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What’s better than freshly baked bread? What about sour dough bread in your bread machine? Find the right machine, and it’s easy enough to do. In this review, we have narrowed down the top choices when it comes to bread machines that can handle sour dough.
Be warned; these are not the cheapest options on the market. We’re not saying that a less expensive machine wouldn’t do equally well, but these four have offered consistently good and reliable results.
Are you ready to get started?
Why Sourdough?
Sourdough is actually a fermented dough. This gives the bread a slightly acidic, sour taste that is quite flavorful.
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You will need to get a starter dough to start out with. Choosing a good dough and using a great recipe will yield outstanding results. Once you have your starter culture, it is just a matter of adding flower and water. If you look after it properly, it will last for years.
Can You use a Bread Maker For Sourdough?
The main thing to check is that you have a rising timer that can be adjusted. Sourdough does need more rising time than your conventional dough, so do keep this in mind.
The Best Sourdough Bread Makers For You!
#1. Breville BBM800XL Bread Maker
This is one of the most versatile makers on the market because you get to choose between four sizes when making your bread.
The adjustable size comes in handy if you are just making a small load for two people.
Another thing that makes this worth the investment is the auto dispenser for nuts and fruit. You just load up the compartment, and the machine will assess when the right time to add the ingredients is.
It is user-friendly and has an LCD display that tells you exactly how well baked your bread is. You can choose between 13 different settings and have the crust done exactly to your liking.
There is a small feature on this machine that makes it one of the best. The paddle collapses when the dough is ready for baking, so you don’t have to pull out half of the bottom to get the bread out.
It comes with a comprehensive manual and a recipe book to ensure that you have plenty of practice with your bead maker.
- Great quality
- The manufacturer has an excellent reputation
- Thirteen settings
- Four adjustable loaf sizes
- Auto dispenser takes care of fruit and nut incorporation
- Paddles collapse before baking
- It’s not the quietest model
- You have to make sure that it is far back on the counter as it does rock a bit while kneading
#2. Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker
This one comes in first in the style stakes. It has clean lines and a brushed stainless-steel finish. But don’t let the good looks fool you – this machine’s performance matches its great outward appearance.
This model is different because it has two paddles to knead the bread.
All the dough is properly kneaded and mixed each time. You also have a range of settings to choose from. The quick bake cycle is useful if you have been forgetful and forgotten to make bread early in the day. It takes about two hours to make bread on this cycle.
Now, obviously this setting is no good for sour dough, but you will be making a lot more types of bread with your machine.
What we particularly liked about this model is that it has a thirteen-hour timer. This means that you can load up the bread maker and then set the timer.
So, you could load up the machine at night before bed and then set the timer for the next morning. The timer would delay the start until morning, and you’d come home to freshly baked bread after work.
This has ten pre-programmed settings and even one for sourdough. The pan is easy to remove and clean. You also get your own measuring utensils and a manual that has some nice recipes.
- Highly efficient
- Delay timer
- Ten settings
- Non—stick
- Has a sourdough setting
- The loaf-size is not adjustable
#3. Cuisinart CBK-100SSFR Bread Maker
This is a reliable and highly attractive machine. This one also allows you to adjust the size of the loaf.
It has 12 pre-programmed settings and allows you to customize your crust. This model also has a delay timer of thirteen hours.
What makes this model unique is that it has a power backup. This means that even if the power goes out for a while, you can look forward to freshly baked bread.
Cleanup is simple with the non-stick surface and that paddle that can be removed.
- Twelve settings
- Power failure backup
- Easy to use and clean
- 13-hour delay timer
- There is no auto dispenser for fruit and nuts – You have to add these manually
#4. Panasonic Home Bakery
We have saved the best for last. It will work for sourdough and a whole lot more besides. Try home made jams, cakes, brioche, and a whole range of other culinary adventures.
This machine comes in as a favorite because of all these features and also because it runs fairly quietly.
- Lots of exciting settings to choose
- Great gift for someone who loves experimenting in the kitchen
- Easy to clean
- Efficient
- Good brand name
- Simple to operate
- The features might go to waste with the less adventurous
- Warranty issues may apply as it is an import
Conclusion
What it boils down to is what is most useful for you? Despite the fact that it is a little noisier, the Breville gets first place. It’s the collapsible paddle that clinches things for us. It’s a small thing, but something that can be important. If you add in the adjustable loaf size, you’re smiling.
We hope that you have found this review interesting and that it has been of use to you. Happy baking.
