Bread Maker Instructions

Bread makers vary in features from model to model.

While specifics vary by manufacturer, most bread makers have many features in common. They feature a top door, and a bucket with a paddle or two, for kneading and baking the bread. The bucket and paddles are usually removable for washing. Depending on the model, your bread machine may have a timer or delay feature, which allows you to set up ingredients for a recipe and schedule the machine to make it at a later time. If possible, finding the manual for your specific model will be the most helpful thing -- although it's not entirely necessary.

Instructions

1. Examine the buttons on your bread machine to see how they're labeled. Most bread machines have buttons to select what type of bread you're making, such as soft white, whole wheat, or sweet bread. Each of these options will treat the dough in the way best suited to that type of bread.

2. Plug your bread machine in, then cycle through the settings on the machine, to see how the display on your bread machine changes. Some bread makers assign numbers to dough settings, while others may simply display the name of each setting, as it's selected.

3. Select the appropriate setting for your bread recipe, then load the ingredients into the machine in the order your recipe suggests. Order of ingredients is important, because without following the correct order, bread dough may not come together correctly -- especially if you set the timer for a delayed start to your baking.

4. Hit the start button to begin your selected cycle, or to tell the bread maker that you have finished programming the time-delayed cycle you selected. If possible, check on your bread maker a few times while it is working, to make sure it is mixing and kneading the dough as expected. Bread makers should mix and knead the dough, then allow it to rise before baking it.

Tips & Warnings

• It is okay to open the lid of your bread maker during all parts of your selected bake cycle, prior to baking. For example, if you notice that some of your ingredients are stuck to the side of the bucket, you can scrape them down with a spatula. That way, none of your dough is wasted, and ingredients are mixed together in the correct ratios.

• Never soak or put water inside any part of your bread machine, other than the bucket and paddles. If flour or dough escapes the bucket and makes a mess inside your machine, vacuum it up with the crevice attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Under no circumstances should liquid ever come near the internal parts of your bread machine.

References

• "The Bread Bible"; Rose Levy Beranbaum; 2003
• "The Professional Chef (Eighth Edition)"; Culinary Institute of America; 2006