Sage - The Custom Loaf - Bread Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel

I never thought I’d get emotional over a bread maker, but here we are.The Sage Custom Loaf Bread Maker has turned me into a full-blown carb enthusiast. It’s got a ton of features—collapsible kneading blade (so no big hole in the bottom of your loaf), a fruit and nut dispenser (yes, really), and a light so you can watch your dough rise like it’s a reality show.The controls are surprisingly easy to use. I’ve tried white loaves, wholewheat, and even an experimental maple pecan situation that made my family briefly think I’d gone pro.Loaf sizes, crust shades, and custom settings galore. Want it light and fluffy? Done. Burnt like it survived a dragon attack? You got it.My only tiny complaints: it’s a bit bulky and not exactly whisper quiet during the kneading phase—but honestly, that just adds to the drama.If you want bakery-quality bread without needing actual baking skills, this machine is your new best friend. 10/10 would loaf again.

Not cheap but perfect loaves every time and looks stunning. Not small but also not as big as some seem to say, I have a small kitchen and had no problems finding a place for it.I have never been able to bake so much as a bean but I’m already experimenting and finding that whatever I throw at it comes out great.It looks and feels extremely high quality and the controls are easy to understand.

This is big. Yes big, check the dimensions first and ensure you have room enough on your worktop, and a cupboard or somewhere to put it afterwards! However I like the Sage range of products, and this is the third Sage addition to the kitchen. I have a Nespresso Machine and the Boss To Go blender. I have always wondered about getting a bread maker, my parents have one and I got bread from them now and then, so I wondered if I really needed it. But with lockdown I made it a mission to get one, then the challenge of flour but thats another story.Mine came with the recipe book, so I am surprised a few didn't. It has a lot of variations in there, apart from a basic sourdough. I resorted to the Internet to see how best to do it. There are lots of options, including making doughs for pizza, and jams. I have mainly stuck to a crusty loaf which is French style. I have also made the cranberry and pistachio, chocolate chip bread. I have found the recipes require a little tinkering. Mainly adding a bit more water than it states. This can be added during the kneading process if the dough doesn't look quite right. If using a bread mix instead, check what is in it, you don't have to add the yeast or salt. However as dry activated yeast starts working when wet, if you want to delay your bread, you will have to get everything separate and ensure wet stuff at the bottom, dry on top so it doesn't mix until you want it to.The paddle does not always collapse. The dough does tend to get into the moving parts which stops it from fully collapsing despite me cleaning it after use with a small thin brush. However I have always had great results. There is nothing that beats fresh, warm bread with butter on it. There are cheaper alternatives, like a Panasonic or Tower brand models, they sometimes come with extras as well. Both produce great bread. I would say if you are loyal to Sage get this. It is a fingerprint magnet, and will also dent easily if not careful. There is a slot behind the maker for storing the instructions and recipe booklet.Noise wise, you will hear it during the kneading parts of the making, also the fruit/nut/fillings dispenser makes a loud noise when it empties.4 stars, one off for expensive and the size. But I am happy with it. No doubt I'll get fatter. Better get on the bike more.

Stunning piece of machinery. I’ve had mine for a week now and have made a white loaf, wholemeal loaf, crusty loaf and pizza dough. So simple to use and the results are really impressive. I suggest reading the manual and downloading the free recipe book ( I saved it to my kindle app on the iPad for quick reference) to really understand the process: I misread the timing chart and thought the machine wasn’t working as the preheat stage for wholemeal took longer than I thought I had read.. it can take a while so dont worry!I also invested in some Vitamn C powder (bread improver) and can say it was an amazing addition. the crusty loaf was light as a feather and rose magnificently.You can choose size of loaf, crust colour and so much more. You can make pizza dough, regular dough for rolls to cook in oven, pasta dough and even jam!I chose this model as I’m a big fan of Heston and his attention to details and can honestly say I’ve been browsing other Sage products to see what else I can save for.This is a beautiful machine.. no more shop bought bread for me, I can be sure my family’s bread is good and honest now.

I've waited a nearly a month to post a review because I wanted to make sure that I had tried the bread maker out enough to warrant a fair appraisal. I have to say it's brilliant, simple and great fun to use.It should also pay for itself within a year (at the rate we use it to make bread and to stop unnecessary journeys in the car). We have made loaf sizes ranging from 0.75kg to 1.25kg, brown bread, white bread, granary, granary with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, fruit bread with mixed fruit and sultanas, and pizza dough. All have turned out exactly like we would have hoped, and all tasted fantastic.It seems the trick with it being so good is the size of the loaf it can make and that it takes the exact right amount of time, kneading, and all at the right temperature to make your bread turn out correctly.Not only that it can be delayed so that you wake up to fresh bread, but it will also make jam and pasta dough too.Purists might say that you can't beat making a loaf of bread with your hands, and I get this and I have also done this, but I have never been able to get results like this. If you are looking for a bread maker then there is nothing about this that I do not like, and I can't enthuse about it enough! Wonderful.