Is a bread machine worth it?

While my immediate answer is "YES, YES, YES!", buying a bread machine isn't just a quick trip to the store and getting a small appliance.  A bread machine is a big purchase, and cost up in the upwards range of $200 (here's a list of Amazon's best sellers).  Only you can decide if homemade bread is worth the time and upfront cost.  To help illustrate the costs, here's the breakdown of making a loaf of simple white bread:

• 1 1/3 cups Water - $0.02
• 4 1/4 cups Bread Flour - $0.45
• 4 Tbsp. Sugar - $0.03
• 2 Tbsp. Dry Milk - $0.10
• 2 tsp. Salt - $0.03
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. Butter (I use unsalted and cut it into pieces) - $0.10
• 2 tsp. Active Dry Yeast - $0.25 (buy in bulk or jars...packets are too expensive!)
• Electricity to use the bread machine for almost 4 hours - $0.20

Total cost to make one 2 lb. loaf of bread:  $1.18

When you involve the cost of buying the bread machine, I realize that we are not saving a lot of money by making homemade bread -- at least, not compared to what we could spend for the cheapest bread in the grocery store.  But when you start thinking the cost of buying pizza dough from the grocery store, artisan breads from the bakery, and the "better loaves" in the bread aisle, the cost is looking better and better.

And, with all of that said, you cannot put a price on knowing exactly what is in your bread, the smell that wafts through the house, and the excitement you get when you pull that freshly baked loaf out of the bread machine.  And...the most important of all - homemade bread tastes better.

So what's the bottom line?
That's up to you to decide.  If you find that you like a variety of breads (as well as the other goodies you can make), enjoy the idea of making homemade bread (but don't always have the time to knead and let the dough rise), and are willing to invest in a good appliance that can last for years and years, then go for it and splurge on a bread machine.  You'll be happy you did.