11" Yogurt Maker

When I made the first batch of yogurt I didn't notice that the Yogurt Maker didn't chime when I turned it on. Didn't matter as it worked fine, made great yogurt, but didn't shut off automatically. Because I am over busy like so many people, I simply tossed the box. When I did the second batch, I noticed the machine would shut off way before it was supposed to. I ended up having to turn it back on twice. The yogurt came out fine but having to monitor the machine was down right annoying. My advice is to use the machine a few times before you throw out the box or you will be in the same predicament as I am of having to run it while I am home so I can turn it back on. Bummer! After giving it some thought, I ordered the exact same yogurt maker, used the box to send the defective one back. The new one works like a charm. I'd give it a 5 for the second one. Amazon sent me a UPS prepaid address via email and refunded the full amount of my purchase. Amazon rocks!! In case anyone is interested, powdered milk works great in the Yogurt maker. I ordered Organic because the grocery store only carries Carnation which isn't organic. Got the organic on line at Amazon.Update: bought this in 2012 used it sporadically since then but it still works fine. I am shocked at how the price has risen. I know I didn't pay $30. If I were to buy a yogurt maker the current price would have scared me off. A yogurt maker simply keeps things at a uniform temperature and there are some for less money. The pros are that it continues to work after five years and I have produced many batches of yogurt. I like the individual containers a lot. It does need to be cleaned out after each use, which leads to the cons. It's hard to get into the small, individual compartments so I've ended up using a q-tip. It's awkward but it works. It's also a negative that the manufacturer doesn't carry more of the indivual containers. I have to wait until I'm down to the last one before I can make another batch. Given the cons listed, if I were to buy a yogurt maker today, I would look for a different. However, as long as it keeps working, I will still this one.

I recently bought this yogurt maker from amazon.com. You can set the hours manually which adds flexibility. I did not see any instructions included but luckily I already knew the process from prior yogurt making. All I needed was some milk and then a starter. I bought a small Greek nonfat yogurt for a starter because it is nice and thick, then I just used 2 % Milk which you have to heat to about 175 Degrees Fahrenheit . I get there after a few minutes in the microwave depending how much milk I use, stir it a few times, monitor it closely to avoid a boil over mess, use a candy thermometer for temperature measuring and then let it cool to just under 120 Degrees. Take out your starter from the fridge so it will be room temp while you are letting the milk cool. Mix the starter yogurt well with the cooled down boiled milk (you need about a TBS of starter per cup of milk) and then fill up the little cups that come with the yogurt maker, set it for 6-12 hours (there are a couple of buttons to push but they are easy to figure out: first press power, then hours/min and then start) , it will keep it steady at the right temperature for yogurt making (around 108 Degrees Fahrenheit) and you will have perfectly thick, creamy yogurt and it is so easy... The next time you can use a little of the made yogurt for your next batch and you can save the expense of buying store bought yogurt, you just need milk and that is much less where I live. And it is as natural as it gets because this has no stabilizers added, just milk and starter yogurt and proper temperature! After it is done (mine was done after 6 hours, it looked thick and creamy) you just move the cups to the fridge for at least another 4-6 hours so it can cool and firm up more and you'll have a nice 6 oz cup all week (it has 8 plastic cups with lids included) before you have to make another batch. If you really like yogurt like I do on a frequent basis, then this pays for itself after a month or two... and it is fun and easy and the result is great in terms of taste and texture. It is also a really neat way of doing it.. I used to do it for a while manually and it was much more work and less reliable. I am pleased with this model and impressed by its results. Not to mention the health benefit of cultured milk. Cheers to your health:) On a side note, I think, I will hand wash these little cups gently in soapy water in order to make them last as long as possible. I hope you can reorder more as they have a very unique shape and cannot be substituted that easily. It would be cool to see matching replacement cups listed on amazon.com.

I used this once with ok results. The second time I used it, it quit working altogether. Could never get it to turn on again and sent it back. Too many people have had trouble with this model and I don't think it's worth the risk to buy it.

I bought this after learning that yogurt only requires a few cups of milk and a couple of tablespoons of existing yogurt. That's it!! Then I read the ingredients in store bought yogurt and was surprised at how many "extra" ingredients they put in it. I'm not a health nut but I don't see the purpose of eating things that don't add to the flavor or my health. This machine works perfectly. After heating the milk and putting it into the cups I turn it on and leave it for 9 hours. It turns itself off after the set time. No need to watch it. Just come back later and presto, you have fresh yogurt with no preservatives and no extras and you'll save a lot of money in the process. So simple. I've made several batches and its come out perfect every time (unless I did something wrong. See below). Here's to your health.F.Y.I. Using a couple of tablespoons of powdered milk will make it creamier and not so thin. I add the sugar (if you prefer sweetened yogurt over plain) and the powdered milk just before I put it in the containers for the yogurt maker. But DON'T add fruit til after it's done. Otherwise you'll ruin it. The acid from most fruits will throw off the culturing process. Good luck.