Good evening all,
Just registered tonight after searching for a bread making forum in Google.
In forum posts I see there are some experienced bread makers here.
I have been bread making on and off for about 5 years though only using bread making machines.
The reason for my Google search is that I have recently bought a new machine and am having some problems - heavy and compact loaves quite often, occasionally 'raw' flour on the outside of the loaf.
I follow the recipe in the handbook and measure quantities accurately - this has happened before on occasions with other machines.
This is my 4th machine and out of the previous 3 only 1 gave consistent good results - the first one ( can't remember the make ). Others had varying consistency from OK most of the time to OK about 50% of the time. This is the reason why my bread making has been on and off over time.
I have paid cheap and paid dear for machines and the first one was a cheapie as is my new one
I have used ingredients mixed by myself and used supermarket bread mixes for machines.
I have been so fed up with the supermarkets' bread that I thought I'd have another go but have been disappointed on my new machine's ( or maybe my ) failures.
Over the years the good loaves have been excellent but consistency over time eludes me.
I also have done pizza bases where I use the bread maker just to produce the dough then bake it in the oven. Also done this when we needed small rolls as opposed to a loaf. Results have been good most of the time. I haven't yet done pizza dough or rolls on my new machine.
Using my new machine and following the heavy loaves experience I have started in the past few days to add a little more water thinking that the mixture is too dry. The machine's motor had appeared to be labouring at times when mixing.
The recipe for a standard loaf ( 1.5 lb ) recommends 250mL of water and tonight I have prepared a bake for tomorrow morning using 280mL, I tried 265mL a day or two ago and still the machine laboured. I wont be up at the time the machine starts tomorrow morning so won't hear if it labours, will judge by result.
Any Ideas as to why there is no long term consistency using various machines.
I need consistent results from the bread maker.
There's nothing like a freshly home baked crispy loaf - beautiful.
Bit of a long intro I know, but save me from the bought white cardboard I have been eating please.
Colin