Fine Tuning Bread Machine Mixes

Sometimes bread machines can be tricky. We were trying to help a customer whose bread did not rise enough. It seemed that he did everything right. Come to find out, he had an older model and a brand that we were not familiar with. (Bread machines are becoming more standardized but there are still different requirements for different machines.) So we tried to help him fine tune his mix to work perfectly with his machine.

Fine tuning may be required either because the mix does not perfectly match the machine or because of environmental conditions in your kitchen-humidity, temperature, or altitude. (Since temperature is a variable, make sure that both the mix and machine are at room temperature before beginning.)

Bread machines work on a timer. They mix, allow time for the bread to rise, and then bake. If the dough does not rise fast enough, then the loaf is dense with poor volume. If the dough rises too fast, it collapses with a depression in the middle. To fine tune a mix, we want to adjust the rising so that it is at peak height when the baking cycle begins.

In fine tuning, there are two variables to work with. The first is hydration, the ratio of water to dry ingredients. A more hydrated dough is softer and will rise easier. If it is too firm, it won't rise enough and will be dense. If it is too soft, it will rise too quickly and collapse as baking begins. A little difference in the amount of water added will change the loaf so measure carefully with a reliable measuring cup designed for liquids.

Check the dough ball at the end of the kneading cycle. Poke it with your finger. It should be soft but not too sticky. If you think it is too soft or too firm, pull it out of the machine, form a loaf, let it rise, and bake it in the oven. Then next time, add or subtract water. Usually a one tablespoon adjustment is all that is needed.

The other method for fine tuning is adjusting the temperature of the water. All of our bread machine mixes are developed with water at 80 degrees and a specified water temperature range of 75 to 85 degrees. As a rule of thumb, if your kitchen is chilly, use water at 85 degrees. If hot, use water at 75 degrees.

Increasing or decreasing the water temperature will change the rate of the yeast growth substantially. So if the dough ball indicates the right consistency, then you can speed or retard the rising of the bread quite handily by adjusting the water temperature--warmer water will speed the rising and cooler water will slow the rising. Usually an adjustment of ten degrees is adequate.

We hope this helps you fine tune any mix for your bread machine and the conditions in your kitchen. What works for one mix, should work for all mixes of that same brand. Once you find what works, stick with it. Consistently turning out perfect loaves is usually no more difficult than carefully measuring the water and controlling water temperature.

© 2004 The Prepared Pantry

The Prepared Pantry produces bread, cookie and dessert mixes. See their Bread Machine Mixes.

For more articles like this visit The Bakers' Library.

---

10 Smart Shopping Tips To Protect Your Family From Getting Sick

Prevention of food poisoning starts with your trip to the... Read More

Why do We Need to Knead?

Bread dough needs to be elastic in order to capture... Read More

Ten Proven Tips to Buy the Best Meat Available

Ten Proven Tips to buy the Best Meat AvailableAs you... Read More

Barbequing, a Fun and Convenient Way to Make Dinner

"There's nothing more enjoyable than having friends and family gathered... Read More

Slimming Secrets From The Kitchen

To get the svelte figure, start in the kitchen. Slimming... Read More

A Cookie Assembly Line: Efficient Cookie Baking for Busy Cooks

As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially... Read More

10 Deadly Bacteria That Can Get In Your Food (And How To Stop Them From Getting There)

Thousands of types of bacteria are naturally present in our... Read More

10 Wide Open Tips For Food Safety In The Great Outdoors

Hiking, camping, and boating are good activities for active people... Read More

Solving The 7 Most Common Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistakes

Let's face it EVERY cook makes mistakes (yes, even us... Read More

Cookware ? Whats In It?

Have you ever wanted to buy new cookware but didn't... Read More

The Right Grill for Your Barbecue

Barbecue is a mix of talents. There is the choice... Read More

Flax Seed Will Add A Little Extra Flavor To Your Recipes

Flax seed will add a pleasant nutty taste to any... Read More

Cooking -- What You Need To Know

From ancient times till the nineteenth century cooking was basically... Read More

Easy Herb Butters

Since herbs are plentiful this time of year, why not... Read More

Cooking Filet Mignon

Filet mignon is French, of course, with filet meaning "thick... Read More

Dutch Oven Cooking Basics

Pioneer CookingWhen you think of a cast iron Dutch oven,... Read More

Eating Healthy with a Meat Grinder

While it may be surprising, owning your own meat grinder... Read More

All About Baking: Quick Breads

The Versatile Quick BreadIt's no wonder quick breads are so... Read More

10 Critical Ways To A Perfectly Food-Safe Kitchen

Food poisoning is related to unsafe food, a dirty kitchen,... Read More

To Fry Or Not To Fry?

Here's a little known factoid - did you know that... Read More

Seasoning An Oven

Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal... Read More

6 Steps to Grill the Perfect Steak

There's nothing better than a nicely grilled juicy steak.But how... Read More

50% Less Cooking

50% Less Cookingwithout hitting the fast food button! Don't you... Read More

Kid Birthday Cake Idea Collection - Cake Decorating Without Fear

Our kid birthday cake idea collection makes cake decorating fun... Read More

Modifying Your Recipes, More or Less

You just found that great recipe that you have been... Read More