I use a Breville bread maker. The newer model has a paddle that lies down flat. It also has a chute that loads things like nuts and fruit right before rising, so they don't get too mushed up. It also has a timer so you can set it.
Janet, you should have taken your dud bread machine back to the shop - sounds like its element was burned out. You could have at least got your money back - "not fit for what it was designed for".
The thing with bread machines - they MUST live on the bench. If they don't, you never get around to using them because they're darned heavy. if they're out all the time you use them all the time. If they're away, you don't use them and they take up precious cupboard space. I bake an average of a loaf a day. Sometimes it's continental bread, sometimes it's plain rolls, sometimes it's flavoured rolls, sometimes brioche or croissants. lately I'm baking a milk loaf fortified with eggs and a dab of butter, for a softer crust. Gotta do one first thing in the morning. In fact. it's almost 2 am now (can't sleep) so if I stay up much longer I can put a loaf of bread on and get someone else to get it out in the morning.
I'd use my hands if I could, but they don't work too well these days. I can still shape dough, though. if I'm having a busy day I'll put it on DOUGH setting and as soon as I take the dough out for shaping, I'll set another lot on, shaping the first batch of dough while the second batch is being worked by the machine. As I mentioned on the morning thread, I find the dough proves best in a cold oven that is warmed by the oven light only. The electric light bulb seems just enough.
Good luck in getting a good replacement.
Marg
