Do I really need a mixer?
Hi, I am a new baking trying to make bread on a regular ocassion, I am researching mixers out there. I am so glad I found your site. My big question is do I really need a mixer to make good bread. I was all sold on saving up for a Bosch Universal Plus with all the bells and whistles when I came across the post on autolayse or something like that where you just let it sit. The Bosch claims that it will help you get better gluten development, but I agree with the posting that bread has been around since like the bible or something and I am positive that Noah did not use a mixer to make his bread. So is a mixer really a necessity? Is it just a matter of ease and convience? What are the pros and cons of having a mixer vs. doing it all by hand. I have a bread maker and a VitaMix. If I really do need a machine, could you suggest how to make those work for me? I don't like the look, taste or shape of bread baked in a bread machine. HELP!!!
Thank you in advance for all of your priceless advice and help... this site is amazing!
PIXY