It can be difficult to maintain a healthy diet while juggling a busy work schedule and budgetary constraints. Yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium, and a great boost for the digestive system.
The problem with store-bought yogurt is that it can be filled with sugar and other additives, not to mention expensive. Investing in a yogurt maker is a great way to get the health benefits of having yogurt as a regular part of your diet while avoiding the price markups and unnecessary additives in store-bought brands.
This guide will introduce you to the best yogurt makers.
Best Yogurt Makers to Purchase
In a hurry? Check out this quick buying decision list:
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1. Euro Cuisine YM80 Yogurt Maker
Why make one big batch of yogurt when you can make multiple individual servings at once? This yogurt maker comes with seven 6oz glass containers with lids, allowing you to portion out the amount you make. Use only as many jars as you'd like, you don't have to use all seven. Make only enough yogurt for the next couple of days, or multiple flavors and recipes all at once.
The jars are dishwasher safe and the lids are made from BPA-free plastic. The yogurt maker is 9.5" x 9.5" x 6" with an on/off switch, indicator light, and a timer on the side to indicate when your yogurt will be finished. Note that there is no automatic shut-off at the end of the cycle, the maker will stay on until you turn it off (the YM100 model comes with auto shut-off, but will cost you more).
Yogurt cooks at around 110° F, with no ability to control the temperature. Depending on the recipe, the entire process takes between 6 and 10 hours.
This easy to operate yogurt maker allows you to make smooth and thick yogurt from the comfort of your own home. Up to 42oz of yogurt can be made at once; a single glass bowl (not included) can be used in place of the seven individual containers if you want to make one big batch.
The maker is white in color, weighs 4lbs, and runs on 13w/120v.
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2. BAR Store Yogurt Maker Machine with Stainless Steel Inner Pot
Rather than having one set cooking cycle that cannot be customized, this yogurt maker has four different cooking functions allowing you to make different styles of yogurt all in the same appliance. Make fresh yogurt, Greek yogurt, fermented wine, and soft cheese yogurts without having to use a different machine for each.
It's comprised of a stainless steel inner pot that creates constant and equal heat transmission around 104°, maintaining the activation of the yogurt, and a set of two 1qt Borosilicate glass jars with BPA-free vented lids. A strainer is also included for making Greek yogurt.
The yogurt maker is 7.6" x 7.6" x 7.3", and features four cooking features for different kinds of yogurt. Each cooking feature has a set temperature, you cannot manually set the temp outside of those four choices. The LED clear-touch operation allows you to adjust the precise cooking time up to 48 hours using a microcomputer timer with an auto shut-off function.
The uniform bottom heating has 360° heat conduction and maintains a constant temperature. It runs on 20w/120v and weighs 5.24 lbs. Cleaning and storage are easy but note that you should never add water or other liquid/foods directly into the inner pot, although condensation when refrigerating is normal. Use a dry cloth to wipe it clean.
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3. Stainless Steel Yogurt Maker with 1 Quart Glass Jar and Complete Recipe Book
Do you want to be able to make homemade yogurt without another bulky appliance to find the room and an electrical outlet for? This yogurt maker is a simple glass jar in a stainless steel sleeve with no timers or elements to overheat.
The stainless steel maker is durable and double-walled with a screw-on top. The replaceable standard 1qt glass jar has a metal lid; both pieces are plastic-free. It's simple to use and compact to store at 4.92" x 4.92" x 8.07" and weighs only 2.42lbs.
It's 100% non-electric, no programming required. Simply heat the milk to 194°F then cool to 113°F and add the starter. Put the jar of warm milk into the thermal steel container for 8 hours, then chill for 6 hours. It makes up to 32oz of fresh yogurt with each batch. The jar can double as storage and is dishwasher safe. A standard 1qt mason jar can be used for spare/replacement.
There is no thermometer, so make sure you use one to make sure you're heating and cooling the milk to the appropriate temperatures. A 42-page recipe book for 12+ yogurts is included.
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4. Euro Cuisine GY50 Greek Yogurt Maker
Do you already have a yogurt maker that you're satisfied with, but are in the market for an easy way to strain regular yogurt into Greek yogurt? This yogurt maker doesn't cook fresh yogurt from scratch at all, it's simply used as a finishing tool for making Greek or cheese yogurt from either homemade or store-bought yogurt.
