I must be really lucky - I am on my second breadmaker in about 20 years, and the only time one of my loaves failed was when I forgot to put in yeast....that made a rock. But I do use 'regular' ingredients - half to 3/4 of the flour is whole grain - a mix of whole wheat, oatmeal, cornmeal, whatever I feel like adding and the rest is all purpose flour, but I always add gluten as well and honey for sweetener, no fresh milk or egg because I usually put all the ingredients in the pan in the evening, plug it in and set the timer before I leave for work at 5:30am, to have a warm fresh loaf ready for supper. Now I think I need to go make a loaf of bread!