There's nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread. A good Bread Maker takes care of the mixing, kneading, proving and baking, making homemade bread easier to enjoy without the time and effort of traditional baking. But which bread maker is best? Is a larger loaf capacity worth it? Do you need an automatic fruit and nut dispenser? And what features should you look for when buying a bread machine?
In this bread maker buying guide, we compare the Cooks Professional Bread Maker Range, explain the benefits of different features and help you choose the best bread maker for your kitchen.
Which Bread Maker Is Best for You?
The best bread maker depends on your household size, baking preferences and how much control you want over your recipes.
| Bread maker | Maximum loaf size | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Bread Maker with Automatic Fruit & Seed Dispenser | 1kg | 19 programmes, automatic dispenser, rapid bake |
| Digital Bread Maker 1.5kg | 1.5kg | 15 programmes, twin kneading paddles, custom settings |
| Digital Bread Maker 1kg | 1kg | 15 programmes, compact loaf capacity, three loaf sizes |
The Bread Maker with Fruit & Seed Dispenser is a good choice for convenient, versatile home baking. For larger households, the 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker offers additional capacity and greater control over the baking process. And for more compact kitchens, quick bakes and smaller households, the 1kg Digital Bread Maker is best suited.
1. Best Overall Performance Bread Maker: Automatic Fruit & Seed Dispenser
1kg maximum loaf | 19 programmes | 710W
The Bread Maker with Automatic Fruit & Seed Dispenser is our premium choice for home bakers looking for convenience, versatility and consistent results. Its standout feature is the automatic fruit and seed dispenser, allowing you to add ingredients at the appropriate stage of the baking cycle without needing to interrupt the programme. This makes it particularly useful for preparing seeded loaves, fruit bread and recipes containing nuts or dried ingredients.
Key Features
- 19 automatic programmes: Including soft white, whole wheat, multigrain, French bread, cake, jam and marmalade.
- Automatic fruit and seed dispenser: Adds ingredients during the baking cycle.
- Rapid bake function: Designed to produce fresh bread in under 60 minutes.
- Three crust settings: Choose light, medium or dark browning.
- Delay start timer: Schedule your baking in advance.
- 60-minute keep-warm function: Keeps bread warm after baking.
- Viewing window: Monitor progress without lifting the lid.
- Ceramic non-stick bread pan and paddle: PTFE- and PFOA-free coating for easier bread release and cleaning.
- Full accessory kit: A measuring cup, double-ended measuring spoon, kneading blade removal hook and recipe instructions.
Why Choose a Bread Maker with a Fruit & Seed Dispenser?
An automatic dispenser is especially useful for enriched and speciality breads. Adding delicate ingredients too early can cause them to become excessively broken down during kneading. By releasing ingredients later in the cycle, the dispenser helps distribute them through the dough while reducing the need for manual intervention. The dispenser is optional and non-seeded loaves can be made in the machine with ease.
Best for: Regular home bakers, seeded bread, fruit loaves and customers looking for the most convenient baking experience.
2. Best Bread Maker for Families: 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker
1.5kg maximum loaf | 15 programmes | 850W
For households that enjoy larger homemade loaves, the Cooks Professional 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker offers generous capacity and advanced baking controls. With a maximum loaf size of 1.5kg, it's particularly useful for larger families, frequent bread eaters and anyone who likes preparing larger batches. Its twin kneading paddles help mix dough thoroughly, while the customisable programmes provide greater control over different bread recipes.
Key Features
- Large 1.5kg loaf capacity: Ideal for families and larger portions.
- Twin kneading paddles: Designed for thorough, even mixing.
- 15 baking programmes: Including Regular, French, Whole Wheat, Sweet, Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Cake, Jam, Yoghurt and Pasta Dough.
- 15-hour delay timer: Prepare ingredients in advance and schedule the baking cycle.
- 60-minute keep-warm function: Keeps finished bread warm.
- RMV paddle removal reminder: Prompts you to remove the kneading paddles before baking to help minimise holes in the finished loaf.
- Home Made programme: Save up to eight customised baking presets.
- Ceramic non-stick bread pan: PTFE-, PFOA- and PFAS-free coating.
- Full accessory kit: The bread maker includes a measuring cup, measuring spoon, paddle removal tool and twin kneading paddles.
Is a 1.5kg Bread Maker Worth It?
A 1.5kg bread maker is a practical choice for larger households because it allows you to prepare more bread in a single baking cycle. It's also useful for batch baking, particularly when preparing bread for sandwiches, packed lunches and family meals. The custom programme settings make this model especially appealing to experienced home bakers who want greater control over kneading, proving and baking.
Best for: Families, large loaves, frequent baking and customers who enjoy experimenting with recipes.
3. Best Budget Bread Maker: 1kg Digital Bread Maker
1kg maximum loaf | 15 programmes | 710W
The Cooks Professional 1kg Digital Bread Maker is the most affordable option in our collection, making it a practical starting point for homemade bread. With three loaf size options of 500g, 750g and 1kg, it allows you to prepare different quantities depending on your needs. Its smaller capacity makes it particularly suitable for individuals, couples and smaller households.
Why Choose a 1kg Digital Bread Maker?
A smaller bread maker can be a sensible choice when you don't need the additional capacity of a family-sized machine. It's also an accessible introduction to home baking for customers who want to enjoy fresh bread without investing in a more advanced model.
Best for: Beginners, smaller households and budget-conscious home bakers.
