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What can bread makers do? At first glance, this is a very simple question, and the answer to it lies in the very name of the kitchen units - of course, bread makers know how to bake bread. But getting to know them better, you can find many additional functions - from regulating the degree of crispness of the crust to making yoghurts. Of course, each additional feature increases not only functionality, but also the cost of bread makers, so we will consider the most popular of them from the point of view of practicality.
Express baking mode. With this program, you can quickly bake several loaves of bread for a family gathering or picnic, typically in an accelerated bake cycle of 60 to 120 minutes. However, before choosing a bread maker with such a function, it is worth reading user reviews about a particular model - often "fast" bread simply does not have time to bake, and the crust remains pale and unappetizing.
Compactness. Manufacturers' policy is that a miniature model will always cost significantly more than a model with similar functions. Therefore, if the dimensions of the kitchen allow, you can safely choose a larger bread maker from well-known manufacturers who have passed mandatory equipment certification, there are overheating and short circuit protection systems.
Delay of inclusion. A timer that allows you to bake bread at night or by the time all family members are at home is one of the really useful functions. As a rule, it allows you to delay the start of baking until 12-13 hours.
The degree of crispness of the crust. The brown crust on the loaf is almost the same as the cherry on the birthday cake. The traditional gradation is light, medium and dark crust, however, in some models seven or more degrees of crispness are offered, you can safely refuse such a marketing trick.
Fine tuning of the temperature regime. Leading manufacturers also pay attention to such nuances that are not regulated even by the mandatory certification of equipment, for example, "intelligent" temperature settings. So, in some models, ingredients are heated before kneading, there are fans that evenly distribute heat from the heating elements, a light cooling system after the end of the program so that the bread does not settle, heating for several hours, keeping the baked goods warm and appetizing. These functions can be safely attributed to useful, they often determine the quality, appearance and taste of bread.
Baking confectionery. The function of baking cakes, rolls with raisins, nuts or chocolate chips is indispensable for families with children and those with a sweet tooth. Indeed, in homemade baked goods, you can easily reduce the calorie content, for example, by partially replacing the premium flour with coarse flour, sugar - with fructose and berries. Another frequent function is baguette baking. However, practice shows that instead of overpaying for an additional mold for French buns, you can simply knead the dough in a bread maker and bake baguettes in a regular oven.
Cooking jams. The obligatory certification of equipment and utensils with a non-stick coating, which bread makers undergo, ensures that their forms are resistant to the action of fruit acids and can be safely used for making jams. However, the owners of summer cottages and orchards should not flatter themselves - in one step, you can cook only 0.5 to 1 liter of jam.
Making yoghurt. This function has proven itself well among lovers of homemade yoghurts - in 2-3 hours in a bread maker, you can get several jars or glasses of tasty and healthy lactic acid products. However, before buying, you should carefully study the price tag - often the extra charge for the “making yogurt” function significantly exceeds the cost of a high-quality and roomy yogurt maker.
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