What are the benefits of owning a breadmaker?
It’s a question asked by both professional and amateur bakers, and one which I’m sure many grandparents have a strong reaction to – usually one of distaste or severe mistrust.
The fact is though that the popularity of breadmakers has grown so much that there are now a series of different types available, each boasting new and improved technologies and customised features.
In a world where time is of the essence and practicality is the key to a happy life, breadmaker machines offer a way to enjoy freshly baked bread with minimal effort and time required. Here’s just some of the reasons why we love them.
1. You get to enjoy fresh bread at home.
This one can’t be overstated enough, as you wave goodbye to the plastic-wrapped sourdough from your local supermarket. Not only will fresh bread make your home smell amazing, but with such a variety of bread maker recipes available both online and in dedicated bakery cookbooks, each loaf you make can be different from the last.
2. You get to learn a new skill.
Every time we have tried to make bread at home in a regular oven, we end up with a slightly doughy loaf that is notably lacking that coveted crust. With machines like the Panasonic Croustina featuring specific settings to achieve the perfect crusty bread, you can learn a new skill in the comfort of your own home – and a delicious one at that!
3. It’s great for allergy sufferers.
The bakery section of many large stores is renowned for the lack of information surrounding exact ingredients and allergens. By making your own bread at home you can control the ingredients completely; following everything from gluten free recipes to dairy free and vegan varieties.
4. Extra ingredients and flavours.
Following on from the above point, controlling the ingredients means that not only are you able to keep allergens out, but you can add whatever flavours you like in. One of our favourite bread maker recipes is caramelised onion and cheese bread – made all the more decadent using those bread machines dedicated to achieving a great crust.
5. It’s not as messy!
Yes, your grandmother may say that bread made by hand is authentic, but she cannot deny it is also a messy business. The bread maker becomes your hands – and so much more – working the dough until it’s the perfect consistency, and then baking it as well. Stress free, mess free, and easy to clean up at the end thanks to the removable parts.
6. It’s a good activity to get the family or your friends involved in.
Whether you choose to make different buns or loaves of bread, or opt to make dough and decorate your own pizzas, most products feature a whole list of different creative options and bread machine recipes. In fact, the Panasonic ZP2000KXC Bread maker even features a cake making setting and a setting to make the perfect jam, making it the ideal all-round aid to your baking. Entertaining and with a rewarding treat ready at the end, the bread maker is a great focal point to a night in with your loved ones.
7. It works out cheaper - in the end.
How much money do you spend on bread every week? While any bread maker model you choose comes with an inevitably high price tag, you will soon find yourself saving money on all the baked produce you would otherwise usually buy every week – from bread, to cakes, rolls and pizzas. Bring it all in-house and start saving your money to splash out on delicious extras instead! Hummus, anyone?
8. It’s safe to use.
The exterior of a proper bread maker will never get too hot to touch, making it safe to use around younger and older ones alike.
In short, there are countless reasons why a bread maker is such a great addition to your kitchen, and not least because it allows you to enjoy delicious fresh baked bread whenever you like. The ability to control allergens and other ingredients is no doubt one of the best-selling points, particularly in the 21st century when knowing what’s in our food has become such a focal point of mealtimes.
Head to the Panasonic website for a full breakdown of each bread makers features and selling points, and be sure to check out the customer reviews for real-life opinions from shoppers like you.