What to Look for When Buying a Bread Maker
1. Bread Maker Loaf Size: 500g vs 750g vs 1kg vs 1.5kg
Loaf capacity is one of the most important factors when choosing a bread machine.
| Loaf size | Best suited to |
|---|---|
| 500g | Individuals and smaller portions |
| 750g | Couples and everyday baking |
| 1kg | Small families and regular home baking |
| 1.5kg | Larger households and batch baking |
A larger loaf capacity provides greater flexibility, but it's important to choose a bread maker that suits how much bread your household actually eats.
2. Automatic Bread Maker Programmes
Different bread maker programmes adjust the mixing, kneading, proving and baking stages to suit specific recipes. Look for programmes that match the bread you enjoy making. The Cooks Professional Range includes options for white bread, whole wheat bread, French bread and speciality recipes. Selected models also offer settings for cakes, jam, yoghurt and pasta dough.
3. Automatic Fruit & Nut Dispenser
A bread maker with an automatic dispenser is particularly useful for seeded loaves, fruit bread and speciality recipes. Our premium 1kg model features an automatic fruit and seed dispenser, allowing you to add ingredients without manually interrupting the cycle.
4. Delay Timer and Keep-Warm Function
A delay timer allows you to prepare ingredients in advance and schedule baking for a more convenient time. Our 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker features a 15-hour delay timer, while both premium models include a 60-minute keep-warm function.
5. Non-Stick Bread Pan
A non-stick bread pan helps release finished loaves and makes cleaning easier. Our premium bread makers feature ceramic non-stick bread pans, designed for convenient bread removal and maintenance. Avoid abrasive cleaning products and metal utensils that could damage the coating.
6. Custom Baking Settings
For more experienced bakers, adjustable programmes can provide greater control over recipes. The Cooks Professional 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker features a Home Made programme with up to eight saved custom presets, making it particularly useful for developing personalised bread recipes.
Is a Bread Maker Worth Buying?
A bread maker is a worthwhile investment. Most households enjoy bread everyday form super markets, and a bread maker takes the inconvenience out of baking to make fresh bread more accessible. Supermarket loaves often contain upwards of 8-12 ingredients, whereas a homemade loaf can contain just three: water, yeast and flour. It simplifies the bread-making process by handling the mixing, kneading, proving and baking in one appliance.
Bread makers have additional programmes that can make the appliance useful for preparing dough, cakes and jams, depending on the model.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bread Makers
What Is the Best Bread Maker for Home Use?
The best bread maker depends on your baking preferences. For convenience and speciality breads, the Cooks Professional Bread Maker with Automatic Fruit & Seed Dispenser is our top choice. For larger loaves and customised recipes, the 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker is an excellent alternative.
What Is the Best Bread Maker for Beginners?
A digital bread maker with automatic programmes is a good choice for beginners. The Cooks Professional 1kg Digital Bread Maker offers an affordable introduction to homemade bread with three loaf size options.
What Size Bread Maker Do I Need?
A 1kg loaf provides a versatile everyday option. Larger families may prefer a bread maker capable of producing 1.5kg loaves. It is helpful having a range of size settings on your bread maker, like the cooks professional range, for versatile baking.
Can You Make Gluten-Free Bread in a Bread Maker?
Yes, some bread makers feature dedicated gluten-free programmes. The Cooks Professional 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker includes a gluten-free setting designed for suitable recipes. Always use a tested recipe and take appropriate precautions if avoiding gluten for medical reasons.
Can You Make Sourdough in a Bread Maker?
Some bread makers can assist with mixing and kneading sourdough, but traditional sourdough fermentation often requires longer proving times than standard automatic bread programmes. Custom settings may provide greater flexibility, depending on the recipe, or adding sourdough starter and following a bread maker recipe can produce a delicious sourdough loaf.
Can You Make Cake in a Bread Maker?
Yes. Selected bread makers include dedicated cake programmes. Both the Cooks Professional Fruit & Seed Dispenser Bread Maker and the 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker offer cake settings.
How Long Does a Bread Maker Take to Bake Bread?
Baking time depends on the recipe, loaf size and preset programme. Standard bread cycles often take several hours, while rapid bake settings can significantly reduce the time required. Our 1kg Bread Maker with Fruit & Seed Dispenser offers a rapid bake function designed for bread in under 60 minutes.
Do Bread Makers Use a Lot of Electricity?
Electricity consumption depends on the machine's power rating, programme duration and heating cycles. Bread makers don't necessarily operate at their maximum rated wattage throughout the entire programme.
Can You Leave a Bread Maker on Overnight?
Many bread makers feature delay timers designed for scheduled baking. Always follow the manufacturer's safety instructions, use suitable ingredients and avoid delaying recipes containing perishable foods unless specifically permitted.
What Is the Difference Between a Bread Maker and a Bread Machine?
There is no significant difference. The terms bread maker and bread machine are commonly used interchangeably to describe an appliance that automatically mixes, kneads, proves and bakes bread.
Discover Cooks Professional Bread Makers
Enjoy freshly baked homemade bread with the Cooks Professional bread maker range. Our Bread Maker with Automatic Fruit & Seed Dispenser offers premium convenience and versatility, while the 1.5kg Digital Bread Maker provides additional capacity and customisable settings for larger households.
For customers beginning their bread-making journey, our 1kg Digital Bread Maker offers an affordable alternative.
Shop Cooks Professional Bread Makers and find the right machine for your kitchen.