Buy now on Amazon (SALE 38% and Free Shipping):
I am a complete novice at any kind of baking, so I was eager to try out this Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic EBM8103B Programmable Bread Maker, which claims to be “fool-proof”.
The product arrived on time, complete, as depicted by the seller and well-packaged in a sturdy box for protection. The footprint on the kitchen work-surface is similar to that of a crock-pot and this unit is a little taller; given its size, this bread maker is quite lightweight.
Because of my inexperience, I read through the 10 instructional pages of the manual a few times to make sure I got things right with my first attempt; I found a couple of minor inconsistencies, but nothing to deter me. I followed the initial cleaning and pre-heat directions and then I was off to purchase the ingredients for my first loaf. There are 19 different pre-defined programs and half of them allow for small/medium/large sizes. For the first attempt I selected the most basic medium-size, medium-crust white loaf using program # 1. The instructions emphasize the importance of using correct ingredients/quantities and the sequence in which they are added to the baking pan; so, again, I was careful to follow the manual. Once the pan is inserted in the bread maker, it is a simple matter of pressing the Start button to get things moving. The program I selected has a 3 hour duration which I observed to be divided into 3 approximately similar periods. For about 50 minutes the bread maker alternates between several minutes of stirring and then resting; when stirring, the ingredients were mixed together into a fist-sized ball of dough which then subsided and flattened when resting. Next was about 1 hour of fermenting during which time the dough rose to more than twice its volume (all this can be seen through the observation window in the lid of the bread maker). Finally there was another hour or so of baking until the machine beeped that the cycle had completed; during this period the kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of baking bread which invoked memories of childhood.
You can see the attached photo with the outcome. The taste and texture of the warm, freshly-baked bread did not disappoint and I am looking forward to attempting the more sophisticated baking options such as French bread, whole-wheat, sandwich bread etc.
Two minor items to note. 1) The bread is baked with the kneading blade in place; in consequence, there will be a small indentation on the underside of the loaf when it is removed from the pan. This does not detract at all from my enjoyment of the bread, but I point it out for any perfectionist bakers to take note. 2) I do not expect to use this bread maker every day, and it does occupy important space on the kitchen surface…. so it will necessarily spend much of its life in a kitchen cabinet and it sadly lacking a cable storage feature such as some other appliances have.
Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic EBM8103B Programmable Bread Maker Machine, 3 Loaf Sizes, 19 Menu Functions Gluten Free White Wheat Rye French and more, 2 Lb, Black