Need some tools for the kitchen to make my own stuff

[natynat]

Bread doesn't last long in our house. Neither do french fries. I've posted this in many other places, but my boyfriend is the worst food addict ever. He eats carbs and french fries and hot dogs everyday. I don't know how he's so fit.

While I can't make my own hot dogs, I am ready to embark on making my own bread. In fact, when I was a kid, my mom used to make bread with a bread machine, and I can still remember how GOOD it was! Coincidentally, I also want to invest in a deep fryer so that I can save money on stupid french fries that he loves so much (and make it a bit healthier for him).

I've seen commercials on this TFAL fryer...and all's good...but Amazon sells it for nearly $200 (on sale ) which I can't afford. As for the bread machines...there are soooo many....how do you know what's good?

I should mention that I don't want these appliances to come out of my pocket! I'll be using Amazon gift cards to purchase these (I've got $40 so far). So I've got lots of time to ask around and compare

Thanks in advance!

[Natalka]

I have a Black and Decker breadmaker, it's years old, but it's great! I know Sunbeam is a good brand as well. There are higher-end models available, in the mid-hundreds to 200+. Keep your eyes out for sales at WM, Canadian Tire, etc. for them.

As for fries, I don't have a deepfryer, I just do them in the oven - both frozen ones bought, and ones I make myself - definitely prefer the latter. Even if I drizzle a bit of oil on homemade ones, it's way less than the bought ones, and they taste way better, and crisp up great!

[natynat]

I make them in the oven too...but for some reason they're not crispy lol. Kind of mushy. My mom once had a deep fryer too, and I thought the fries were the most amazing thing in the world...so much better than any fast food joint!!

I've heard great things about Sunbeam, and I have B&D microwave and blender so I know it's a trustworthy brand I'll be buying from Amazon because I don't want it to come out of my pocket...but hopefully I can find a good sale! Thanks for posting Nat!

[Natalka]

This is a great price!

http://www.amazon.ca/Black-Decker-B2...9252990&sr=8-7

it's 80 at WalMart

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/black-de...H%3Abreadmaker

[natynat]

But the reviews are not so great? I thought the reviews would be better??? I like the price. I can afford $14 for a bread machine :D

[Zonny]

Black and Decker bread machine. My first one was a yard sale purchase for $20 and it was excellent! Then the paddle got lost, and it cost a lot to replace, it was cheaper to replace the machine on sale. They don't make the upright model I had anymore, the new ones make a longer loaf rather than a tall one. And I have to say, it sucked. My recipes didn't work well in it, it always sounded like it was really struggling to mix, I thought it was going to burn out the motor. Eventually it stopped working, and I hadn't even used it that much.

I'd suggest looking at secondhand stores or Kijiji. That's where I got my current one (the older black and decker model I had before, found another!). Lots of people have them but don't have the space for them so they sell.

Fries, try soaking them overnight in some lightly salted water and then dry them VERY well before baking (I find my salad spinner works well for that). I've found the same thing with homemade fries, and this does help.

[natynat]

Zonny, I've never heard such a thing about soaking the potatoes before, but I am going to try! Hopefully my fries won't get mushy then lol.

Thanks for the input on the B&D

[CrazyQT]

Cooking french fries in a deep fryer is not going to make them healthier unless you are referring to one that doesn't use oil? I've had my breadmaker for probably 13 years and it's always been a flop for me yet my hubby and do the EXACT same thing as I do and his loaves turn out perfect. I have just come to the conclusion that I am no good in the kitchen and that's okay by me.

Natynat are you on swagbucks? That's good way to earn amazon cards quickly.

[natynat]

I guess I saw the Tfal one that's supposed to be healthier, so I figured I could find a replica at a cheaper price. I've heard the same stories as yours about the bread. I even know some people who let their bread rise in the machine and then transfer it to the oven. Whatever works for you I guess...or just get your hubby to do it? And yes, I found a way of using swagbucks from Quebec lol...that's where I get my Amazon gift cards from.

[walkinglady]

natynat, I do not own a deep fryer just an old Black and Decker bread machine and a newer Sunbeam bread maker. I can tell you that B&D is by far my preferred one. It is warming up the ingredients before starting mixing them and the results are perfect every single time. Love it! Sunbeam is faster: instead of 2 hours for making dough, it has one hour and a half but the result is not so good. The dough is lumpy and the bread does not look or taste as good as from the old B&D. I had my B&D for over 15 years and I absolutely love it.

[natynat]

I'm worried that the "newer" versions aren't as good as the old ones that you guys have. You know with technology today...products are built to break *sigh*. I'm learning towards the 3lb bread machine...it's $99.99, waiting for it to drop Thank you for all the input!

[ergo2]

i have had my bread machine for about 8 yrs. bought it from zehrs brand new for $28. its a 2lb toastmaster which i use several times a month. if/when you buy one(whatever brand) i have a good plain bread recipe for you , just pm me.

deep fat fryer is not healthy at all. i had one many years ago , but they turned out to be alot more work and expense than the much healthier oven fries.

[natynat]

Thank you for the feedback I have been reconsidering the deep fryer...I can't afford the TFAL one anyway lol.

[macw1960]

I ditched our deep fryer for homemade fries in the oven and sometimes Cavendish Oven Fries.

[Andit]

I don't have a breadmaker, but I do have a deep fryer (little FryDaddy I inherited when I moved out from my folks' place - it's at least 15 yrs old, more likely 20!). I use it every so often when I'm in the mood for a treat (sweet potato chips).

Having said that, you really don't need a deep fryer. A saucepan with a splatter screen/guard works just as well. Just put an inch or so of oil in a saucepan, cover with a screen (I got one for $1 at the dollar store) and it works just as well as a deep fryer.

As for alternate ways of making fries, I sometimes cook them in the microwave (time depends on whether you're using fresh or frozen and how your microwave works - just check to see when they are done to your taste). Then I heat up a non-stick frying pan and put the nuked fries in that until they crisp up.

I tend not to use anything on them, I save the salt for whatever I dip them in (horseradish thinned out with a bit of mayo makes a really really yummy spicy dip!).