How a Yogurt Maker Works

Yogurt is made with a live culture that takes time to grow, much the same way that yeast needs time to make bread rise. This live culture is important to healthy digestion, which is why yogurt is often recommended to people having stomach problems. You mix the yogurt using my recipe or a base, such as Easiyo Greek Style Yogurt Base and Culture, 6-Ounce. Easiyo sells bases in several flavors, or you can add your own fruits and preserves to a basic plain yogurt recipe.

The yogurt maker cooks the mixture in a warm environment over several hours, giving the live culture plenty of time to activate. When the yogurt is thickened, usually after 4-6 hours, the yogurt machine turns off and the jars of yogurt may be stored in the refrigerator.

Types of Yogurt Makers

Yogurt makers come in styles that make one large quart sized jar, or other models that make small, single serving jars. They are all fairly inexpensive, so choose one to suit your needs. I prefer to make the single serving jars.

Both styles cook about 32 ounces of yogurt at a time. I have used the Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker - YM80 for a few years now, and it has always turned out a perfect yogurt. Replacement jars are easy to find for it if you want to make yogurt more frequently. My jars have stood up to heavy use, and I wash them in the dishwasher along with the plastic lids, and they are still like new.

FUN Rating: 15

I give the Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker - YM80 a FUN rating of 15 because it is so convenient to make yogurt in it. It beats baking yogurt in the oven, or on a heating pad, because in the machine, it turns out perfectly every time. The entire machine is smaller than my toaster, which makes it easy to store when I’m not using it.

If you enjoy making your own yogurt, having a machine is well worth the small investment for the convenience and for the superior product. Once you’ve tasted healthy, organic, homemade yogurt, you’ll probably always want to make your own.

Suzanne Pitner loves to cook, knit, and teach. She has won several Editor’s Choice awards as a feature writer at Suite 101 and she maintains the TeacherWriter blog. Follow her on Twitter!