yogurt machine recs

pfal6

Ok so I have ruined my last batch of yogurt. I think my kids climbing on it disturbed the process and my yogurt is really good tasting milk now. Luckily I am using it for smoothies so it's not wasted But I really want a machine now. Please recommend your machine that makes the most amount. I usually make a gallon of milk for my yogurt batches at a time. TIA!

SulliTheBotanist

I use the YogoTherm with cultures from the same company (where I get all my cheesemaking suuples and cultures). It's really easy and comes out perfect every time.

 http://www.cheesemaking.com/store/p/100-Yogotherm-Yogurt-Maker-2-QT.html

pfal6

Do you have to buy the cultures from the company or can you make the yogurt with a starter of plain yogurt from the store? I assume there are directions with it when you buy it.......looks pretty cool! I like that it is one big container instead of smaller individual ones!

heliocentric

I have a Eurocuisine, but it'll probably be too small for you. I don't know the brand, but there is at least one type that has a tall dome so you can put a large container inside it rather than the small jars that are included.

We don't use the starter culture. It's expensive, unecessary and there are other things in it than just microbes. We usually set aside one jar from each batch to keep plain and use for a starter. For 1L of milk we use 1/2 a jar (not sure of the size). If we run out we just buy a plain Stoneyfield and use 1/2 of that for a batch. (Any plain will do, we just like Stoneyfield.) I've heard you can freeze plain yougurt and use it as starter, but I haven't tried it. We make yogurt regularly enough that our starter doesn't go bad.

SulliTheBotanist

You can use yogurt for starter, but I usually have culture on hand as I'm often buying other cultures for other cheeses and dairy products. It's essentially an insulated bucket. I like that it can just sit overnight, using no electricity. I also make sour cream, creme fraiche, mascarpone, etc in it.