I have finally figured out a decent custom setting for making einkorn bread in my Breadman bread machine, but while making my most recent loaf, the machine started producing an annoying squeaking sound. For awhile now, I’ve been finding some grease at the bottom of the pan, so I decided it was time to replace the seal.
The seal itself was almost $25, which makes me sad, because this bread machine alone was only $20 at the thrift store. Nonetheless, it’s a great bread machine, and especially now that I’m getting fancy with its custom settings, I want to keep it going, as my other bread machine does not give the option to create custom cycles.
Changing the seal was a bit tricky, but I was able to do it thanks to the plethora of tools I have in the garage, which is NOT something I was expecting to need. However, I followed the diagram without reading the instructions, and did not read that the flimsy washer provided in the kit was actually designed to sit under the c-clip that attaches to the spin shaft, so after I pressed the seal in, there was really no way to remove it to place the washer where it needs to go. Prior, I did lightly oil the c-clip, so it’s moving just fine (I made a loaf yesterday), but I really should have installed the waster there, and the only option to do so now is to spend another $25 for another seal kit.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, although there is absolutely no leaking below the pan now, the scratching sound did not go away. Sigh.
How much should you spend on a bread machine? This Breadman is from around 2010, and retailed for about $110. It’s rare among bread machines in that it has handles built into the sides for carrying around, and that works perfectly for me since my bread machine is not a permanent fixture in the kitchen and needs to be carried there when I use it, then carried back to its perch on my end table when I’m done. Hardly any other bread machines have this feature. But I purchased it for $20 at the thrift store, and I’ve now spent $25 more on a replacement seal, and it may either need another seal, or possibly some internal maintenance. How much longer before this “deal” offers no advantage over simply buying a new bread machine?
I’m honestly not sure. I’ve written about conundrums like this for years, and I’m less and less convinced there’s a “right” way to handle them. I was mistaken in my understanding of how to replace the seal, and if I had placed that washer properly, there would be no need to even consider buying a new seal, so that’s just a lesson in how to change things properly. As for the squeak, it’s consistent with a certain timing of the knead cycle, but not necessarily with the turning of the paddle, so likely there is something inside the belt mechanism that needs to be oiled. I spent $7 on some all-purpose oil, and it’s probably more than up to the task, so it might be easier than I think (of course, it might also be harder than I think).
You could view this from an environmental perspective, where changing something simple like a seal or a belt keeps an otherwise perfectly useful appliance out of the landfill. I think there is some merit to this, but it’s not one to be overstated, as even a bread machine that lasts a long time will eventually bite the dust. I guess it’s better to only buy 5-10 bread new machines over the course of your life than 20, but I’m not so convinced that individuals can “save the environment” compared to the multinational companies doing the most damage, so I don’t obsess over it in my personal life.
One thing I have learned over time, though, is that consumer “deals”, in general, are often not as impactful as people like to think they are. That’s not to save they aren’t fun, or don’t have their place in the world, and it’s certainly not to say you should buy everything new and throw it out when you no longer like it, but last month I overspent by almost $200 on groceries, which kind of makes me sick when I think about it, but it’s easy to do if you aren’t careful. But compare that to buying a brand new bread machine for $110. Suddenly, finding a used one for $20 is maybe not terribly impressive, huh?
[To be fair, though, I’m currently loaded with food, and might actually be able to undershoot my budget this month. Some of those items last month were semi-bulk, so I don’t need to buy them this month]
The first devil is buying expensive things you don’t use, the second devil is buying cheap things you don’t use. The point is, try to avoiding buying things you don’t use. But the things you do actually use…it’s not clear how best to do that, as the fact that you are actually using them is what gives them value, and getting value from the things you own is, I think, a principle of using money wisely. Of course, does that mean I should buy a $2,000 semi-industrial bread machine? Probably not. You really do want to buy to your use case, or slightly above, if you have reason to suspect you might expand your usage. I bought a more expensive metal detector initially, because I knew the added features would make it more useful, and I’m glad I did, but it’s still consumer grade, and I think I bought at the right price point. I have no idea how to approach that subject systematically, though. Knowing yourself and being realistic about your use cases is likely the best way to go.
There will honestly probably come a day I replace my two bread machines with a brand new, “big fancy” Zojirushi. My middle class upbringing recoils at the thought of spending $400 on an appliance, but it’s a quality product, and offers the right features, including a way to turn off the obnoxious beeping these often make. 3 custom settings is enough for einkorn and maybe a few other custom loaf types, and if I’m not mistaken, the company keeps a good stock of replacement parts, since the units are designed to last. But I’m not going to replace my current bread machines today, and only slowly over time have I begun to demonstrate that I might actually use a Big Fancy enough to justify its purchase in the future.
For today, though, the Breadman lives, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take a little pride in keeping old things going.
[I wish bread machine maintenance were as epic-looking as the welding stock photo I found, but I’m certainly happy it doesn’t require as much skill!]