The price of bread.
 

I've just paid £1.79 for a Kingsmill.
£1.15 from Tesco usually, and on offer 2 for £1.50.

close these corner shops down.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Why?

Re: The price of bread.
 

Because I'm hungry and I've run out of bread.

Re: The price of bread.
 

So go down the corner shop and buy some more Kingsmill.

Re: The price of bread.
 

I don't need anymore Kingsmill.

Re: The price of bread.
 

You've either run out of bread or you haven't. Which is it?

Re: The price of bread.
 

I ran out and I bought some. like I said in the first post?

Re: The price of bread.
 

Am I the only one who makes their own bread (larger bloomer for 50p)

Re: The price of bread.
 

Yes, I read that. Then I asked why you want to close down all corner shops and you said:

So either you're still hungry and breadless or you aren't, but you can't be both. Make up your mind. And when you have done so, please qualify your statement that all corner shops should be closed down.

No, you're not. There's a number of people on the forum with bread makers (me included).

Re: The price of bread.
 

I don;t use a breadmaker.. prefer a loaf that isn't both square and crustless..

Re: The price of bread.
 

You've been trying the wrong breadmaker. ;) The output from ours is the signature item on our B&B breakfast table and is devoured by almost every guest (sometimes there's less than half a loaf left by the time they're done - has to be a very good sign).

Get your hands on a Panasonic ... looks like the latest iteration is SD257. Mine's an SD253. 7 years old and still going strong, despite being used at least 3 times a week, every week, since I got it. Has variable crust settings and only the largest loaf size it produces comes out in an un-loaflike shape.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Thats just it and why they shouldn't.

When I run out of bread I'll go to my corner shop and gladly pay the increase.

The 24hr Tesco is miles away or I can go to the local Tesco (small) which is ALWAYS busy and I'll be gambling if they have the right bread or even that they might have ran out.

Corner shop = straight in straight out. :tu:

Re: The price of bread.
 

so why didnt you go to tesco ;)

Re: The price of bread.
 

I thought you was asking why I paid £1.79 for a Kingsmill.

I said I was hungry in reply to what I thought you were asking.

The corner shops can stay open.

Re: The price of bread.
 

The price of bread is outrageous.

OK the markets forced the price of wheat up and the Russians let loads of theirs burn in the fields, but flour prices have dropped.

If the supermarkets can get it to the shelves at under 50p a loaf on BOGOF or other offer, why don't they think of us who cannot eat large quantities of bread before it goes off?

And why does "modern" bread go off so quickly? I've had to bin unopened packs of top-brand bread after only a couple of days because they have gone mouldy!!!

Re: The price of bread.
 

I use the breadmaker all the time, and you've got it wrong about the crust. And I don't see what the shape has to do with the quality of a loaf.

For someone that can spend their time kneading bread these days rather than use a good breadmaker must be quite rare.

I use a Panny SD-253.

Re: The price of bread.
 

I wanted to go to the toilet :)

I don't usually buy from corner shops. but just imagine buying your weekly shop from one and how much it would cost.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Modern bread goes off quickly because of a big campaign in the 80s against excessive chemical additives in factory-baked loaves.

Have you considered a bread maker? You can get cheaper loaves from a supermarket than you can make yourself, but if you get the right breadmaker the stuff you make at home is top-quality and comes out in small enough quantities that you're not wasting it.

Re: The price of bread.
 

they have toilets in tesco:D

Re: The price of bread.
 

Erm, no. You just said 'why?' which was ambiguous, and as we all know Gary loves ambiguity as it allows him to not answer a question put to him.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Yay, I knew I wasn't the only one. :D We had a massive thread about it on here some years back, IIC.

Dare I ask why?

Re: The price of bread.
 

We have a 257 that replaced our 253. The 257 is just as good. If anything, the non-stick coating on the bread pan is much improved, so (unlike on our aging 253) the bread comes out much more easily.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Cheaper at Tesco.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Crivvens ... don't say that, I'm just beginning to think our 253 will last forever :erm: :D What did yours die of eventually?

Re the non-stick coating, ours is still very good, although I find it's better to simply not bother washing the pan ... just shake off whatever's loose. The paddle never used to get left in the loaf but just recently it's started to happen. The paddle has a couple of scratches on it and I think the loaf sort of bakes itself into them.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Is the pan the same as the 253 (shape / fitting), could I replace the part with a new one as the blade joint is wearing out on mine but the maker as a whole is still fine.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Fair comment. So why did you go to the corner shop today?

Re: The price of bread.
 

To get some bread.

I was already on the way back and remembered I needed some bread. so rather than go back to Tescos I got some from the corner shop.

Re: The price of bread.
 

I do actually have a bread maker... but have not used the bake function on it for over 3 years.. Tend to use it purely for knead and first rise and then use a proper tray to shape the bread and bake it to how we fancy it.. (either realy crusty by use of a bit of steam) or a light crust (my favourite is where you do the crust dry on a high heat so it goes black but then softens to a leathery texture as the bread cools due to the internal moisture)

Re: The price of bread.
 

