Kitchen test: best breadmakers
What’s the best breadmaker, and does it cost a lot of dough? We test out five machines in our kitchen.
In the latest of our series of kitchen tests, we gathered together five breadmakers and set them to work – which would make the best bread, and which were the easiest to use?
In terms of functionality, they’re all very similar. A basin sits inside the casing, attached to a motor which spins to knead the dough, and a heating element helps the bread to rise, then bake.
Each kneading ‘arm’ will cause a hole to form in the bottom of the bread. This is a necessary evil unless you happen to be standing near the machine when it finishes its final kneading cycle, in which case you’re able to remove this and replace the dough.
Some of these arms actually bake into the bread, which is a pain as it makes the hole larger. However, if you can put up with that, the bread is of generally good quality.
This test specifically trials the ‘fast-bake’ or ‘quick-bake’ programs of the machines, as we figured that these are likely to get the most use.
5 – Russell Hobbs Fast Bake Breadmaker 18036
Loaf sizes: 500g, 750g or 1kg
The Russell Hobbs machine promises the quickest ‘fast-bake’ program of the lot, and should produce a loaf in just 55 minutes. However, we found the bread from this program to be a little doughy near the bottom. Speed over substance perhaps.
It did the job fine with its other programs though.
The baking tin comes straight out of the machine, rather than having a twist-lock, which means you have to raise the (very hot) tin straight towards you, rather than lifting it gently out after twisting the catch.
When putting the tin into the machine, because of the abrupt motion you have to make for it to lock, it seems I got flour on the element. I was therefore treated to a waft of smoke once the machine got going.
It also was the only machine in our test to not come with its own measuring cup and spoon. However, it is very compact and has a nice clear lid so you can see what’s going on – something I wish the rest had. Only the Andrew James offered such good visibility of the inside.
It costs £42.96 (currently discounted) from Amazon
4 – Cuisinart Automatic Breadmaker
Loaf sizes: 700g or 1kg
This Cuisinart machine won’t make anything under 700g, which is quite a lot of bread if you’re a couple or single person. It uses space fairly well but it’s still quite large, and will bake you a 700g loaf in one hour and 28 minutes.
The cooking element is ‘invisible’ in this machine, which is nice, as I was worried about burning ingredients or damaging the other machines’ elements with the baking tins. Comes with two instruction booklets, one of which has recipes but not cooking times, which feels a little bit convoluted. It does, however, offer some fancy functions like making jam.
The loaf we made was quite pallid for a ‘medium’ bake, but it was nice and crusty. But the machine is quite expensive.
3 – My Kitchen Compact Breadmaker
Loaf sizes: 500g only
Only makes small loaves, but it's compact – perfect for smaller kitchens, and really the most practical of the lot unless you have a large kitchen. The mixer arm bakes consistently into the loaf leaving a larger hole than other machines, accentuated by the fact that the loaves are smaller.
Takes one hour 38 minutes to bake a 500g loaf. Good for simple loaves and cakes, and it comes with recommendations of what to add (eg nuts, seeds) and at what point it’s best to add them.
Available from Lakeland, it's priced at £59.99
2 – Kenwood BM260
Loaf sizes: 500g, 750g or 1kg
Takes one hour and 25 minutes to bake a loaf on its speediest program. The basin lock is a little jarring, but solid.
This machine is capable of making jam, pizza dough, croissants, brioche and cakes – it has recipes for all of them in its full-colour recipe booklet.
A very good option, with plenty of size options and a clean, professional finish. Just a shame you can't see into it.
Currently discounted on Amazon, it costs £69
1 – Andrew James Premium Breadmaker
Loaf sizes: 700g or 1kg
This is number one, but with a caveat. You will only think this machine is good if you have a lot of space to spare in your kitchen. It comes with accurate scales that clip onto the main unit to save space (requires batteries, one set included), but you need a big kitchen to consider this one.
Which is unfortunate, because it makes really crusty, lovely bread. It takes one hour and 28 minutes to make a 700g loaf on its fastest program. One negative point: the lid becomes extremely hot after cooking and could definitely do with better insulation.
An internal light can be turned on and off during the process to check progress, and the machine comes with recipes for jam and various pastries.
Priced £69.99 on Amazon, normally costs £129.99
Can you recommend any other good breadmakers? Let us know in the Comments below.
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