Bread makers are handy little gadgets that make baking bread oh-so-easy, but what happens when they start to beep? If you’re new to using a bread maker, it can be worrying when it starts to make noise for seemingly no reason, but don’t fear.
Your bread maker is beeping due to the baking cycle. It may be beeping when it’s time to add extra ingredients, when it’s time to remove dough for baking, or when the bread itself has finished baking. None of these beeps indicate problems with the machine, and you can mute or muffle the sound.
Read on for more information about why your bread maker is beeping, and if the beeping starts to become just a little bit too annoying, find out if there’s anything you can do about it.
Why Is My Bread Maker Beeping?
There are several reasons why your bread maker may be beeping, and all of them have something to do with the baking cycle.
It’s essential to read the instruction manual thoroughly to know the different functions of the bread maker. It’s also important to understand the bread-making process itself so that you can use your appliance properly.
You Just Turned the Bread Maker On
This may seem a little silly to mention, but for those who’ve just purchased a new bread maker, hearing it make a noise the second you turn it on can have you worrying that something might be wrong! Don’t be alarmed, though, as most bread makers will make a sound whenever they’re powered on. Check for error codes in the user’s manual if they’re persistent.
It’s Time To Add in Extra Ingredients
One very common reason why most bread makers will beep is that it’s indicating that it’s time to add extra ingredients to the bread, which can be either nuts or fruits. The bread maker will generally beep around 30 to 45 minutes after starting to let you know it’s time to put these ingredients in.
Sometimes, however, waiting for the “add extra ingredients” beep to add your fruits and nuts to a recipe isn’t the best thing to do because, at times, the bread maker won’t evenly distribute them, and it can leave them all around the edges of the loaf.
If you’re having this problem, adding your extra ingredients at the start can ensure that they’re spread evenly throughout the loaf.
The Dough Is Ready To Be Put in the Oven
When using the dough cycle, the bread maker will beep after it has finished kneading the dough, which means it’s time to take it out so you can shape it and bake it in the oven. Depending on the dough setting you’re using, this will happen at different times.
Make sure that you respond to this alarm as soon as you can. You shouldn’t leave dough inside a bread maker to continue to rise because it’s small, and it may make it harder for the dough to rise correctly. The bread maker can also be damaged by dough over-rising.
If you want your dough to continue to rise before baking it, you can take it out of the bread machine and put it in a bowl for a few hours. It should be allowed to rise for at least half an hour before baking for the best bread results.
It’s Time To Remove the Paddles
When baking bread using your bread maker, a common problem is that the paddles used to stir the ingredients can leave a hole in the bread if they’re not removed before the baking stage.
Most bread makers will beep when the mixing process is complete to let you know that it’s time to take the mixing paddles out.
This is optional, as baking the bread with the mixing paddles still in won’t harm the machine in any way, but taking them out will make your loaf’s shape a lot nicer and also mean you get more good slices from it.
Some bread makers also have an indicator or specific beep to show it’s time to remove them.
It’s Time To Scrape Down the Sides of the Bread Maker
Some bread makers will have an alarm that indicates it’s time to scrape down the sides. This is for cake cycles (which can also be known as quick bread or batter bread in other bread maker manuals or recipe books).
The alarm for the added ingredients dispenser will sound, but it’s at this time that you need to scrape down the sides of the tray to ensure all ingredients are mixed properly. If you don’t do this, you risk your cake coming out with dry flour on the top or sides.
You can use the paddles, a spoon, or a butter knife without damaging the bread maker.
The Bread Has Finished Baking
When the bread has finished baking, the bread maker will let you know with an alarm. Most bread makers will also go into a “keep warm” phase, many of which will continue to beep until the bread is removed and the “cancel” button is pressed.
The “keep warm” phase will last for around 60 minutes, but it’s important not to leave your bread in there for too long; otherwise, your bread will continue to bake very slowly.
Bread should then be cooled on a cooling rack for twenty minutes before slicing.
If you cut your bread immediately after taking it out of the machine, it’s very likely that your freshly baked loaf won’t be crusty but soggy, as the water molecules in the bread will not have evaporated properly and will turn the inside of the loaf to mush.
Can You Get a Non-Beeping Bread Maker?
Unfortunately, while a bread maker that doesn’t beep would undoubtedly make the process of baking bread more peaceful, the beeping does serve an important purpose.
It’d be best to look for bread makers with beeping patterns that indicate its purpose. For example, some machines use a double beep when the dough is done.
So, though you won’t be able to find a bread maker that doesn’t beep, there are certain things you can do to either mute it for a while or, at the very least, muffle the sound a little bit.
How Can You Stop Your Bread Maker From Beeping?
Is the beeping of your bread maker driving you crazy? Well, thankfully, most bread makers (especially the more recent models) will come with an option to silence the beeping, but if it doesn’t have that feature, there are still some things you can do.
Again, a bread maker beeping is meant to let you know either when to add ingredients or when to take your bread or dough out. If you turn off the alarm or muffle the sound, make sure that you’re keeping a close watch over your baking bread.
Mute the Beeping
Many bread makers have a silent setting. It’s usually a simple button on the side of the bread machine that allows you to turn off the beeping alerts. Bread makers with an LCD screen will show a little icon that tells you if it’s been muted or not.
In any case, remember to set a timer so the bread doesn’t rise too much inside the maker.
Muffle the Beeping
If your bread maker doesn’t come with the option to silence the alarm, the next best thing is to muffle the annoying sound. There’s an easy way to do this: simply put some tape over the hole where the beeping comes from. But keep in mind that sometimes it can be hard to find the speaker hole, so this option may not work for everyone.
Another option is to put the bread maker in a different room, such as your laundry room or garage. If you can’t hear it, it’s no longer an issue. But try to avoid putting towels over the bread maker to dampen the sound because it can cause the machine to overheat.
Don’t Remove the Bread Maker Speaker Yourself
You may see some advice on the internet saying that you can open up your bread maker and remove the beeper if you or somebody you know has soldering skills.
This isn’t the easiest option for most people, however, and it’s not recommended due to the risk of injuring yourself and breaking your bread maker. Doing this will also void any warranty you have on the machine because it could cause irreversible damage.
Ultimately, it’s much better to either try to dampen the sound of the beeping or just put up with it – it doesn’t last for hours, after all.
Final Words
A bread maker is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, as there’s nothing better than a freshly baked loaf of bread for toast and sandwiches. And, while the beeping can be worrying at first and quickly get annoying, ultimately, it’s nothing to worry about.
Any beeping is related to the baking process, and when in doubt about why your bread maker is suddenly making noise, simply consult the operating manual.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.