Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker, 2 Pound Non-Stick Automatic Bread Making Machine, 14 Settings for Breads, Doughs, Gluten-Free Options and More, LCD Display, White

I've used this bread machine weekly since May 2023, and am very pleased with it. I wanted a way to make bread that didn't have a ton of extra ingredients in it, but also in a way that I could do consistently, even with a busy schedule.This machine really fits the bill. The bread is very good - light and fluffy, but able to be sliced for sandwiches and toast. The machine is very simple to operate, and once you press "start," you walk away from it until it's done.Pros:- So simple to use. Plug in, add ingredients, press button, boom. Bread.- Recipes in the instruction book work great and taste great.- Comes with a measuring cup for liquid ingredients and a measuring spoon for dry measurements of tsp / tbsp.Cons:- The machine is "loud" when it's kneading. You can definitely hear it across the house. The kneading phase is usually 2 or 3 per bread cycle, and it lasts for anywhere from 5-10 minuets at a go. The "loudness" of the machine is subjective, and it personally doesn't bother me. But if you're looking for something that you'll forget is running, then this isn't it.- Like most bread makers, the kneading / mixing paddle at the bottom gets "stuck" in the loaf as it's baking. So getting the bread out means turning the pan upside down and shaking the loaf loose, which leaves a hole in the last 2 pieces of bread. Really not a huge problem, but worth mentioning.Nice to know:- Since you're not adding any preservatives, keep the finished product in the fridge. We've found a 2lb loaf lasts us about a week before getting moldy.- The loaves are a different size than a typical loaf of bread bought at a store. Store bought bread is usually a longer, smaller loaf, whereas there are bigger and shorter in length.- A finished loaf will usually fit in a gallon-sized ziploc bag, to keep it fresh. I'm still searching for the best solution for this.Helpful tips:- I always sift the flour when I add it to the machine - it's helped keep the finished loaf light and fluffy.- Using bread machine yeast (I got a jar of it at Walmart, but you can find it anywhere) versus the small packets makes it easier to measure out the correct amount for the recipe, because one packet of yeast will make 2.5 loaves. You can't just add a whole packet per recipe.- I use a scale to measure the flour needed for each batch, so I don't add too much flour by compacting it in a measuring cup. My favorite recipe uses 490 grams of flour, and that's way easier to keep consistent then how much I'd get using a measuring cup.Food for thought:With bread going for anywhere from $3.79-$6.19 in the store right now, getting this bread maker is an upfront expense that really pays off. Getting all the ingredients to start at Walmart will run ~$15, and each loaf costs about $1.48 make. The ingredient you'll use the most of is the bread flour. All the others - oil, salt, sugar, yeast - you'll be able to make several batches before needing to replace them.

Love this!. Easy to use, doesnt take up a lot of counter space. This is my second one. I now use two so i can bake two loaves of a bread at a time, which lasts me a week. Works well for corn bread and cakes also.If you know someone who has limited or no use of a hand, this is a blessing. No kneading. Just measure ingredients then set on one of the settings offered. It mixes, allows to rise when needed, and then bakes. No having to mix, knead, or try to pour one handed into another pan!

This was an ok breadmaker. First problem was easy to resolve - I realized quickly that I needed to stop using the instructions when first loaf I tried (1.5 lb whole wheat) called for 4 tsp. of salt and turned out tasting like play-dough. After I made it and it smelled so good but so salty that I had to trash the whole loaf, I noticed that the 2 lb whole wheat called for only 1 tsp. of salt so this must have been a typo. Once I started using recipes from BreadDad.com, the bread turned out great.Other things - I only used the 1.5 lb loaf setting as the 2 lb loaf hits the top window sinks back down. Many commented on the dough hook - yes, it bakes into the end of the bread, and yes, it does take some super strength to remove the dough hook, but do it every time because the bread gets stuck underneath and it needs to be washed out. Even with the above things, I'd have given it 5 stars because the bread was good and it's very reasonably priced.Here's why it's 4 stars. After mastering BreadDad's soft whole wheat loaf, I decided to try pizza dough. Set the machine and walked away like I usually did for bread... but the kneading action made it wobble its way little by little to the edge of the counter like a washing machine with an unbalanced load. All of the sudden I heard a crash and the entire machine was on the floor, pizza dough launched across the kitchen and plastic shards all over. Even the metal oven bent with the impact of the 3 foot fall from the counter onto my hardwood floor. I guess the little rubber feet are not strong enough to hold it in place if the dough gets unbalanced inside the machine. Usually I placed it on a trivet to bake bread, but that day I wasn't using a high temp setting for baking (only kneading on the dough setting) so I set it on the countertop alone. Oh, and in addition to the smashed mess, I noticed that the dough hook no longer holds in place securely. So, if you buy it, place very carefully on your counter and keep an eye on it in case it starts running away... and there might be something to the "over time the dough hook gets loose and falls off during kneading" reviews.Many thanks to Amazon at extending the return window (which I missed by 11 days... this machine was still practically brand new when it bit the kitchen floor) so I could send this smashed up plastic back for a full return. The top of the dough that didn't stick to the floor made a delicious pizza so I'm sad I can't make it again, but I'm thinking I'll seek out a sturdier machine next time. All in all, I don't regret buying this machine and gaining my first bread making experience... but very thankful for Amazon accepting the return. Be very careful with it and it might work out ok!

I’ll admit it is on the loud side, but we try and start it before going to bed or when we’re headed out of the house for something. The first one we got has been making bread daily for several months. We got a second one because we just couldn’t keep up with the kids’ bread demand. It has a smaller countertop footprint than our previous machine - a 20 year old one we inherited. Great price, and it has several different features we haven’t tried - jam, yogurt, cake in particular - but for a workhorse to meet your daily bread needs, I highly recommend it.

Machine is simple to use and clean. Lots of modes for a variety of breads. Makes very tasty fresh bread everyday. First use instructions can be unclear, even tho bread making steps and precautions are very clear. Basically put the machine on custom mode, select bake, bake for 10 mins to burn off the factory oils(?) on the heating coil. I put the bread pan inside during this process just because. It will smoke but that's the point. After that clean the machine and pan thoroughly (non scratch sponge bc pan is non stick), then it's ready to make bread as instructed on the manual.