Yogurt makers have been on the market for years, they are cheap, easy to use, and now more popular than ever, thanks to all the emerging science on the benefits of fermented foods for the health of the intestine.
If you eat yogurt regularly, it is worth buying one, especially if you want to have more control over the sweeteners, flavors, and quality of the milk used.
Here we had selected the latest and advanced models of the best yogurt makers that are given below.
Everything You Need to Know About Yogurt Makers
To a not exactly expert eye, yogurt makers can seem very similar to each other or, at least, different only from the point of view of design. In fact, know that this is not the case: usually, a professional type yogurt maker is not only aesthetically more attractive, but above all, it is better in terms of performance and its structural qualities.
Let’s see the differences in detail:
Stabilization System
Yogurt is nothing but fermented milk thanks to the multiplication of particular bacteria: but despite the simplicity of the chemical reaction that allows its production, a slight movement or vibration of the appliance can be enough to alter the fermentation process and, consequently, compromise the success of your work; therefore in all yogurt makers, there are devices, more or less elaborate, capable of absorbing any type of impact.
Yogurt Maker Stabilization System
In almost all models, to guarantee stability, the most straightforward and most immediate solution is adopted, that is, to equip the appliance with rubber feet. In other models, there can also be base support, even in metal, of dimensions suitable for the body of the yogurt maker.
Timer / Auto Switch-Off Function
Some more elaborate yogurt makers are equipped with a digital display that allows you to program the processing time or even acknowledge the appliance to stop autonomously when the preparation process ends. Since the fermentation times may vary according to the device, it is always useful to consult the instruction manual attached to the machine before starting to use it, above all, if you want to use the programming function.
Check the Presence of The Yogurt Maker Timer
The basic models, on the other hand, do not require any programming and are not equipped with automatic switch-off: they are therefore simpler to use but need to be kept under control for the duration of the work.
Materials
The manufacturers pay particular attention to the materials with which their yogurt makers are made. For example, the fact that a yogurt maker needs to be well anchored to the work surface to ensure its stability brings with it that a heavy material is used to manufacture it, which can be thick and resistant plastic or even metal.
Plastic Lid of The Yogurt Maker
The lid is usually made of transparent material to display the status of the preparation easily: a particularly important device, since the fermentation of the milk takes place at a temperature of 30/40 degrees and modify this temperature inside the yogurt maker, raising the lid, could jeopardize the success of the work.
Thermostat
The more elaborate models of yogurt makers are usually equipped with a thermostat, which keeps the temperature inside and constant during preparation.
Since with the yogurt maker, it is also possible to prepare some types of fresh cheeses or some desserts (even vegan), the thermostat is an accessory that proves very useful.
Dimensions
The size of a yogurt maker varies according to its capacity and, when choosing the model, it will be useful to take it into account, just as it will be useful to ascertain whether or not any accessories are available. In principle, the models with higher performance have a capacity that allows the production of about 1 kg of yogurt at each incubation.
Reusable Jars Supplied
Most of the models on the market are equipped with reusable jars (each with a capacity of 100/150 grams), equipped with hermetically sealed lids and adhesive labels on which to indicate useful information regarding the contents of the jars, such as yogurt taste, weight, preparation date, expiration date.
Still, other models are supplied with a single large carafe, the contents of which can be poured, after preparation, into jars of the desired size, but always taking into account the fact that homemade yogurt is a quickly perishable product and should be consumed in the time frame of 8/10 days since it does not contain preservatives like industrial products.
Yogurt Maker with Large Carafe
At the end of this analysis of the technical characteristics of a yogurt maker, a small remark on its efficiency: it may happen that at first use, the result does not fully correspond to your expectations.
Like any electronic device, even a perfectly conceived and technically made yogurt maker has its running-in times: do not get lost in the limbo of why and act by changing something every time you prepare your homemade yogurt.
For example, change the type of milk used, prefer quality raw materials, and wait for the machine to start operating (together with you), finally obtaining the perfect result.
How to Clean the Yogurt Maker?
Don’t worry, and just a few small tricks will be needed to get a thorough cleaning of your appliance:
Pass on the base a soft cloth moistened with water and well wrung out, or a non-abrasive sponge, avoiding chemical detergents (if necessary, use them in small doses and prefer biological ones);
- Wash the jars (or the carafe) by hand, or in the dishwasher if allowed by the instructions;
- Always clean the lid after each use.
- If you had to use detergents in addition to water, remember to rinse all parts of your yogurt maker carefully, then dry them thoroughly before putting them away (to avoid the formation of bad smells or mold).
- While the glass parts can be washed with hot water, for the plastic parts only use lukewarm water: use particular caution in cleaning the caps and threads that could deform and not close the containers well the next time you use them.
- Finally, remember not to bring into contact with water, let alone immerse in water the parts of your yogurt maker that contain electrical circuits.
