Like many millennials, I made my first foray into bread-making in the early days of the pandemic. While I envy those who can easily care for a finicky sourdough starter, I prefer to take a middle-ground approach: using a bread machine.
I know, I know — you might be thinking, “A bread machine? That’s not real baking!”
Maybe not. Maybe yes. Regardless, I’m not alone in my enthusiasm for the popular kitchen gadget.
According to The New York Times, bread maker sales in the U.S. hit a whopping $40 million in 2022, a 20% increase over the previous year. And Fortune Business Insights projects that the American bread maker market will reach $2.8 billion by 2032.
So, is a bread maker worth it? For me, the answer is absolutely — here’s why.
Top 5 Reasons I Love My Bread Maker
1. It’s Beginner-Friendly
Arguably the best reason to buy a bread maker is that it’s super easy to use, no matter how much of a baking newb you might be.
The instructional booklet every bread maker comes with explains exactly what ingredients you need for the type of bread you want to make and how to correctly load these ingredients into your machine.
Then it’s just the click of a button and BAM! Fresh, heavenly bread in a few hours.
Beware: Bread Makers Are NOT 100% Foolproof!
Common user errors with bread machines include:
- Forgetting one or more ingredients
- Loading the ingredients in the wrong order
- Using ingredients that are too cold or too hot
- Using expired bread machine yeast
- Opening the lid too often while the dough is rising (yes, I’ve done this)
- Forgetting to put in the paddle that kneads the dough (I’ve done this, too)
2. You Can Multitask While It’s Going
Bread makers are the Crock-Pots of the baking world.
Once you click that button, you can safely walk away, leaving the dough to be kneaded and baked — and giving you plenty of time to work, pick up the house, or sit back and listen to that paddle go.
Of course, some might argue it’s not safe to leave the house while your bread machine’s running. But most of these machines automatically switch off after the post-baking warming period, so your risk is low.
3. You Can Wake Up to Fresh Bread
Any recipe that doesn’t require fresh ingredients like butter or milk is fair game for your bread maker’s timer function.
Just load your ingredients the night before, set the timer, and enjoy waking up to that floury scent we all know and love.
French bread is a particularly delicious one to make with this. All it requires is water, flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
4. The Bread Actually Tastes Good
This might be a controversial take, but I genuinely like the taste of bread machine bread.
Is it as good as a homemade loaf made by an experienced baker who has perfected the art of the crust? Probably not.
But if you’re an everyday baker who’s tired of pre-sliced grocery store bread and wants something with fewer unpronounceable preservatives in it, you’ll no doubt appreciate what a bread machine has to offer.
Product Rec: The No-Fuss Bread Machine Cookbook by Michelle Anderson
I love this cookbook and use it regularly to make bread in my bread maker. Currently Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling bread machine cookbook, this book offers a wealth of recipes, all with easy-to-follow instructions — and tasty results.
5. You Won’t Get Your Hands (as) Dirty
In the mood for fresh bread but not in the mood to get your hands sticky? A bread maker can help.
The worst it gets with a bread machine is measuring out the ingredients. So, yes, you might get a little flour or butter on your hands. But you don’t have to knead the dough yourself — and I call that a win.
Which Bread Maker Should You Get?
I’ve had my trusty Hamilton Beach artisan dough and bread maker for four years now, and it’s never failed me (except the one time I forgot to put the paddle in — yes, my husband still makes fun of me for it).
My main recommendations are to get a bread maker that:
- Is sold by an established brand, like Hamilton Beach or Cuisinart
- Can bake enough bread to meet your needs (a 2-lb. machine works well for me)
- Has solid reviews, with an average 4-star rating or higher
- Isn’t needlessly expensive (around $125 should be the max you spend, especially if you’re getting one that makes 2 lbs. of bread or less)
- Will easily fit in a kitchen cabinet or on your countertop
Get a Bread Maker if You:
- Love to eat bread (obviously)
- Value convenience and ease of use
- Aren’t experienced with making bread from scratch
- Are sick of eating grocery store bread
- Want to diversify your bread options
Hannah is a passionate amateur baker, a prolific writer and editor, and the founder of Kneady Livin’. She is committed to providing fellow home bakers with tips, product recs, and helpful how-to guides. Her favorite baked goods to make include cakes, cupcakes, sourdough bread, cookies, and muffins. She hopes to open up her own cottage bakery in the near future.