Bakeries: The most evident application, bakeries, whether small-scale neighbourhood establishments or larger chain outlets, rely heavily on kneading machines to prepare dough for bread, pastries, croissants, and other baked goods. Bonus: This model has the “Soft Start” feature that eliminates ingredient “splash-out” when turning the mixer on. It was also especially efficient at whipping cream due to the lower position and movement of the smaller double whisk attachments. Adding a little more water helps the yeast ferment more, which can create a more open crumb, or adjusting the machine’s programming to knead the dough slightly less can help the gluten from becoming overly worked. The trick is to learn to take control of the machine, regarding it less as a passive appliance that makes bread at the push of a button, and more of a tool that can streamline certain steps and enhance your own baking practice.

Keep in mind that you should always keep a close eye on your machine while it’s mixing doughs, and take note of any signs of struggle. In the Lab, our tester noticed that "the shape of the dough hook actually helps the mixer to incorporate dry ingredients from the edges of the bowl," which cuts down on how often you'll need to stop the machine and scrape down the sides. Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker: While we were intrigued by all of the features on this machine (like an automatic fruit and nut dispenser and four-size settings), it consistently produced denser loaves than the rest of the models. Usability and Cleanup Tests: We evaluated each bread machine’s settings and display and how easy it was to assemble the paddles and pan.

With 10 speeds to choose from, this mixer excels at kneading heavier doughs thanks to its quiet yet powerful 1. The capacity of the machine allows you to prepare large batches of dough or batter without the need for constant refilling.

After about 15 years, I wore out the finish in the bread pan, and since no replacement part was available, I got another machine. Dash Everyday Stainless Steel Bread Maker: This machine wobbled a lot during kneading and only baked so-so bread. Machines like the Wolf Gourmet and Hamilton Beach are designed for a more contemporary look with brushed stainless steel and shiny black surfaces. Most stand mixer warranties only cover one to three years of use, which isn’t a very long time, considering that this is an investment that’s expected to last for years, if not decades.

Some machines may come with different attachments suitable for various dough consistencies and types.