I thought testing bread makers would be easy. 36 loaves later, I may have lost the plot

How much bread is too much bread? I found myself wondering this while testing nine of the best bread makers for the Filter. You see, while one hot, crusty loaf is a cause for celebration, 36 feels like a cry for help.

Because yes, that really is how many loaves I made to rigorously test these machines. The number might even be closer to 45 if you count the weird experiments and loaves that collapsed due to user error. As you succumb to flour-induced delusions, at some point you begin to lose count.

At least bread makers have shrunk in size considerably since they first gained popularity in the 90s. Most are now half the size of your standard air fryer, with twice as many features. This was a welcome change from the space taken up by July’s ice-cream maker madness – leaving me more room for all that bread.

And size isn’t the only improvement these machines have seen. The things you can now do with a bread maker are impressive – including the sheer number of settings for bread alone. I became giddy thinking of all the different types of bread that were at my fingertips, along with all the pasta dough some bread machines can mix and knead for you (which I told myself I was absolutely, definitely going to get round to).

Bread, but not as you know it

Graef’s bread maker was a perfect example of this. It wowed me with its enticingly original bread types, including yoghurt-honey bread, a carrot grain loaf and the rather intriguing “dough for bread on a stick” setting (pretty self-explanatory but unexpected nonetheless). And the resulting bread tasted as good as it sounded – though, for the sake of finishing the test this year, I decided not to work my way through all 36 of its settings. I’m sure my stomach thanked me for that, too.

My top award ultimately went to the Panasonic mini bread maker. While small, it consistently produced tasty loaves – including a delicious mini gluten-free loaf with a wonderful texture. And while carrying it to a friend’s house for some cross-kitchen testing, I came to realise it’s very portable too – it even has a handle. Funnily enough, this particular model also doubles as a compact ice-cream maker – which regular readers may remember is another love-hate relationship of mine.

Now, you might be wondering what happened to all that bread. Of course, one person couldn’t possibly eat 40-plus loaves all to herself, as much as she might try. But fear not, bread lovers: I detest food waste and ensured my fare was put to good use.

Many of the loaves are now residing in my freezer, alongside some long-lost ice-cream remnants. These will be used as toast or homemade breadcrumbs for many months to come. The rest of the loaves went to friends and neighbours … whether they wanted them or not.

This week’s picks

• How I Shop with Bill Bailey: ‘Could be a life-saver in an apocalypse’

• The best Kindles for every bookworm and budget – tested

• The best gifts for nine-year-olds, picked by nine-year-olds and parents

• ‘Outrageously good’: the best (and worst) supermarket ready-made custard, tasted and rated

Editor’s pick

From disposable ponchos to flimsy umbrellas, a lot of wet-weather gear seems destined for landfill. So how can you protect yourself from the rain while also protecting the planet – and still look stylish? Hannah Rochell has rounded up the best sustainable ways for women to keep dry, from surprisingly attractive recycled polyester waterproof trousers to an all-season mac that’s designed to be recycled.

Monica Horridge
Deputy editor, the Filter

In case you missed it …

Getting out of bed during the dark mornings of winter is no joke – but a sunrise alarm clock can make it that tiny bit easier. These clever devices simulate the dawn. Since Pete Wise first tested them for the Filter, several of the team have become devoted fans. Pete describes them as “kickstarting your circadian rhythm before you get out of bed”. He also writes: “As a lifelong reluctant riser, I’ve found the experience of testing these devices a gamechanger.” His verdict? “I’m now using one daily. Perhaps mornings aren’t so bad, after all …”

Get involved

How old are you and what would you like for Christmas? Whether it’s a Legami pencil case, theatre tickets or a new coffee machine, we want to hear about the one thing you’d love to unwrap this year, whatever your age – from gen Alpha to baby boomer. Let us know your age and gift choice (and the reason you want it so much) by emailing us at thefilter@theguardian.com.