Bread maker baking question....

[DarrenK]

I've got a Zojirushi bread machine and have enjoyed it for several years and it has always made a very nice looking and tasty loaf of bread. But the last few times I've used it it been a little hit and miss, sometimes it looks beautiful and others it looks like the surface of the moon with craters and mountains etc.
It still tastes ok for the most part save for a few salty spots here and there.
This last time I even took time to shake it after adding each ingredient so it would be very even before baking.

 

[retired baker]

what is the question, is it worn out ?
probably.

 

[Mona]

It sounds like your bread machine might need a bit of troubleshooting. Inconsistent results like craters and salty spots can be caused by a few things: old yeast, inaccurate ingredient measurements, changes in humidity or temperature, or uneven mixing. Make sure your yeast is fresh, measure ingredients carefully, and consider the environment when baking. Also, try to keep salt and yeast separate in the pan until mixing begins. If issues persist, check the kneading blade to ensure it's working properly.