FoodBanter.com - mixer or bread machine

"S. Christopher" > wrote in message
...
> I am a beginning bread baker. I recently got an old sourdough starter.
>
> I am trying to decide to use a mixer and thus mainly by hand or use a
bread
> machine to do the bread. I would like your thoughts on the two different
> methods. Are there pluses to doing everything by hand and using a mixer or
> using a bread machine? What about using the bread machine to mix the bread
> and then shape and bake the traditional way.
>
> Do you recommend a particular mixer or bread machine? What do you think of
> the Sunbeam Mixmaster heritage series?
>
> Thanks for your help,

I would recommend that you get either a stand mixer or a food processor.
Both of these appliances are multi-function devices that can be used for
many purposes than making bread. The bread machine (ABM)is a single
function device. If you don't like how it works or lose interest in making
bread, then you have wasted your money. The ABM is great for people who are
NOT interested in baking or have some physical disability. You can use it
to make dough, and then shape and bake it in your oven. However I think
that the main disadvantage with ABMs is that they have set cycles and bread
making is an organic activity that changes a bit each time you make dough.
You need some hands-on contact. If you read the baking related newsgroups,
you will see many posts about people who have problems with ABMs. When you
make dough by hand, in a stand mixer, or the food processor, you can make
small adjustments to the amount of ingredients, the amount of mixing and
kneading, and the time and temperature of the rise and bake. Using an AMB
instead of using your hands or a mixer is like taking the city bus instead
of driving. Sure, both the car and the bus may get you to your destination,
but with the AMB and the bus, you have no control over the process. The car
requires more interaction, but you get complete control over the process.
You can start and stop at will. You can take detours. You can compensate
for rainy weather. The possibilities are endless.

The advantages of making bread by hand is that you only need a bowl, a
spoon, and your hands. It is easy and cheap. You have constant contact
with the dough and can judge how much flour to use and how long to knead.
It tends to be messy and requires reasonable upper body strength. If
someone calls or the doorbell rings, the whole process stops.

The mixer is less messy and requires little skill. Part of the process can
be done unattended. The mixer can be used for many other cooking chores and
you can usually get attachments for grinding, slicing, shredding, juicing,
opening cans, making ice cream, extruding pasta, rolling and cutting pasta,
and stuffing sausages. The mixer costs more than the hand method and you
have to have room to store it.

The food processor is the least messy and fastest way to make dough. Like
the mixer, it can be used for many other tasks. It will cost less than the
mixer and is easier to store.