How to Operate a Bread Machine

Got a bread maker with no instructions? Maybe you inherited one or just misplaced the directions. If you were lucky enough to find a bread maker at a yard sale or community thrift store, the price was right but the manual probably wasn't included. How would you know how to run it?

Some of the older brands are no longer around, but the basics of the bread makers are generally the same from brand to brand. Here's how to use a bread machine to make a perfect loaf of bread.

Bread Pan

First of all these bread makers come in small, regular and large sizes that make one-, one and a half-, and two-pound loaves of bread. Pour cups of water into the mixing pan, which also serves as the baking pan. A small pan will hold about 8 cups of water, a regular pan will hold 10 cups and a large page will hold 12 cups.

Each bread maker has one or two mixing paddles. The bread pan is situated to make a vertical loaf with the types of machines that have one mixing paddle. Those that have two paddles will make a horizontal loaf of bread. Since bread is typically sliced, the configuration of the bread pan is a personal choice but probably not a deal-breaker.

Pour ¾ cup of cold water into the assembled mixing pan. On top of the water add 2 cups of bread flour. On top of the flour add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon dry milk, and 1 tablespoon butter. Add on top of those ingredients 1 teaspoon of dry yeast. Turn on the unit and select a regular loaf or normal setting. If there are multiple settings, make a note of your selection so you can judge whether or not to change the settings for the next time.

Ideally, the flour should cover the water entirely so the yeast doesn't have a chance to get wet until the ingredients are supposed to be mixed. The recipe above makes a regular-sized loaf of white bread.

Some bread makers have panels with appropriately labeled buttons, as opposed to a small screen. Buttons are used to select the bread cycle or type of bread you are making. A time display may indicate the time left in the bread cycle once it starts.

The bread maker will no doubt have a brand name and that's all you'll need to find a little more help. Search "bread machine" + "manual" + "brand name" in your favorite search engine and chances are good that you'll be able to locate a copy of your machine's manual. It would be worth getting a copy of the manual as many of these manuals have recipes worth knowing.

How to Operate a Bread Machine

Naomi Gallagher is a writer and a fantastic cook with a love for machines that help her make the most of her time in the kitchen. Making homemade bread has become one of her specialties. Learn more by visiting her sites where she likes to write about making bread and cooking great food: http://carouselspicerack.com/ and http://sunbeambreadmachine.com/.

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