I have a preference for bread making machines that have stainless steel exteriors rather than plastic housings in black, white, or mint colors. That’s why I’m already drawn to the Hamilton Beach 29890 bread maker. When I took a closer look, I noticed that its control panel is quite simple, featuring just a dial and a display screen. The dial even includes two buttons: one for selecting options and another for starting or pausing the machine. Additionally, it has a convenient automatic dispenser for adding fruits or nuts into the dough when necessary.
In this review of the Hamilton Beach 29890, I’ll thoroughly examine its control panel, program cycles, and features, as well as address any potential issues, before wrapping up with a brief summary.
How do you adjust the settings on the Hamilton Beach 29890?
The Hamilton Beach 29890 bread machine simplifies the control dial by having just two buttons instead of multiple ones. To operate, you can press the Select button to choose the program, loaf size, crust color, dispenser use, and delay start time. Once you’ve made your selections, press Start/Pause to begin the program. If you need to pause the cycle or cancel it altogether, simply press Start/Pause again and hold it. The display will show icons to track the progress of your bread.
When selecting a program, you can also choose between light, medium, or dark crust for bread modes, bake, cake, and customize. For breads (excluding Quick Bread), you have the option of picking 1, 1.5, or 2 pound loaves. The dispenser feature automatically adds fruit/nuts for breads, Artisan Dough, and Customize modes.
If you want to delay the start of your baking, you can use the delay start function for up to 13 hours. Remember to set the delay after selecting the program, size, and crust. However, it’s important to note that dairy recipes should not be delayed.
After your bread is done baking, the machine will automatically start a one hour cycle to keep the loaf warm.
What are the program cycles of the Hamilton Beach 29890?
Now that we have finished with the control panel, let’s explore the various menu programs that are available for creating delicious bread and other tasty treats. In total, there are a whopping 21 menu programs to choose from!
- Basic Bread
- French Bread
- Whole Grain Bread
- Sour Dough Bread
- Sweet Bread
- Quick Bread
- Gluten Free Bread
- Keto Bread
- 1.0 lb. Express
- 1.5 lb. Express
- 2.0 lb. Express
- Pizza Dough
- Artisan Dough
- Dough
- Rise
- Bake
- Cake
- Jam
- Yogurt
- Roast Nut
- Customize
Hmm, let me take a look. As you can see, it covers all the usual menu programs you would find on any bread machine. But what’s interesting is that the Hamilton Beach 29890 also offers some unique options like Sour Dough Bread, Artisan Dough, Yogurt, and Customize. I must say, I’ve never come across a bread machine with a Keto Bread menu option before. Let’s dive deeper into these menu programs below.
Overview Of The Menu Program Cycles
Breadmaking Programs
The Basic Bread cycle is perfect for making white and mixed breads using basic bread flour. It goes through the process of kneading, rising, and baking to create delicious loaves. If you prefer light and fluffy breads with crispy crusts, the French Bread cycle is the best choice. Just remember not to use this cycle for recipes that include butter, margarine, or milk. If you’re in the mood for hearty breads made with heavy flours like whole wheat and rye, the Whole Grain Bread cycle is your best bet. These loaves will be denser and more filling.
For breads made with a sourdough starter, the Sour Dough Bread cycle is the one to choose. If you’re looking to make yeast breads with added ingredients like raisins, dried fruits, chocolate, or sugar, the Sweet Bread cycle is perfect. When it comes to quick breads that don’t require yeast, the Quick Bread cycle is the way to go. It bakes faster than yeast breads and uses baking powder or soda to rise.
If you’re baking gluten-free breads and mixes, the Gluten Free Bread cycle is the one for you. Just remember not to use the delay start function with this cycle. And if you’re following a ketogenic diet, the Keto Bread cycle is perfect for baking low-carb breads using alternate flours and starches. I suspect that it is similar to the low-carb setting on some machines.
