At my local Savers I found lots of bread machines that were still like new. Bought one for $12 that looked unused.
Found out that people use a recipe and it comes out hard so they get rid of the machine. Just like hand made bread it has to feel right to come out right.
I live in Phx AZ so you need to add more water than a recipe calls for, lots more. It needs to feel soft and wet to the touch.
I test the dough several times during mix cycle. Mine now comes out just like homemade.
I love the book Whole Grain Breads by Machine or Hand. Author Beatrice Ojakangas. I have to add alot more water than the recipes call for, not quite 1/4 cup more.
The family loves to get a loaf of my bread and it is so easy to make with a machine.

http://www.food.com/recipe/honey-im-home-bread-56276

I love this recipe....makes WONDERFUL french toast the next morning and mmmmmmmmmm cinnamon toast too.

I have added cinnamon & raisins to this and the family thinks it is sooo tasty.

I love my machine too. Couldn't be without it.

I am on my 3rd machine! Love the homemade bread. I was thinking the other day to get mine out and make some bread. Since its just he/I here now, I don't use it as often, however, I can make some bread and freeze the remainder.

This machine makes the crust a little harder than the older ones did. There is a thermostat where you can adjust it. Haven't done it yet.
If anyone has, please post.

I have two machines and sometimes have them both going when we're having a crowd in. I love letting the machine mix it for me and then forming the breads myself, depending on what bread I'm making.

I live in Phoenix too and I never heard of having to add more water. No wonder my first attempt was hard. Haven't had the courage to try again, now maybe I will, with all these ideas and recipes. Thanks!

Mine worked fine in CO, but here in WV, haven't been able to get one decent loaf yet. Hmmmmm?

The above recommended book can be purchased used from Amazon for $5.60. I just bought one, having never used my bread maker, it will be helpful.

I am on my second bread machine. Love making raisin bread. Usually freeze the loaf and just toast a slice at a time.

Very nice, I love my bread machine also. Thank you for sharing

Try setting on the lightest color of crust. I do this so it won't be so hard.

I have about 6 books on BMB. I have got a lot off the internet. Have one for a Italian herb & cheese that is wonderful. It also makes the best croutons you ever ate after it gets stale.

My bread machine is a busy appliance.

One of the things I make is homemade pizza. The crust is really easy....half a recipe of white or whole grain bread in the bread machine on the "dough" setting. Once it's kneaded and has a first rise in the machine I stop the machine, roll out the dough, add pizza sauce, toppings and mozzarella. Bake at about 425 degrees for about 15 minutes. Better than take-out and a lot cheaper.

My first bread machine died a few months ago and I had a new one on the way from Amazon within minutes :-)

I do use it for just a "mixer" and shape/bake it myself.

To those who are having trouble: dry to liquid is NOT an exact science. It depends on the humidity how much liquid you need. That can vary EVERY time so I add a little less than the recipe calls for then slowly add more while it is mixing until the dough is the texture I am looking for.

Debra Mc wrote

I have about 6 books on BMB. I have got a lot off the internet. Have one for a Italian herb & cheese that is wonderful. It also makes the best croutons you ever ate after it gets stale.[/quote]

Do you remember where you got the recipe Debr? Would love to have it. The one I have is OK but can't get it tweaked right.

Do you remember where you got the recipe Debr? Would love to have it. The one I have is OK but can't get it tweaked right.[/quote]

I will scan it & post here or pm me your regular email & I will send to you.

Several friends have asked for this recipe so thought I would just post it here for all. I got it from place called Recipe Circus on internet. Hope you all enjoy. Deb

Thank you Debra. Sounds delicious - will make Wed.

oh dear I got my bread machine back last Dec. I just may have to take it out of the box and try it out now, LOL

Although my bread maker is in the crawl space....here are the favourites I used to make.... all from a little booklet from Rogers Flour, I see there are different proportions for the 1 pound/ 1 1/2 pound and 2 pound... please PM me if you will actually be making this bread, thanks!

I am on my 4th bread machine. I don't use it as much now that all the kids are out of the house but make at least 2 loaves a week. There was a time that I made all of our bread in the machine, every night we would have a fresh hot loaf, I use it for Pizza dough and for hamburger buns and cinnamon rolls. There have been times that it makes 3 - 4 batches a day.
You do need to get a feel for the amount of liquid in it. Most of the time we will use the machine to do all the mixing and the first rise and then take it out and shape it and bake in the oven