Breadmakers are a bit of a curiosity. These large kitchen appliances have one purpose: to bake bread. While baking bread isn't particularly difficult, breadmakers aim to make it so convenient that you could potentially enjoy freshly-baked bread every day. However, much like those machines that freshly squeeze your orange juice, the real necessity of a breadmaker is up for debate.

Using one is straightforward: simply add your ingredients (flour, water, yeast, etc.) and switch it on. If measuring out ingredients feels like too much work, you can even buy pre-mixed "bread mixes" for added convenience. The machine kneads the dough and bakes it into a loaf. While the result is usually tasty, the bread’s lack of preservatives means it doesn’t keep fresh for long.

The fun begins when you start experimenting. Breadmakers make it easy to create unique, custom loaves with a variety of ingredients. From cheese to chocolate to herbs and spices, the possibilities are endless. There’s a thriving community online where people share inventive breadmaker recipes, some of which wouldn’t exist without this experimentation.

If you’re after regular, everyday bread, you’re probably better off buying it at the store. But if you enjoy experimenting with new flavors, a breadmaker could be a great addition to your kitchen—just make sure you have space for its bulky size!