Transform up to 2qt plain yogurt into delicious spreads, dips, salad toppings, or sweet berry deserts all inside your refrigerator. It's made from BPA-free plastics and polypropylene with an ultra-fine strainer made from nylon fabric mesh. Strain for 3-12 hours, depending on the desired thickness.
It's compact and space-saving, flat-topped and stackable. At 10" x 7.5" x 5.25", it's designed to fit perfectly in the refrigerator. It weighs a mere 1.54lbs. There is no electric power of any kind, it's a strainer only. Note that this Greek yogurt maker is not dishwasher safe, rinse with hot water and air dry.
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5. Proctor Silex Regular or Greek Yogurt Maker Machine with LCD Display, BPA-free Storage Container
This functional and stylish yogurt maker allows you to prepare and store your yogurt in one easy to clean dishwasher safe container.
The stainless steel yogurt maker is 7.48" x 7.56" x 9.13" with a 32oz BPA-free plastic inner container of 5" x 6". It weighs in at 3.24lbs. Once your yogurt is done cooking, simply remove the plastic container and place it directly in the refrigerator. The lid with snap-down clips make for easy and airtight storage and less cleanup.
The digital controls and LCD display allow you to set the timer to a maximum of 19 hours. The temperature is automatically set at 110°F, and it automatically shuts off and sounds an alarm at the end of a cycle. It runs on 110v.
There is no glass option, but a glass container can be used if you can find one that fits. Recipes are included, a strainer for Greek yogurt is not.
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Buyers Guide on Yogurt Makers
As with any kitchen appliance, there are lots of different yogurt makers to choose from. You can find the most basic model with limited options, or fancier models with plenty of extra features. Consider the following factors when shopping around.
Style of Yogurt
Yogurt styles vary by thickness and texture. Greek and cheese style yogurts are made by straining out the whey after the yogurt is cooked. Cheesecloth is traditionally used for the straining process, but many yogurt makers come with additional strainers for making Greek yogurt.
If classic yogurt is all you eat, you don't need to worry about these extra features. But if you're looking to make Greek yogurt, be sure you get a maker that comes with a built-in strainer.
Yogurt Capacity
Ask yourself how much yogurt you want to make with each batch. Do you want to make one big batch that you can share with the family or eat over the course of the next couple of days? Then a standard yogurt maker with one large container should be all you need. If you want to make smaller, individual servings with different recipes and flavors all in one batch you'll want to look for a maker with multiple smaller glass jars or containers.
All options typically come with lids for easy storage in the refrigerator.
Temperature Options
Although temperature requirements can vary by recipe, most yogurt cooks at around 110°F. Given that this fairly standard, a lot of yogurt makers don't come with the option to set a specific temperature.
If you have a recipe that requires customized temperature settings, be sure to select a maker that allows you to set the temperature manually or at least one that has multiple different temperature functions.
Timer Options
The most basic yogurt makers come with a set "cycle" that you turn on and let run with no input from you. If you have a recipe that requires a specific cooking time, be sure to get a maker that has customizable timer options.
As you move up the price scale, timer options tend to become more robust. You can find simple digital displays that allow you to set a run-time and sound an alarm when done, timers with automatic shut-off features at the end of a cycle, timers that automatically switch to an auto-cooling mode when done, or even timers that connect to your mobile device or Alexa via a Wi-Fi connection!
FAQs about Yogurt Makers
How does a yogurt maker work?
A yogurt maker keeps the temperature constant which is perfect for culturing milk with active yeast and bacteria. It provides an ideal culture medium for bacteria and can convert milk into yogurt within a few hours.
Can I use non-dairy milk in a yogurt maker?
Of course, most yogurt makers will accommodate non-dairy milk such as almond, soy, or coconut milk. But sometimes, you may require a thickener or particular strains of starter cultures to make non-dairy yogurt.
How long does it take to make yogurt in a yogurt maker?
The time varies depending on the type of yogurt and the machine, but most yogurt makers require 8 to 12 hours for fermentation. Machines with adjustable timers let you customize the process based on your preferred thickness and tartness.
Conclusion
The right yogurt maker will allow you to make delicious homemade yogurt just the way you like it, with no extra sugar or additives. Get a maker with smaller individual servings to experiment with new recipes, flavors, and textures. Or, if you know what you like and want to stick with it, a maker with a larger single batch will do. Take your time and select the yogurt maker that you'll get the most benefit from.
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