The Ultimate Guide for the Best Yogurt Maker

Many are aware of the benefits of eating wholesome yogurt. Not only is it great for the gut and body, full of helpful bacteria, and a plentiful source of calcium and protein, but yogurt is also a delicious and healthy snack. The problem: quality yogurt is typically quite pricey. You can easily pay more than $5 for less than a quart of good Greek or other yogurt if you buy it from the store, which is why more people are turning to using yogurt makers.

Aside from the savings, another key advantage of making your own yogurt is that you’ll be better able to control the nutritional content and easily customize the flavor to suit your preferences. This eliminates problems with store bought yogurt being too sweet, too thin or thick for your liking, or lacking as many probiotics as you’d like. What’s more, when you make your own yogurt you’ll get to avoid anything that you don’t want, such as chemicals, artificial flavorings, and colorants.

It’s possible to make yogurt without a machine — that’s how it was done for thousands of years before technological advancements came along. However, machines make the process much easier and virtually foolproof. When you make yogurt the old-fashioned way, there’s a considerable amount of monitoring that you have to do in order to reach a desirable taste and texture. It’s also much more difficult to get consistent results with each batch.

Yogurt makers could hardly be easier to use, and they’re quite affordable. If you or your family members frequently eat yogurt, investing in a machine will save bundles of money in the long run. Within a year you can realize the savings of making your own delicious yogurt as opposed to purchasing it pre-made from the store.

When you first start researching, reading through yogurt maker reviews, and trying to choose the right machine for your needs, you’ll notice that there’s a variety of options and types available.

The Greek yogurt maker specifically makes Greek style yogurt, which is thicker, tangier, and has significantly more protein and less carbs than other types of yogurt.

Digital yogurt makers and well as models that have efficient cooling systems, space saving features, and small batch options are also available. Before we get into the best yogurt makers on the market, there are a few things to consider about the process of using a machine and storing the finished treat.

While each yogurt maker will come with specific instructions that you should read, the process is generally the same across all brands. First you’ll decide whether you want to add in fruits and flavorings in your batch, or opt to add those things to individual portions of yogurt and make a plain batch. You’ll then gather your chosen ingredients — the minimum required is typically milk and a culture or yogurt starter.

After the ingredients have been added to the machine and the timer is set, the mixture will cook and ferment. The time that this takes depends on how much yogurt you’re making at a time, whether you added in fruits and other ingredients, and what type of milk you’re using. A Greek yogurt maker will also require different fermentation times to get its signature flavor and texture.

Once the machine is set, you simply let it work its magic, allow it to go through the cooling cycle, and then refrigerate it. Some people choose to strain their finished yogurt to make it thicker or place individual portions into storage containers for convenience. There are now many machines that include yogurt containers to make storing yogurt even easier.

In general, the longer the yogurt ferments, the tangier the finished taste will be and the thicker the consistency. Whole milks are typically best to use in yogurt machines and you should be careful to avoid using ultra-pasteurized milk, which can affect the final result. To add flavorings and mix-ins to finished yogurt, wait at least six hours after it has cooled. The final product will taste its best within four days after it has been made, but you can safely keep homemade yogurt in your refrigerator for a maximum of eight to ten days.

Here are some of the best yogurt makers that you can buy for home use. Each of these models works well, is easy to operate, and creates delicious homemade yogurt.

The Cuisinart CYM-100 Electronic Yogurt Maker comes equipped with many useful features, the highlight being its automatic cooling system that ensures your yogurt is chilled to just the right temperature. Once the fermentation cycle is completed, the unit automatically begins cooling down without you having to babysit the machine.

You can make a batch of up to six eight-ounce servings at once, making this machine a great choice for families and people who eat yogurt daily. The timing controls on this model will give you a feeling of confidence even if you’ve never made yogurt before — that’s how user friendly and foolproof the setup of this model is.

A digital timer display allows you to clearly see where the process is at and how much longer your batch has until it’s ready. Start and stop the yogurt maker with just one touch of a button, and in a few hours you’ll have some of the best yogurt that you’ve ever tasted. This machine is also incredibly versatile. You can add flavors in while each batch is fermenting and use just about any milk or soymilk to create your yogurt. Another bonus is that you don’t have to use any specific type or brand of cultures and can add whatever you prefer to each batch.

