Do you enjoy fresh-baked bread suited to your dietary needs without the cost and preservatives of store-bought? Then you are probably considering whether to buy a bread maker vs. mixer.
Both a bread maker and bread mixer will make the job of fresh-baked bread easier. But, what machine is better for your lifestyle and needs; bread maker vs. mixer?
First, you need to know what each machine can do. Then, choose the best machine for you. If you are mainly wanting a machine that will do all the work for you from start to finish, then you are probably wanting a bread machine. However, if you are looking for something that will do much more than help you make delicious bread, then you should consider a mixer.
Here are the main points to consider in bread maker vs. mixer. We have also included our top three choices for bread makers and our top three choices for bread mixers.
What is a break maker or bread machine?
A bread maker is a machine that will mix and bake a loaf of bread for you. All you have to do is put in your ingredients and push start. In a few hours, you will have fresh homemade bread!
Bread machines are only capable of cooking one loaf of bread at once. It is best to use a recipe that is made for the size of machine that you have. Other than that, the possibilities on the types of bread you can make are endless.
Some of the things that you can make with a bread machine include white bread, multigrain bread, dinner rolls, pretzels, and pizza dough. However, beyond the traditional things people are beginning to use their bread maker to make a wide range of things including jams, sauces, soups, pasta, casserole, and even cheesecake!
If you are someone that likes the convenience of dump and go, then a bread machine is for you. Check out our top 3 bread makers. For a more in-depth analysis check out this article on the best bread makers.
Top 3 Bread makers
1. Pohl Schmitt
- Versatile Functions: With 14 settings,...
- Large Capacity: This bread maker has a...
- Easy to Use: The intuitive control panel...
- Keep Warm Function: The bread maker...
- Recipes Included: It comes with a recipe...
The Pohl Schmitt bread maker has twelve settings for your bread. You can make whole grain bread, French bread, quick bread, cake, and a wide variety of other homemade loaves of bread. It comes with three different sized loaf pans and you can choose three different crust colors. The three sizes of loaves to choose from are the small 1 lb loaf, medium 1.4 lb loaf, and the large 2.2 lb loaf. The color of crusts is light, medium, and dark.
If you like to add nuts to your bread, then this is a great option for you. The machine comes with a fruit and nut dispenser perfect for adding these ingredients at just the right time. Do you enjoy waking up to a warm loaf of bread for breakfast toast? Then, you will love the 15-hour delay timer that allows you to have fresh bread whenever you like it. If your bread is ready before you are, the keep warm setting will ensure your warm bread is still warm the way you like it.
The Pohl Schmitt bread maker comes with a removable non-stick pan and one kneading paddle. This bread machine is a great option for a quick and easy loaf of bread that is done every time and won’t break the bank.
Features:
- Multiple bread settings
- Three loaf size options
- Three crust color options
- Fruit and nut dispenser
- Delay timer
- Keep Warm
2. AICook
We love the sleek stainless steel design of this AICook bread machine. If you are a gluten-free baker, then you will love that this machine has a gluten-free setting. The menu has thirteen choices including gluten-free, quick bread, sweet bread, yogurt, cake, and jam.
This machine also has a fruit and nut dispenser that automatically pours these into the mix at the optimal time. You can choose from two sizes of loaves, two pounds or one and a half pounds. The settings also give you the option of three crust colors: light, medium, and dark.
From start to finish you are guarantee to have a fresh loaf of bread in two hours. If you want to delay the start of the bread, there is also a 13 hours timer and a 1-hour automatic keep-warm function.
Features:
- 13 automatic programs
- 13-minute memory
- Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
- Stainless steel
- Non-stick bread pan
- 13-hour delay timer
- 1 hour keep warm
3. Hamilton Beach
The Hamilton Beach bread machine is the most budget-friendly of our top three choices. It has twelve settings including gluten-free, French, quick bread, sweet bread, whole grain, dough, jam, cake, and bake. You can choose 1.5-pound loaves or 2-pound loaves. For adding fruit and nuts, there is an audible beep timer telling you when to add these ingredients. Crust color settings can also be used for light, medium, and dark crust.
While you only need one kneading paddle, this machine comes with two. In the event that one is dirty, you have a spare on hand! Some complain that the quality of bread from this machine is not as great as from others.
Features:
- 12 menu settings
- 5-pound loaf or 2-pound loaf
- Audible beep for adding fruit and nuts
- Light, medium, dark crust settings
- Two kneading paddles
What Is A Mixer And What Can It Do?
A stand mixer is the ultimate kitchen tool. Not only can a stand mixer make bread dough, but with the many different attachments, it is a kitchen multi-tasker. The possibilities of what you can make with a mixer really are endless!
