This looks really nice but in the picture the bread looks awful. Can it turn out bread with a smooth, pretty top?
81870
Yes, the steam that is trapped inside the dome gives a very nice crust and after the lid is removed for the last 10 minutes of baking, the loaf is nicely browned. You should also slash the top of the loaf before baking to allow for expansion, so the top will have a "cross or X" pattern as all artisan bread does.
81871
I use whole wheat and other grains so my bread looks rustic and tastes wonderful. I imagine that white flour bread would be smooth looking.
81872
You smooth it as best you can when you are done kneading and shaping the loaf. Mine came out fairly smooth but in my opinion it's kind like wrinkles on a face-- gives it character and individuality. And thi EVERYONE knows it wasn't mass produced. :-)
81873
My bread always turns out a little 'craggy', but I like it that way...some folks mark it with an 'X' or slits across, but I leave as is....doesn't bother me a bit!!...I still love the Bread Dome!!...
81874
These bakers are used to make rustic, artisan breads. The tops are not supposed to look smooth and 'pretty'. They are to look wonderfully crusty, bursting open, and smelling like Nonna's oven. To me, the breads are beautiful. If you want a smooth crust, use a regular metal or glass baking pan.
783651
I don't buy artisan bread but I can say that on the highest setting it will darken up the regular bread pretty well on the first time. A second time would burn it completely and evenly. I hope that helps.
1393548
I'm so sorry you've had such bad luck. Mine works perfectly and I produce wonderful loaves of fresh bread. Try another brand and report the results. Now I'm worried!!
54749
I use the machine to bake bread once or twice a week. The loaves come out rectangular with a nicely rounded top, which I would call traditional-looking. I should add that I make only the 1-1/2 lb. size, and only with basic or whole wheat programs, so I can only assume the other programs would produce similar results. The instruction book contains a good check list to indicate where measurement errors would lead to poor-shaped results.
581628
I bought this machine for my friend. I don't know how the bread comes out. Sorry that I can't answer your question.
581630
No. As the container is vertical and the bread is in vertical shape. For me it is alright, for the bread is great !
1538703
We live in poor developing country, there wasnt much selection, my wife liked the way it looked. She does not like the way it works. I am shopping for a new one today. Main problem is it toasts bread so unevenly.
18744
I have never made it by hand. I always use a bread machine. It is very good bread.
797725
Not really. It would not leave a smooth top. Also mine arrived broken and they would not refund or replace it. I had to super glue the broken parts to use. I was in a pinch and did not have time to return before my event. Poor quality.
772188
Mine was not a perfect fit either, I think it's because how the clay dries, but it did it's job while baking and my bread comes out perfect, I guess it helps the steam to escape a little bit instead of trapping all the moisture instead and dropping the moisture on the bread, try and bake and see how you feel about it
1205228
HI-- My bread came out like a normal loaf-- I did use regular eggs-- and I used whole eggs. I also added a 1/4 cup sugar away from the yeast. My Machine guidelines say to start with all wet ingredients on the bottom of the pan (make sure your water is warm enough) then add the dry ingredients with the yeast on the top on one side of the pan and I put the cup additional sugar on the other. I chose the darker crust option. My bread came out pretty good.
1892970
I had no issues with this. Just make sure that on your first use you flour it well and really work the flour into the grooves as much as you can. The moisture from the bread and the flour seems to keep the little strands from tearing further or coming off. I didn't have many on mine though.
605541
Hi, I'm sorry to hear that. The best advice I can give to you is that if you can find a way to help keep the slicer from sliding around on your counter top/table you shouldn't have that much difficulty slicing the bread.. You definitely need something to help hold the base in place as you slice.
476898
There is only one collapsible paddle that sticks in the bread every time. It kneads and mixes the dough. It doesn't do it for me. Maybe you'll have better results.
1941300
Well, I don't use a bread machine, but I don't think you'll have anything but good results from this yeast. It's even great for over-rising like when you make foccacia bread and need really big gaping bubbles. The key, as in all bread making, is how much you choose to knead. That will determine how long the gluten strands are and how chewey or finely textured the bread is.
1410485
Certainly. I've done this myself. Baked with the lid on makes great bread. Just remove the lid at the end to brown the top if more is needed.
2089758
Since I responded to this question, I have conquered what should have been much easier (for me) on how to make a beautiful loaf of old-fashioned bread. I have finally been turning them out in perfect form and taste. The secret to correcting my far from perfect loaves was to make sure the paddles were clean underneath so they could turn as they are meant to turn. It speaks poorly as to my cleanliness I suppose, but I really thought I had them clean before I discovered I did not. This West Bend is one nice bread machine and I'm glad I stuck with it.