Suggestions for Budget Breadmaker?

This website has reviews of dozens of models ...perhaps this will help

Consumer Guide: Breadmakers Product Reviews

breadmakers end up at yardsales and goodwill stores all the time here.....people get them as gifts and NEVER use them.

I am on another cooking board and everyone is raving about the Zo. So much so, that I "hinted" to my children that I would love this for Mother's Day.  The one thing about it is, it has an alarm which goes off at regular intervals. So,  if you want to bake bread over night, it might be an issue.

http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-BBCCX20-Bakery-Supreme-Machine/dp/B0000T6J3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1266421382&sr=8-1

Their second choice was the Bread Man

Missyjean,

I'll add to the hype.  We have a Zo and although I don't use it, my lady is the bake mistress of the house,  she absolutely loves it.  In fact she wants the smaller version to put on our boat.  Don't worry about the alarms, there are not that many and if you are outside the room you might not hear them or just faintly.

Deltadude,

In payback for your excellent advice , consider upping your budget if possible. We've had bread makers before that sat in the pantry.  This one we use several times a week albeit we do the final shaping and baking in the oven.  Oh and it does have two paddles.

Rich

Edit: PS - we've had ours for several years with nary an issue - runs like a champ.

I know it's not what you asked, but pardon me for making the suggestion anyway.  Don't buy a bread maker.  Buy an expensive, top or near top of the line stand mixer instead.  While it will cost you a lot of money it's far more versatile and will make a much greater impact on your wife's cooking.  Further, although there's a much steeper learning curve involved, you can make bread that looks like bread, make all sorts of shapes, make breads using doughs of various textures. 

Actually, consider that the second suggestion.  The first suggestion would be to raise the idea with your wife.

Hope this helps,
BDL

I usually bake breads and I found it easy and very challenging with the help Panasonic SD-YD250 which is one of the world's best brand in making breads.