7 Common Bread Machine Mistakes That Are Easy To Avoid

Here are some common mistakes people make when using a bread machine .

Bread machines are designed to be foolproof but they're not .

I really enjoy the ease and simplicity .

Bread machines offer sometimes I can forget an important step like adding cooking oil or keeping the space around the bread machine open for good air circulation .

Despite the convenience and with due respect to the designers and engineers who build bread making machines , there are considerations and consequences for improper use that should be avoided .

I've learned these lessons the hard way .

So I'm passing them along in the hopes of helping others avoid them .

Firstly , I have learned that the location where you keep your bread machine in the kitchen dramatically influences the baking process outcome , high humidity or low humidity can affect how yeast rises as well as proofing times before baking , the temperature in the kitchen will also affect the bread's baking characteristics .

If the kitchen is too hot , the bread's surface can crack and crevice severely .

If the kitchen is too cold , the yeast won't rise as well .

And bread proofing takes longer , make sure the dough is thoroughly mixed .

While many bread machines have view windows in the lid .

Some don't have them that makes it difficult to determine if the dough is processing correctly .

Even the breadmaker with windows may not provide a clear view of the results .

Don't worry , it's ok to lift the lid and check on what's happening .

Checking to see if yeast is active and alive is critical and the best way to do that is to examine it closely .

It's also important to confirm the mixing and kneading processes have been fully accomplished .

Take a look and see for yourself .

Feel the dough to make sure it isn't too wet or too dry .

This is especially important for home recipes more than prepackaged products , make sure your ingredients are converted for a bread machine .

To me , it seems like baking 101 but many bakers fail to hit the target when it comes to correct ingredient amounts .

The prepackaged bread mixes don't suffer from this problem .

But if you follow your own recipe , you must consider that bread machines need and bake bread differently from traditional methods and adjustments to ingredients are frequently needed .

Follow the steps performing each step that occurs in the process of baking bread and taking each step in the proper turn greatly affects the eventual outcome .

Each ingredient must go in at the right time in the right way and in the right amount , not following the recommended procedures in the recipe instructions will normally result in disaster shape the dough as the bread dough increases in size from yeast expansion .

It often becomes misshapen and off balance .

Reshaping the bread loaf to a symmetric and more pleasing appearance .

After its final rise , helps the bread machine do its job more efficiently .

I perform this task every time I use the bread machine .

And the end result looks much more appealing and bakes more evenly , eliminating pockets of gooey undercooked dough .

Overcome my urge to remove the loaf too fast once it is done , unfortunately , in their haste to taste and their desire to admire many bakers remove the bread before it has cooled down .

Leave the bread inside the machine until it cools completely .

If you don't , you run the risk of having condensation built under the loaf causing the crust to become mushy .

Some loaves of bread will wrinkle on the surface if they're removed too soon .

Leaving the loaf looking more like dinosaur scales , remove the mixing paddles while it may not make a big difference to a lot of bakers .

The mixing paddles in the bread machine will leave a hole in the bottom of the bread loaf if they're not removed , after mixing the hole can affect how the loaf looks as well as provide an unwanted outlet for moisture inside the bread .

I think it's a good idea to take them out because nobody wants a less than perfect loaf of fresh baked bread , do they ?

And lastly , but probably most importantly , using the wrong yeast in your dough will have a big impact on how the bread will turn out .

I have just written a detailed post about it .

Just follow the link in the description below this video for my full article where I cover everything there is to know about using yeast when baking with a breadmaker .

Check it out now .