@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.
@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.
@Cheradenine I was thinking more of a square cross-section like a bread pan has. I'd have to buy a terrine, which would be expensive and I'd have to justify the costs and find a place to put in among my already-crowded kitchen tools, pans, and appliances.
Do you put parchment paper in the Dutch oven? I use it to lift the loaf and keep it from sticking when baking.
Instead of ice cubes, spritz water on the dough before closing the lid. Seems to help the spring.
@markr@Dontbesourdough Yes, Dutch ovens are great for baking bread, but I wish someone would make one with a 'bread pan' shape so I could make sandwich-style bread in it, not just boules.