How to Figure Out Bread Machine Sizes

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Things You'll Need

  • Water

  • Measuring cup

Bread machines come in a variety of shapes.

Bread machines allow families and individuals who are short on time to enjoy hot, fresh-baked bread. Bread machines range in size from small, square models to large models that can bake two loaves at once. The pans are of different shapes and sizes, as well. Size is determined by weight. A 1-lb. loaf is small, while a large, 2-lb. loaf is the most popular family-size loaf. If you don't know your machine's size, or you wish to modify a bread recipe to fit, you need to do a few calculations.

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Step 1

Measure the volume of the baking pan by filling it with water, then measuring the amount of water the pan will hold. Fewer than 11 cups means the machine will bake a 1-lb., or small, loaf. Between 11 and 13 cups is a medium, or 1 1/2-lb., loaf. More than 13 cups of water indicates a large, 2-lb. loaf.

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Step 2

Convert a recipe for a smaller machine to a larger one by multiplying the amount of ingredients for the smaller recipe by the ratio to the larger one. For example, multiply the ingredients for a 1-lb. loaf by two to get the amount for a 2-lb. loaf. Adjust downward the same way: Divide the ingredients for a 2-lb. loaf to make a 1-lb. one.

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Step 3

Convert a regular bread recipe by adjusting the amount of flour to the norm for your size bread machine. A 1-lb. loaf takes 2 cups of flour. Three cups of flour makes a 1 1/2-lb. loaf, and 4 cups a 2-lb. loaf. Adjust the other ingredients in the same proportion as the flour: If you must reduce the flour by one-third to fit your 1-lb. bread machine, reduce the other ingredients by one-third as well.

Tip

A large pan can bake a smaller loaf, and some machines are designed to bake a variety of sizes.

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