How to choose a yogurt maker - what is important to know before you buy
When choosing a yogurt maker, it is worth considering a few parameters that will determine its performance.
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- Parameters worth considering
- Types of yogurt makers
- Main selection criteria
- Additional functions
- How much is yogurt maker
- The best manufacturers of yogurt makers - which company to choose
- Video selection yogurtnits
We recommend to get acquainted with rated top yogurt makers according to experts.
How to choose a yogurt maker: parameters that should be considered
When choosing a yoghurt maker, first of all you should pay attention to the following parameters:
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Bowl volume (for cupless yogurt makers);
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The number of containers inside the yogurt maker;
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Type of cups for making yogurt;
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The ability to celebrate the date of cooking yogurt on the lid of the cup;
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Additional functions.
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Also important is the manufacturer of the device.
Types of yogurt makers
Yogurt makers are divided into two types - with a general capacity for the preparation of fermented milk products and with individual cups in which the starter is made.
Large capacity yogurt makers
Yogurt makers, which have one common bowl for the preparation of fermented milk products, are quite rare. Nevertheless, they are very practical if you plan to ferment also cottage cheese or ryazhenka.
When choosing such a yogurt maker, it is worth considering the material of the bowl, since it strongly influences the taste of some products (for example, ryazhenka in ceramic containers is especially tender).
Virtues
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They can cook not only yogurt, but also cottage cheese, ryazhenka, kefir and other dairy products;
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They have a fairly low price (in comparison with models that use separate complete cups);
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Easy to clean and maintain;
disadvantages
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Products cooked in them are not intended for long-term storage;
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The impossibility of using yogurt makers for cooking several varieties of products at the same time;
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During the preparation of products may require human intervention (for example, for mixing);
Yogurt makers with individual portioned cups
Yogurt makers, which are complemented with individual portioned cups, are distinguished by narrow specialization. But with them you can cook delicious dairy products, taking into account the desires of each family member.
When choosing a device of this type is worth considering that it will only cook yogurt. Therefore, this technique is suitable only for lovers of such products.
Virtues
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Excellent taste of the finished yogurt;
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Closed cooking containers can be stored for a relatively long time (1-2 days or even more, depending on the temperature in the refrigerator);
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The ability to cook several varieties of fermented milk products at the request of each family member;
disadvantages
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Suitable for the preparation of only certain types of dairy products (yogurt and the like);
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The taste of the finished product depends largely on the material of the cup;
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Slightly more difficult to clean (you will need to wash more dishes);
What yogurtnits choose
When choosing a yogurt maker, it is worth considering the intended use of it. So, if you want to cook various dairy products like cottage cheese and kefir, you should take a model with a single bowl. But only for yogurt, if its taste is very important, a model equipped with individual cups for each serving of the dish will do.
In both cases, it is necessary to take into account the material from which the cup or cups are made.
Main selection criteria
The following parameters affect the functional and operational characteristics of a yogurt maker:
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Material and capacity of the bowl;
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The material and number of cups;
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Features cups;
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Additional functionality.
Important additional features include parameters that determine the practicality and usability of the device.
Bowl material and capacity
Yogurt makers with a single (common) bowl are a good solution for making large quantities of fermented milk products. True, these dishes must be consumed immediately after the completion of fermentation.
Bowl capacity determines the number of products that can be prepared during one cycle of using yogurt maker, and the speed of their processing. Devices equipped with a 1 liter tank 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 speed of fermentation in such yogurt makers is optimal.
If the family has more than 2 people, it is worth buying a yogurt box 2 liters. But it is worth considering that in such devices, some dairy products may not be as tasty as we would like.
The material of the bowl determines the taste of fermented milk products and the cost of yogurt maker. Capacity can be made of plastic, ceramic or glass.
Plastic bowls
Virtues
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Low price;
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Resistance to abrasive action of detergents;
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High mechanical and thermal strength;
disadvantages
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The taste qualities of the products prepared in such bowls are inferior to those prepared in ceramic or glass containers;
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The shelf life of products from such bowls is very small.
