HM bread and the alternative......

[Alison]

But ... I hate crumbs! I'm totally OCD in the kitchen!

OCD is something I don't understand, have a friend who is crumb phobic, ended up going to marriage guidance over the making of a butty once!, so long as they're cleared up I'm quite happy and if it doesn't make crumbs then it's probably not fresh enough. OH thinks I get het up about things but that's just because his standards are lower than mine

You can do everything on an evening and leave it to rise in the tin in the fridge overnight to bake in the morning.

In theory yes but I'd have to get up super early to put it in the oven. At the moment it comes out the breadmaker seconds after the alarm goes off so no time wasted. Can make bread by hand and agree it doesn't take much time of actually work but it does necessitate you being alive enough to take it out the fridge and put it in the oven. From alarm to leaving the house is only about 40 mins so really not got the time.

What does everyone think about serrated versus flat for slicing bread? Or is it just me?

I use serrated, it's not particularly sharp either but works well for me but just use what is best for you and don't worry about what it says on the knife.

[Flummery]

Low standards can contribute to happiness!

(Discuss)

[Alison]

Low standards can contribute to happiness!

(Discuss)

Fair point - but I still think that a toilet needs to be cleaned more than once a year!

Amazing isn't it how a thread about bread can turn!

[Croila]

but I still think that a toilet needs to be cleaned more than once a year!

If my husband were to read this, he would totally disagree with you. But then again, he's quite happy in his blindness to dirt whereas I get very agitated and can't sit down till it's clean. Guess I'm the loser, then!

[Croila]

So ... No more thoughts about the economics of making your own bread, then?

[Caro]

I'm not sure just how much more economical it is .... The price of strong flour varies, but at it's most expensive (Allinson's 1kg strong wholewheat seed and grain) it's �1.22 per kg - not much cheaper than a loaf, and that's before you add any other ingredients (yeast, etc). Alhtough, if you can buy in bulk, the price seems to drop (Allinson's strong white 3kg works out to �0.57 per kg).

So, I think the answer depends on what you like and what flour and other ingredients you buy. My prices are T****'s but perhaps other retailers are cheaper?

On the other hand, it is great to program the machine and have the bread fresh and waiting in the morning. And wonderful to wake up to the smell. Just one wee thing, best to take the bread out the machine the minute you wake, to let it rest as long as poss before you slice it. Fresh, soft bread can be difficult to slice, warm fresh soft bread is nigh on impossible!

[Croila]

Thanks Caro, that's interesting. I'm definitely interested in pursuing this, so your info is really useful!

And I didn't know that about slicing bread either ... And probably would never have thought of it without having been told!

[womble]

So ... No more thoughts about the economics of making your own bread, then?

Well to start off with, it's like someone saying to me, I don't need to grow something as it's cheaper to buy it in the shops.

But they aren't comparing like for like.

To compare a loaf you made at home with top quality organic wholewheat or spelt flour, to some mass produced horrible rubbish from a supermarket is just daft.

You have to compare it with one made from the same quality flour and that usually means a decent bakery.

And that would be....... I don't know, how much does that sort of loaf cost? I bet you don't get much change from �2.

Then it starts looking a whole lot better.

[Croila]

I guess what I'm really trying to figure out in my own head here is, is it worth me buying a breadmaker?

But yes, I totally take your point about comparing mass-produced supermarket junk to something which (hopefully) tastes much better that you make yourself. It's just, this is my first year of gardening so I've already outlaid a fair bit. If I want to get a decent breadmaker, the best way to sell the idea to my husband is that it would be cost-effective! If you see what I mean?

[Two_Sheds]

I found the secret to slicing bread up is to have a very sharp bread knife

Sharp breadknife, now there's an idea. Mine barely cuts butter

I've been through a few, this is my favourite (and it never needs sharpening)

(Allinson's 1kg strong wholewheat seed and grain) it's �1.22 per kg - not much cheaper than a loaf

a kilo makes two loaves though

I guess what I'm really trying to figure out in my own head here is, is it worth me buying a breadmaker?

Work out what you spend on bread per week (x by 52 for a year); then compare with what a homemade loaf costs (mine are *about* 50p for a seedy loaf) plus the cost of the breadmaker (mine was �85). I fully expect mine to last more than a year though

Our supermarket bread: �1.22 a loaf, HM less than 50p a loaf. Breadmaker paid for itself in a year

[Croila]

Work out what you spend on bread per week (x by 52 for a year); then compare with what a homemade loaf costs (mine are *about* 50p for a seedy loaf) plus the cost of the breadmaker (mine was �85). I fully expect mine to last more than a year though

Our supermarket bread: �1.22 a loaf, HM less than 50p a loaf. Breadmaker paid for itself in a year

Two Sheds ... thank you for this. I can use it as ammunition, oops I mean justification, for getting a breadmaker!

[Flummery]

Fair point - but I still think that a toilet needs to be cleaned more than once a year!

Amazing isn't it how a thread about bread can turn!

(I did say 'can' - even I'm not that bad!)

[Croila]

Ha, yes, from bread to toilets via kitchen knives and flour ...?!

[womble]

I was going to say, we're now back to HM bread and thankgoodness for that. It's all I remember it to be, lovely, tasty, filling, my beautiful bread, I'm never going to forsake you again.

But the thread seems to have moved on somewhat

[Hilary B]

If we make a basic white loaf in our cheapie breadmaker (�79 Kenwood) from 'ingredients' it costs about 45p (that allows a bit for the electricity). To buy a small Tiger loaf (the only white bread as nice) from ASDA is about 80p, and ASDA are VERY cheap! (we only go there at all because of the tiger bread, and even then, only if we happen to be working nearby).
We want fresh bread at least twice a week (usually small loaves because we just don't use that much before it goes stale and OH wants something newer).
That is apart from using it to mix dough for pizza bases, and I simply would not be able to make pizza (my style) at all often without the machine.