That $3 thrift store bread machine I swore would collect dust

I picked up a beat-up bread machine at a Goodwill in Portland for 3 bucks last spring, totally expecting it to sit in my garage after one use. But my girlfriend dared me to try it with some cheap flour and yeast, and honestly, that thing has saved me at least 40 bucks a month on grocery store bread. The first loaf came out dense and lopsided, but after tweaking the water temp and using a timer, I got soft, fluffy results by the third try. I even started making pizza dough and cinnamon rolls in it, which felt fancy but cost under 2 dollars per batch. The trick is to find a machine with a dough cycle, not just a bake setting, and check the thrift store cords for cracks before buying. Has anyone else scored a kitchen gadget they thought was junk but turned into a regular money saver?

2 comments

2 Comments

willow_garcia6h ago

My first attempt came out so hard I could've used it as a doorstop? Took me four tries before I got something that didn't need a chainsaw to slice. That dough cycle tip is gold though, my machine has it and it makes everything way less finicky. Still cheaper than a single artisan loaf from the bakery down the street.

riley_price2h ago

Wait @willow_garcia, is a hard loaf really that big of a deal though lmao?