Tips for Slicing Homemade Bread

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

29 Jul 2008 03:25 PM

You know that I am a big advocate of making your own bread to save money (and eat healthier. Well, the other day, a reader of our blogs mentioned to me that she would love to have home made bread but thought that it was too much trouble. I suggested that she get a bread machine to make things easier. "Oh, it isn't making the bread!" she said. "It is slicing the bread. The slices are always uneven or the bread gets squished or the slices are too big to use for sandwiches."

I was happy to hear this, because this problem is easy to solve. There is no need to be intimidated by having to slice your homemade bread. I know that people have gotten used to having their bread slices right out of a bag. There is a reason for the saying, "The best thing since sliced bread." Now here are my suggestions that will get you back to making frugal homemade bread.

To make slicing your bread easier:

Let the loaf cool completely. Hot or warm bread is harder to slice.

Use a good sharp knife that is made for cutting bread and keep the knife away from the dishwasher, where it will dull (says the person who has been using a dull bread knife for years).

Pick up a plastic bread slicing guide. The bread sits in the guide, making it easier to create nice even slices. I found mine for $3 at the Goodwill, but you can find them at most home goods type stores. The investment should be well worth the savings.

And for the truly daunted, simply don't slice the bread. I can't tell you how many times a warm loaf of bread was snatched off of the counter and taken along in the car where many hands simple tore chunks off the loaf off to eat.

Be sure to check out the Food Blog for some great bread recipes!

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Breadmaker Breakdown of Savings (1)

Breadmaker Breakdown of Savings (2)

Stock up on Flour, Bread and Cereal Now While You Can

How to Save Money on Bread

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Eileen123 (40) 29 Jul 2008 03:50 PM

I've been making and slicing my bread at home for years now. Finding a good cutting guide makes a big difference I think. It's well worth the investment.

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Mary Ann Romans (26876) 29 Jul 2008 05:50 PM

Do you use a standard knife or an electric one?

jonesx6 (1606) 31 Jul 2008 04:07 AM

I use my electric knife and it works great. I've got a pretty good groove down with cutting. My kids are actually impressed. lol Laura

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 31 Jul 2008 04:46 AM

Do you use that guide? I really want an electric knife. Any recommendations?

diana1096 (15) 19 Sep 2008 10:09 AM

I use a basic electric knife that I purchased at ACE for $10 but you can find a decent one at a thrift store. I also use a guide. It makes the slices even for sandwich making and around here that's important. I use my daily and have never had a problem yet.

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 19 Sep 2008 12:44 PM

Diana, that is great! What size loaf do you usually make for sandwiches?