Programmable bread machine to create custom programs?
I have a bread machine at home, which I don't really use anymore (except to get the dough kneaded sometimes). It has a few pre-programmed settings, all of which are pretty much unusable (kneads for like 30 minutes, bulk ferments for 1.5 hours (with a degas at 45 mins or something), then goes into bake cycle. I would like to actually use a bread machine on occasion (think working days:)) if possible for kneading and part of the bulk ferment. I think it'll work out well if I could actually program the machine to create a custom program to (say) knead for 2 mins, rest/autolyse for 30, bulk for 3 hours with degas at 1.30 hours. Then I can take out dough shape, proof, and bake manually. Yes, it won't be the same thing as hand-kneading till I get a windowpane, doing stretch-and-folds, and watching the dough, but I believe it'll still be better than most bread I can buy (and of course MUCH better than using the default programs in the machine).
Having said all that, I cannot create such custom programs in my machine. Are there bread machines where you can create custom programs like above? Any suggestions for such machines? Thanks!
I had a Zojirushi machine for several years - I eventually worked it until the motor gave out - and you can program that however you like. I think the model numbers have changed since then, but imagine the latest machines have the same function. It is more expensive than most but was strong and reliable and I had very good results, both for breads using the regular cycles and the programmable settings.
Wow, that is one expensive bread machine! I'm hoping there's something cheaper out there that's programmable:)
I agree with Ed. We use our Zojirushi frequently, and our older model has one programmable mode; i.e., you can program one complete cycle. King Arthur sells the newest Zo online www.KingArthurflour.com. I haven't found an alternate site that discounts the model they sell.
N.B. The Zo has two bulk ferment steps, seperated by one deflate step; each bulk ferment step has a two hour maximum, but if you remove the kneading paddles after the "Knead" step completes you realize up to four hours of bulk ferment--should be good for sourdoughs.
David G
It seems like the Breadman can be programmed too, and it's half the price of the zojirushi. OTOH, it appears that there are a lot of people who complain about the pan jumping out from the machine. Anyone here used the breadman? Thanks!
My Breadman walked off the counter and dropped on the floor. Lucky the dough did not come out and I set it up right on the floor and it keep going and going. Now the lid is not close right and it makes loud noise when the machine is running I think that result from the fell. Lucky I got a Zojirushi from the Salvation Army Family Store same place I got my Breadman.
siuflower
I have had a Breadman for MANY years and it has NEVER walked off the counter!! I too wanted a Zo, but the cost for a single parent was far too prohibitive!! I love my BM and even have other ones I use as well...though are not programmable like my BM is. I vote to give it a shot and IF it doesn't work out for you, then see if you can find a Zo for less. (I think QVC has one in their clearance site.) Also, there ARE ways you can prevent walking!! Please let me know how it works out for you!!! (I started bread baking MANY years ago and have 5 different machines for different reasons! Alot of fun to line them up and get them going!! I am a bit odd I know, but I also have Fibromyalgia and it is rough on my hands at times>) Can't wait to hear from you!!
In our Salvation Army Family Store have many donated bread machines. I paid $6.99 for the Breadman and $9.99 for the Zojirushi. Last week I took my friend to the Family Store and she brought another Breadman machine for $6.99. Yesterday, we made bread out of her Breadman and it was quiet and did not walk off the counter like my.
Siuflower
I picked up the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 recently for GF bread making -- NOT for the machine's built-in GF setting which I think is pretty worthless, but rather because it is relatively simple to custom program it. I had an earlier one-paddle Z-machine from many years ago which was a total nightmare to custom program! The BB-PAC20 works fine for GF bread (with my custom program) but doesn't reach high enough temperatures to brown GF bread dark enough for my taste (GF bread browns at higher temperatures than wheat breads.)