Making the Bread…
Back in June 2024, I attended a retreat hosted by the fabulous Donna, surrounded by some of my favorite quilting friends. One friend, in particular, brought something unexpected—a bread machine! Her mission? To whip up homemade bread for one of our meals. And let me tell you, it was such a hit that it felt like we had fresh bread every single day. By the end of the retreat, a bunch of us left with one burning desire: to own a bread machine. Yes, including me!
But here’s where I zigged while others zagged. My friend was using the crème de la crème of bread machines, the Rolls Royce of dough-makers, clocking in at a cool $400. As tempting as that shiny beauty was, I just couldn’t justify the price tag. Instead, I went with my tried-and-true beginner strategy (much like when I started sewing). I found a budget-friendly option: an $80 bread machine from Amazon Basics. My logic? Start small, make sure I love it, and then upgrade if needed.
For six glorious months, that little Amazon machine pumped out loaf after loaf. I kind of expected it to give up the ghost with all the use it was getting, but nope—it kept on churning like a champ.
Then, Christmas arrived, and Santa worked his magic. Under the tree was the bread machine—the top-of-the-line model my friend had been using. Cue the squeals of excitement! And now that I’ve used both, I’ve got to admit: while the budget model did a solid job, the results from the fancy one? Night and day. The bread from the expensive model is so good, it’s like it came straight from a bakery.
So, here’s the scoop: I’ve had experience with both machines, and honestly, either one will get the job done. But if you’re serious about your bread-making, that splurge might just be worth it. Fun fact: my friend has been using her premium bread machine for over a decade, and it’s still going strong like a workhorse! Talk about getting your money’s worth.
Check out these machines!
Amazon Basics Bread Maker (an economical starter!)
Zojirushi Bread Maker (for those a little more invested)