I have a bread machine and have only used it a couple times. Just wonder if you all have a favorite brand of bread mix? I can't find a lot of variety around here, so makes me wonder if people usually make their own mixes or if they actually do use boxed mixes? If boxed, what's best? If from scratch what's a good recipe? I love whole wheat over white. Looking for something wonderful to serve my family.
Another question is whether it's better to bake in the oven. Aside from the convenience of a bread machine, is the bread really that good? Guess it depends on many factors, but I'd like to hear the pros and cons to using a bread machine. Like I said I'm a little unexeperienced in this area, so your comments are very welcomed! 
Here in Fairmont, WV (the home of the pepperoni roll) we put small chunks of pepperoni in the dough. After it is baked you can slice it and top with cheese or make a yummy sandwich from it.
I made a loaf of honey wheat (from a box) last night and it didn't rise so well. Maybe I should have used two boxes? Also it almost looks burned (very thick, dark, hard crust) around all sides except the top. Is this normal? My kids loved the taste of the bread, so worked out ok, but not sure about ever serving this to company??? Wonder if it's my machine, the mix, or me that's the problem??? 
I love my bread machine, I've had one for years. I quit making it in the machine early on. I got rid of my last one because I thought the new loaf shaped pan would actually work better. NOT. So I'm back to making the dough in the BM and just taking it out and either using my loaf pans or letting it rise in one big loaf on my stone. I take the dough out, punch it down with a lightly floured surface, give it a good knead, about 8 times, halve the dough and place into 2 greased - one pound loaf pans, let rise in the oven with the light on for 30 minutes and then turn oven on & bake. I prefer using my electric knife to cut a cooled loaf of bread because it slices so much easier and thinner than a regular bread knife.
If you want to give it a beautiful shiny glaze, you can use egg whites and right before you put it in the oven, give it a good wash over. You can also add some fancy slices on top, again, right before you put it in the oven.
You can make raisin bread, cinnamon rolls, and many other things with your BM. I love it. I will always keep one in my kitchen.
I try and get "healthy" into my kids without them knowing it because they're such picky eaters. I like to add 2 TBSP of Wheat Germ or 1 TBSP of milled Flaxseed to my dough. It makes no difference to my kids, they love the bread! I will even add 1 TBSP wheat germ to my cake mix batter, they don't taste it and I feel better about them eating cake. LOL.
Also try using dry milk powder to your warm water instead of regular milk. It makes for a nice light fluffy bread. There is also a buttermilk powder you can use.
I have switched from butter to regular oil for my bread. I found I could not tell the difference and it was much simpler to use since I don't have to go through the step of softening the butter. JMO. I do like to use a good olive oil when making Italian bread.
Don't be afraid to try honey, extracts, or even molasses for a nice dark loaf. Molasses is awesome with wheat bread flour.
Have fun! PM me if you have any questions.
I have a breadman and the only recipes I've used so far are the ones that came with the machine. I don't use it as often as I'd like because we don't have the counter space for it, but it does make great bread. I've used a box mix twice and wasn't impressed. A basic bread is only tossing in a few ingredients and is really very easy.
What I REALLY love my bread machine for is the jam cycle! I will never buy jam or jelly again. I always make it now, it's sooooooo easy and MMMMM, mmmmmm, good!
What I REALLY love my bread machine for is the jam cycle! I will never buy jam or jelly again. I always make it now, it's sooooooo easy and MMMMM, mmmmmm, good!
Didn't know there was a bread machine that made jam! I might have to check into getting a Breadman too. 
Also, you've all convinced me that I should make my bread using my own mix of things rather than buy a prepackaged mix. Next time around this is what I'll do. 
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