Toastmaster 1148X Fast Bake 2-Pound Horizontal Bread Machine Review

My husband and I chose this breadmaker as a 10 yr. anniversary gift from his employer. I have used it only 2 days and I have two main complaints about it.One, I don't like that this is a vertical machine, I like the top of the bread to be like the bread found in grocery stores. Two, on the basic medium cycle, the bread got way too dark and I had to turn off the machine even though it had 32 minutes left to bake the bread.My son said the bread was burning. Who knows what the bread would have looked like if I had left it in the machine until the end of the cycle!
The recipe book is easy to understand and has a lot of information; I suggest that you read it a few times all the way through before you start to make bread.I have not used any of the cycles except Basic Medium and French.My husband and I feel that we will only use the 1 lb. and 1.5 lb. setting, because when I made the French Bread on the 2 lb. setting, the bread was not dense like normal french bread--it had a lot of holes due to the need to expand the dough to make a bigger loaf.I made the second loaf of bread--the one I had to remove early--on the 1.5 lb. setting, and it was fine, nice and dense.The machine is noisy when mixing the bread, but that doesn't bother me.The inner pan is very easy to clean, though it cannot be immersed in water/dishwasher.Bread is very easy to remove from the pan.
Lastly, I found that as soon as I start the machine, it mixes, but I have to open the lid and give the machine a little help by scraping the flour from the corners and bottom with a rubber spatula.The blade does not get all the flour from the corners and the bottom.The flour will lay there even after the machine starts mixing the dough ball back and forth. This doesn't bother me either, I don't mind scraping the flour; I'd rather do that than have lumps of flour in the bread or flour on the outside of the loaf.
Since we didn't have to pay for this, this breadmaker is an ok machine. It does what it is supposed to do. My husband is a fresh bread lover, so he is pleased with the bread. However, if you are paying $100 and up for a breadmaker, look at other models first.

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Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition 10-Inch Serrated Bread/Slicing Knife Review

First off...be sure your knife block can handle the 10" blade.I had to remove my sharpener (honing steel) in order to fit it in the block.No big deal, but it may be to some.Measure it out, first.

Other than that, the knife is GREAT!I like the feel of the walnut handle, which is nice in an age of plastic handles.

The teeth are spaced a LITTLE wider than my last bread knife, but I don't think it cuts differently.Either way, this knife cuts through even the toughest 3 day-old ciabatta crust with ease.

Don't overspend on your bread knife; if taken care of this will last your lifetime.

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Product Description:
Part of Chicago Cutlery's Walnut Tradition line, this serrated knife cuts through breads and other foods with ease, and is notable for its patented Taper Grind edge, which stays exceptionally sharp. The blade is made of rust-resistant, high-carbon stainless steel, and is complemented by an ergonomic, triple-riveted handle comprised of solid walnut. The full-tang assembly extends from the tip of the knife to the end of the handle, adding balance and heft. Made in China, the knife comes covered by a lifetime warranty. Hand washing is recommended

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Norpro Bread Slicerand Guide with Crumb Catcher Review

Only two things could be adjusted for me to like this slicer better.1 - the grooves could be deeper to keep from slicing into the wood. 2 - the guide could be adjustable.Other than that, it is a handy tool to use with baked bread. We use a bread machine that makes a pound and a half loaf. This has really removed the guess work of slicing. The bread should be cooled a little before attempting to slice.We often take bread to functions and using this we now have nice even slices. It is a lot neater using it rather than a plain board, too.All in all, a great kitchen aide.

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Product Description:
Norpro Bread Slicing Guide Features:

Measures 6-3/4" x 6-1/2" x 12-1/2"
Wood base with Acrylic slicing guides for uniform 0.5 slices
Comes apart easily for storage
Crumb Catcher allows for easy clean up
Acrylic slicing guides allow uniform -inch slices


The Acrylic Bread Slicer makes it easy to cut your homemade breads into nice, even slices without getting crumbs all over the kitchen!

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