Hello all!

After having to go through several weeks of not having home made bread due to weather and other issues, I have been thinking baout purchasing a bread machine that I could (hopefully) also teach my husband or son to use for our basic whole wheat bread that I make.  I have seen several kinds in the stores, and even owned one for a short time (though I never used it, sold it for $25 a couple years ago). I recall hearing complaints from others when bread machines were all the rage (maybe the 80's?) abotu how the bread was good, but many did not like the large hole left in the bottom of the loaves by the paddles. Do the newer bread machines have this issue? For those of you who use bread machines regularly, do you ahve any recommendations as to the size/brand/or other variables? I would use it to make the equivalent of  four 9 x 5 in bread pans (or more) a week. I am not sure if I would use it for my rye or sour dough breads, except perhaps for kneading. Any ideas, recommendations, or thoughts on the use of bread machines would be GREATLY appreciated!

Sandy