Although purchasing bread from the store is a convenient choice for several people, if you buy more than a few loaves every week, the cost will accumulate rapidly.
Particularly if you are purchasing artisan bread or more nutritious options like sprouted whole grains, sourdough, oat bread, flax bread, or gluten-free bread for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Using a machine of some kind or kneading bread by hand is why many people switch to baking bread at home.
If you prefer not to knead bread manually, which is understandable, you may be contemplating whether to purchase a KitchenAid Stand Mixer or a bread machine.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer and Bread Machine will be compared in this article to determine their distinctions and strengths in the bread-making domain.
The Kind of Baking You Do Will Determine the Machine You Want
Before deciding which machine to buy, it’s important to first consider the type of baking you plan on doing.
If you don’t have a strong interest in baking and aren’t particularly enthusiastic about creating cakes, pastries, or other baked goods, but simply desire a device that enables you to add the ingredients and observe the bread dough rise flawlessly, then a bread machine is the ideal choice for you.
Nevertheless, if you desire to engage in various baking activities while occasionally preparing bread loaves, then a KitchenAid stand mixer would be the more suitable option.
Although there is no clear winner between the KitchenAid Stand Mixer and Bread Machine for making bread, both have their advantages and disadvantages that may or may not be significant to you, so continue reading to compare these devices.
What Does a KitchenAid Stand Mixer Offer for Baking Bread?
When contemplating the purchase of a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, the device will be responsible for the majority of the mixing and kneading involved in making bread dough.
To use the KitchenAid Stand Mixer for making bread, you just need to put all the ingredients of your bread dough into the bowl of the mixer and attach the dough hook to it. Then, turn on the mixer and let it knead the dough for the time specified in your recipe.
One thing to keep in mind is that when you buy a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, it already includes the dough hook, so there’s no need to purchase any additional accessories. However, the amount of time required for kneading will be the same as if you were doing it manually.
After the dough has been thoroughly kneaded, it is necessary to manually complete the remaining steps of the bread-making process by removing it from the mixing bowl.
Here Are the Pros of Using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer for Bread
The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a multi-functional appliance that enables you to knead dough for several bread loaves.
With the KitchenAid Stand Mixer, you have ample space in the mixing bowl to experiment with various ingredients, allowing you to make a wide variety of bread types.
Using it eliminates the need for manual kneading, which can prevent hand fatigue.
The resulting texture will resemble the one achieved through manual kneading of bread dough.
Here Are the Cons of Using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer for Bread
Getting bread to rise could be challenging if you are baking in a cooler environment.
With the KitchenAid Stand Mixer, you will have to shape and bake the dough using your own oven and bakeware since it only performs the task of kneading.
Purchasing numerous attachments can become costly.
When buying a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, it is important to exercise caution as certain models may lack the necessary power to handle denser bread varieties such as sourdough.
It is necessary to keep an eye on the mixer since most models do not include timers.
What Does a Bread Machine Offer in Terms of Features for Bread Making?
When it comes to purchasing a bread machine, you have the option of choosing between two types: one that handles both mixing and rising, and another that takes care of all the steps involved in making bread.
Before making a final comparison between KitchenAid Stand Mixers and bread machines, we will analyze each type separately based on their respective categories.
If you decide to buy a bread machine that handles both the mixing and rising stages of making bread, all you have to do is add your ingredients to the machine and let it do the kneading for you. The interior of this type of bread machine is heated during the process, which helps the dough rise as it is being kneaded.
After the dough has finished rising in the Bread Machine, it must be removed, punched down, and shaped before being returned to the machine for further rising. Finally, you will have to bake it on your own once it has fully risen.
Here Are the Pros of Using a Mixing/Rising Bread Machine
It accelerates the process of kneading and allowing the dough to rise.
The bread machine elevates the dough to a superior quality.
The machine can be set on a timer, allowing you to leave it unattended.
Shaping and forming the bread gives you some authority over the ultimate outcome, ensuring quality.
Here Are the Cons of Using a Mixing/Rising Bread Machine
For those who don’t find punching down and shaping the dough enjoyable, this can be seen as a drawback.
The bread machine is limited to making dough only.
If you decide to buy a bread machine that takes care of everything, all you have to do is add the ingredients and let it handle the mixing, kneading, rising, and baking of your bread.
For those who desire freshly baked bread without much effort, this is an exceedingly convenient choice as it allows them to step away and return to a finished product.
Here Are the Pros of Using a Full Bread Machine
One can initiate the machine and leave it unattended to carry out the entire process from beginning to end.
It is possible to prepare bread overnight and enjoy it in the morning or while being out of the house.
Out of all the available options, it is the most efficient and convenient.
Here Are the Cons of Using a Full Bread Machine
As the process takes a few hours, the bread machine cannot be utilized for any other purpose (such as mixing additional loaves of bread) during operation.
Only a single loaf can be baked at a time.
Typically, the bread machine can only produce bread in a specific shape, commonly referred to as “loaf shapes,” and cannot mold it into any other form.
Bread machines are limited in their functionality as they are specifically designed for baking bread and cannot perform other tasks.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer vs. Bread Machine: Where Do They Excel?
Although using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer to make bread demands more commitment from you, this device truly stands out in providing flexibility.
Having the ability to mix and knead multiple types of bread simultaneously while one is baking in the oven, a bread machine can also be a valuable asset in the kitchen for those who enjoy baking various other items.
Conversely, the bread machine is particularly proficient in producing bread and can frequently manage stiffer doughs if you purchase a top-notch model from a trustworthy brand.
Bread machine is ideal for people who prefer a hands-off approach or have a busy schedule as it enables them to set it and forget it, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
It’s important to remember that no matter which KitchenAid Stand Mixer or Bread Machine you select, opting for a low-cost model may not be capable of managing denser bread varieties.
Which KitchenAid Mixer and/or Bread Machine Should I Buy?
When it comes to bread machines I highly recommend the high-end Zojirushi BB for its all-aroundness. It’s a high-quality product that comes at a relatively high price tag (which can be justified by its performance).
If you’re on a budget you’re probably better off with a cheaper alternative, in that case, I would recommend the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker. It’s a good-bang-for-your-buck kind of product. In a fight against the Zojirushi BB, the Hamilton Beach would be able to put up a fight but not win it.
If you intend to bake bread frequently, it would be wise to invest in the Zojirushi even if it costs more. Ultimately, your decision should be based on both your instincts and financial constraints.
When it comes to selecting the right KitchenAid mixer; there are several alternatives and a plethora of attachments. Having tried different models, attachments and put them through multiple tasks, I’ve come to the conclusion that the KitchenAid 6QT Pro 600 is the best option.
The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a highly favored appliance, not just for bread making, as it can perform various tasks such as whipping, mixing, and kneading with the help of appropriate attachments, providing limitless possibilities.
You can also check this video about “KitchenAid Stand Mixer vs. Bread Machine: Which One Should I Buy?”
