It is no secret that I believe both of the first two steps in trouble shooting are related to hydration. Autolysing is just one method of helping you attain proper hydration in all your bread dough’s not just sourdough.
In addition, many of those experienced in the use of Fresh Milled Flour (FMF) often recommend the use of the Autolyse technique but it is useful to all machine baking.
By using the Raw Dough menu to Autolyse in your KBS/Keepeez (and likely other brands): note: for those who prefer to proof yeast before adding – this concept gets you there.
Here is what I do (YMMV – your results may vary) and one of the few times I even consider using delayed start subject for another time Remove your pan and add ONLY your liquids and flour(s). Replace/Secure pan in your KBS/Keepeez, Select Menu Raw Dough, Press Start Just as you would/should any other time, use that first stir to check if your hyrdration looks rigth. if you get called away, you may get another chance later but now is better.
Basically the process of Autolysing is mixing your liquid and flour and letting it sit for as little as 20 minutes and depending on whose information you trust, as much as an hour or longer.
The KBS\Keepez current (Feb-2026) models whose Model numbers begin with MBF-### have a menu operation known as “Raw Dough“. At approximately 23 minutes mixing and sitting, this functions well as an means to Autolyse not exactly, but close enough to be useful.
Once the Raw Dough menu has been completed, you can choose (or in my case remember to go deal with the next step because I was off reading cookbooks or some such) another menu, add your other ingredients as directed in your recipe
In my case, this means adding other ingredients (sugar, salt, yeast) and going to take a nap.
If you would like more general details about the Autolyse technique, here are some links to respected sources familiar to most Bread Machine Bakers. Linked articles they may contain affiliate links that do NOT benefit me –
Note: Affiliate and other links open in a new tab.
Caveat Lector: My blog reviews include information found in the (mostly Amazon) on lines sales data, my personal experience, and sometimes responses to comments/complaints posted elsewhere.
Brief Review: It was pleasantly surprising to see just how the content lived up to the hype. For the last week or two we borrowed this book thru Kindle Unlimited. Today (2025/01/01) the Kindle version was on sale for $3.99. We now own the Kindle Version. This is the first bread machine cookbook I have added to my library in more than 20 years. I was planning to buy at full price as soon as budget allowed – so yeah today I am a happy girl – spent my entire affiliate earning for the past 6 months on a $3.99 plus tax book.
DRAFT Review Outline: last update 2025-Dec-15 2026-Jan-01
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for BeginnersPro: – Recipe Sizes for 1#, 1.5# & 2# – Recipe Ingredients: Most are readily available either thru Amazon or your local grocery store. – KBS & Neretva bread machine friendly order of ingredients “So far” – Instructions: although a bit basic, more than enough to answer maybe 95% of the average to adventurous beginner questions. (unlike so many that “assume” the reader has bread baking experience) Easy-to-Follow Recipes for a Perfect Loaf Every Time. Step-By-Step Baking Guide with Simple, Healthy, Whole Grain, and Gluten-Free Options. by Stewart Brooks (Author) Brief Review: It was pleasantly surprising to see just how the content lived up to the hype.
DRAFT Review Outline: last update 2025-Dec-15 2026-Jan-01
Pro: – Recipe Sizes for 1#, 1.5# & 2# most if not all (sometimes not applicable) – Recipe Ingredients: Most are readily available either thru Amazon or your local grocery store. – KBS/Keepeez/Neretva & many others friendly order of ingredients “So far” – Instructions: although a bit basic, more than enough to answer maybe 95% of the average to adventurous beginner questions. (unlike so many that “assume” the reader has bread baking experience) – ALL recipes show both imperial and metric quantity – Photos of “types” for most if not all “menu” selections – Photos of at least one or two of the recipes in each of those sections.
Added: Has a number of recipes that use a variety of speciality flours – looking forwarded to the adventure.
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for BeginnersCon: – Menu Cycle is not as obvious as might be needed by some, it is mentioned in the brief instructions – not as a “banner” as in the KBS guides.
The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners Thoughts: Not really a con, so just a note. This book is bread recipes only, so those looking for Jam, Yogurt, Sticky Rice and other odd menu cycles will not find help in this book.
Added 2026-Jan-06: The instructions for Sourdough are easily misunderstood and at the same time some the best, if brief instruction for a start to finish sourdough adventure! Based on the recipe I have used over the years,
Added 2026-08-Jan: Amazon Review “no apples in apple strudel recipe pg. 67 incorrect This review is based on the KINDLE version. CHOPPED FRESH APPLES 1 cup (125g) 1 ½ cups (188g) 2 cups (250g)
Added 2026-Jan-07:Sourdough Clarification: DRAFT I can agree that the amount of starter may not be obvious. The TWELVE Sourdough recipes are NOT treated as a dump and go process. Each Sourdough recipe is a two part process where first you make the starter with your choice of flour and then you use that starter with the “other ingredients” on baking day. Based on my “real world” experience both inside and outside the box, the recipe ingredients either matches my notes over the years for the flours I have used, and look right for the specialty flour(s).
