Ok, today I used a breadmaker for the first time. It was a 'gift' from my ex. He didn't want it, it was just taking up space (do you think he'll get fed up with his wide screen tv soon? ;) ) Anyway, I was a bit disappointed with the result. It was ok, just not what I expected. So, to those of you who have them, what flour do you use? Does it make that much of a difference? I used Tesco's own strong flour for bread making. It was all I could get at that time last night :) Would a different makers flour make better bread? Or shoudl I just persevere and try a different recipe?

My cousin makes his own bread & gets the mixes from Lakeland. I think he gets the Australian Bread mixes. The bread is scrummy

Keep trying LindyLou. There are lots of possible reasons why your bread failed, such as, the yeast no good, the water to hot and killed the yeast, the flour out of date, the temp not regulated(lifting lid or a leaky glasslid to machine), maker set for large loaf, but ingredients mix is for small and the cooks impatience, which is what we all suffer from initially.
Make sure you get the ingredients right and that you put them into the maker in the right order, some want water first, others flour. Maybe try one of those small bag mixes from Tesco first(own brand) I keep them in as they do tomato and onion etc in single loaf mixes and you just need to add water.

Have another go, don't give up and you can watch your waistline expand with your expertise.Believe me:rolleyes:

Oh I used to love my breadmaker, the ex got custody of it though...and I got the borzois....it was a tough choice :D

Anyway, as already said, it's very important to put the ingredients in in the right order. Did you add a vitamin c tablet too? I used to grind up a vit c tablet to each loaf mix and it does make the bread a bit lighter.

What was wrong with the loaf you made?

Oh, is that why he gave me the vit C? I did wonder. :D The bread was ok, just not quite what I wanted. It's all gone, by the way ;) I will keep trying, I've never been able to make bread before. Apparently I've got too light a touch for kneading :) My pastries are really nice though :D

Off to get the pre mixed stuff tomorrow as soon as Tesco opens :)

Thanks girls. :D

i'm getting a Kenwood breadmaker tomorrow (thanks to local Freecycle Group!)  :D

I enjoy making bread the "old-fahsioned" way - but thought I would give this one a go.

Margot

I've had mine for a couple of months now, but I cannot get on with it, however my OH makes fantastic bread in it!  So he is now on bread making duty.  It is a Morphy Richards and they recommend Allison's flour for their recipes.  But we (or rather OH) have used various brands to no ill effect.  OH has also cut right down on the salt and sugar the recipes recommend, nor does he use dried milk.  Would not be without it.  :D 

We use ours but only for making the bread dough :) We use the oven to bake the bread as it is so much better :) Ciabatta is lovely made this way

Like you, I use ours to make the dough.  I usually make rolls with mine.  Its also good for pizza dough so the children can make their own pizzas.  I have tried making/baking fruit loaf cakes in mine but I do find that the outside tends to catch a little before the middle is cooked.  I also find that sometimes the bread can be a little sweet so I cut down on the sugar.

Thanks for the ideas. I can't get anywhere just now, my car needs fixing (something about a CV joint ?!?) so it looks like the bread might have to wait until I can get to the shops. That's the one thing I hate about being out in the sticks. The bus service is awful.