting to be inundated with almost 250 letters and emails. Nor were we expecting such warmth and passion when you wrote about them -- clearly you love the convenience of the machine, experimenting with different kinds of bread, honing and perfecting recipes to your own taste. And, of course, you also enjoy eating the fruits of your labour -- some of you admitted you enjoy it a little too much!
OK, so it wasn't unanimous -- some people had experienced frustration with their machine (and unhelpful manufacturers), and had relegated it to the back of the cupboard. For others, the novelty simply wore off. Then there are readers living in remote areas who find them useful (freezing flesh bread in bulk takes up a lot of freezer space) but use them out of necessity rather than for fun:
"I know lots of townies who own them and never use them. I know lots of farmers who use them daily like I do. I would never recommend one to someone lucky enough to live near a bakery." Gayle Ashurst-Day, Ardlethan, NSW.
The general feeling, however, was one of pleasure and enthusiasm:
"At first I thought these machines were just a gimmick, a seven-day wonder. However, I saw how convenient my friends found them, and the taste of their bread was so delicious that I asked for one for Christmas three years ago. Now I'm absolutely sold on them." Susan Pierotti, Melbourne.
BREAD AND MORE
"When I'm going to a friend's place for a meal, I always take afresh loaf of bread -- and usually make a special loaf on these occasions, such as olive bread, curry and onion, or chocolate bread." Peter Hourigan, Melbourne.
Whether you're happy with supermarket premixes or prefer to make your bread from scratch, the machine will allow you to experiment with different styles and flavours of bread -- including, of course, the perennial favourite, the basic white loaf. For the more adventurous, the possibilities are endless -- Bailey's Irish Cream bread (see the recipe, page 24) is one of the weirdest we've seen!
Just because a machine doesn't have a program for a particular kind of bread, that doesn't mean you can't make it. Look through the recipe book to see if it offers an alternative baking mode for the kind of bread you want.
In addition to experiments with differently flavoured breads, most breadmakers these days offer a variety of cooking programs, allowing you to make all sorts of other foods, such as dough, cake, damper and jam. One of the most popular uses for a breadmaker (other than bread) is pizza dough, creating in at least one case a hobby taken up with much enthusiasm:
"I never eat pizza out now, as my husband has turned pizza making into a fine art!" Helena Fernandez, Sydney.
Dough for rolls or other shaped bread (like a plait or French sticks) that you then bake in the oven is also a popular use of the machine, as is focaccia. A few people had tried making jam, but most considered it wasn't worthwhile:
"I tried the jam function and was unimpressed -- one small pot of sticky, overcooked jam and a big cleaning job." Kelly Parkyn, Hobart.
UNEXPECTED EXPENSES
Readers reported that problems with the pan, such as a scratched coating (making it difficult to remove bread) or a leaking seal, were the most common hassles experienced with breadmakers, and kneading blades also suffered from a scratched coating. Parts can be replaced, but at sometimes hefty prices: anywhere from $5 to...
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