Buyer's Guide to Automatic Bread Makers

An automatic bread maker is a useful kitchen appliance for producing various kinds of bread, as well as pizza dough and some other types of food. They can be purchased new or used in many different stores and other locations, with prices ranging from $5 or $10 used machines to sophisticated new units priced at $200 or more.

New bread makers are sold by such stores as Target, Macy's, Sears, Sam's Club, and Bed Bath & Beyond. They can also be purchased online at eBay.com, etronics.com, stacksandstacks.com, and many other websites. Some home shopping networks offer them as well. Brands which make breadmakers include Black & Decker, Panasonic, Cuisinart, Oster, and Sunbeam. When searching for automatic bread makers online, be sure to try the search terms "bread maker", "breadmaker", and "bread machine", as each will bring up different results. Reviews of specific models can be found on websites like Associated Content, ePinions, and Amazon.com.

Used automatic bread makers can be purchased inexpensively at many yard/garage sales, and some thrift shops. It may also be possible to find them in your local newspaper classifieds or the CraigsList.org section for your area. Because of the fairly high cost to ship a breadmaker, it is generally not economical to purchase used bread makers on eBay.com, iOffer.com, or other services which require shipping, unless it is almost new or has advanced features. However, if an eBay seller is offering a used automatic breadmaker in the same city or region you live in, you may be able to pick it up in person; you should ask before bidding, as some sellers prohibit this or charge a fee for it.

Most models have a white exterior color, a few are stainless steel. The maximum loaf capacity varies from one model to the next; some are limited to 1.5 pounds (Toastmaster TBR15), can bake up to a two pound loaf (Breadman TR555LC, Sunbeam 5891), or can handle up to 2.5 pounds (Panasonic SD-YD250). An interesting model made by Toastmaster, which can be purchased on eBay and is called the "Breadmaker's Hearth", combines a breadmaker, an oven with broiler, and a toaster into a single microwave-like unit.

Accessories which are sometimes sold with automatic breadmakers include booklets of recipes, measuring utensils, and instructional video tapes. A number of books are available on using bread makers. Barnes and Noble's website offers such titles as "Bread Machine Magic", "Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook", and "Tips For Your Breadmaker."