10 Best Bread Machines for Sourdough UK 2023 (An Expert’s Guide)

Sourdough is a loaf that lives up to the hype about it. Originally developed by the pioneers as a good source of energy when there were no other leavening options, sourdough continues to be enjoyed to this day.

It uses a slow fermentation process to produce the “sourdough starter” which is used to help the bread rise. This is what gives it that distinctive “sour” smell and taste but also give the bread a lot of probiotics which helps support a healthy gut. This makes the bread much more digestible compared to other bread types.

If you want to take a crack at making sourdough at home you’ll be encouraged to hear that you can make a delicious loaf in your bread maker. Most bread machines will support this but if you’re new to the world of homemade bread then you’re probably wondering which option is best for you.

To help you out I’ve compiled this list of ten fantastic bread makers that will allow you to make wonderful sourdough at the touch of a button. Besides the product reviews, I’ve included instructions so you can make your very own loaf of sourdough as well as some FAQs.

Have a read through the options and if you like the look of any of them click on the ‘Price & Reviews’ button to check current prices on Amazon.

Top 5 Best Bread Machines For Sourdough

• Top Choice – Panasonic Panasonic SD-YR2550SXC
• Runner Up – Russell Hobbs Multi-Use Bread Maker
• Budget Option – Sensio Home Bread Maker
• Best For Large Loaves – Royal Catering Automatic Bread Machine
• Best Option For Small Loaves – Morphy Richards Fastbake Breadmaker

1. Top Choice – Panasonic SD-YR2550SXC

When it comes to bread makers there is nothing that quite compares to a Panasonic. This machine is extremely well designed and includes 27 pre-set programs so you can end up with any dough or bread you desire at the touch of a button.

The touch button control panel is extremely easy to use and allows you to set the program, crust browning, size of the loaf, and timer if required. It has an automatic seed and nut dispenser to get a lovely even distribution throughout your loaf and it also has a yeast dispenser so it will never suffer from early activation.

Another protective feature it has is a 10-minute power cut mode that saves its settings during a power outage.

The diamond and fluro coated bread pan is non-stick and scratch-resistant so you won’t struggle to remove the loaf or clean it. This machine has a comprehensive list of programs that can make all sorts of unique loaves of bread from brioche to rye bread.

The specialty mode allows you to use a variety of different flour types making this a custom loaf bread maker. It comes with a bread recipe book to give you plenty of inspiration and this machine can easily make sourdough using the basic white loaf setting.

It’s a really great option and a practical bread maker but it is a bit more pricey than some other options here.

2. Runner Up – Russell Hobbs Multi-Use Bread Maker

This bread machine by Russell Hobbs is a cost-effective yet extremely well-designed machine. It has 12 different settings including a gluten-free and jam setting as well as your basic white setting which is ideal for sourdough.

It has a 55-minute fast bake option and a 13-hour delay timer for added convenience. 3 crust options allow you to achieve the perfect bread for your taste every time.

The best thing about this breadmaker is that the non-stick bread pan is dishwasher safe as are the kneading blades. It has a large viewing window so you can keep a close eye on your bread without opening the machine and risking ruining it. The LCD display makes it very user-friendly to set up and non-slip feet stop this machine from wandering across the countertop.

It has a 7-minute power cut feature that allows it to remember the program it was on in the event of a short power outage.

This is a very reasonably priced machine and a great option for a busy home.

3. Budget Option – Sensio Home Bread Maker

If you want delicious homemade bread for a small price tag then this Sensiohome is the best bread maker for you. It may have a small price tag but the features you get for this are not low budget.

It has 15 different programs which range from basic white bread, gluten-free, dough, and even jam and yogurt options. There are two decent-sized loaf options and 3 crust settings. It has a 60 minute keep warm function and a nice viewing window so you can keep a close eye on your bread.

The non-stick pan and kneading blade makes it easy to remove your loaf. You can easily make sourdough using the white setting and this machine is also perfect for pizza dough. It’s a compact and low-cost option but you really will get a lot of bang for your buck.

4. Best For Large Loaves – Royal Catering Automatic Bread Machine

If you have a large family with a lot of mouths to feed then you need a breadmaker that is up to the task. This Royal Catering bread maker can make very large loaves up to 1.2kg. It always produces an evenly mixed dough thanks to the fact that it has two kneading paddles.

It has lovely, touch button controls and an easy to read LCD display. 12 programs give you plenty of options and 3 crust settings will give you a perfect result every time. The 13-hour timer also helps by having the bread ready whenever you need it, perfect for busy mornings.

It has a 1-hour keep warm function and a 10-minute power save mode which protects your bread in the event of a power cut. The bread pan is easy to remove and replace.

The only downside with this machine is, as it’s a bigger kitchen appliance it does use a bit more power than a smaller model.

5. Best Option For Small Loaves – Morphy Richards Fastbake Breadmaker

If you don’t require very large loaves this little machine by Morphy Richards is the best bread machine for you. It’s one of the cheapest options out there and very compact in design. It has 12 pre-set programs including white bread, dough, French bread, 2 fast bake bread options, and a jam option.

It can make a small loaf of 1lb which is less than 500g so perfect for a single person or if you’re the only family member that likes bread. It has a nice-sized viewing window which is ideal to keep an eye on your creation but it doesn’t have a nut dispenser so you won’t be making interesting flavored sourdough in this one.

The 13-hour delay timer is a nice feature and it’s also worth mentioning that there’s no option for gluten-free bread with this machine.