As far as looks go, the Cuisinart CYM-100 is attractive enough to leave out on your counter. Its footprint is small enough that it’s not imposing and the machine can easily be stored away. It has a white exterior with stainless steel accents, and the appearance and great features of this machine make it well worth its price of $99.95. All things considered, this is the best yogurt maker that you can buy, and it will perform well for years without missing a beat.

A less expensive option that is still very efficient is the Euro Cuisine YMX650 Automatic Digital Yogurt Maker. It’s easy to use and can make a batch of homemade yogurt in just six to ten hours. The LCD display on this model is clear and bright, and the process to use this machine is very straightforward.

You can use any sweeteners, flavorings, or add-ins that you want with this machine, but it’s best used with whole milks. If you’re new to the world of homemade yogurt and need some guidance, you’ll find the included recipe booklet very helpful. The recipes are quick and well-tested, and you’ll likely have most of the necessary ingredients on hand and be able to get started right away.

This machine’s countdown timer spans up to 15 hours and will alert you when your batch is done fermenting. After the yogurt is done the machine automatically shuts itself off, which is quite convenient and a great safety feature. One thing that makes this yogurt maker a good value is that it comes with seven six-ounce jars that you can use to ferment and store your yogurt. The lids of the containers are writeable, so you can place the date on each one and know how long you have to eat it.

If counter and storage space in your kitchen are limited, you’ll appreciate the small footprint of this model. The look of it is nice, and you can easily get away with leaving it out on your counter without worries about it clashing with the decor in your kitchen.

For a price of just under $50 this yogurt maker is a good choice for those who are on a budget, but who also want a machine that will last and consistently produce great yogurt.

Greek yogurt is in a league of its own, and its taste and texture are so distinctive that it’s incomparable to other types of yogurt. The Greek style is very healthful, and if you’re someone who is looking to increase your protein intake it’s the best type of yogurt you can eat. It’s also favored by those who are limiting carbs, as Greek yogurt has less carbohydrates than traditional yogurts.

If you prefer to eat Greek style yogurt more than any other, the Dash Greek Yogurt Maker is well worth considering. It makes a maximum of two quarts of Greek yogurt at a time and includes some excellent accessories that will help your yogurt will turn out lusciously thick and flavorful every time. This yogurt maker comes with two storage buckets that are BPA free and each has a secure lid. You’ll also get a Greek yogurt strainer with the machine.

Other useful features of the Dash Greek Yogurt Maker include a vivid LCD display, custom timer, hidden cord storage, and parts that can be washed in the dishwasher. If you’re short on time but still want to make your own yogurt, this benefit will definitely come in handy.

Because Greek yogurt is different from other types, it’s helpful that a recipe book is included with the Dash Greek Yogurt Maker. You’ll also receive access to the company’s online database of recipes, which is excellent if you like trying new flavors. No matter which recipe you choose, the result will be Greek yogurt with a flavor and consistency that will rival — and likely beat — that of premium store brands.

This machine comes in four color options: blue, pink, white with pink trim, and white with blue trim. It’s not large and won’t take up much space on your counter or in the cabinet.

The price of the Dash Greek Yogurt Maker is very affordable, and at only $24.49 you’ll recoup your investment within a couple of months. It’s by far the best Greek yogurt maker available.

Those who are on a very small budget and looking for an easy way to make yogurt at home should check out the Euro Cuisine YM80 Yogurt Maker. Its price point of less than $24 is a true bargain. The cost is ideal for those who aren’t looking to spend a lot of money, but the most important thing is this machine actually works as intended and will reliably produce batches of great tasting yogurt.

Surprisingly, the Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker comes with seven six-ounce glass containers with BPA free lids that you can use to both make and store your finished yogurt. The jars are dishwasher safe, sturdy, and of high quality.

The YM80 doesn’t have many frills but its components are all BPA free, it has a handy light indicator to let you know it’s on, and the model has a built in timer that makes monitoring the cooking process easier. The Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker takes between six to ten hours to complete a batch, and it’s a good option for families and individuals.

As far as looks go, this yogurt maker will blend in with any kitchen’s style and has a footprint that measures just 9.5 x 9.5 x 6 inches. For no-fuss functions and a machine that has just enough features to guarantee tasty yogurt when you want it, you can’t go wrong with the Euro Cuisine YM80.