.............that I didn't have a few years ago but now wouldn't want to be without.
The filter jug that fits in the fridge door . Bought in 2023 it came with 3 filters. The filters each last about 3 months.Filters come in packs of 3 and I bought replacements in 2024 and 2025 and I've just one left in the cupboard so will reorder again soon.
I drink more water than I used to as it tastes so much better than from the tap...........and I never thought I'd say that because the hard water from the below ground aquafers that we have in this part of the country is quite drinkable. Filtered water from the fridge is also nice and cold and seems more refreshing.
The bread machine.
When the bread is made I cut the loaf in half and freeze. It doesn't slice well without freezing as it's so soft. One loaf a week is usually plenty, although I occasionally bake an extra loaf to freeze in case something happens and I miss a week.
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We have both those items in constant use. Wouldn't be without either of them.
ReplyDeleteI would never have afforded either 30 years ago - but glad to have them now!
DeleteSame here! My new bread machine does a smaller rapid whole meal loaf in 3 hours (150gram wholemeal 250gram white) which has been my go-to loaf for a few months.
ReplyDeleteI was making a 400g loaf but it doesn't seem to rise very well so changed to 500g but that makes a slice that has to be turned in the toaster! Can't win!
DeleteWe have a filter on the door of the fridge, which has a filter that needs changing about once a year. Fresh cold water instantly. Our son's very expensive fridge shoots out cold water, ice cubes or rushed ice. Very nice in midsummer. I'm wondering about a bread maker. With grandchildren here 3 days a week, we do go through bread, but I've not thought the effort was worth it. Now the wholemeal bread we buy is up to $8-9 (your £4-5) I'm rethinking the economy of it. Mind you, "back in the day" I quite enjoyed kneading my frustrations out on bread dough!
ReplyDeleteMy sister had one of those 'do everything fridge door' thingys but it often didn't behave itself!
DeleteWe filter all our drinking water, not kept in the fridge as I don't like my water that cold. We got our first bread maker after a friend told me to read the ingredients list on our loaf of bread, far to many ingredients for a simple loaf of bread. Like you years ago I would not have considered either.
ReplyDeleteI love both these things but wouldn't have afforded either years ago and I used to be 'anti-gadget'!
DeleteWhat make is your filter jug please?
ReplyDeleteI think an aquaphor.
DeleteThank you.
DeleteYou can't beat a homemade loaf can you, and I can't make them by hand as they turn out hard! My breadmaker has saved the day though. I can't stand the white 'cardboard' supermarket bread which Graham loves so much so I often make a small loaf for myself.
ReplyDeleteAngie
I used to make by hand but it's jolly hard on the wrists. Love my bread maker and being able to have bread without 'extras'
DeleteThey sound like two very well used kitchen gadgets. I might be tempted to get a breadmaker when we move, or go back to using my Kenwood as I will have more cupboard space there. I used to use the same recipe for my bread as you, but instead of butter I would add a dash of olive oil. When my yeast was new and a bit more powerful, I would also add an extra 50g of flour and make two little buns as well as my loaf. Your loaf looks really nice.
ReplyDeleteThe bread recipe is very reliable - always a good loaf
DeleteI bake bread all the time, no machine, because I appreciate the few simple ingredients I use. No long list of additional stuff for shelf life etc. I make one large round loaf, cut it into quarters and freeze. Recently I started making baguettes, which turned out well and what a saving. I'd never bought them, and now I don't need to!
ReplyDeleteThere's no sticky washing up with the bread machine - one good point I like
DeleteThere's only the big spoon to wash from my bread! Mixed and baked in a large nonstick pot, just shake out the few flakes of crust at the end. Done!
DeleteDH has mastered two kitchen gadgets, the breadmaker and the plastic sieve. The latter cost just £1 but saves a lot of money. He uses it every day to strain the kefir “grains” from the previous day’s batch and to start the next in a jar of whole milk. We were given the original of this kefir starter in October 2018.
ReplyDeleteI've never eaten Kefir
DeleteIt is yoghourt with a slight fizz from fermentation. It is very good for the gut.
DeleteI absolutely love my bread maker, such a time saver and produces consistently good bread.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
It's so handy and one a week is easy enough to do
DeleteI just spent a small fortune on a water softener and reversed osmosis system for drinking water. We are in an area that a big company caused PFAS at too high a level in our water. My peace of mind and the taste of everything made with water is better.
ReplyDeleteOh that doesn't sound good. I hope not much is done to our water before it comes out of the tap
DeleteI don't think any of my gadgets are indispensable.
ReplyDeleteMy toaster is another I wouldn't be without - and the microwave and the dishwasher!
DeleteWe have a brita jug. I don't use my bread machine as much as I should.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased at how easy the bread machine is and so reliable
DeleteWe have a Brita jug but it needs the filter changed each month. I gave away my breadmaker but wish I hadn’t. Catriona
ReplyDeleteMy filter jug got way to costly to use as the filters needed changing monthly. Agree, though, the water does taste so much better. I thought about a bread machine, a long time ago when all my friends were buying them, but then they all started to complain about the weight they were gaining because of eating the delicious bread! I use my dough hook on my KitchenAid if I want bread.
ReplyDeleteWe have an Invigorate countertop water filter and I agree the water tastes good.
ReplyDeleteYour bread recipe looks great and something I could manage. I just need to buy a bread making machine.
Love my water filter and will never go without a bread machine either. My wrists just are not strong enough anymore to knead bread (broke the same wrist twice).
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I really need to get a water filter. We can't drink the water from the taps. I don't trust it - really - it's yellow sometimes yuck (it's not just me several people in our area complain about this). We drink far too much bottled water. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThe bread machine I really need to get out again. It's hard to find good bread over here. It is very sweet in general.