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There's nothing quite like the scent of fresh bread, which can fill a room in seconds. Not only does fresh bread smell divine, it also tastes 100% better when created with your very own ingredients, and in the comfort of your kitchen.
Having said that, breadmaking can be quite a challenge. Between the hours of mixing, kneading and oven-baking, the process often becomes long and messy, and is especially a hassle for those with busier lifestyles.
Thankfully, bread makers are here to save the day. You can save both time and effort by simply placing all your ingredients into your bread maker machine and letting it do all the work for you. No need to worry about kneading evenly or thoroughly enough; just choose the appropriate setting, sit back and wait for your perfect loaf to be ready.
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To help you out, we've created a list of the best bread maker machines available in the UK.
The best bread maker UK
Take the hassle out of bread making with this Russell Hobbs bread making machine. The Fast Bake function gives you the opportunity to make a delicious loaf of bread in just under an hour, and offers 12 functions to let you choose exactly what bread you want; from gluten-free to whole-wheat and everything in between. The 13-hour delay function also provides you the flexibility of programming your breadmaking in advance.
Review: "Excellent machine, quick and easy, on offer price brilliant, definitely a good buy, if you've never had a bread maker this is the one to try. Makes a lovely loaf and makes the house smell great. Very pleased, highly recommended."
- 12 programmable functions
- 13 hour delay bake timer
- Automatic keep-warm function for one hour
- Large viewing window with LCD display and non-slip feet
- Comes with a manual and 1 year guarantee
This sleek and compact bread maker offers 14 programmes including a variety of bread, but also cakes and doughs. The five crust settings, non-stick baking pan and delay start timer will make baking bread a delight, and if you're stuck for inspiration, the booklet also comes with a vast array of recipes for you to discover and enjoy.
Reviews: "I love this machine. I've had it for about two months and haven't bought any bread since. I've made a wide variety of loaves and every one has been delicious."
- 14 programmes, including Gluten Free baking
- 2lb loaf capacity
- 3 crust settings
- Viewing window to monitor baking process
Why stop at just bread? With a whopping 18 programmes, this advanced machine allows you to make bread, jam, yoghurt, cake and lots more. The handy ingredients tray lets you pop in nuts, fruits seeds or anything else you'd like to include in your recipe, and the homemade function allows you to adjust the settings just as you like them.
Review: "This bread maker makes excellent bread of many varieties. It has been in use every day for about 5 months now and has proven itself to be a real asset in the kitchen."
- 18 programs
- Automatic ingredients tray for nuts, seeds, fruits, or chocolate chips
- Freshly baked 500 g, 750 g and 1000 g loaves of bread
- Additional dough program, e.g. for pasta, pizza, or bread dough
- 3 Browning settings
- Viewing window for controlling
www.argos.co.uk
Elegant and sleek, the Panasonic bread maker offers every setting you might need. The 37 functions range from white bread, French bread and gluten-free bread, all the way to scones, rye bread, pizza base and many more. Apart from savoury delights, this machine will also whip you up some delicious sweet treats such as cakes and jams.
Review: "Can't really fault this machine. Turns out excellent quality loaves every time, really simple to use and a stunning range of options. Really well thought through design too."
- 37 programmes
- Maximum bread size 2.2lb / 1kg
- 3 adjustable crust settings
- 115 mins fast bake time
- 13 hour delay timer for overnight baking
www.argos.co.uk
Make breads, dessert, pasta and loads more with this 13-programme bread maker. Change the crust colour to whatever suits you and your family, and wake up to freshly made bread with the 13-hour delay timer.
Review: "This breadmaker will do everything the 'top of the range', 'designer', three times the price models, can do but at a fraction of the price and very, very well. For the price (which is amazing), this Cookworks, White Breadmaker does what you want it to do MAKE BREAD!"
- 13 programmes
- Maximum bread size 2lb / 0.9kg
- 3 adjustable crust settings
- 10 minutes fast bake time
- 13-hour delay timer for overnight baking
- Also suitable for making jam and cakes
This small bread maker will blend into your kitchen nicely, and make you the most scrumptious homemade bread. With 15 different settings to choose from, you'll be making all sorts, including basic white bread, French, gluten-free, jam, cakes and more. The light, medium and dark crust settings leave you spoiled for choice, and the 60 minute warming function ensures your bread stays nice and toasty.
Review: "Nice looking machine, compact. Good value for money. Turns out a good home made loaf."
- 15 automatic programs
- Quick function to make a loaf super fast
- 13-hour programmable timer
- 60-minute keep warm function
- Features a non-stick, removable bread pan
Bread maker FAQs
Is a bread maker worth it?
Yes, a bread maker is absolutely worth it if you are planning on making multiple loaves on a daily or weekly basis.
A bread maker is also ideal if you have a busy schedule with little time to spend in the kitchen. Investing in a bread maker might also be a good idea for those with any physical limitations, as no mixing or kneading is required.
Is it cheaper to make your own bread?
Depending on what brand you are purchasing from, it is generally cheaper to make your own bread at home.
Other than affordability, another great advantage of homemade bread is that you can control exactly what goes in your loaf, such as the type of flour, yeast, how much salt and more. This is especially important for those with special dietary requirements, for example, people who are gluten-free.
What should I look for when buying a bread maker?
Buying a bread maker can be a big investment, so it's important to choose correctly. We've created a brief outline of the main things to look out for when purchasing a bread maker.
Programmed functions: If you're a first-time baker looking to make simple recipes, we recommend opting for a machine with fewer programmes - no need to overcomplicate things. However, if you're looking to try out different types of doughs such as sweet loaves, French bread among others, make sure to opt for a bread maker with an adequately advanced range of programmes that will suit your baking needs.
Delayed timer: A bread maker with a delayed timer function is invaluable, as you'll be able to set your machine to turn on in advance. That means that you can go to work and come back to a fresh loaf of bread to accompany dinner, or go to sleep and wake up to freshly baked bread, ready for breakfast time.
Crust Control: This is a handy setting when baking things other than bread, such as sweet loaves and other doughs, which can be more temperamental and require extra caution when it comes to browning.
Viewing window: A viewing window is a great way to check up on your loaf while it's baking, without the hassle to opening the lid each time.
Rapid bake: If you're in a rush, you'll want a machine with a fast bake function that'll whip you up a loaf in less time.