255,44 €
246,73 € 155,00 € 155,00 € 155,00 € 109,00 €
109,99 € 120,14 € 111,62 € 122,00 € 57,99 €
61,99 € 74,78 € 60,30 € 93,90 € 59,95 €
49,99 € 59,99 € 59,99 € 59,99 € 143,45 €
125,90 € 119,91 € 112,01 € 112,05 € 119,99 €
109,95 € 187,75 € 119,99 € 147,00 € 92,85 €
88,88 € 90,99 € 90,99 € 90,99 €
Breadmaker buying guide: how to choose the right product
- The most important in short
- Breadmakers are cheap, practical and fast.
- Even entry-level models deliver good results.
- Depending on the model, comfort features such as a timer or interior lighting are included in the range of features.
How do bread makers work?
Many of us like to go to a good bakery and buy our bread fresh and warm from the oven. But we can also bake such fresh and fragrant bread ourselves – it’s quick and easy with a practical automatic breadmaker. A breadmaker doesn’t cost much, takes up hardly any space and requires no special knowledge in breadmaking. Modern automatic baking machines are easy to operate and provide the whole family with oven-warm bread from their own production.
A breadmaker basically works like a conventional electric stove – but it has a lot of additional functions. At first glance, breadmakers look like toasters; they are fit easily on any kitchen countertop. From above, you can look through a glass lid into the interior of the machine to check, if necessary, how far the bread has already been baked. this lid opens to the top to take out the bread at the end.
For vending machines without a viewing window, a digital display panel to determine how long it will take for the bread to be ready. However, the lid should not be opened under any circumstances during the baking process – you would risk that the entire dough collapses. Some bread makers even have an integrated interior light for a better view into the interior. This makes it even easier to determine when the desired result has been achieved.
In the interior of the baking machine is an ordinary box-shaped baking pan integrated, as you know it from baking cakes. In this baking pan there are two kneading hooks that move during the baking process and knead the dough. You make sure that all ingredients are mixed correctly.
For every type of bread there are others dough hook; these are either purchased separately or are already included in the scope of delivery. the dough hook often leaves a hole on the bottom of the finished bread, but this can be avoided by removing the hook in good time after the last kneading cycle. If a breadmaker has two different drive shafts for two dough hooks, as is the case with some models, it is even possible to bake two smaller loaves at the same time. A double baking pan (two individual, small baking pans) can be used for this purpose. A temperature sensor on the device ensures that the optimal baking temperature is neither exceeded nor fallen short of and is evenly distributed.
For whom are automatic bread makers suitable?
A breadmaker is basically suitable for anyone who wants to bake their own bread, whether daily or only every two weeks. The financial and time requirements are low; the bread comes out of the machine after three to five hours of baking time. the appliance can be operated intuitively throughout, so no technical knowledge or other experience is required. Most bread makers are also suitable for making jam or yoghurt dishes and therefore appeal to an even wider range of users. Especially for allergy sufferers and people with gluten intolerance, it is reassuring to know exactly which ingredients are hidden in their bread.
What to consider before buying?
Before buying a bread maker, there are a few points to consider; after all, you should choose a device that is perfectly tailored to your needs:
- What is the demand for freshly baked bread?? A one-person household should choose an appliance that can also bake small breads weighing 500 grams or that includes a double baking pan. For larger families or singles with a large freezer who like to bake in stock, a machine comes in at 1.250 gram breads in question.
- Are there any special requests or does a "normal" bread do the trick?? The more extensive the functions, the more expensive the machine will be, of course. A wide range of functions is only worthwhile if many of your own recipes are to be saved. Otherwise it does also a simple bread baking machine without many functions.
- If the breadmaker is used exclusively for baking bread? Even then you can fall back on a cheaper device that has only this one function.
- Allergy sufferers and people with intolerances should make sure that an appropriate program is integrated into their automatic breadmaker. Alternatively, you should go for a machine with individual programming of the baking processes.
- How much comfort is needed? Also practical extras such as viewing window, timer, ingredient dispenser and interior lighting push the price up, of course.
Hobby bakers and those who would like to take a first look at the whole thing with the automatic bread maker are well served with an entry-level model. These devices also usually deliver excellent results, but do not cost much. Later on, you can always switch to a breadmaker with a wider range of functions, should the demands on your homemade bread increase over time.
A recommendable entry-level model is the AFK BM-2N, which, at a price of just under 40 euros, is not only very inexpensive, but also delivers good results.
| Advantages |
disadvantages |
| easy and convenient baking |
Relatively small breads |
| display with LCD screen |
| viewing window |
| timer (up to 13 hours) |
How do the ingredients get into the container?
Ready-made bread and baking mixtures require that certain ingredients such as nuts, seeds, yeast or herbs be added to the machine at different times. There are two different ways to do this: either the breadmaker has a timer, or the temperature can be set individually automatic ingredient dispenser or it beeps after some time to indicate that an ingredient must now be added. In bread makers with automatic ingredient dispenser, all the ingredients can be filled into the machine right at the beginning, and the machine will do the rest; it will put everything inside little by little.
Finding the right breadmaker
Finding the right breadmaker is not always easy. The market offers models with a wide range of functions. Some functions are indispensable in an automatic bread maker, while others are just a nice extra feature. We show you which functions may be worth your while.
Display and display elements
Around the display, which among other things shows the baking progress, there is a control panel with several buttons on each breadmaker, which can be used to control the various programs of the machine and make settings. Settings made are shown on the display. If the key labels on the machine are in english, you will find the german translations in the user manual.
