My $12 thrift store bread machine turned my meal prep into a comedy show

I picked up a dusty bread machine for 12 bucks at Goodwill, and after three loaves that came out like hockey pucks, I finally got a decent one but it was so loud my neighbor knocked on my door asking if I was running a construction site, has anyone else had a cheap appliance turn into a disaster that actually saved you money in the long run?

2 comments

2 Comments

cameron68412d agoTop Commenter

Hold up, I gotta say something about the hockey puck part. Thrift store bread machines usually just need a little TLC, not a new recipe. The issue is almost always the yeast or the water temperature, not the machine itself. I had the same problem with my $10 machine and it turned out the yeast was dead from sitting on the shelf too long. Once I grabbed fresh yeast from the baking aisle, the bread came out perfect and the thing ran quiet as a mouse. So don't give up on that cheap machine yet, just swap out the yeast and check your water temp with a thermometer. It'll save you way more money than buying a new one and the bread will taste just as good.

briancampbell12d ago

Huh, I never thought about dead yeast being the problem. I always blame the machine first too. Good tip on checking the water temp with a thermometer, I just use my finger like an idiot. Might have to dig my thrift store machine out of the closet this weekend and try this.