What to look for when buying a bread maker

There’s a lot to love about breadmaking with the help of a machine, but finding the right one starts with knowing how you like to bake. If you’re someone who enjoys experimenting, look for machines with plenty of programs and adjustable crust settings. Want to wake up to the smell of fresh bread? A delay timer is your new best friend. Non-stick pans make cleanup easy, and a viewing window lets you keep an eye on things without lifting the lid.

What is the best bread machine for home use?

That depends on what “best” looks like in your kitchen. If you’re short on space or just want something simple, a compact model with essential settings will do the job beautifully. Want more creative control? Look for a high performance machine with custom modes, a fruit and nut dispenser, or even a dual ingredient dispenser for sourdoughs and seeded loaves.

Brands like Panasonic, Sunbeam and Wolstead each offer standout options, from speedy express bakes to custom loaf settings. It's all about choosing the one that fits your baking habits, your kitchen layout, and your appetite for adventure.

Types of bread makers: finding your perfect loaf partner

Built to bake: the advantages of a bread maker

If you bake often enough, a bread maker can be cheaper to run than an oven as it uses less energy and doesn’t need to preheat. This is a big advantage for those wondering how much it costs to make your own bread, which can be just a few dollars per loaf. Busy households can rest easy, with a variety of automated settings and timers you can set in advance, keeping effort to a minimum. And yes, it’s perfectly fine to leave bread in the machine as it’ll stay warm until you’re ready. Pair it with a stylish bread bin to keep things fresher for longer.

While you can make bread in an air fryer, it won’t mix, knead or prove the dough, so results can be hit and miss. What else you can make in a bread maker is part of their versatility, with plenty of useful models able to handle pizza dough, jam, pasta and even yoghurt.

What are the disadvantages of a bread maker?

Like any appliance, these machines have a few quirks worth knowing. While quality bread makers don’t use a lot of electricity, they can take up space which is something to factor in. Some wonder why bread maker bread is so heavy, but this is typically due to the shorter rise times or recipe choice, which gets easier to tweak once you know your machine.

And while it might seem like people don’t use bread machines anymore, they’ve quietly returned to kitchens everywhere, largely thanks to their convenience, versatility and the simple joy of fresh homemade bread!

Top brands bakers come back to

• Wolstead: known for intuitive designs and thoughtful features at an everyday price

• Sunbeam: dependable Australian brand with easy programs and express cycles

• Panasonic: advanced features, great control and versatile, precise home baking

The best bread starts

A good bread maker can take the effort out of baking while giving you more control over what goes into each loaf. For many home cooks, it’s one of those appliances that quickly proves its worth. So, is it worth it to buy a bread maker? If you’re after fresh bread with minimal fuss, then absolutely. Find everything you need to get started, from ingredients to tools and tips, on our bread baking page. You’ll soon discover there’s nothing quite like enjoying homemade loaves from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Explore the full range of breadmakers online today or visit Kitchen Warehouse in store to find your perfect match.