Without any additional attachments, some of the things that you can whip up in your stand mixer include bread, cinnamon rolls, pretzels, cookies, and cake. Stand mixers can also be used to pull pork and shred chicken. With a food processor attachment, you can make coleslaw, salsa, hummus, and potato chips. Baby food, waffles, pasta, frosting, and whip cream are also a synch in a stand mixer. Many mixers also come with attachments to make ice cream, grind meat or grains, juice lemons and make souffle.
Many stand mixers are very versatile and what you make is up to your imagination. Mixers are more hands-on than a machine that does all the work for you. But, you can become a true chef with one! Check out these great recipes: rainbow bagels, butter pound cake, or 3 ingredient cheesecake!
Here are our top three stand mixer choices.
Top 3 Bread Mixers
1. Kitchen Aid
Kitchen aid is a great choice for any size kitchen. You can also choose from a variety of colors and styles to find what is perfect for you. The typical size of kitchen aid is 4.5 quarts. If you cook for a large crowd we recommend getting the larger size such as the 6 or 7 quarts.
Kitchen Aid will give you a quality product with metal gears, direct-drive transmission, and planetary mixing action. There are 10 mixing speeds to control your mixing speed from a very slow stir to a high fast whip.
The accessories available for a Kitchen Aid seem endless, providing for all of your culinary needs. Some of the attachments include spiralizer, food processor, sheet cutter, sifter and scale, shredder, sausage stuffer, pasta roller, grain mill, ice cream maker, and juicer. The Kitchen Aide mixer can be a one-stop-shop tool for any kitchen.
Features:
- Tilt-head or bowl-lift design
- 3 quart to 7-quart bowls
- A variety of attachments
- 300-watt power motor
- Direct drive transmission
- Planetary motion
- 10 mixing speeds
- A variety of color options
2. Bosch
Bosch is the next competitor with Kitchen Aid in stand mixers. The basic model comes with a larger bowl size at 6.5 quarts. The main difference in the Bosch and Kitchen Aid is how they are set up. The mixing components attach on a handle that comes up from the center of the Bosch bowl. Ingredients are mixed around the center. There are four-speed settings. A Bosch has a higher-powered motor at 800 watts. It is known for its ability to make large batches of bread (5-6 loaves at once). However, it may not do so well with small batches.
Several different attachments can be added to a Bosch stand mixer. Some of these include a food and meat grinder, blender, food processor, pasta set, and citrus juicer.
You will need to find a Bosch mixer dealer to purchase or purchase directly from their website: Bosch.
Features:
- 5-quart bowl
- Great for large batches
- A variety of attachments
- 800-watt motor
3. Aucma Stand Mixer
- 【POWERFUL MOTOR & VARIABLE SPEED...
- 【6.5QT LARGE CAPACITY BOWL WITH...
- 【TILT-HEAD & OUTSIDE DESIGN】 The...
- 【MULTIPLE ATTACHMENT SET】 Aucma...
- 【IDEAL GIFT & MULTIPLE...
This mixer is a cheaper version of the Kitchen Aide. If you are not stuck on the name, then this might work for you! It has a large capacity of 6.5 quarts. This is greater than the typical Kitchen Aide and equal to a Bosch! It is also a very budget-friendly option. It boasts 660 watts of the high-performance copper motor. It has 6 speeds and a tilt-head. A splash guard is included and the high bowl limit spills and splashes. It comes with three accessories including the whisk, dough hook, and mixing beater. This should be everything you need to get started on your home baking journey. This mixer doesn’t have a lot of frills and extra accessories, but is a great budget-friendly choice!
Features:
- Budget-friendly
- 5-quart bowl
- 660W power
- Comes with a dough hook, whisk, and mixing beater
Conclusion
Want fresh bread straight from your kitchen? Both the bread maker and mixer will help you get the job done! In the debate of bread maker vs. mixer, you have to consider your lifestyle and needs before choosing the machine that is right for you.
A bread maker will do just that, make bread! All you have to do is put in the ingredients and let the machine do all the work. With features such as the delay timer, you can put ingredients in before bed and wake up for fresh bread and jam for breakfast! It’s almost like having your own baker in your kitchen! However, the bread machine doesn’t help with very many other cooking jobs.
A stand mixer, on the other hand, is very versatile. The mixer will mix your ingredients and knead the dough for you. You have to be more hands-on for the rising time and putting the bread in the oven. Although it takes a little more input, you have greater control over the cooking process. Mixers are also a one-stop tool for the kitchen. Not only will you be making bread, but you can mix up cookies, cakes, pasta, frosting, whip topping, and much more!
If you enjoy your time in the kitchen, make sure to check out these other articles will products that will make cooking a breeze! Keep dinner hands-off with the best rice cooker. Never have a dull moment with a good kitchen knife set!