Glass bowls
Virtues
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Do not change the taste of the product;
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Warm up well;
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Easy to clean;
disadvantages
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Low mechanical stability;
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High price;
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Low thermal stability (pour cold milk into them is not recommended);
Glass bowls
Virtues
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Do not change the taste of the product;
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Warm up well;
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Easy to clean;
disadvantages
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Low mechanical stability;
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Low thermal stability (pour cold milk into them is not recommended);
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High price;
Ceramic bowls
Ceramic bowls - perhaps the best solution for use in yogurt makers. Such bowls allow you to cook the most delicious yogurt, ryazhenka, cottage cheese, kefir and similar products.
Virtues
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The best taste of fermented milk products (especially ghee, such as ryazhenka);
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Products in such bowls with heating mode turned on only get tastier;
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Warm up well;
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Easy to clean;
disadvantages
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Mechanical fragility;
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High price;
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Not suitable for making yogurts 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 quite enough for 1-3 people. A larger number of cups additionally leads to the fact that the cooking process becomes quite long.
Choose the number of cups is based on their preferences and the number of users.
The cups can be made of plastic, glass or ceramics - and they have the same advantages and disadvantages as plastic, glass or ceramic bowls for yogurt dishes with one container.
Cups features
Among the functional features of the cups, which determine the usability of the yoghurt maker, it is possible to distinguish:
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The presence of the cover;
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Type of mounting cap;
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The ability to write on the cover the date of manufacture of yogurt.
The presence of a lid is a very useful item that will appeal to people who are not used to using yogurt immediately after its preparation. Closed cups can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.
The type of fastening of the cover determines the density of its fixation on the cups. A regular plastic rim does not allow hermetic sealing of the container, therefore, ready-made yogurt can be stored no more than 1-2 days. Screwing thread provides greater fixing density, 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 dairy products for a long time (from 2-3 days). This avoids the use of expired dishes.
Additional functions
Among the most practical additional functions of yogurt makers are:
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Built-in niche for the cord;
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Digital display;
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The presence of a circuit breaker;
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Beep by readiness;
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Delayed start timer;
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Heating mode;
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Thermostat
Built-in niche for the cord - A useful feature for people who plan to use a yogurt maker periodically. The only drawback is that most models with this feature are equipped with a short power cable.
Digital display - A great feature for yogurt maker, which can be used to prepare a variety of dairy products. The screen displays the time and temperature of processing.
Circuit breaker makes yogurt maker safer, and also prevents the "digestion" of products, as a result of which the taste of the finished dish deteriorates.
Ready Beep - A useful feature for lovers of fresh, freshly cooked yogurt.
Delayed start timer - Another useful feature for lovers of the freshest yogurt. With it, you can pour milk and add leaven in the evening, and in the morning get freshly cooked product. But it is worth remembering that a long stay of lactic acid bacteria in milk greatly changes the taste of yogurt.
Heating mode It is not suitable for making yoghurt directly, but it significantly improves the taste of ryazhenka and also makes cottage cheese fatter.
The thermostat is necessary for yogurt makers, in which it is planned to prepare not only yogurt, but also other dairy products. For example, ryazhenka, clabber, cottage cheese or sour cream. They all require special thermal conditions for cooking.
How much is yogurt maker
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 capacity cost from a few hundred rubles, while top-end equipment with a lot of 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 manufacturers of yogurt makers - which company to choose
Among the manufacturers of yogurt makers can be identified:
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Oursson - specializes in the production of yogurt makers. Models belong to the average price segment, but offer functionality that provides the best taste of the finished product - rubberized seals, overheating protection, ceramic containers
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Tefal, Kitfort - famous manufacturers of small kitchen appliances. Yogurt makers belong to the average price range, are distinguished by durability and high quality;
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Galaxy - produces low-cost but high-quality yogurt makers.
You can also highlight the company Redmond and “Great rivers”, which produce low-end models of yogurt makers.
In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose a meat grinder.
Video selection yogurtnits
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.