Sourdough Tips

How To Make Sourdough Starter

It’s important to prepare your sourdough starter at least a week before you plan to make the sourdough bread. You’ll need a cup of lukewarm water, 3 cups of flour, 1.5 teaspoons of dry active yeast, and 4 teaspoons of sugar.

Add the water to a large bowl and dissolve the yeast. Add the sugar and flour and beat with an electric hand or stand mixer on medium until the mixture has gone smooth. Cover the bowl loosely and let it stand at room temperature for about a week or until it has gone bubbly and has a sour smell.

At this stage, it’s ready to use or you can store it in the fridge until you plan to use it. You should feed your starter at least once a week with a teaspoon of sugar if you don’t plan to use it that week.

If you do use the starter you can replenish it by adding 0.75 cups of flour, 0.75 cups of water, and a teaspoon of sugar and stir until smooth. Again, let it stand at room temperature until bubbly, and then store it in the fridge.

Sourdough Bread Machine Recipe

To make a simple sourdough using your bread machine you’ll need 1 cup of the sourdough starter. Add this to the bread machine alongside 0.5 cups of water, 3 cups of bread flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of dry active yeast.

Select the basic/white bread cycle or sourdough cycle if your machine has one. Do not use the delay function.

If you want to make flavored sourdough you can add nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to the nut dispenser as well.

F.A.Q.s

Is sourdough bread really better for you?

Sourdough is a healthier alternative to shop-bought bread. It contains fewer sweeteners and preservatives. It’s also full of probiotics which help support a healthy gut.

What else can you make in a bread maker?

There are loads of great recipes you can make in your breadmaker. Cake, jam, meatloaf, sauces and soups, rice dishes, scrambled eggs, yogurt are just a few of the many things your breadmaker can produce.

Can you use regular flour in a bread machine?

YOu can use any flour you like in a bread machine. White, all-purpose (regular) flour is fine to use if that’s all you have to hand. Bread flour tends to give a more soft, well-risen loaf.

Is it cheaper to make your own bread?

It can work out a lot cheaper to bake your own bread compared to buying loaves. Of course, this depends on the ingredients you choose to use as they can vary in price a fair bit. Baking your own bread gives you better control over the ingredients you choose to use and their quality as well.

What other brands make good bread machines?

Other good bread machine brands that haven’t quite made this list include Breville, Cuisinart, Lakeland and Zojirushi.

More Bread Machines Reviewed

Gastroback 62823 Design Automatic Bread Maker

This bread maker by Gastroback is another good option for bread making. It has a nice 500-1000g capacity so you can make small to large size loaves of any bread you like. It has 18 programs including a jam and yogurt making option to keep it versatile.

It has a nut dispenser which ensures an even ingredient distribution throughout your bread. This is great for sourdough bread as you can make numerous sweet and savory options using this.

WIth 3 crust settings, you’ll always get the perfect loaf for your needs and this machine doesn’t draw very much power despite being a fairly large option.

This is a durable option being made of stainless steel but a downside with its solid housing is that there’s no viewing window included.

Salter EK4189 Digital Bread Maker

This modern-looking bread machine will look at home in any kitchen. Due to its curved edges, it looks a lot smaller than your standard machine capable of making 2-pound loaves. It has easy, touch button controls that give you a choice of 15 programs including jam and yogurt settings.

The LCD display is easy to read and it has a nice big viewing window so you can keep an eye on your loaf of bread.

The removable bread pan gives a nice shape to your loaf and being an eco-conscious company, you can find a recipe book online to give you inspiration rather than using extra paper.

Klarstein Brotilde Family Bread Maker

This model by Klarstein is another great option for producing delicious homemade bread. It has substantial buttons that are straightforward to use and an LCD display makes setting it up a breeze.

The 13-hour delay timer and keep warm function means you can set the machine to be ready whenever it suits you and you don’t have to rush to remove the loaf when the machine beeps.

It has an ingredient dispenser and a viewing window which makes it a great option for the sourdough home bakery. It’s a sleek stainless steel design and a good option for a reasonable price.

Automatic Fastbake Bread Maker

This Aucma bread maker makes lovely fresh bread whenever you need it thanks to the 13-hour timer. It has 12 custom settings including wholewheat, gluten-free, french bread, ultra-fast, and even jam.

With 3 crust colors to choose from and a large viewing window, you’ll end up with a perfectly finished loaf whether is a light or dark crust you prefer. It has an automatic dispenser which is useful for sourdough.

Another great feature of this machine is that it has a 10-minute power failure system. This keeps your bread safe during a minor power cut.

This is a powerful little machine and makes great bread but it can be quite loud to operate and some people report that it moves around on the counter when it’s kneading the dough.

Tower T11005 Digital Bread Maker

Last up I have the Tower bread maker which can make 3 different loaf sizes to suit any family. It has an enormous 19 different settings and actually doubles as a mini cooker as well as it can do sticky rice and stir-fry as well.

It has a ferment setting which is perfect for your sourdough starter and it even has a specific sourdough program which is a great feature. It’s really user-friendly thanks to the one-touch baking and crust control settings.

It has a 60 minute keep warm feature and a 15-minute power failure backup system to ensure your loaf won’t be ruined in the event of a power cut.

It has loads of positive reviews and people report it to be a very user-friendly option for a low price.

Take-Home

There are loads of great options when it comes to bread machines that can produce a delicious loaf of sourdough. The basic/white bread cycle is all you really need (plus a dispenser if you like to add fruit or nuts). I hope this article has helped get you enthusiastic to make your own sourdough at home and you’ll soon see how simple it can be to produce delicious bread.

I hope I’ve helped point you towards the best bread maker for your home and I wish you all the best in your bread baking endeavors.

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