For those who want fast results, the Express cycles are ideal. They knead, rise, and bake loaves in under two hours. However, keep in mind that the finished breads will be heavier and shorter compared to slower cycles.
Programs For Making Dough
The Pizza Dough cycle is perfect for preparing delicious pizza dough. If you’re looking to make artisan dough in a bread machine, then the Artisan Dough cycle is your go-to setting. Just follow the instructions to create the special starter, shape the dough, and bake it in the oven. For the best flavor and texture, make sure to use cool ingredients.
If you’re in the mood for buns or pastries, the Dough cycle will knead the yeast dough for you. The kneading time can vary from 10 to 30 minutes, followed by a 60-minute rise. If you need to proof your dough, the Rise cycle is here to help. It can proof dough for up to 6 hours, depending on the recipe instructions. Once your dough is ready, bake it using the Bake cycle. The Bake cycle can bake breads for 1 to 60 minutes, depending on your needs.
Cake And Other Programs
If you’re in the mood for a delicious cake, the Cake cycle will knead, rise, and bake it for you. If you want to make sure your cake is fully baked, you can always use the Bake cycle again. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make some homemade jams, the Jam cycle is perfect for that. And if you’re a fan of yogurt, the Yogurt cycle can make up to 1 quart of homemade yogurt.
Lastly, the Roast Nut cycle is a surprising feature that allows you to roast nuts to perfection. And if you want to customize the kneading, rising, and baking times, the Customize cycle is there to fulfill your needs.
Hamilton Beach 29890 vs. Breville BBM800XL
Let’s compare the Hamilton Beach 29890 and Breville BBM800XL bread machines. Both of them have sleek stainless steel exteriors and convenient control dials.
Firstly, they both come with automatic fruit and nut dispensers, making it easier to add extra ingredients to your bread.
Secondly, they feature large control dials on their panels for easy selection. However, the Breville stands out with its separate buttons for Delay Start, Modify, Cancel, and Start/Pause, while the dial is solely for choosing options. On the other hand, the Hamilton Beach keeps it simple with just Select and Start/Pause buttons on the dial itself. Personally, I find the Breville’s individual function buttons more appealing, but the Hamilton Beach is even more minimalist, for the reason that there are no extra buttons at all.
Moving on, the Hamilton Beach offers a wide range of 21 menu programs, while the Breville has only 9 programs. Additionally, the Hamilton Beach allows you to make 1, 1.5, or 2 pound loaves, whereas the Breville offers sizes from 1 to 2.5 pounds.
Another difference is that the Hamilton Beach comes with a regular kneading paddle, while the Breville’s paddle is collapsible to prevent any interference while baking. It seems like bread machines with collapsible paddles are very rare these days.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that the Breville comes with a higher price tag, costing twice as much as the Hamilton Beach.
Hamilton Beach 29890 vs. 29888
Despite the similarities between these two Hamilton Beach bread machines, the Hamilton Beach 29890 has distinct advantages over the older 29888 model. Both machines have stainless steel exteriors, automatic dispensers in the lids, and dial knobs on the control panels. However, the 29890 model stands out with its larger display screen and more program settings: 21 compared to just 14 on the 29888.
In brief, being the newer model, the Hamilton Beach 29890 offers greater versatility with its additional menu programs. Due to these reasons, the 29890 may be the preferable choice over the outdated 29888 version with fewer options.
How do you use the Hamilton Beach 29890?
Make sure to clean the bread pan and machine parts before using the bread machine. Insert the bread pan into the machine base and lock it in place by turning it clockwise. Attach the kneading paddle inside the pan to the drive shaft. Add the ingredients to the pan in the following order: liquids, sugar, salt, flour, and yeast last. Remember to keep the yeast away from salt and liquids.
Plug in the machine and choose your desired settings for the cycle, crust color, loaf size, and any additional ingredients like nuts or fruit. You can also set a delay start time if needed. Press the start button to begin the breadmaking process. The kneading paddle will mix all the ingredients together. If you have set a delay, the mixing will start at the beginning of the cycle. If you want to cancel, simply press and hold the start/pause button until the machine beeps.
