Anyone use a Hamilton Beach bread machine 29981 or 29982?

[Ms. Toad]

Last edited Wed Jul 24, 2024, 12:25 AM - Edit history (1)

I've been baking bread for 50 years - never had any trouble at all getting a nice, loaf-shaped loaf of bread. I've used two prior bread machines (Breadman TR520, and an earlier one whose name I've forgotten).

But the mice made a feast out of the cord on my Breadman, and replacing it requires soldering a new cord to a circuit board. So I bought a new one.

So far, it's a disaster - and I can't figure out why.

Out of 7 loaves, 6 have collapsed in on themselves, and the 7th (the only 1lb loaf I baked) has a flat top. (I can count on one hand the number of sinkhole loaves I've baked prior to this machine.)

Initially, the recipes have all been gooey messes - so I've spent a lot of time decreasing liquid and increasing flour - which shouldn't be a machine issue. One even had a perfect density/texture at the end of the first knead cycle, but was a gooey mess as soon as the second cycle began. On the 7th loaf I finally got what would have been a perfect loaf - if I had taken it out of the machine for the final rise and baked it in the oven. But it had the worst collapse yet.

So I'm wondering about the timing of the cycle and potential over-proofing issues.

Anyone have a similar experience with this machine (or any other)?