Yogurt maker - what is it and why is it needed?
A yogurt maker is a simple but very useful kitchen appliance in the form of a rectangular, round or square container with a lid. The device is intended for preparing fermented milk products at home. Store-bought yoghurts often do not meet expectations in terms of freshness or composition. When you create a product yourself, you can control all the ingredients and remain completely confident that the delicacy has not expired.
The design and operating principle of the yogurt maker are simple, but the device allows you to set a variety of settings. For example, most often you can adjust the heating temperature and set the processing time of the product.
In a yogurt maker you can prepare thin or thick, sour or sweeter treats
Even simple models are designed for preparing several products at once. The yogurt maker does:
- kefir;
- curdled milk;
- sour cream;
- cottage cheese;
- fermented baked milk;
- Varenets
A yogurt maker usually comes with a recipe book that lists dishes suitable for the kitchen appliance. Most devices allow you to create curd and drinking treats, dishes for baby feeding, desserts with the addition of berries, fruits or sweets.
Important! Homemade fermented milk products cannot be stored for long periods of time. But it is precisely due to the absence of preservatives that they remain as beneficial as possible.
What can you cook in a yogurt maker?
Despite the name, the yogurt maker is capable of preparing any fermented milk product depending on the starter used and the recommended fermentation time, for example:
- sour cream;
- fermented baked milk;
- cottage cheese;
- matsoni;
- bifidocus;
- kefir;
- Varenets;
- curdled milk.
Dairy products prepared at home will always be fresh and have a short shelf life, which is especially important for families with small children or elderly people.
Almost every yogurt maker comes with a book of recipes tested by the manufacturer. With its help it is easy to create curd desserts, drinkable yoghurts and even food for the first feeding.
To enrich the taste, it is allowed to add filler to the finished product: berries or fruits, jam or chocolate chips. In this way, you can constantly change the taste of yogurt while maintaining the benefits of bifidobacteria.
How does a yogurt maker work?
Using a yogurt maker in the kitchen is very simple. The preparation of most fermented milk products is based on maintaining a stable temperature, usually within 38 °C. In this case, the process of fermentation of milk sugar occurs, and the original product turns into yogurt. Since there is no significant increase in temperature, all vitamins, minerals and bifidobacteria are retained in the finished product.
The design of the yogurt maker consists of:
- containers with a lid into which milk is directly placed;
- thermally insulated housing with metal or plastic walls;
- heating element;
- thermostat.
A video about the operation of a yogurt maker shows that to prepare a fermented milk delicacy, you need to pour milk with starter into the internal container, and then run a preset program or manually set the processing time and temperature. The device will ensure uniform heating of the product without a sharp increase or decrease in heat. At the end of the operating cycle, the device will turn off, and the finished yogurt will only have to be packaged in separate jars or consumed immediately.
Advice! Models of kitchen appliances are generally similar to each other. When choosing, you need to focus on capacity; for a large family it is better to buy a large device.
Types of yogurt makers
Kitchen appliances may differ from each other in operating principle or design. Reviews of yogurt makers highlight several types of devices.
With thermos function
The maximum possible temperature for such yogurt makers is usually 60 °C. When milk is placed in the inner container, the device gradually heats the contents to the upper limit, and then turns off. The temperature inside the bowl drops slowly, the yogurt ferments efficiently while maintaining all its beneficial properties.
Yogurt makers-thermoses allow you to prepare a treat in just 4-5 hours
With constant temperature
Such models are simpler. They work according to the following principle: the contents of the inner container are heated to 40 ° C, and this level of heat is maintained until the very end without increases or decreases. The advantages of this variety include the fact that the yogurt is of the highest quality. But there is also a drawback: it takes more than 8 hours to prepare it, so it is recommended to start the device at night.
Yogurt makers with constant heating are most often found in stores
With large capacity
Preparation of yogurt in such models occurs in one large bowl. It is convenient to use the device, since you can prepare a large quantity of delicacy for the whole family at one time. But there is also a minus - you won’t be able to make assorted fermented milk with different flavors and additives; there will be only one type of yogurt.
The size of the yogurt maker bowl is on average about 1.5 liters
With a set of cups
Some models, instead of a single bowl, are equipped with portioned cups, from 4 to 15 pieces. The inconvenience is that during cooking, milk and starter must be poured into each container separately, and after use, thoroughly wash them all one by one.
But portioned yogurt makers make it possible to prepare different types of delicacies in one cycle of operation. For example, you can add fruit, berry, and chocolate filling to the cups. Typically, such kitchen appliances are purchased by large families. For adults and children, you can prepare yoghurts according to individual preferences, rather than looking for a compromise that suits everyone.
The finished treat can be consumed directly from the portioned cups of the yogurt maker
Basic parameters for choosing a yogurt maker
To choose a high-quality yoghurt maker, you should pay attention to the most important characteristics of the models. Namely:
- Power.
