Wow, I wanted to get my friend in Canada a gift of a breadmaking machine similar to

[Backseat Driver]

mine, an older Oster 2 lb loaf model. I can't find a single one at normal retail stores that sell tabletop small kitchen appliances on-line or in-store for pickup--all but the most expensive ones on Amazon are out-of-stock. I did find some that were in the $200 to $800 price range. Nope, it's gotta be shipped across the border - nope, not a single one available at Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, Sam's, Meijers, Best Buy, Costco, Kohls, or Target. WTH???

[fierywoman]

1. We're living through "interesting" times. Maybe The Universe ( ;-) )

is nudging you to encourage your friend to do it by hand. Making bread is not rocket science. (Yes, I understand the convenience of a bread machine.) This is the book I learned from many, many, many moons ago : Beard on Bread .

Making bread with your own hands is very relaxing and incredibly satisfying.

[Warpy]

2. Maybe hoarders have switched to bread now

My bread machine has always been at the ends of my arms. It's hard work but it's a wonderful process watching sticky goo turn into something that feels alive in your hands.

Most of those bread machines will be used for a few weeks until the novelty wears off. Then your friend can probably pick one of the fancy models up at a garage sale for next to nothing.

[Control-Z]

3. I agree about the novelty of a bread machine and other such items.

And I've found quite a few small appliances in Goodwill stores over the years. Off the top of my head, I've bought 2 George Foreman grills, a steam iron, coffee grinder, and several coffee makers - and there are more I can't think of at the moment. All have been in good working order. I imagine a bread machine could be found as well.



It's good to see you, Warpy. This is the first time I can remember seeing your name in years. I hope you're well!

[Backseat Driver]

4. Yeah, I know its easy but she cares for her

disabled husband (from a serious long ago work accident in which he sustained spinal and leg crush injuries) and their pups. Some days he's somewhat ambulatory and does the best he can to help around the house; other days, not so much. Doctors say there's nothing more to be done, so he lives with the back and leg pains that can often be severe and loss of ambulatory function. She's got a lot on her plate, no pun intended, but she does like to cook and bake. I thought it would be something that would be fun for them to try together and anticipate, then eat with their soups and sandwiches, as they also need to watch their senior citizen budget. Trips to the store--to anywhere really--are also difficult for her.

I'm just flabbergasted that there's no reasonably priced small kitchen appliance like mine to be had.

[SunnyBaudelaire]

5. Switch to Amazon Canada and buy it there

Here’s the link https://www.amazon.ca/

[mindem]

6. Not surprising

I have a Cottage Baking business and I am on a waitlist to get the different types heirloom wheat I mill for my upscale bread, etc. My source for grain got totally slammed when this mess started. Even our local grocery stores were cleaned out of flour. I really had to work to build enough flour inventory ahead to keep my business going. Weird.

[Silver Gaia]

7. Not Surprising!

Wheat flour of any kind is hard to find around here, and yeast has been unavailable for weeks.

People are making bread because... well, why not? They're bored!

I keep finding things like this that make me scratch my head at first. For instance, I need a new webcam for my desktop. For work. I need one in about 2 weeks. I have one that I thought would work, but it's too outdated. (I generally have no use for one.) So, I thought I'd just have one shipped from Amazon or Best Buy... or somewhere? Nope. Not unless I want to pay $800 for a $30 webcam. I saw a few of those. Otherwise? None to be found.

Had I really thought about it, of course none are available. They must have been flying out the door for a while! People working from home need them, of course, but people isolated from their families and friends need them, too. That adds up to a LOT of webcam sales. And a depleted supply with gougers piled on.

Try finding a bidet for the toilet, too (you know... because there's already a TP shortage). Those are sold out, too. And being gouged.

Interesting times...

ETA: Add dogs to that list. Animal shelters are suddenly emptying out. I guess lonely people want a doggie friend. Sadly, there will likely be a huge increase in the stray population when these people go back to work and find out about how that goes with a dog at home. In many cases, the dog will suddenly become a nuisance and be abandoned. Maybe not. But will we really change THAT much? It would be nice, but...

[sinkingfeeling]

8. I have an Oster, used maybe 4 times, I'll sell you. $35 and shipping.

[katmondoo]

9. I have a Kenmore Bread machine. I use it all of the time. I love it. The secret is using the dough

setting. It does the work then you take it out put the dough in bread pans to rise again for about 40 minutes. Then bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Comes out great. All you have to do is put in the ingredients turn on machine and in one hour and a half it is ready to take out for second rise. It also makes jam.

[TreasonousBastard]

10. Last year I was looking for one and couldn't find any. I suspect demand went...

too far south for the Chinese factories to make them any more.

But, Williams-Sonoma seems to have some:

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/search/results.html?words=bread%20maker

[Grey]

11. Order through Amazon.ca

They will deliver it for you and no problem with the border. I got mine from Canadian Tire.ca and had to pick it up at the store. You drive up and phone them and they will bring it out to you.