"Sheldon" wrote

> Nope, ABMs actually save significant time, requires at least half the
(snip)
> However long it takes to complete a loaf of bread
> manually/conventually from beginning to end the ABM needs like ten
> minutes of ones time, probably less.

I can think of a few recioes that take about 10 minutes, but those have me
chopping apples or grating cheese etc. I'm probably faster than average
though as I do it so often.

>> And there are those folks who get off on using the delay timer so they
>> can have fresh bread when they wake in the morning.

> That they "get off" is a disingenuous put down remark if I ever heard
> one. I very rarely use the delay feature becsaue I'm retired adn no
> longer live by a clock but it's a good option for those who enjoy the
> convenience... works just like auto coffee makers... many use that

Oddly, I've never used that feature in all my years of ABM's. Nothing
'wrong' with it, just never done it.

>> The machines let people with *absolutely no experience* turn out a loaf
>> of freshly baked bread.

> This is absolute nonsense. Baking bread with an ABM requires as much
> expertise as by conventional methods, in fact more can go wrong with
> ABM baking and it's less forgiving.

True and false at the same time. It's a bit of a different skill set, to
hand kneed vs getting the ingredient set right the first time (you have no
adjustment time really with a breadmaker).

>> Often, those folks also have *absolutely no
>> interest* in working dough with their own hands whatsoever.

>More nonsense... most folks use a stand mixer for kneading... read the
>archieves. But that doesn't mean they can't hand knead, all it means
>is that they enjoy the convenience and perhaps they have some
>disability. The ABM is an excellent appliance for those with
>disabilities.

That second person would be like me. Herniated C4 disc plus a T4 and a T5
disc. The one affects my right arm fairly strongly and I can not kneed
dough. The other 2 make bending down to load an oven, somewhat problematic
some days. (not looking for pity, just validating there are reasons for the
machine that the OP may not have considered). I'll add I'm not all that
fascinated with handworking a ball of stuff into dough either.

>Aside from time and convenience the ABM also saves a great deal of
>labor and a tremendous dollar amount on energy consumption.

Definately. Over time you may notice (or have noticed) that my posts tend
to be crockpot and breadmaker heavy. Both are energy efficient items when
compared to the alternative cooking (oven or long stovetop) one would use if
not having them.

> The only thing an ABM doesn't do is form up fancy schmancy loaves...

But you can use one to assist with that. I do it sometimes. Dough only
mode, then take it out and form it. Which reminds me, I havent made soft
pretzels in a bit! Maybe I'll do that today. Don likes the soft ones hot
from the oven. I make each one a bit different with an eggwash to hold the
spices then using the 2lb dough only setting, get some 15-20 (depends on how
big I want them) different ones.

Last time, I did a unique recipe for the dough with some minced black olives
and Don was really fond of it. Hey, I like to play with my food! I brushed
2 each of them lightly with various sauces (tomato, worstershire, bannana
chile sauce, sesame oil cut with olive oil, butter, honey, crushed papaya
mixed with papaya juice, and coconut milk made thick) then sprinkled with
whatever seemed to match making 16 different ones out of that batch. The
olives in the dough lent well to several of them but were a detraction for
the honey and fruit based ones, though oddly seemed to work with the coconut
milk. Win some, lose some.