Bread Machine is a kitchen appliance used for making freshly baked bread at home. It has caught the fancy of most homemakers in the last few decades. It consists of a bread pan, one or two kneading paddles and a control panel. Some of these machines come with timers, programmed cycles and can also be activated without requiring operator attendance.
History
The bread machine was first invented by Joseph Lee in the nineteenth century which helped to mix the dough and knead the bread. This was ideal for bakeries and decreased the need of manual labor. It became extremely popular by the 1950s. However, it was very huge and often took up an entire room, meant for bakeries and other commercial establishments.
The first bread machine for home use was manufactured by a Japanese company – Matsushita Electric Industrial Company – in the year 1986. This was a one-loaf bread machine and compact in size. It did everything from mixing, kneading and baking the bread. All that was required to be done was to put the ingredients into the machine. This machine was developed to make several varieties and designs of bread. It gained immense popularity as a home appliance by the year 1996.
Uses
Making Variety of Breads – A variety of different kinds of breads can be made using the bread machine. Other than making the ordinary loaf of bread, the machine can be used for mixing, kneading and rising of the dough, which can then be shaped by hand into rolls, bagels or pretzels and baked in an oven.
Making Pizza Dough – Instead of ordering pizza or buying readymade pizza base, one can use the bread machine to make fresh pizza dough. It not only saves money but also produces pizza base made from fresh ingredients of one’s choice.
Making Tortilla – The bread machine can also be used for preparing the dough for tortilla. Once the dough cycle completes the dough can be rolled out by hand and then cooked on a skillet.
Making Jam – This is the most surprising use of a bread machine. Adding fresh fruits, sugar, water and other necessary ingredients, allows the bread machine to make fresh homemade jam. This jam once made can be cooled and refrigerated.
Making Pasta Dough – The dough for the pasta is prepared in the machine and then taken out to be made into pasta using a pasta machine.
Making Sweet Roll Dough – The machine is also used for making cinnamon rolls, which is a very tedious and cumbersome process. These are made by hands and take a long time but the use of bread machine reduces the work by half.
Making Mochi – The bread machine is also used to make mochis, which are Japanese rice cakes.
How to Buy a Bread Machine
In order to buy a reasonably good bread machine one must decide on the various features that one desires to use, and choose accordingly. Some of the worth features worth considering are –
Popular Brands Selling Bread Machine