7 Common Bread Machine Mistakes That Are Easy To Avoid

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Here Are Some Common Mistakes People Making When Using a Bread Machine.

Bread machines are designed to be foolproof, but they're not. I really enjoy the ease, and simplicity Bread machines offer. Sometimes, I can forget an important step, like adding cooking oil or keeping the space around the bread machine open for good air circulation.

Despite the convenience and with due respect to the designers and engineers who build bread making machines, there are considerations and consequences for improper use that should be avoided. I've learned these lessons the hard way, so I am passing them along in hopes of helping others avoid them.

Firstly, Location

I have learned that the location where you keep your bread machine in the kitchen dramatically influences the baking process outcome. High-humidity or low-humidity can affect how yeast rises as well as proofing times before baking.

The temperature in the kitchen will also affect the bread's baking characteristics. If the kitchen is too hot, the bread's surface can crack and crevice severely. If the kitchen is too cold, the yeast won't rise as well, and bread proofing takes longer.

Make sure the dough is thoroughly mixed.

While many Bread machines have view windows in the lid, some don't have them. That makes it difficult to determine if the dough is processing correctly. Even the bread makers with windows may not provide a clear view of the results. Don't worry; it's okay to lift the lid and check on what's happening.

Checking to see if yeast is active and alive is critical, and the best way to do that is to examine it closely. It's also important to confirm the mixing and kneading processes have been fully accomplished. Take a look and see for yourself. Feel the dough to make sure it isn't too wet or too dry.

This is especially important for home recipes more than pre-packaged products.

Make sure your ingredients are converted for a bread machine.

To me, it seems like baking 101, but many bakers fail to hit the target when it comes to correct ingredient amounts. The pre-packaged bread mixes don't suffer from this problem, but if you follow your own recipe, you must consider that Bread machines knead and bake bread differently from traditional methods, and adjustments to ingredients are frequently needed.

Follow the steps.

Performing each step that occurs in the process of baking bread and taking each step in the proper turn greatly affects the eventual outcome. Each ingredient must go in at the right time, in the right way, and in the right amount. Not following the recommended procedures in recipe instructions will normally result in disaster.

Shape the dough.

As the bread dough increases in size from yeast expansion, it often becomes misshapen and off-balance. Re-shaping the bread loaf to a symmetric and more pleasing appearance after its final rise helps the bread machine do its job more efficiently.

I perform this task every time I use the bread machine, and the end result looks much more appealing and bakes more evenly, eliminating pockets of gooey, undercooked dough.

Overcome my urge to remove the loaf too fast once it is done.

Unfortunately, in their haste to taste and they're desire to admire, many bakers remove the bread before it has cooled down. Leave the bread inside the machine until it cools completely.

If you don't, you run the risk of having condensation build under the loaf causing the crust to become mushy. Some loaves of bread will wrinkle on the surface if they're removed too soon, leaving the loaf looking more like dinosaur scales.

Remove the mixing paddles.

While it may not make a big difference to a lot of bakers, the mixing paddles in the bread machine will leave a hole in the bottom of the bread loaf if they're not removed after mixing.

The hole can affect how the loaf looks as well as provide an unwanted outlet for moisture inside the bread. I think it's a good idea to take them out because nobody wants a less-than-perfect loaf of fresh-baked bread, do they?

Bread machine troubleshooting.

Check it out now!

Jen Evansy
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Most of these tips have not rung true in my 20+ years experience with bread machines. For example, many machines would have you add the yeast last, right beside the salt. I did this several times, against what I already knew concerning the properties of yeast, and the bread came out flat and dense. Putting the warm water, sugar, and yeast in first, waiting several minutes before adding the rest ( salt LAST) makes for fluffier bread.

melaniesmith
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I always remove my loaves IMMEDIATELY once done baking and place it on a wire rack (my oven shelf) to cool. That way, the crust is always crunchy and not soft. If you like soft crusts, do leave it in the pan to cool.

stevek
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I make a large amount of dough at the beginning of the week and refrigerate it. When I'm ready to bake, I take out a 1 1/2 lb chunk, shape it a little, and throw it in the breadmaker. I wait about 2 hours for the dough to warm up before proceeding. Bread comes out beautiful, with a wonderful sourdough flavor. I take it out as soon as it's done and place it on a wire rack, wrapped in a clean towel, to cool completely and keep the crust soft.