Which would be one of the reasons why these establishments are also known as 'convenience stores'. Also one of the many reasons why they remain in business, despite their higher prices.

---------- Post added at 15:01 ---------- Previous post was at 14:59 ----------

I've made rolls and pizza bases from time to time using the dough programme, but most of the time we need a basic square loaf for family lunches. Setting it at teatime so the loaf comes out last thing at night is brilliant, as the loaf is cold but still fresh first thing the next morning. Perfect for sandwiches.

For B&B guests we normally set it last thing at night so it comes out about 45 minutes before their selected breakfast time.

Re: The price of bread.
 

This topic is surreal....

Re: The price of bread.
 

As I recall, we just replaced it because the bread pan started bugging us, and a new bread pan was almost as expensive as a new machine. We also had to replace the nut dispenser (twice I think over 7 years), so we figured that might be due for replacement as well and we'd better just get a new machine. The old one was still working though.

Hmm. Good point regarding not washing. I never wash my frying pans with soap (just hot water) to keep the natural non-stick layer. The same may well apply to the bread pan.

Re: The price of bread.
 

You gotta agree Chris that it's so much more tasty than a shop bought loaf

Re: The price of bread.
 

They're a convenience to have, but a nuiscance in the expensive way.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Same with WOKs, you season the wok before use by using a high heat and burning the oil into the surface then it should last you for years..

Re: The price of bread.
 

Absolutely. We only ever get a sliced shop loaf for kids' parties when we need quantity in a hurry.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Don't say that - I was just going to head out and buy a breadmaker :D

Seriously i'd love to make my own bread, how much do decent ones range from and how much is the mix?

Re: The price of bread.
 

Have you seen them little loaves you can buy for kids that don't like crusts around the edges?

Re: The price of bread.
 

I have a cast iron wok, which I do tend to wash with soap as I don't have 'sticky' issues with the dishes I cook in it.

---------- Post added at 15:13 ---------- Previous post was at 15:10 ----------

Amazon

It's not often that a product gets 5 stars on 60 odd reviews. The 255 (an earlier, but slightly more expensive) model gets 5 stars on nearly 600 reviews.

Re: The price of bread.
 

You want the moon on a stick, Gary. ;)

The convenience has a cost attached to it. You can't have a small shop close to your home in a residential area and expect it to sell you things at massive-buying-power supermarket prices.

---------- Post added at 15:18 ---------- Previous post was at 15:15 ----------

There is only one decent one ... the Panny. All others are pale and distant seconds by comparison.

The latest version of it is the SD257 and you can get one delivered for under £105 from Amazon.

Several forum members have the SD253 and by the looks of things they haven't messed about with the basics in this latest version.

Re: The price of bread.
 

No idea about breadmaker costs as I bought mine at a car boot sale unused for £8 ;)

The mix is just flour (about 3 cups), water (1cup), yeast (satchet but I tend to use Allisons dried active small tims), sugar (about a tablespoon), tablespoon of veg oil and salt (a teaspoon)

The flour if you go for the shop brand is about 60p for Strong White or about £1 for brown or wholemeal (each bag will do 2-3 large loaves).. I tend to do a mix (1 cup white to two brown)

Most shops also sell ready made kilo packs of sunflower/rye/wholemeal bread where you just add the water (lidl and aldi have them)

You can also add olive oil and some sundried tomatos if you want an italian style bread..

I also use it for making Doughnut or Pizza doughs (the breadmaker has a mix/rise setting that does not cook)

Re: The price of bread.
 

Asda brand strong white flour is 50p per 1.5kg at the moment, although it does fluctuate a bit.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Lidl is the same for the white flour.. was giving the average pricing though :p:

Re: The price of bread.
 

There's the 256 for £80 as well, but that doesn't have a nut and raisin dispenser. We use the nut dispenser all the time, so I wouldn't want to be without it, but it might suit someone on a budget.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Looks like they're on the second revision of the machine since mine then ... the 252 and 253 were without/with the dispenser, as were the 254/255.

I have to say, I'm glad they revised it again ... I didn't like the styling of the 254/255 at all. The control panel on the latest one looks better from the photos though - how does it compare with the 253 in your experience?

Re: The price of bread.
 

Thanks Kymmy, I think i'll have a go. Its a bit hard baking and cooking with 3 jobs and 2 homes but I reckon I'll be able to fit it in somwehere :D

The italian style bread sounds amazing, I brought back a kilo of sun dried tomatoes from Turkey a few weeks back to I will definitely be having a go at that!

Re: The price of bread.
 

There's a fantastic red pepper and sun-dried tomato recipe in a breadmaker recipe book I got at the same time as the machine. Let me know if you ever get your hands on a machine and I'll send it to you.

Re: The price of bread.
 

That sounds amazing :drool:

Will do, ta very much :)

Re: The price of bread.
 