Different baking programs
With each baking machine, you can choose between preset baking programs and individual settings. The standard programs such as "wholemeal bread", "white bread" or "jam" can be set within a few seconds. A self-created baking program means that the user is not the individual steps of the baking process are determined by yourselfThe user therefore determines the time at which the ingredients are added and the duration of the individual phases.
The operating instructions describe in detail how to proceed with the preset baking programs. The individual phases of the process are explained in detail. the sequence of phases is fixed for each program: first there is a kneading phase, then the rising phase and finally the actual baking phase. These last as long as specified by the manufacturer or – in the case of a self-programmed process – by the user. Certain settings can, however, be defined individually for each baking process. These include the degree of browning, the weight of the bread and the time at which the baking process should start.
Create your own baking programs
A self-programmed baking process is particularly useful for people with cereal allergies or special preferences – especially if the desired bread is to be baked on a regular basis. But other people who have not found the ideal process for them among the pre-programmed varieties also benefit from this function. no one need be afraid of the technology – how the programs are created is described in detail and well in every user manual.
Scope of functions
All automatic bread makers are also supplied with suitable measuring cups or spoons, which allow the exact amount of ingredients to be entered. It also makes sense to power failure protection. With this function, the device recognizes a power failure of up to 10 minutes and then continues the program as usual. This has the advantage that the entire baking mixture is not lost and you have to start all over again.
Automatic baking machines with an integrated temperature sensor can inform the user when the interior has cooled down sufficiently to start a new baking process. This function is particularly recommended if larger quantities are baked regularly. If you only use the machine to bake your own bread once a week, this function is of little interest to you. What is always worthwhile, however, is a automatic keep warm function, which keeps the bread warm in the oven for longer after baking. The bread can be kept warm in the oven for up to one hour. Acoustic signals, such as beeps, which are emitted when a program has been completed or an ingredient is to be added, are particularly useful if one does not remain in the immediate vicinity of the machine during the baking process or does other things in between.
Care and cleaning of the breadmaker
Naturally, everyone wants to get the most out of their breadmaker for as long as possible. Regular cleaning and good care are essential for this purpose. The individual cleaning steps do not take an excessive amount of time for most automatic bread makers.
Before using the machine for the first time, it should be thoroughly cleaned, as there may be harmful residues. it is also advisable to clean the appliance after each use to prevent stubborn deposits of impurities – later cleaning is usually much more difficult. Regular cleaning prolongs the life of the machine.
It must be ensured that the breadmaker is disconnected from the power supply before cleaning. In addition, you should use the appliance clean only when completely cooled down, so that the material does not become porous and the protective coating does not flake off. for health reasons, sharp cleaning agents should not be used.
Clean all parts of the breadmaker
Depending on the design of the machine, the individual parts must first be disassembled after use in order to clean each part individually. It is best to remove the baking pans and dough hooks to gain better access to the inside of the machine.
It is not recommended to clean individual parts in the dishwasher, as the dishwashing detergent contained is too aggressive for the protective coating of the breadmaker. Complete immersion in water should also be avoided. The existing technology could be damaged.
the most important thing when cleaning the breadmaker is that the non-stick coating of the baking pans, which prevents the bread from sticking to the pan during baking, is not damaged. The coating could peel off if not cleaned properly and then mix with the dough the next time it is baked. For the same reason, rough sponges should be avoided. The best cleaning agents are soft cloth or a microfiber cloth.
Bottle brushes are particularly suitable for cleaning the dough hooks. For best results, the dough hooks should be soaked before washing, as they come into contact with the sticky dough the most. They also have a non-stick coating. So the same caution applies as with the baking pans. The dough hooks should be cleaned with particular care, as residues from the dough can lead to limited function during the mixing process.
Cautionif the non-stick coating is cracked, the affected part of the breadmaker must be replaced immediately! The machine should not be used until then, otherwise it can be harmful to health.
Regular and conscientious maintenance of an automatic bread maker pays off; remember that it is often expensive to buy more functional parts. To avoid the development of odors, the breadmaker should preferably be left with the lid open when not in use. Natural cleaning agents such as citric acid or baking powder prevent the formation of bacteria, without damaging the delicate coating.
If the dough hooks give up the ghost despite good care, the breadmaker should first be tested in idle mode. The drive spindle of bread baking machines that are used frequently often wears out. However, you can quickly fix this problem yourself without having to buy a replacement part.
Further test reports
stiftung warentest has tested various bread makers in the price range between 40 and 180 euro. The results of the test were very different. The good news is that all the appliances consume significantly less electricity than the oven – in some cases as little as one fifth. Also the cheap ingredients make the homemade bread a lot cheaper than a fresh bread from the bakery.
The AFK BM-2N and the identical germatic BM-2 offer an unbeatable price-performance ratio at just under 40 euros. The best gluten-free bread in the test, however, came from the unold backmeister onyx 8695 for 85 euro. For the test candidate back-profi 2011 At just under 100 euros, you have to pay a little more – but its large baking pan offers enough space to supply the whole family with fresh bread on a regular basis.
Completely failed in the test, however, the severin BM 3985 and the princess silver breadmaker. In the case of the severin, a simple model with just three different programs, the bread came out of the machine barely baked through and with a thin crust. However, this breadmaker was also the most time-saving in the test with only 75 minutes in the fast program. Overall, however, the appliance did not pass the test and was therefore only rated "poor".
The princess silver breadmaker on the other hand, the outside became so hot that there was a serious risk of injury. Partially measured at the housing up to 120 degrees celsius. All other models in the test, on the other hand, remained mostly below 70 degrees celsius – except on the viewing window or the lid.
