Bread Machine

A bread machine is a compact household appliance that fully automates the process of baking home bread. In a single tin with a built-in kneading paddle (or two) it performs all the stages in turn: it kneads the dough, lets it prove in the warmth, knocks it back, and finally bakes the finished loaf.

It is simple to use: the ingredients are placed in the tin in the correct order (usually the liquid first, then the flour, and the yeast on top), the required programme is chosen — and in a few hours fresh hot bread is obtained with no effort at all. Modern models have dozens of settings: for white, rye, wholemeal, and gluten-free bread, sweet baking, and also separate programmes for kneading dough (which is then baked in the oven), jams, and even yoghurt. Many bread machines have a delayed-start timer, so one can wake to the aroma of fresh bread. The appliance is prized for its convenience, time-saving, and the ability to control the composition of the bake — without preservatives or improvers. It is a popular helper for those who love home bread but have no time for the whole manual process.