I have been using a Moulinex Home Bread stainless-steel(
http://www.moulinex....bread-inox.aspx ) for a about 4 years now. I do recommend the new model with the baguette insert though. I miss that in my machine and have to make baguettes in the oven when the kneading cycle/resting is done.
The bread is much denser than bread that you buy at a bakery, and it tends to get stale faster so I make smaller (750g) breads and try to use them up quickly while they are warm. Get yourself fresh flour, and keep in air-tight container. I use the Levex instant try yeast in ~ 5g packets so I don't have to throw out the excess, or mess around with activating it in water. You also must introduce the ingredients in the order given in the recipes (usually starting with liquids/oils/milk, then flour, lastly the yeast)... the machine takes care of the rest.
Tip: RICE FLOUR... mix it with 0000 wheat flour make for a lighter fluffier bread. Use a sifter.
I've experimented with the different recipes provided in the instruction manual (and a PDF - 1001 Bread Machine Recipes - I found on the internet). I's important to follow the recipe with breads. Baking is NOT like cooking where you can improvise, baking is more of a sience than an art; measurements must be followed (yeast, flour, salt, sugar all affect the outcome). Different flour have different baking times (whole grains usually take longer). Rye flour is difficult to find, or is oxidised due to poor storage. Try the Dietica stores though.
My favorite is the yoghurt bread, and I replace 1/3 of the regular flour with rice flour. There are cycles that let you add extras like nuts, seeds, oats, etc. Some of these are trial and error, however, a little bit of reading gives you a better idea of how the different components react with each other.
You also have some cycles that can be faster, cutting the baking time in half (depenending on the cycle), and of course, a timer and "keep warm" mode after the bread is done. There are a few more options such as the crust darkness setting, dough cycles, jam making cycle, and a pasta dough cycle.
Cheers
I love my machine and it comes in handy. The cons are the density of the breads
