Cath Muscat
With origins dating back to Ancient Egypt (and possibly even further), bread making in all its forms has enjoyed a resurgence since the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Stuck at home and desperately seeking distraction, many decided to try their hand at baking bread to pass the time. Since emerging from the pandemic, the habit has stuck as the cost-of-living crisis takes hold across the nation. While purists will happily knead away without the use of a break maker, for those of us seeking convenience and variety, a break maker is the way to go. Keep reading for a concise list of the best options on the market.
The 5 best bread makers available in Australia
01
‘The Custom Loaf Pro’
$449, Breville
Best for: Serious home bakers
A fully automated bread maker, this machine knows how long your bun should be in the oven as soon as you select a setting. Tell the machine when to add dried fruit and nuts from the automatic dispenser, and set it to one of nine automatic programs including gluten free, yeast free, crusty loaf, sweet and pizza dough. There are also nine custom settings to store your personal creations.
Size: 41.2 x 18.2 x 27.3 cm
Colours: Brushed stainless steel
Material: Stainless steel housing
Key features:
- Three crust colour options
- Smart LCD display
- Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
02
Panasonic automatic bread maker with fruit & nut Dispenser
$389 (now $285), Appliances Online
Best for: Creative bakers
An artisan-style kneading attachment, four gluten-free settings and three crust browning settings equals a guaranteed recipe for success! Whether you prefer olive loaf or raisin toast, this bread maker has a setting to help you explore your creative side. Hassle-free baking is at your fingertips with dual temperature sensors and three loaf sizes for households of all sizes.
Size: 40.8 x 25.2 x 36.2 cm
Colour: White
Material: Aluminium, non-stick fluorine coating
Key features:
- Dual temperature sensors
- Fruit and nut dispenser
- 30 automatic programs
03
Breville ‘The Baker’s Dozen’
$199, The Good Guys
Best for: Budget bakers
Made for people on the move, The Baker’s Dozen by Breville has an express setting for those times when you just can’t wait. This machine also features a 15-hour pre-set timer and an automatic setting to keep your bread warm, so you can wake up and go.
Size: 31.2 x 26.2 x 30.4 cm
Colour: Silver
Material: Plated Steel
Key features:
- Express setting
- Kneading blade
- Three loaf sizes
04
Panasonic stainless steel bread maker with dual dispenser
$349, The Good Guys
Best for: Busy bakers
With an automatic yeast and fruit/nut dispenser and 31 fully automated settings, this machines churns out loaves in three sizes with maximum consistency. If you’re particularly pushed for time, there’s a convenient setting that allows you to use store-bought bread mixes.
Size: 40.8 x 25.2 x 36.2 cm
Colour: Silver and Black
Material: Stainless steel
Key features:
- Thirty one automatic programs for easy baking
- Diamond fluorine coated inner pan and blade
- Choose between fully automatic and manual settings
05
Cuisinart compact automatic bread maker
$129, Amazon
Best for: Small space bakers
Cuisinart’s compact and automatic bread maker is perfect for people with limited bench space, or renters who are constantly moving. The vertical shape makes it easy to store and the foolproof recipes include everything from gluten-free buns to the perfect accompaniments in the form of jams and sauces.
Size: 26.7 x 33.6 x 28.5 cm
Colour: Silver and Black
Material: Stainless steel
Key features:
- Viewing window to monitor the process
- Removable kneading paddle and bread pan
- LED display
