Check with Sally Ann, Goodwill and other second hand shops in your
area for a used machine, but make certain it has its paddle in the
pan, and that you can get the paddle OFF the shaft and back on. I've
seen them for less than $10 in those sorts of store, and as long as
they work they are an inexpensive machine that is useful.

Also see if your local area has a Freecycle group. If it does post a
WANTED message looking for a used bread machine. Often that will get a
hit as many people try them and then put them on the shelf. All the
machine will cost you then is the price of the gasoline needed to pick
it up.

Next cheapest is a new machine in a store such as Zellers [here in
Canada] or Sears or Wal-mart or discount housewares stores. The size
of the loaf will vary, being anywhere between 1 pound and 3 pounds
capacity these days. 1.5 and 2 pound sizes are the most common, but
all these sizes exist.

The most versitile machines are the Zojirushi machines, but they are
also the expensive.

You did NOT tell us where you live. If it is at high altitude, such as
in most of Colorado or a good chunk of Utah, you likely need a machine
such as the Zojirushi X20 model, which is programable in ALL respects,
as the times you need to make a dough or bake a bread at high altitude
are not programmed into most machines... which are intended for low
altitude baking. [So all bets are off if you live in Leadville,
Colorado, at about 10,000 feet above sea level, unless you buy a fully
programable machine, or really learn how to adjust your recipes for
that higher altitude, and always bake in the oven and use the dough
cycle <grin>.]

If the heating element does not work in a used machine found in a used
goods store they can still be used to make dough that you bake in the
oven, but that is NOT really recommended, since a mild amount of heat
is used during most machine's rise phase.

FWIW

RsH
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On 26 May 2009 08:58:44 GMT, Nick Cramer >
wrote:

>My daughter buys a lot of bread, mostly whole grain, for herself, hubby and
>3, 5 and 7 year olds. I'd like to buy her a bread machine. Easy to make
>good bread (and maybe other stuff) with, easy to clean and not too
>expensive (I'm 74 and on Social Security and a small pension).They live
>with my wife and me.
>
>Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.