Zojirushi Virtuoso Bread Machine Evaluation

I’ve but to fall sufferer to the sourdough craze that appears to brush by way of my buddy group and social media feeds each couple of years. I really like bread, and the thought of shaping my very own loaf, placing it to mattress in a cute little proofing basket, and scoring stunning patterns into its doughy prime sounds so romantic. However as my thirsty houseplants can attest, I’m not the best at routine upkeep. I don’t belief myself to maintain a starter alive or bear in mind to knead dough in between proofs. So when my husband prompt buying a bread machine, I ought to have jumped on board shortly. I dragged my ft a bit, complaining about the fee and the misplaced counter area. However reader, I’m right here to admit that I used to be mistaken. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with my bread machine, the Zojirushi House Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, which additionally occurs to be a Critical Eats winner. 

Its Options Make It Stand Out 

I needed a bread machine that might make a wide range of loaves like multigrain and cinnamon raisin, however my husband and I additionally knew we’d be utilizing it primarily for sandwich loaves. We additionally prioritized straightforward cleanup, along with loaf dimension. This mannequin bakes a two-pound loaf, which looks like rather a lot for a small family till you uncover that each your one-year-old and your yellow lab are bonkers for recent bread. I bake a couple of loaf per week, principally utilizing the recipe e book included with the machine, which provides over 50 recipes of assorted types. There are even directions for making different objects like pizza dough, jam, and sure, expensive reader, even sourdough starter. (I could but succumb to its siren name.)

There are a couple of options that make the Zojirushi Virtuoso notably superior. One is the two-paddled pan, which ensures the substances are completely blended through the kneading course of. I’ve but to discover a stray little bit of unincorporated flour, or in any other case, after baking. The “Crust Management” setting enables you to select a lightweight, medium, or darkish crust in your loaf—what customization! And, lastly, the bigger, rectangular pan is good for a sandwich-shaped loaf, making it tremendous straightforward for slicing and getting ready sandwiches. Many different bread machine pans are taller, and whereas they might take up much less actual property in your counter, that makes sandwiches a bit of awkward.

The Bread Is Scrumptious

The honey bread from the included recipe e book has been a family favourite. It’s mild and fluffy, and though it’s not the simplest to slice into sandwich bread, two thick items will take advantage of deliciously nostalgic PB&J you’ve ever had. The price of this specific recipe breaks right down to about $2.50, relying on the place you supply your substances. I bought a 10-pound bag of bread flour from Costco, however all the opposite substances are simply from the grocery retailer, and it’s so simple as water, bread flour, honey, salt, unsalted butter, and rapid-rise yeast. Whereas this has been our default recipe, I additionally extremely advocate the usual white bread, cinnamon raisin, and pizza dough recipes, which make common appearances in my residence.

It Makes It Simple to Bake Bread on a Whim

I like to recommend utilizing a kitchen scale for measuring out substances, however the Zojirushi recipe e book consists of each weight and quantity so you may select your individual journey. Many of the recipes are so simple as including substances to the pan within the order they’re listed, tapping a few buttons, and hitting begin. In 5 minutes (I timed it), I can pull collectively the substances and have a loaf going. Speedy recipes will be baked and able to eat in underneath three hours, however most others take round three and a half.  

Having a bread machine has additionally confirmed helpful in conditions like making day-of dinner plans, or once I want a housewarming or get-well-soon reward for a buddy. As a result of the prep time is so brief and the baking course of is usually hands-off, it’s straightforward to throw the substances collectively shortly and get one thing began. It additionally doesn’t add a lot residual warmth to the kitchen, despite the fact that I’ve used it within the hotter months in a house with out air-con (thanks, New England). The aroma of recent bread, nevertheless, does add an incalculable quantity of pleasure. And if you happen to occur to show that recent bread into French toast the subsequent morning, you run the chance of incandescent happiness. 

A Couple of Useful Suggestions When Utilizing a Bread Machine

Though I’ve baked profitable loaves with out this step, most recipes recommend pausing the rising course of to punch down the dough in order that it doesn’t develop too massive for the machine. I’ve solely had one loaf develop so tall that it nudged the lid of the machine whereas baking, however whereas it was not fairly as good on prime, it was nonetheless baked by way of and scrumptious. 

Cleanup is as straightforward as gently washing the baking pan with heat soapy water. Nevertheless, as a result of dough tends to get baked into the removable paddles on the underside, I like to recommend soaking the pan in heat water to loosen the gunk first. 

FAQs

Who’s a bread machine for?

A bread machine is nice for bread-baking newcomers, individuals who need their properties to scent like recent bread, or anybody who likes the thought of recent bread however would possibly want a barely extra hands-off strategy than a home made recipe.

How does a bread machine work?

A bread machine is actually a miniature oven that homes a baking pan with rotating kneading paddles affixed to the underside. The machine mixes and kneads the dough throughout the pan, proofs the dough at a low warmth setting, after which will increase the temperature to bake it. The heating aspect wraps across the within the machine in addition to the lid to create an excellent bake and brown the highest of the loaf.

Is it price it to make use of a bread machine?

A bread machine just like the Zojirushi House Bakery Virtuoso Plus is a major funding up entrance, however most loaves will value much less to make than buying store-bought bread. In case you make bread constantly at residence, over time it will assist offset the price of the machine. 

How lengthy does bread made in a bread machine final? 

In case you haven’t devoured all the loaf the second it comes out of the machine, the bread will stay recent for a number of days if stored in a sealed container. Try our evaluate of the greatest bread packing containers, in addition to concepts for utilizing up leftover bread if you happen to’re apprehensive about having extra.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Jenna Lanoue is a contributing author at Critical Eats, a lifelong passion baker, and carb fanatic who’s all the time testing new recipes and forcing them on her family and friends. 
• She has owned her Zojirushi bread maker for months now and has made not less than one loaf per week with no plans of slowing down.
• We reviewed bread machines and located the Zojirushi Virtuoso was by and much the perfect one.