Added 2026-Feb-03 If you already have a starter “ready to go” the ratio in the book seems to match mine over the years. REPLACE 1 cup flour & 1 Tablespoon of liquid With ONE (1) Cup Starter.
Product details – price subject to change Last checked 2025-Dec-16 The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners: Author: Stewart Brooks Publisher: Independent Kindle List: $18.99 List Kindle Unlimited: Free Kindle File: 8.9mb Amazon ASIN: B0DL374XGJ Published: October 25, 2024 Language: English Paperback: 79 pages Amazon List: $18.99 ISBN-13: 979-8332320774 Item Weight: 9.3 ounces Dimensions: 8.5x 0.18×11 inches
Note: The Amazon Links are affilitate links, however, I also suggest you look at ThriftBooks.com as some of my favorites come and go for paperback and hard cover and as far as I know, does not benefit me if you buy something.
DRAFT should be more interesting a bit at a time in the coming months.
So far, I have reviewed all of the KBS specific books. There are several that are an absolute horror story.
Many do not even have the correct order of ingredients. Much like many of the Instapot/Ninja Foodi books, just copies of others were the name of the machine is often not even edited. Not to mention those partially scraped by various website, usually without any credit to the author and often without complete details.
In my opinion, better to have a book that will help you understand the process of bread machine baking, AND offer a wide range of basic recipes with a few variations for each. Combine that with the Order of Ingredients and most bread recipes will work in your machine.
What is lacking seems to be a really good description of the various “functions” and how they are useful (i.e., the beginner’s confusion that often occurs between “raw” and “leaven” dough KBS has improved its “manuals” and there is lots of information specific to their products but written in a cross between “Googlish” or “Chinglish”. The features that are unique to those manufactured by Jiangmen KasgBaiShi (KBS) but sold under several (5 I am sure of) brand names. A project for a future time,
Bread (Mostly Machine) Cook Books and a brief overview
Easy-to-Follow Recipes for a Perfect Loaf Every Time. Step-By-Step Baking Guide with Simple, Healthy, Whole Grain, and Gluten-Free Options. by Stewart Brooks (Author) Brief Review: It was pleasantly surprising to see just how the content lived up to the hype. Product details – price subject to change Kindle List: $18.99 List Kindle Unlimited: Free Kindle File: 8.9mb Amazon ASIN: B0DL374XGJ Published: October 25, 2024 Language: English Paperback: 79 pages Amazon List: $18.99 ISBN-13: 979-8332320774 Item Weight: 9.3 ounces Dimensions: ? 8.5x 0.18×11 inches
DRAFT Review Outline: Pro: – Recipe Sizes for 1#, 1.5# & 2# – Recipe Ingredients: Most are readily available either thru Amazon or your local grocery store. – Instructions: although a bit basic, more than enough to answer maybe 80% of the average to adventurous beginner. (unlike so many that “assume” the reader has bread baking experience) Con: – Menu choice is not as obvious as might be needed by some, it is mentioned in the brief instructions – not as a “banner” as in the KBS guides.
Possibly the 2nd most asked question in any bread making group is for a Gluten Free recipe. Not my issue, so have not tried… yet … never say never.
A member of the KBS group I had been helping build, reported (after trying several recipes) that this one worked for her. Using a KBS dual heater model (I think it was the MBF-011 but will check and edit if needed.
As the owner (as in bought it myself) and having had the opportunity to test a number of brands and models; It may need some tweaking for your machine, but seems like a good place to start:
Note, The link may contain contain affiliate links, but not mine. Use At Your Own Risk original post: 2024-02-18 WWW & Gab: Food Craft – Making and Methods
KBS “Documents” – Caveat – Like all things offered in an Amazon listing – it could change or disappear. In fact the names of identical pdf documents are often not consistent across all KBS Bread Machine offerings and these may be Affiliate Links. These “worked” as of 2023-Aug-302024-03-11 2025-09-27
It is also worth mentioning that KBS does not have the most easily used user manuals. That said, likely almost all the information you need it there – just not in the order you would expect and certainly not in a manner that would make most beginning bread machine users comfortable.
BUT NOT SO YOU WILL BUY SOMETHING. truthfully mostly so I can “find” the details and share the blog entry without having needing to retype it from time to time
IF you scroll down to “PRODUCT GUIDES AND DOCUMENTS” usually below Product Information
you will see links to download PDF that are useful for many of the KBS Bread Machines,
I am currently using and surprisingly happy with, The KBS MBF-041. and really just the more basic features = certainly NOT any of their recipes as written. Unhappily, it appears to be disco’d by KBS.
My major complaint with KBS continues to be the lack of consistent customer service. I have used the contact form on their website, emailed every address I have been able to find. Tried to get thru Amazon because of a warranty issue (no help as expected) Post in the Q&A Sections of their website. Others have had a more positive experience.
My suggestion is that if you think these PDFs will help you, download them from the sources. They could easily disappear tomorrow.
added 2025-Oct-23: “At this time” there are several “brands” that offer machines that seem “identical” to KBS MBF-041 – these include, but may not be limited to the Keepeez branded MBF-041 we purchased October 2025 because it was less than the cost of a replacement pan during Prime Week .
