I've never been able to get hand-made bread to rise as well as it does in the machine. I don't think I've ever had time to prove it twice though. I certainly don't these days that's for sure. While our b&b guests all love the fresh bread on the table in the morning, one or two of them seem surprised that it's not hand made. I have to point out that, much as I am dedicated to their comfort and enjoyment, it doesn't extend to kneading dough at 4am.