How to choose a yoghurt maker – what is important to know before buying

Appliances

When choosing a yogurt maker, it is worth considering several parameters that will determine its performance.

How to choose a yogurt maker

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We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rating of the best yoghurt makers according to experts.

How to choose a yogurt maker: parameters to consider

When choosing a yogurt maker, you should first of all pay attention to the following parameters:

  1. Bowl volume (for yogurt makers without cups);

  2. The number of containers inside the yogurt maker;

  3. Type of cups for making yoghurt;

  4. The ability to mark the date of preparation of yoghurt on the lid of the cup;

  5. Additional functions.

  6. The manufacturer of the device is also important.

Types of yogurt makers

Yoghurt makers are divided into two types – with a common container for the preparation of fermented milk products and with separate glasses in which the sourdough is produced.

Large capacity yoghurt makers

Yoghurt makers with whole capacity

Yoghurt makers, in which one common bowl is installed for the preparation of fermented milk products, are quite rare. Nevertheless, they are very practical if you plan to also ferment cottage cheese or fermented baked milk.

When choosing such a yogurt maker, it is worth considering the bowl material, since it strongly affects the taste of some products (for example, fermented baked milk in ceramic containers turns out to be especially tender).

Advantages

  • They can cook not only yogurt, but also cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, kefir and other fermented milk products;

  • Have a fairly low price (in comparison with models that use separate complete cups);

  • Easy to clean and maintain;

disadvantages

  • Foods cooked in them are not intended for long-term storage;

  • The inability to use a yogurt maker to prepare several types of products at the same time;

  • Food preparation may require human intervention (e.g. stirring);

Yoghurt makers with separate portioned cups

Yoghurt makers with separate portioned cups

The yoghurt makers, which are complemented by individual portioned cups, are highly specialized. But with them you can cook delicious fermented milk products, taking into account the desires of each family member.

When choosing a device of this type, it is worth considering that it will only be possible to cook yogurt in it. Therefore, this technique is suitable exclusively for lovers of similar products.

Advantages

  • Excellent taste of the finished yoghurt;

  • Covered containers can be stored for relatively long periods of time (1-2 days or more depending on the temperature in the refrigerator);

  • The ability to prepare several varieties of fermented milk products at the request of each family member;

disadvantages

  • Suitable for cooking only some types of fermented milk products (yogurt and the like);

  • The taste of the finished product largely depends on the material of the cup;

  • Slightly more difficult to clean (you will need to wash more dishes);

Which yogurt maker to choose

When choosing a yogurt maker, it is worth considering the planned use. So, if you want to cook various dairy products like cottage cheese and kefir, you should take a model with a single bowl. But exclusively for yogurt, if its taste is very important, a model equipped with separate cups for each serving of the dish is suitable.

In both cases, it is necessary to take into account the material from which the bowl or cups are made.

Main selection criteria

Yogurt maker selection options

The functional and operational characteristics of the yogurt maker are influenced by the following parameters:

  1. Bowl material and capacity;

  2. Material and number of cups;

  3. Features of the cups;

  4. Additional functionality.

Important additional features include parameters that determine the usability and usability of the device.

Bowl material and capacity

Yoghurt makers with a single (common) bowl are a good solution for preparing a large number of fermented milk products. True, these dishes must be consumed immediately after fermentation is complete.

The capacity of the bowl determines the amount of food that can be cooked in one cycle of using the yogurt maker and the speed of processing. Devices equipped with a 1 liter reservoir are the most practical. They can cook exactly the amount of food that can be consumed in one sitting by a family of 1-2 people. In addition, the rate of fermentation in such yogurt makers is the most optimal.

If the family has more than 2 people, it is worth buying a 2 liter yogurt maker. But it is worth considering that in such devices, some fermented milk products may not turn out as tasty as we would like.

The material of the bowl determines the taste of fermented milk products and the cost of the yogurt maker. The container can be made of plastic, ceramic or glass.

Plastic bowls

Advantages

  • Low price;

  • Resistance to abrasive action of detergents;

  • High mechanical and thermal strength;

disadvantages

  • The taste qualities of products cooked in such bowls are inferior to those cooked in ceramic or glass containers;

  • The shelf life of products from such bowls is very short.

