Need suggestions for a new bread machine

My old GE 2lb horizontal loaf bread machine finally bit the dust after almost a decade of service.  Let’s have a moment of silence, shall we?   :o)   It was a true workhorse in the kitchen, and the heat-resistant o-rings finally disintegrated out of the bottom.  I have searched all over for a replacement and am about at my wit’s end.  I need your help!

I’m asking for your suggestions for a new bread machine.  I did buy a Breadman Ultimate and will be returning it shortly.  Maybe I’m spoiled from using the GE, but this Breadman is very poorly made.  The pan will not stay seated in the clips unless you stand over it and keep pushing it back down (and yes, I’ve tried bending the clips, tried putting the pan in differently, etc. – it does no good).  I am not an expert, but I am a seasoned cook and baker, and am familiar with bread machines.  This machine bakes the bread very well, it just knocks the cheap pan around way too much during the kneading.  Even hubby is complaining about the racket it makes.  I’m not keeping it.

Suggestions on a different brand?  I will not purchase another Breadman again, and GE no longer makes bread machines.  I have read that the Zojirushi is an excellent brand, but the thing is expensive.  I don’t buy store bread, so I know I’ll save a bundle in the long run, but would appreciate hearing some input from others.

Help!   :o)

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Rebellion against grocery store bread

Yes, I admit it.  I am in full-fledged rebellion over the price of a loaf of bread at the store.  Along with just about everything else, bread has gone up to around $3 or more a loaf (to get anything decent).  I checked at Sam’s Club, and you can get a 25# bag of flour for less than $9.  Now, I’m no financial expert, but it doesn’t take much number crunching to realize making bread on your own is much easier on the pocketbook, not to mention it tastes better and you can actually pronounce all of the ingredients in it.

I’ve been making bread off and on for years, but got serious about it about a month ago after walking out of the grocery store breadless because of the cost.  We’re all extremely satisfied with the results of my bread machine adventures.  Even kiddo is eating the crust (something he never does on store bought loaves).  My bread machine has been a workhorse these past few years, and it’s definitely been flexing its mechanical muscles lately.  On average, I’ve been baking 3 loaves a week, and trying to bake an extra loaf to stick in the freezer for days I’m crunched for time (or just get sidetracked and forget to throw the ingredients into the machine).  If there’s any bread that goes stale before it’s used, I make French toast with it or turn it into croutons.

The bread we like best, hands down, is Golden Egg Bread.  I’ve modified it slightly to make it stay softer a bit longer – those notes will follow.

The orginal recipe:

2 eggs
6 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup warm water

3 cups bread flour (I use regular flour)
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons sugar
1 package yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast)

Bake on regular white bread setting with the crust of your choice (we prefer light on this one).  It makes a wonderfully tender loaf that is great for sandwiches or just about anything else.

MY MODIFICATIONS:  I use 2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons sugar, and also 2 tablespoons butter (yes, the real stuff) with 4 tablespoons olive oil.  This has seemed to really make a big difference on the loaf staying softer for a longer period of time.

Be forewarned – I think I am becoming a bread snob….homemade bread throws rocks at the store bought stuff.  😛

G’night!

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