CNET’s Finest Examined Bread Machines of 2024

Whereas all of the bread machines I examined can produce an honest loaf of fundamental bread, they arrive in varied styles and sizes with a variety of further options and value factors. If measurement or value are limiting components for you, the choice goes to change into very straightforward, with simply a few compact fashions which are lower than $100 to think about. If not, it’ll in all probability be a matter of which further options are most necessary, relying on the sorts of bread you anticipate making probably the most. As you begin the method of selecting a bread machine, you will discover they range considerably in form, measurement and value. There are just a few components that contribute to those variations in bread machine choices and you will wish to contemplate which options are most necessary in your baking wants.

Bread machine measurement

First, automated bread makers come in numerous sizes. This not solely refers back to the bodily house of the equipment for baking bread (which could be substantial), but additionally the loaf measurement it could actually bake. Frequent bread maker sizes embody 1- and 2-pound loaf fashions — if you are solely baking a loaf of bread for your self, a smaller bread maker may work simply effective, whereas bigger households may want bigger loaves to maintain everybody happy with comforting carbs.

Bread machine form

You may additionally wish to take into consideration the form of the equipment’s internal bread pan, as this may decide the form of the loaf of bread. Many bread-making machines have sq. pans, which yield sq. loaves, however you may as well discover bread machine fashions that make horizontal loaves which are nearer to what you’d purchase within the retailer.

Kinds of bread it makes

Some are higher geared up to supply a thicker, extra constant crust, some have built-in settings for gluten-free loaves, whereas others assist you to pre-set mix-ins akin to fruit or nuts, which can add them on the acceptable second alongside the best way. Need to make totally different sorts of bread? Bread makers can solely churn out particular kinds of bread relying on the bread flour and settings, so if you wish to make wheat, entire grain, French bread, white bread, sourdough bread or different varieties, you will want a machine that has the suitable settings in your bread machine recipe. If you’d like gluten-free bread then it’s best to go for a gluten-free bread machine. Some fancier bread machines even have nonbread settings, akin to ones for cake.

Bread machine options and settings

Most bread machines produce an ordinary, 1.5- or 2-pound loaf, and so they come preprogrammed with varied settings, together with these for white, wheat and fast bread, amongst different widespread bread varieties, in addition to dough and jam settings. All have the choice of selecting a light-weight, medium or darkish crust, and likewise embody a delayed begin function, that means you possibly can assemble components within the morning, and are available residence after work to the nice and cozy and comfortable aroma of freshly baked bread. (Throw a soup or chili combination right into a sluggish cooker whilst you’re at it, and your night self will probably be very happy together with your morning self.) Alternatively, you possibly can set it at night time and get up to freshly baked bread.