KittyMama
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I've only owned a bread machine for about 4 months now and have been watching yt vids for tips. I'm hardly an expert, but videos like this have been a great help.
I purchased the Zojirushi Maestro and found that the weight measurements didn't quite work...in particular the water/flour ratio, as there was too much water. After buying a set of kitchen scales I found I needed to increase the flour by 20 grams (180 grams water / 240 grams flour) and so far the results have been much better and the consistency of the bread is much more predictable.
When I make raisin bread the loaf is smaller and denser than the standard white bread and adding an extra gram of yeast seems to help it rise better (I might try 2 grams extra in the future).
I've also noticed if you leave the bread in the bread machine for about ten minutes after the cooking cycle is complete and don't open the lid, you will end up with a much nicer crust. If you leave it much longer than that, condensation starts to accumulate and a slightly soggy bottom is the result, although it isn't the end of the world, as it will firm up on the cooling rack.
This is just my experience with my particular machine.
Variables will always exist.

Axis_Of_Evil
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Well this was eye opening!!! Thanks! You've changed my approach to breadmaking in a machine forever!!
And for the better I must add

wendym
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I have used a bread machine for many years but I usually use it to mix, knead and do the first rise. I take it out and shape it into rolls or whatever. However, I love the idea of taking out the paddle before the first rise when I let the machine make a loaf. Thanks!

jcarnahan
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I don't know why you say if you take the bread out too soon it will cause condensation. In fact the opposite is true. Leaving the bread in the machine causes it to go soggy.
Also in my experience when we had a yeast shortage I got the wrong yeast and it worked fine.

jaynefederici
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thanks for this video, i realized i made a lot of mistakes

marceloalfonso
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Biggest improvement in my breadmaking was to buy a Panasonic, the recipes are a bit different, no milk powder in any of the recipes I have tried, unlike my previous machines. The loaves always look and taste really good, much better than any of my previous machines could manage, they last a bit longer and I don't even need to use warm water. I think the hours rest before it starts is to let things warm to the correct temperature. Oh and in the Panasonic, the yeast is the first ingredient in, sprinkled on the bottom, followed by the rest of the dry ingredients, with water last. My only criticism is that a large loaf is a tall loaf! the medium size is sort of loaf shaped and the small size is well, small but a nice shape. Any other comments? well the machine is tall, almost too tall for my storage area, also when first removed the crust is really nice, but goes soft quickly, not from condensation as I remove the bread straight away and use a cooling rack. This is the first breadmaker that I use a lot for bread, I now make more bread than I buy.

TheFilwud
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I stopped using measuring cups for my flour mainly. I picked up a nice kitchen scale started to weigh my ingredients. Fond my breads came out better and consistent from loaf to loaf too.

mikeosinski
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What a cool machine, you just have to put the ingredients and wait for your bread to be ready. I loved. I want two hahaha

mariavictoriagonzalez
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If you take the dough out to shape after its final rise, it will lose air and the loaf will be dense. If you must shape, allow another ferment to rise the dough again before baking. It will rise even more during the bake.

HelloHello-zvqb
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Basically - if you have a dough setting - use it - the machine mixes, kneads and puts the dough through its' first rise - usually 1.5 hours..then dump onto a floured surface and shape and let rise covered for 40 min. then bake. The crust will be thinner and crusty..I never use my machine for anything but the dough...it is really a game changer. Note: Always keep your yeast in the refrigerator .( I use quick rise or instant)...*** there are many recipes on line for the dough only.😉Happy Baking!

janearkell
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Thanks so much! My mother died 3 years ago and has a bread machine and now it is my turn to use it, but the first time the bread was not mixed well. After this video, I will try again.

elsakirsten
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What a great idea about removing the paddle. I've had a bread maker for years. Never thought of doing that.
I haven't felt this stupid in years.

deanfitzgerald
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Very informative video. Thanks for uploading.

JaymesBaya
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I've been making bread the old fashioned way (without a machine) for 50 years. The same basic principles have always applied - know your environment.

sharonstack
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Thanks for sharing, I saw many chef didn't remove the bread from the bread pan as they wanted to bring it to the studio to show, all ended up with wrinkles but if we remove the bread out once the cycle completed, the bread looks pretty and smooth on the skin.

rebeccafoo
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It seems you are the one who says the truth, thank you for sharing your experience.

rabearivonyfaraniaina
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Tks for sharing this information with us

TheMzTR