Yoghurt can be prepared without any appliance but a yogurt maker works best as it controls the temperature properly. This is specially useful if you like to have it regularly and want enjoy the tastes of Chobani and Yoplait at home and less cost. Or if you are planning to go with diets like Special Carbohydrate diet.
The appliances also make yogurt in bulk which will be difficult otherwise.
Check our top 10 yogurt maker below! You can sort on rating, price, etc. Please note that the price is the original listing price and that discounts are often available! Check for a discount before buying!
Top 10 yogurt makers
Model | Capacity | Fermentation time | Timer Controls (Yes/no) | Our Rating | Listing Price |
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Cuisinart CYM-100 Electronic with Automatic Cooling | 50 oz (1.5 litres) | 6 hrs | Yes Automatic cooling | 4.2 | Check for Price |
Euro Cuisine YM260 2qt Electric (White) | 2 quarts | 6 - 8 hrs | Yes | 5.0 | Check for Price |
Dash Go Bulk Yogurt Maker | 1 quart | 6 - 12 hrs | No | 5.0 | Check for Price |
Euro-Cuisine YM100 Automatic | 42 oz (7 jars of 6 oz) | 6 - 10 hrs | Yes Automatic shutoff | 4.3 | Check for Price |
Folding Bread Proofer and Yogurt Maker | 2 gallons (8 quarts) | 4 - 6 hrs | Yes | 4.7 | Check for Price |
VitaClay VM7900-8 Organic Multi-Cooker and Yogurt maker | 4.2 quarts | 6 - 10 hrs | Yes Programmable timer | 3.8 | Check for Price |
Euro Cuisine YM80 | 42 oz (7 jars of 6oz) | 6 - 10 hrs | No | 4.5 | Check for Price |
Yogourmet Electric | 2 quarts | 4.5 hrs | No | 4.4 | Check for Price |
Aroma AYM-606 8-Cup Digital | 40 oz ( 8 jars of 5 oz ) | 8 - 10 hrs | Yes Automatic shutoff | 4.5 | Check for Price |
Yolife (YL-210) | 42 oz (7 jars of 6 oz) | 8 - 12 hrs | Yes | 4.2 | Check for Price |
You can check the complete list here.
Features to consider while buying a yogurt maker
Check out some of these cool features to select the best yogurt maker.
Capacity
There are number of jars which come with an electric yogurt products and this would define the amount of yoghourt that one can prepare in the best way.
The number of jars can also allow you to prepare different flavors of yogurt at the same time. There are other types also where yogurt can be made in one big jar.
Single jar
They typically have higher volume and ideal when you are not making multiple flavors in a single batch.
Cuisinart CYM-100 Electronic They can make 1.5 litres or 50 ounces in one batch. This is the only unit to make frozen yogurt and definitely one of the best models. |
Yogourmet Multi Electric They have a volume of 2 quarts. |
Euro Cuisine YM260 This is the bulk yogurt maker from Euro Cuisine, the best brand out there. It has a capacity of 2 quarts. |
Dash Go Bulk This is a single jar machine from Dash and has a capacity of 1 quart. |
Yogotherm incubator It has a capacity of 2 quarts. |
Easiyo It has a capacity of 35 ounces. |
Tall cover
Tall covers can be useful as you can use your own jars including Pyrex bowls or mason jars to make yogurt.
Yolife YL-210 has a tall cover which lets you make 80 ounces of yogurt. |
Heating
The maker heats the milk and maintains the temperature to around 110 degree Fahrenheit which is ideal for the bacteria to survive for fermentation.
If the yogurt maker does not heat properly to desired temperature, yogurt will not be made properly as fermentation will not happen. And too much heat will kill the bacteria.
So this is the most important function while buying a machine. If a yogurt maker does not heat and maintain the right temperature there is no use for it with other cool features even in the jazzy models.
Pricing
– Less than $40
The yogurt makers in this price range typically are not automatic and you need to shut it off manually. They might not have LCD and displays also.
Listed below are some of the cheap yogurt makers which are available at less than 20 USD.
Baby Chef Artisan by Kidsline |
– $40-$60
Most yogurt makers fall into this range. They have automatic shutoff and come with timer controls and LCD or LED displays.
– Greater than $60
These are mostly multi purpose appliances and serve extra functions like frozen yoghurt maker or ice cream maker or bread maker. The best models which fall in this range are as below:
Salton YM7 electric |
Cuisinart CYM-100 Electronic It comes with automatic cooling and the only one to make frozen yogurt. |
Brod and Talor Folding Bread Proofer and Yogurt Maker |
Thermostat
The thermostat should be reliable to control the temperature effective. Since the temperature needs to be controlled, the thermostat is the most important part of the yogurt maker.
