Simpler and small (ish) (Morphy Richards Compact Breadmaker 48245)

Member Name: Julie-P

Product:	Morphy Richards Compact Breadmaker 48245
Date:	13/08/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great bread, easily made.

Disadvantages: Tin handle a bit too weak

We have owned this machine for a month and other than the (inferior!) bread in the freezer have not had any other bread since. The bread it makes is excellent; soft and it tastes like bread should.
It is really simple to use. I have hesitated in buying a bread maker for a while and persisted with making it by hand for two reasons. I thought they would be difficult to use and take up too much space in our small kitchen. I was wrong on both accounts.
The machine is very simple to use and the instructions easy to follow. The instruction book also has recipes so you don't need a cook book unless you want more elaborate recipes. You use the tools provided to measure the amount of water, flour, yeast, salt and powdered milk (it makes the bread softer) into the tin, put the tin in the machine, select the colour of the bread (light / medium / dark - I think light works best), select either a 1lb or 1.5lb loaf size, select a programme from the numbered list and either set the timer or press start to start immediately. 3 hours later (dependant on the programme) you have fresh bread.

The programme list can make the following; white bread, french bread, wholewheat, cakes,sweet bread,just dough,jam, sandwich loafs and speciality breads. We have so far stuck to bread (I like to make jam in a pan and cakes by hand) and the machine has been faultless.

The only thing with being reliant on a bread machine is to be organised and plan ahead as the baking takes so long, however you can set the timer up to 13 hours ahead so it can be ready when you wake up in the morning. A tip is not to leave the machine on at night and go to bed. Once the bread is done its best to remove it ASAP otherwise condensation can make the bread go soggy.
Its only fault is that the handle on ther tin warps when you turn it so you need to remove the tin by turning it manually - when its cold enough.

This machine fits on one shelf of my revolving corner unit, so does not take up too much space. It cost us £32 from Macro (not inc. VAT) and has already paid for itself. I estimate the cost of a loaf to be approx. 50p (not inc. electricity) so it's cut my food bill down a bit too.

Summary: Beyond my expectations in terms of quality and ease

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