In this case, the higher power of the device does not affect the quality of the products it produces. Both 12 W and 50 W yogurt makers will work the same.
- Type of container.
There are models that provide one large container for preparing fermented milk, and there are those in which the product can be divided into portions in jars (from four to fifteen depending on the configuration). In some cases, you can also place your own jars (for example, baby food) in a large container. Which option you choose depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Yogurt maker for 12 jars Yogurt maker for 2 liters Yogurt maker for 6 jars Yogurt maker for 1 liter
- Container material.
Both jars and bowls can be made of different materials: plastic, glass, ceramics. It is preferable to use glass and ceramic containers, since they are easier to clean and disinfect, but such models are more expensive. In the case of plastic, you need to be sure that this material is suitable for use for food purposes - always check the quality mark of the product, and do not skimp on buying from unknown and dubious manufacturers.
Glass containers for making yogurt
- Volume of containers.
One large container can reach a volume of 1.5 liters. Individual cups vary in volume. You can choose a small container (100-125 ml), medium (140-175 ml) and large (200 ml). At the same time, the larger the volume of the cups, the fewer of them fit into the main container, and the smaller the container, the more servings you get.
Set of cups for yogurt maker Containers of various sizes
- Control Panel.
In various modifications, the control panel can be electronic, mechanical, or absent altogether. In the latter case, the user himself controls the heating process and the degree of readiness of the product. Mechanical control occurs using two rotary switches (temperature + time), and electronic control occurs using buttons with an automatic timer (the device turns off itself when the yogurt is ready). Electronic control is the most convenient, since such models are also equipped with a display.
Yogurt maker control panel
Depending on your budget, you can choose the simplest version of a yogurt maker with a mechanical timer. The cost of “sophisticated” electronic models is justified by their ease of use and precisely calibrated recipe.
Monitoring the readiness of fermented milk is a difficult task, and beginners may not be able to achieve the desired result the first time.
How to use a yogurt maker
Algorithms for preparing specific delicacies in a kitchen appliance may differ; they depend on the selected recipe. But in general, using a yogurt maker involves several steps:
- First, the internal container of the device is thoroughly cleaned using detergent and sterilized, processed in a double boiler, microwave oven, or simply scalded with boiling water.
- Then milk is poured into the device, usually it is pre-boiled, then cooled to 40 ° C and mixed in a container or portioned cups with the starter and selected additional ingredients. The product must be mixed with a clean, pre-sterilized spoon. If drops of milk get past the container or cups, they will need to be wiped to prevent burning.
- Close the filled container with a lid and set one of the automatic cooking programs or set the time using a timer. The timing depends on the recipe and the type of device; some models process the product in just 4-5 hours, in others it is necessary to simmer the raw materials for 10-12 hours.
After cooking is completed, the yogurt maker will turn off itself. In the most budget models that do not support automatic cycles, you need to time the device and turn it off manually.
It is better to choose models of yogurt makers with a timer, they will help not to overcook the product
The finished fermented milk delicacy is placed in the refrigerator, covered with a lid so that it does not sour too quickly. Turn off the kitchen appliance, wait until it cools down, and then immediately wash it so that the remaining raw materials do not dry to the walls of the container.
Recommendations for use and care
The functions of the yogurt maker are very simple, and caring for it is also not particularly difficult. The inner container must be cleaned after each use and sterilized before use; the body and lid must be wiped from time to time with a damp cloth.
It is best to turn off an unused yogurt maker not only with the button, but also from the network. It is recommended to keep the device in a place where children cannot reach it.
Some models of kitchen appliances have a special compartment for the cord. This is convenient because you don’t have to think about where to lay a long wire in a limited space on the countertop.
Glass serving jars are dishwasher safe
When using a yogurt maker, it is important to follow the operating instructions and adhere to special recipes. This will help you prepare truly delicious fermented milk treats and will also extend the service life of the device.
Attention! When in working condition, the yogurt maker must not be tilted, moved or rearranged from place to place. In this case, the fermented milk product with sourdough may spill.
How to use a yogurt maker correctly: subtleties of operation
Please take into account the following tips and features of the device so that its use does not bring unpleasant consequences:
- After turning on the yogurt maker, you cannot move it from its place.
- The device should be located away from sources of vibration.
- 3 Voltage surges will adversely affect the operation of the device. It is recommended to use the device at night.
- Do not open the cover of the device during operation. After finishing work, the lid must be removed backwards, in relation to the yogurt maker.
- It is recommended to choose glass jars with a screw cap.
- Prepared yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 8 days.
- The set of containers with lids can be washed either by hand or in the dishwasher. To clean the device, you can use abrasive sponges, acetone, and alcohol. It is enough to clean the parts of the device from above.
Now making yogurt according to all the rules for operating the device will not be difficult.
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