There are many different bread makers on the market, but not all are created equally, so you want to make sure you're splashing the cash on something that will actually make your life easier. To help, we consulted with our discerning army of Mumsnet users to find out which gadgets they've tried, tested and loved after extensive use. After all, who better to give their verdict on the top bread makers than the real parents who have put them through their paces with the wear and tear of family life? Sarah rated the Russell Hobbs 23620 as very easy to set up. Her first impressions were that the bread maker was "amazing. [I was] very impressed and wished I had bought one sooner." Jam and yogurt: Other non-bread functions on certain models include jams, compotes and yogurt. Try our peach & amaretto jam recipe or garlic yogurt, and read our guide on how to sterilise jars for jams and preserves.

By making your own bread at home you're able to control what ingredients are used, from the type of flour to the delicious little extras like seeds and raisins. There's no kneading by hand or oven baking required and you can enjoy a professional finish every time – no more sunken centres or crumbling crusts! Plus, for more time-saving gadgets, we've also been on a quest to find the best slow cooker and best air fryer, as recommended by Mumsnet users. Our verdict at a glance What we like The 23620 Russell Hobbs Breadmaker can make 1lb, 1.6lb and 2.2lb loaves allowing you to make bread at a suitable size for you.

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This nifty little breadmaker hasn’t left anything to chance and even features a crust control function allows you to select from 3 settings of how dark you would like your crust. If you have never used a breadmaker before, or are used to older models, here are a few tips for that perfect loaf. If you’re one of the gluten-free eaters — due to health reasons or personal choice — you can absolutely still use a bread maker. Many of the bread makers we’ve looked at to compile this list include gluten-free options as a baking pre-set. What other features to bread makers offer? Are you a Bake-Off contestant in waiting? You really don’t need to be a budding bread maker to create the perfect loaf. There’s little room for error with an automatic bread maker.

This clever function means that if you are using the breadmaker and it is accidently unplugged or switched off, the breadmaker will continue baking from where it was stopped in its programme when power is restored. Sarah is a keen baker and mum to two boys who love to bake with her. She's owned the Russell Hobbs 23620 Compact Breadmaker for over a year now, and it gets used by the family to make fresh bread around three times a week. Read on to find out how Sarah rated this small but mighty bread maker. More manuals of Bread Makers Frequently Asked Questions about Russell Hobbs 23620 Compact Bread Maker Cakes and pastries: From classic cakes to breakfast pastries, some breadmakers come with presets for sweet treats, too. See our most popular cake recipes for ideas. You may not be able to get to your bread as soon as it has finished baking and so the designers at Russell Hobbs have included an automatic keep warm function that will automatically keep your bread warm for 1 hour after the breadmaker has finished baking.We consulted with our Voices panel to find out more about the bread makers Mumsnetters love. After all, if anyone can give honest advice on the best gadgets that really work for family life, it's the parents who have tested these products through vigorous, long-term use. As for the results it produces, Sarah was a big fan: "Amazing quality and very tasty. The quality of the loaf it produces is exceptional; it looks super impressive and smells so good, even as it is cooking." She also described the taste as "superb".

Breadmakers are versatile in the loaf sizes and crust colours they offer, but many come with settings that extend beyond the realm of simple bread recipes. Here are a few other ways to make the most of your gadget: Well, bread for starters. That’s a given. But the great thing about bread makers is the sheer variety on offer. They usually come with a number of pre-set programmes that will make different types of bread products, from wholegrain and artisanal loafs to pizza dough and cake. You’ll also find a number of bread makers have options to make jams, compotes, and yoghurts — all delicious add-ons. Do bread makers make gluten-free bread? Extra features: viewing windows, separate yeast or nut and seed dispensers are handy but not essential.

This nifty little breadmaker hasn't left anything to chance and even features a crust control function allows you to select from 3 settings of how dark you would like your crust. It’s little wonder that these machines have seen a rise in popularity (call it self-raising, if you like). It makes a lot of sense when you consider just how good homemade bread actually tastes. We don't know who needs to hear this, but shop-bought and homemade bread are not the same. A freshly baked loaf is a thing of beauty, and deserves to be celebrated. It's the star of the show, not the side. The handy 13 hour delay bake function gives you the freedom of freshly baked bread at your convenience. You can set the delay feature at night so that you wake up to a freshly baked loaf for breakfast, or you can set it before a busy day so that you can come home to a crusty loaf to accompany your dinner. Anyone who’s sampled the good stuff (by which we mean we mean home-baked bread) from the comfort of their own home knows the answer to this question. OK, it’s not one of life’s essentials, but it’s a definitely a bonus in the kitchen. You don't need to be a serious home baker, because a bread making machine will make fresh loaves — and plenty more, in fact — with just the touch of a button. What can a bread maker make? The Russell Hobbs Compact 23620 is a bread maker that is suitable for those looking for an entry-level bread maker. It has a compact design that makes it easier to store in smaller kitchens. The bread maker has a 600-Watt power output and a 1-pound capacity, which means that it's good for making bread for small families. The appliance has 12 programs that are designed to make baking bread easier. It has a basic LCD display that shows the progress of the baking cycle.

Did you know that you can even use your breadmaker to make jam? Why not give it a go - you'll always have something tasty to top your fresh bread.Pizza dough: Some breadmakers come with specific pizza dough settings that take care of kneading and rising – ideal for making classic margherita pizzas, barbecue pizza, or calzones. See our pizza dough recipes for more inspiration. To ensure you have the versatility to bake up your favourite type of loaf the Russell Hobbs Compact Breadmaker has 12 programmable functions. With options from gluten free, french, whole-wheat, cake and many more!