FAQ

How can I convert bread recipes to a breadmaker?

Oster^® Breadmakers can be used with your own traditional bread recipes. You can convert any bread recipe to your bread machine if you do not exceed the recommended amount of flour listed below:

1 pound Loaf: No more than 2 cups
1 1/2 pound Loaf: No more than 3 1/2 cups
2 pound Loaf: No more than 4 cups
2 1/2 pound Loaf: No more than 5 cups

*Results may vary when adjusting a recipe, feel free to experiment.

What is the difference between regular yeast and quick active yeast?

Quick rise yeast has an additional ingredient called Ascorbic Acid that enhances the rising time of yeast.

Where can I get parts (bread pan, kneading blade, etc.) for my breadmaker?

arts for Oster^® breadmakers can be purchased online through our retail partner.

Why can't I select a loaf size?

The loaf size option is not available when the following selections are made:

ExpressBake^® options
Bake Only
Dough Cycles

Why did my bread cave in or collapse (sunken top)?

There are several causes for bread to collapse or cave in (sunken top):

FIRST CAUSES:

Too much yeast
Liquids are present
There is not enough flour
Temperature of the liquids is not correct

RECOMMENDATION:
When correct salt and sugar amounts are used, a small increase of these two ingredients may be a remedy. Or, try reducing the water called for by 1/4 to 4 tablespoons.

SECOND CAUSES:

High humidity or high temperatures are present

RECOMMENDATION:
At such time, add 1 to 2 tablespoons flour or decrease the liquid. A quick-rise yeast may have been used.

TIP:
Too much yeast will cause the loaf to have a course, open grain and a flattened or sunken top.

Why did my bread turn out hard and not rise?

There are several reasons bread will turn out hard or will not rise:

CAUSES:

Yeast was not added
Stale flour or stale yeast was used
Extra salt, sugar or hot liquids may have killed the yeast and inhibited rising
Old flour was used

Still not rising?
Increase yeast by 1/2 teaspoon or decrease salt by 1/4 teaspoon.

Why does my breadmaker have H:HH in the display?

Some breadmakers will display H:HH. This means that the bread maker must cool before you bake another loaf. To assist with the cool down, the breadmaker lid can be left open or removed to help cool the unit. Let the breadmaker cool about 15 minutes before baking another loaf.

Why does my breadmaker have L:LL in the display?

Some breadmakers will display L:LL. This means that the room temperature is too low to make bread (59oF or less). To reset the unit, press and hold the "Start/Stop" button. Place the breadmaker in a warm room and allow it to warm up.

How can I get the kneading blade out of the bread pan?

If the kneading blade will not come out of the bread pan, try the following: Soak in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. While holding the wing nut, wiggle the kneading blade. Put vegetable oil on kneading blade shaft before attaching the kneading blade.

I selected the "Wheat" setting, but my breadmaker isn't mixing. Why?

Some Oster® breadmakers have a Wheat delay time of 15 or 30 minutes. This delay allows for a period at the beginning of the cycle to "soften" the ingredients for better results. During the first 15 or 30 minutes, the machine does not mix, but the time will cycle down.

Why doesn't my breadmaker work or receive any power?

Breadmakers require 500 to 700 watts of power to use. The following are causes:

Not plugged into a working outlet
Plugged into an outlet with another high wattage appliance
Breadmaker wasn't set properly
Breadmaker lost power after programming or during operation

After reviewing the above causes of no power for breadmakers, we recommend you make one more attempt to operate the breadmaker before having it serviced at a service center. Please do the following:

Reset the unit, unplugging it from the wall outlet for 5 seconds
Re-plug the unit into a working outlet
Program the unit for basic white bread (be sure pan is in place)
Start the white bread cycle

If all of the above has been checked and the breadmaker still will not power on, please contact us..

Why does my breadmaker have E:EE in the display?

Some breadmakers will display E:EE. This means that the room temperature is too high to make bread (86oF or more). To reset the unit, press and hold the "Start/Stop" button. Place the bread maker in a cool location before using again.

My breadmaker has "ExpressBake®" options. What do I need to keep in mind when making bread with this cycle?

Things to Know about ExpressBake® options.

There are a few things you should know about the ExpressBake® settings that are different than the other settings:

Breads made using ExpressBake® settings tend to have a darker, thicker crust than the other kinds of bread. Sometimes there will be a crack in the top of the crust. This is due to the higher temperatures used for baking. The loaves also tend to be shorter and denser.
You CANNOT use the delay timer for the ExpressBake® settings. This would cool the liquid ingredients and affect the way the bread rises.
You CANNOT use the crust color buttons when baking breads with ExpressBake® settings.
DO NOT open the cover while baking breads with ExpressBake® settings.
If the loaf is hard to remove from the pan, let it sit for about 5 minutes to cool. Shake the bread out of the pan and wait for 15 minutes before slicing.
If you wish to bake another loaf of bread, you must let the breadmaker cool for 20 minutes with the cover open.
YOU CAN use standard bread mixes when baking breads with ExpressBake® settings, but the results may not be as good as the results when using Oster® recipes within this book.

What are the tasks a breadmaker performs during a normal bread cycle?

When the breadmaker is operating, the machine performs the following tasks:

First knead
First rise
Second rise
Dough continues to rise
Punch down
Final rise
Baking

*Times of each cycle may vary based on loaf size and cycle selection.

What can I do if the bread sticks to the bread pan?

Sometimes, bread can stick inside the bread pan. Bellow are some recommendations:

Hit the bottom of the pan hard two times.
After you take the hot pan out of the machine, wrap it with a damp cloth. When it stops sizzling, the bread should slide out.
While wearing hot mitts, turn the wing nut back and forth. Do not make a complete turn or it will make a whole in the bread or break the wing nut.

Why didn't my ingredients mix?

Below are some reasons why the ingredients may not mix:

Pan may not be in all the way
Kneading blade may not be in the pan
Bake ONLY was selected
Power outage
Wheat delay has been selected. Unit may have 15 to 30 minute delay before mixing.

If after reviewing the above causes the breadmaker will still not mix, the unit needs to be taken to a service center. To find a service center please contact us.

What happens if the breadmaker bread pan non-stick coating is peeling off?

Each breadmaker pan has a non-stick coating that helps bread from sticking to the pan. The non-stick coating can peel when metal kitchen instruments are used.

Replacement pans can be purchased through our retail partner.

How do I bake at high altitudes?

If you live above 300 feet, you probably already know how to adjust other recipes like cakes and muffins. Higher altitudes tend to:

Make dough rise faster
Make flour dry

To compensate for high altitude baking, we recommend the following:
Increase the amount of water to the recipe. Sometimes as much as 2 to 4 tablespoons per cup.

If the bread rises too high:
Reduce the amount of yeast. For each teaspoon of yeast, try reducing the yeast by 1/8 or 1/4 teaspoon.
Reducing the amount of sugar. For each tablespoon of sugar, reduce the amount by 1 to 2 teaspoons.