The conveniance does have a cost. As does the low price offered by Tescos. Simply that most areas (not all, admittedly) will have at least one conveniance store that is at least open late. People's nearest tescos (even express) may well be several miles away. So, they need to factor in the costs involved in getting to/from the store.

Unless that Tescos is in walking distance, the extra costs involved in getting there could dwarf the saving.

---------- Post added at 15:58 ---------- Previous post was at 15:55 ----------

Don't buy BOGOF offers then. If you aren't going to eat the free bread, you aren't really making a saving.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Or freeze it :)

Re: The price of bread.
 

I'd have to ask the wife :)

Suffice to say that she's very happy with the 257 though. She had to slightly adjust the recipes she was using as the ratio of quantities have changed but that only took a a couple of loaves.

Re: The price of bread.
 

I hope thats not your handprint on that loaf Kymmy!!!!!!!:shocked:

Re: The price of bread.
 

This topic is Peachey...;)

Re: The price of bread.
 

But is Kingsmill any good at making toast :D

Re: The price of bread.
 

I have an SD253 and a convenience store - do I get a prize? :D

Re: The price of bread.
 

Did you get the SD253 from the convenience store?

Re: The price of bread.
 

Good point...

Re: The price of bread.
 

Or buy some of the bread products that are 'part baked' have a long shelf life & are 'finished off' in the oven when you want to use them.

Having said that, we also have a Panasonic breadmaker that has done 'what is says on the tin' for a few years, now.

Re: The price of bread.
 

I`m glad this topic has come up, I`ve been meaning to ask some other owners this.
Does it matter which type of butter is being used ? Atm I`m using Flora buttery but someone told me I should be using the solid types of butter.
I`ve got the 254.

Re: The price of bread.
 

It's making me very hungry, don't know about anything else lol! :)

Re: The price of bread.
 

We have a panny 255 for some time now & spent ages looking at reviews as to what was the best & I think we found it in the panny. As someone who suffers from bloating & nausea when I eat shop brought white\brown bread, the bread that we make at home leaves me less bloated and no nausea.
Making your own bread be it by hand or in a bread maker you know exactly what you are putting in it & the smell as its baking is to die for.

I usually do a 1 1/2lb wholemeal loaf and exchange the butter for a quality olive oil (seems to rise better)

Re: The price of bread.
 

I forgot to add oil to the initial mix (now added to both original and quote)

If doing an itallian stle bread you might find it better to bake outside of the breadmaker as a flatter style loaf and brush with a flavoured oil (perhaps oil with italian herbs added) just before you put it in the oven..

Re: The price of bread.
 

You should use a normal hard butter (unsalted as you add salt in to the mix anyway) or exchange butter for a quality extra virgin olive oil & not the flora type stuff as this is refined trans fatty goop & that margarine is 1 (yes ONE) molecule away from being plastic.

Re: The price of bread.
 

At the moment I really like Warburtons seeded bread. Sooooo tasty.

Re: The price of bread.
 

I'd love a bread maker but her indoors would scoff the output of said bread maker in a flash - it would be fatal in our house!

I'm also scared that a) they are expensive b) it would only get used a few times and then put in the cupboard :(

Can you freeze the bread from a bread maker? And it so - what does it defrost like? - i.e. is it still fresh tasting?

Re: The price of bread.
 

Proper Butter is far better, than any of that crap that used to be called Margarine. The latter being closer to plastic than food.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Trick is to buy a decent one (another vote for the Panasonic here) which may be a bit more expensive but you'll make a saving in the long run.

Tend to make smaller loaves rather than freeze however they freeze well & taste just as good!!

Re: The price of bread.
 

+1

We bake a couple of loaves on the weekend and put them in the freezer. (Tip: slice them before freezing). Over the week we just take the slices we need. Works and tastes fine.

Re: The price of bread.
 

Been all eating up:)

Re: The price of bread.
 

We've had a Kenwood breadmaker for a number of years; I use it at least weekly for simple organic sandwich bread, plus pizza dough (Can anything get more sticky?) and other stuff on occasion. Sandwich bread used to be 90% wholemeal/10% white, now straight white for a low fibre diet. With a light crust, cut thick, it's delicious even before adding fillings!

To get you started, there should be a recipe book included with a newly bought machine.

Mind you, there was the first time I followed Kenwood's pizza recipe. Well, how would I know that you were meant to choose from their list of toppings? It ended up about four inches thick and really messy, but it tasted great :)

To add to the discussion: I've been told it's best to keep bread at room temperature, but to stop it going mouldy we always keep ours in the fridge. Any comments?

Re: The price of bread.
 

I'm just conjuring up an image of Kymmy and her large bloomers.... :D

Re: The price of bread.
 

Crusty?

Re: The price of bread.
 

We've just bought a Morphy Richards 48323:

http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/Prod...?Product=48323

Reduced to £74.99 in Kendalls (House of Fraser) and I think it's this price on Amazon also.

Works really well...