"KenK" > wrote in message
...
> Don't get me wrong, I love my old Regal bread machine. Love the smell of
> baking bread and love experimenting with new recipes. However.... Is there
> a bread machine that retracts its paddle(s) at the critical moment and so
> avoids the big hole left in the loaf when the paddle is be removed?
>
> I can't make the bread the old fashioned way - arthritis in my hands.
>
> Ken
>
>
> --
> "When you choose the lesser of two evils, always
> remember that it is still an evil." - Max Lerner
>
I had a Welbilt *dough maker* that was great. It was not a bread maker, so
it was much lighter in weight (and easier to store) because it did not have
the baking element. However, I thought it made bread that was much superior
to the bread makers, but it did all the work. I could use it for bread,
pasta, or pastry. It would do the kneading and raising until the final
action. Then, I could take the dough out and put it in whatever size pan I
wanted (no kneading--that was already done). I made some great whole wheat
bread and even shredded wheat bread this way.

That was years ago, and I don't know if they are even made any more. If so,
that might be something to consider. It would avoid the problem you asked
about, puts no stress on your wrists, and lets you use the dough in any
shape of pan you want. The one I had was Welbilt Multi-Logic Dough Maker
Model #DM2000. As I said, this was a number of years ago.

MaryL