Have you been thinking about getting a yogurt maker? Overwhelmed by the selection? Keep these points in mind when you are looking at purchasing a yogurt machine in store or online.
Today’s yogurt makers are very different from the ones that first came on the market about 35 years ago. Basically, the machine is very simple to use. You will add milk and starter culture of some sort, either from a package or from existing yogurt, and the machine will hold the temperature steady at a warmish heat until the milk and the bacterial culture work together to ferment and become yogurt. Consider when you will use the yogurt maker -will you be at home when it is running, or are you at work all day? If you plan on running it while you are away, the best yogurt maker for you is one with a timer on it.
Do you have a large family, or are you on your own? Today’s yogurt makers come in one quart or two quart models, and are available with one large container or six or seven small ones. If you prefer to make one large batch of plain yogurt that you can use in cooking, baking, or recipes such as this one for yogurt potato salad, choose the one container model (it is also a little quicker to clean.) If, however, you have several family members who each like their own individual flavor of yogurt, go for the small containers version. These are actually easier to store in the fridge than the one large container.
Another important consideration in choosing the best yogurt maker for your household is whether you should get one with washable components that are glass or plastic. Glass is easier to clean as it doesn’t hold odours, while plastic is less likely to break if you or a little helper drops it on the floor or on a counter. Once you think about each of these points you will find it easier to choose a suitable yogurt maker for your kitchen.