@LastYearsPumpkin @Dontbesourdough
Also, the flour is never quite the same as it was previously: it gets affected by age, packing, storage, humidity…
For me, making a loaf is always a science experiment. Even when I make loaves in the bread machine with identical quantities as previously the result can be different.
@RBWells
I bake both in the machine and the oven. They create different types of loaf. The machine is also useful for kneading and the first rise of dough for my focaccia. Like any tool, they have their uses, strengths, and weaknesses.
Modern bread machines are more multi-use than earlier ones: they can be used to make jam, yogurt, sourdough starter, dough, pasta dough, even rice wine.