Once the bread is done, the machine will beep and switch to a 1-hour keep warm mode. Use oven mitts to remove the hot pan by lifting the handle and turning it counterclockwise. Let the bread cool in the pan on a rack for a few minutes before removing it. Use a spatula to loosen the sides before inverting it onto a rack. If the paddle remains stuck, gently pry it out with a hook. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing. If the paddle is stuck, soak the pan in warm water, and then wiggle and pull it out.
Tips On Baking Bread With The Hamilton Beach 29890
Here are some useful tips for baking bread with the Hamilton Beach 29890. For example, you have the option to use a sugar substitute instead of sugar in your recipes, but keep in mind that the type and amount may affect the final outcome. Both sugar and salt play important roles in breadmaking. Sugar provides nourishment for the yeast and helps the dough rise properly, while salt controls the yeast activity to prevent over-rising. The quantities of sugar and salt per slice are relatively small when spread across the entire loaf.
If you want to add raisins, nuts, or other mix-ins, use the dispenser to ensure they are evenly incorporated into the dough during kneading. The machine will beep to alert you when it’s dispensing ingredients.
While it’s okay to take quick peeks during the initial kneading stage, avoid opening the lid during the rising and baking process. Doing so can affect the temperature and ultimately impact your results. Initially, you may notice some condensation on the window, but this is normal and will clear up once baking begins.
You can certainly use your own recipes in this bread machine, but you may need to adjust the proportions of ingredients such as flour, liquid, yeast, sugar, and salt based on the provided recipes. It’s generally recommended not to halve the recipes as the proportions are optimized for full batches. When using bread mixes, follow the instructions on the package, adding the liquid first, followed by the dry ingredients, and then the yeast. Avoid letting the yeast sit in the liquid for too long.
Once the warming cycle ends, be sure to remove the finished loaves promptly to prevent any sogginess on the bottom of the loaf.
Which problems might you encounter with this bread machine?
If the crust is too light, try not to open the lid while baking. Instead, choose a darker crust setting for your next bake. On the other hand, if the crust turns out too dark, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly or opt for a lighter crust setting.
If your bread has a hollow or holey texture and doesn’t rise properly, it could be a sign of using too much yeast and water without adding salt. Adjust the amounts of yeast and water, and double-check if you’ve added the right amount of salt.
If your loaf turns out heavy and thick, it might be due to using too much flour. You can try increasing the amount of water slightly or reducing the amount of flour. Keep in mind that whole grain loaves tend to have some density to them.
If the dough is not thoroughly blended and flour coats the sides of the pan, it’s possible that the bread pan or paddle is not installed properly. Check the positioning and use a spatula to scrape down the sides during mixing. Adjust the water as needed until the dough forms a ball.
If you notice a crater in the top of the loaf, it could mean that the dough rose too quickly, possibly due to excessive yeast or water. Measure the ingredients carefully and adjust the amounts if necessary. Also, make sure to select the correct cycle to avoid cratering.
To avoid soggy bottom loaves, make sure you don’t leave the bread in the pan on warm for too long. As soon as the baking finishes, promptly remove the loaf from the pan. After baking, the kneading paddle may come out attached to the loaf. Allow the loaf to cool before removing the paddle with a hook.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the Hamilton Beach 29890 bread maker offers incredible value with its wide array of 21 menu programs. Whether you’re making breads, doughs, jams, or more, this machine has got you covered. One standout feature is its automatic fruit and nut dispenser, which adds ingredients at just the right moment during the kneading cycle.
With its appealing design, easy-to-use interface, and extensive program options, the Hamilton Beach 29890 is a top-notch bread machine that can produce fantastic results when you follow the instructions carefully. Click here for current pricing on Amazon (paid link).