Glass bowls

Advantages

  • Do not change the taste of the product in any way;

  • Warm up well;

  • Easy to clean;

disadvantages

  • Low mechanical resistance;

  • High price;

  • Low thermal stability (pouring cold milk into them is not recommended at all);

Glass bowls

Advantages

  • Do not change the taste of the product in any way;

  • Warm up well;

  • Easy to clean;

disadvantages

  • Low mechanical resistance;

  • Low thermal stability (pouring cold milk into them is not recommended at all);

  • High price;

Ceramic bowls

Ceramic bowls are perhaps the best solution for use in yogurt makers. such bowls allow you to prepare the most delicious yoghurt, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, kefir and similar products.

Advantages

  • The best taste of fermented milk products (especially rendered, such as fermented baked milk);

  • When the heating mode is on, food in such bowls only tastes better;

  • Warm up well;

  • Easy to clean;

disadvantages

  • Mechanical fragility;

  • High price;

  • Not suitable for making yoghurts with fruit additives;

Material and number of cups

The number of cups, as the name implies, determines the number of servings that can be prepared in a yogurt maker in one cycle.

Most yogurt makers are designed for 4-7 cups. This is enough for 1-3 people. The larger number of cups additionally leads to the fact that the cooking process becomes rather long.

You should choose the number of cups based on your preferences and the number of users.

Cups can be made of plastic, glass or ceramic – and they have the same advantages and disadvantages as plastic, glass or ceramic bowls for yogurt makers with one capacity.

Features of cups

Among the functional features of the cups, which determine the convenience of using the yogurt maker, are:

  1. The presence of a cover;

  2. Cover mounting type;

  3. Possibility to write the date of manufacture of the yoghurt on the lid.

The presence of a lid is a very useful element that will appeal to people who are not used to consuming yogurt immediately after making it. Closed cups can be kept in the refrigerator for several days.

The type of lid fixation determines the density of its fixation on the cups. A regular plastic rim does not allow the container to be hermetically sealed, so ready-made yogurt can be stored for no more than 1-2 days. The screw thread provides a high tightness, but it is found mainly on glass cups. Yogurt in such a container can be stored for up to several days, subject to temperature conditions.

The ability to write on the lid the date of manufacture of yogurt is a very useful function for people who are used to storing fermented milk products for a long time (from 2-3 days). This avoids eating expired food.

Additional functions

Additional functions

Among the most practical additional functions of yogurt makers are:

  1. Built-in cord recess;

  2. Digital display;

  3. The presence of a circuit breaker;

  4. Sound signal when ready;

  5. Delayed start timer;

  6. Heating mode;

  7. Thermoregulator.

The built-in cord recess is a useful feature for people who plan to use the yogurt maker periodically. The only drawback is that most models with this feature come with a short power cable.

The digital display is a great feature for a yogurt maker that can be used to prepare a wide variety of fermented milk products. The screen displays the processing time and temperature.

The presence of a circuit breaker makes the use of the yoghurt maker safer and also prevents food 'digestion', which spoils the taste of the finished dish.

The ready-to-beep sound is a useful feature for lovers of the freshest, freshly prepared yoghurt.

The delayed start timer is another useful feature for lovers of the freshest yogurt. With it, you can pour milk and add sourdough in the evening, and in the morning you can get a freshly prepared product. But it is worth remembering that the prolonged presence of lactic acid bacteria in milk greatly changes the taste of yogurt.

The heating mode is not very suitable for making yoghurt directly, but it significantly improves the taste of fermented baked milk, and also makes the cottage cheese more fat.

The thermostat is necessary for yogurt makers, in which it is planned to prepare not only yogurt, but also other fermented milk products. For example, fermented baked milk, yogurt, cottage cheese or sour cream. All of them require special thermal conditions for cooking.

How much does a yogurt maker cost

Prices for yogurt makers depend on the material and capacity of the bowl, as well as the functionality of the devices. So, models with a small plastic container cost from several hundred rubles, but top-end equipment with many individual jars, timers and other features is sold for several thousand rubles.

The vast majority of models are in the price range of 2-3 thousand rubles.

The best yogurt makers – which company to choose

Among the manufacturers of yoghurt makers are:

  1. Oursson – specializes in the production of yoghurt makers. The models belong to the middle price segment, but they offer functionality that ensures the best taste of the finished product – rubberized seals, overheating protection, ceramic containers;

  2. Tefal, Kitfort are well-known manufacturers of small kitchen appliances. Yoghurt makers belong to the middle price range, are distinguished by their durability and high quality;

  3. Galaxy – produces budget but high quality yogurt makers.

You can also highlight the companies Redmond and Great Rivers, which produce budget models of yogurt makers.

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In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose the right meat grinder.

Video for choosing yogurt makers


Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.

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