Timer Controls
Timers will make it easy to set the recommended processing time especially if you are preparing a particular recipe.
Fermentation Time
Generally it takes 6-12 hours to get the yoghurt. The times will differ as different bacteria take different time to ferment.
Greek yogurt makers
These come with yogurt strainers that are needed for making Greek yogurt.
Dash Greek yogurt maker It comes with an inbuilt strainer which can be used. The technology is patented in this and is the best one to make Greek yogurt. |
Otherwise you can buy cheesecloth or a specifically made basket/sieve to strain for couple of hours and remove the whey from regular yogurt to give Greek yogurt.
Dateable lid or jars
Keeping track of date when you make the yogurt is useful as it helps you to remember especially if you make it for using over the week or longer. It will also help to you to keep track if you plan to get starter culture from the yogurt you have prepared.
Euro Cuisine YMX 650 Automatic – has 7 jars with dateable lids. | T-fal – has dateable jar. |
Water bath system
Yogourmet Multi Electric It has a water bath system. This heats the walls uniformly by using water and hence it claims uniform heating all over the yogurt maker. |
Type of milk
Regular, Soy, Rice, coconut or Almond milk can be made into yoghourt. Read more for dairy free yogurt.
The regular milk needs to be boiled and then cooled whereas processed milk like UHT can be used at room temperature or slightly warm.
There are starters available in the market for vegan yogurt and you can use them if you do not want regular milk. For vegan you should also specifically check if the machine makes them and if possible prior experience of other users.
Automatic shutoff
Automatic shutoff is a very convenient feature as it eases you of the pain to remember and shut the yogurt maker. The price goes up a few dollars for this feature.
Warranty
Most come with a warranty of 1 to 3 years. If the unit is not working you should replace as there might be issue with heating.
Dishwasher safe
The yogurt maker should be dishwasher safe as milk can get yucky and needs to be easily washed. The jars and lids can get dirty and hence need to be such that they can go in the dishwasher.
DIETS
Yogurt can be a great ingredient for special diets. For instance, diets like the Special Carbohydrate diet.
Multipurpose yogurt makers
Folding Bread Proofer and Yogurt Maker by Brod & Taylor The appliances can be used for 1. Rising Bread 2. Making Yogurt 3. Melt ChocolateIt maintains a temperature range of 70 – 120°F. This is an excellent appliance if you are looking for bread and yogurt making. The humidity can also be controlled by maintaining water levels. |
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Cuisinart CYM-100 This has Automatic cooling and is an ice cream maker. The machine allows you to cool and make frozen yogurt. Once processing time has elapsed, the unit switches itself to a cooling mode. This lets you avoid the inconvenient step of taking the yogurt from maker and placing it in the refrigerator as in the other makers. They also let you make ice cream and Cuisinart actually is more focused on ice cream makers and is one of the best at that. |
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VitaClay Smart Organic Multicooker VitaClay Smart Organic Cooker can be used as a slow cooker, rice cooker, vegetable steamer and now has an added function for making yogurt. It has a pot made of Zisha clay found naturally in China and rich in iron oxide. This cooks the food in its own juices and is healthy.VitaClay has other models also like VitaClay 2 in 1 Stoneware Slow Cooker and Yogurt Maker |
Benefits of using yogurt makers
Who does not like homemade yogurt? There are many benefits some of which are as follows:
No additives or preservatives
You get pure yogurt without any additives or preservatives. The yogurt will not contain artificial colors also.
Control fat content
You can control fat content by choosing the appropriate milk which can be whole, 2%, 1%, skim, powdered or skim milk
Control sweetener
A yoghurt maker gives you flexibility of sweetener. You can use sugar, spenda, syrups, nectar or any option that you would like to use.
Flavor
You can create any flavor that you can imagine.
Cost of yogurt
The yogurt is cheaper than the ones you would get in the market.
HEALTHY YOGURT?
Yogurt can reduce the high blood pressure and is considered as a low fat food product. Next to the nutritious vitamins and the good bacteria, we can certainly say: yes, yogurt is healthy!
Yogurt not turning out as desired
There are many reasons why the yogurt may turn out to be liquidy or grainy or lumpy.
These can for various reasons like incorrect starter culture being used or milk being too hot or disturbing the yogurt maker while being made.
You can check more at Troubleshooting why yogurt is not turning out right.
Accessories
There are many accessories available and some of them can be used even if you do not have a yogurt maker. For example, you can use strainer to make Greek yogurt from plain yogurt bought from the market.
Strainers for Greek yogurt and yogurt cheese |
Jars for extra storage |
Thermometer to monitor temperature of milk |
Frequently asked questions
How can you make thicker yogurts?
What kinds of starters are good to make yogurt?
Have such questions, check FAQs about yogurt makers.
So go out and get the best yogurt maker for yourself.